Welcome to my Kuala Lumpur

This is my way of sharing my discoveries, re-discoveries, memories & experiences

as well as other bits & pieces of information I have of

growing up in Kuala Lumpur.

Your comments & suggestions to make this blog your reference to all things KL would be very much appreciated.

Search This Blog

Monday, June 15, 2009

Walking a Triangle - Jalan Ipoh, Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Pahang

I decided to go back to where I first started, i.e. at the Chow Kit Monorail Station.

This time, however, I took Jalan Ipoh, then turned off at Jalan Tun Razak and came back via Jalan Pahang.

A popular photocopy center.

I thought that it was a franchise as there are several outlets in and around KL, but I was told that it is owned by a Sarawakian whose family members manage the outlets and the employees are fellow Sarawakians. For your information, Sarawak is one of the states (the largest by area) of the Federation of Malaysia located on the island of Borneo.

This casket shop has been operating here since the 1960's.

Do Re Mi has been around for sometime now. They were along Jalan Raja Laut previously.

One of the pre-war shop-houses along Jalan Ipoh.

Another one, in a somewhat depilated condition.

I wanted to show the shop signage, which is probably from a time when names were translated from the English into Malay any which way the owner wanted.

Yet another shop-house.

This one has even got a fresh coat of paint.

The owners got into trouble with Mc Donald's for copyright infringement. However, they won on appeal as the court ruled that the copyright was for "Mc Donald's" and not for just "Mc". The restaurant does not sell fast food and the Mc is supposed to be short for Malaysian Chicken.

This flour mill was here during the 1960's.

Whole spices were prepared at home (washed, dried and mixed in the right proportions) and we used to send it to this mill to be ground to curry powder. Same for rice flour, wash and dry it, then send it to this mill to be ground. The charge was based on the weight of the produce - that was in katties and tahils then.

These days, its more convenient to buy them in packets.

There was no such partition then. Walk along this stretch and the aroma of spices will surely get to you.

The same machinery is still used.

Reddy Clinic by the river, still there since those days.

Canvas tarpaulins made to order here.

View from another angle.

Competitor next door. They seem to specialize in those giant umbrellas.

Weights and measures anyone?

The famous 'butterfly' shop.

It was unfortunate that they were closed on Saturday. In those days, we used to have a Butterfly kerosene stove and a Butterfly oven which was used on the stove. I would have loved to see if they still carried those items in stock.

Further along Jalan Ipoh - the Dynasty Hotel. This was the site of the Golden City Cinema.

Next, we'll continue along Jalan Tun Razak or Jalan Pekililing as it was called before - a direct translation from Circular Road.

Friday, June 12, 2009

KLCC Park - In the shade of the Petronas Twin Towers

Everyone knows the iconic Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the world's tallest building (for a while anyway). Surya KLCC is the attached shopping mall is also one of the attractions of Kuala Lumpur.

Not to be forgotten is the beautifully landscaped KLCC Park, and this is where I was last Saturday (June 6) after I visited the National Monument.

The place was full of people and these are some shots of those who work hard to keep the place looking as it does and others who come here to enjoy the serenity that the place offers right in the middle of the city.

The fountains were not on during my visit.




















The KLCC park spanning 17 acres (69,000 m2) below the Petronas Twin Towers building has jogging and walking paths, a fountain with incorporated light show, wading pools, and a children's playground. (Souce: Wikipedia)





Wednesday, June 10, 2009

National Monument, Kuala Lumpur

Our National Memorial Monument or Tugu Peringatan Negara in Malay is quite near the Bird Park. I thought that it would be a great photo opportunity and I was not disappointed.

Sign at the entrance.

This plaque is very informative, not only to foreign visitors but to locals as well.

The first thing that greets you is the war memorial.

The place is popular with the young...

... the very young, the not so young ...

... and of course photo enthusiasts.

The water fountain at the pavilion area.

The monument as seen for the rear.

The monument from one of the front corners.

Children will be children - the little girl decided to sit instead of stand with her mother.

A view of the monument with the semi-circular pavilion in the rear.

Hey, wait for me.

This little guy was not photo shy - waited for me to get close enough for this shot.

Some of the state crests decorating the pavilion - Perak ...

... Penang ...
... and Perlis.

Of course the National crest is also there.

Plaque commemorating the opening by the then DYMM SPB Yang DiPertuan Agong (King) who was the grand-father of our present Agong, the Sultan of Terengganu.

The twin towers and the KL tower seen from the Monument complex.

Did I mention, its a good place for a romantic evening... only don't let those guys from the local enforcement agencies get you.


The ASEAN Sculpture Garden is located just beside the Monument complex. The signs are quite self-explanatory, where I could find them.