fh_trips | Kuala Lumpur [Friday, February 28, 2014, morning]

Screw you, February. I won't miss you.

Students are lodged in deluxe park view rooms (http://www.mandarinoriental.com/kualalumpur/accommodation/deluxe-park-view-room/) in the Mandarin Oriental (http://www.mandarinoriental.com/kualalumpur/hotel/) with great views of KLCC Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KLCC_Park) and large marble bathrooms, and the chaperones are five floors up in the club park view rooms (http://www.mandarinoriental.com/kualalumpur/accommodation/club-park-view-room/) where they have access to the hotel's club amenities (weekday deli lunch, afternoon tea and evening cocktails) and you kids don't. Neener. Wake up and order room service (http://photos.mandarinoriental.com/is/content/MandarinOriental/kuala-lumpur-in-the-room-dining) or go off and explore!

[OOC: Your rooms are here (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aq994Jtyb7HrdDFXUmxTREN1aXlIZndHZEw2d29EUWc#gid=0), make with the dirty in your personal journals!]

Okay, so they only have the one (http://photos.mandarinoriental.com/is/image/MandarinOriental/kuala-lumpur-swimming-pool-4?$GalleryPortrait$), but you can't have everything, right? And the view is pretty stunning.

With a hotel this nice, of course the gym (http://photos.mandarinoriental.com/is/image/MandarinOriental/kuala-lumpur-fitness-center-1?$CarouselCrop$&fit=crop) is just as nice, and they offer a variety of classes, including yoga, zumba and Tai Chi, two outdoor tennis courts and indoor golf.

The Spas at Mandarin Oriental are born out of a sincere understanding and passion for wellness, which they define as a way of life
that focuses on physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. If you haven't been pampered enough in Bali, or have just become accustomed to that as a way of life, check out their menu of options (http://photos.mandarinoriental.com/is/content/MandarinOriental/kuala-lumpur-spa-brochure).

One of the best all-day dining restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, Mosaic (http://www.mandarinoriental.com/kualalumpur/fine-dining/mosaic/) serves a delicious mix of local and international cuisine, complemented by interactive live cooking stations and a large dessert bar. Presented in cast iron pans, woks and copper pots or served in individual portions, dishes include Indian classics such as tandoori chicken, Japanese sushi and sashimi, and Chinese dim sum and stir-fries. To complete the experience an open kitchen offers authentic barbecued specialties. Overlooking KLCC Park, the restaurant’s elegant interior reflects the Peranakan culture with intricate hanging pewter lights and beautiful mosaic walls. (Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Edited 2014-02-28 07:54 (UTC)

Enjoying a refreshing al fresco setting, Cascade (http://www.mandarinoriental.com/kualalumpur/fine-dining/cascade-restaurant-and-bar/) is situated next to the third floor pool and overlooks the lush green scenery of Kuala Lumpur’s KLCC park and the city skyline. Featuring a wide choice of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine including salads, sandwiches and light bites, the menu also offers a selection of refreshing drinks ranging from freshly squeezed juices to teas and coffees. Effortlessly stylish and wonderfully laid back, Cascade is the perfect choice for chilled-out, poolside dining. (Open 10am until 10pm)

Opened in 1936, though a wet market has stood on the site since 1888, KL's Central Market (http://centralmarket.com.my/) has seen it all. While once the art deco building was full of stalls selling meat and produce, since the mid-1980s it has promoted Malaysian arts and culture. The interior is split into themed areas representing the country's diverse population, which include Lorong Melaya, where shops sell Malay handicraft; a replica of Malacca's Jonkers Street; and Little India. The adjoining Kasturi Walk features an array of food stalls; the Annexe Gallery is a center of contemporary arts.

Suria KLCC (http://pavilion-kl.com/) is close to the top -- or should that be basement -- of KL's shopping greats. This luxury mall occupies the bottom six podium floors of the Petronas Twin Towers (a must-see in its own right), and their 170-meter-high Skybridge. It has everything from luxury goods to everyday items, including branches of Parkson, Isetan, Cold Storage and Marks & Spencer, a fantastic food court, a cineplex, a huge branch of Kinokuniya bookstore and a fun-filled Science Discovery Centre and aquarium.

New York has one, as does Hong Kong, so it only makes sense that KL -- arguably Southeast Asia’s shopping capital -- has a Times Square (http://berjayatimessquarekl.com). Highlights include Malaysia’s largest indoor theme park, split between family-friendly and adult-only rides; a Taipei-style night market on the third floor, complete with flashing neon signs, manholes and food stalls; and the Grand Musical Stairs, where you can pretend to be Tom Hanks in the movie "Big," as you make your own music on giant keys. All this and much more in what claims to be the world’s ninth largest building in terms of floor space.

This tiny enclave offers enough of an injection of local color to last for a 100-mile radius. Steam-table joints alternate with groceries peddling papaya-tomato soap, while spices waft along with tabla rhythms and the range of stacked embroidered textiles outdoes any tropical sunset. It's a cozy, safe enclave too: Madras without the madness.

It's right outside the hotel, so it's not like you need to take a cab to get there! There's acres of well-manicured lawns (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298570-d3684114-Reviews-Taman_KLCC_Kuala_Lumpur_City_Centre_Park-Kuala_Lumpur_Wilayah_Persekutuan.html) to walk through, as well as beautiful water fountains that dance to music at sunset, a public pool, and a two-acre playground for kids or kids-at-heart.

Edited 2014-02-28 08:06 (UTC)

Eat (tasty food), Pray (in mosques and temples around KL) & Love (the city when you're finished!) Enjoy a walk (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298570-d2460668-Reviews-Malaysia_Heritage_Walk-Kuala_Lumpur_Wilayah_Persekutuan.html) through the quaint backstreets of Kuala Lumpur for delectable local treats – from ethic eateries to specialty food shops – as well as the hidden gems of the old city for a glimpse of its history, architecture, and entertainment offerings.

Because there are thousands of places to spend money in KL.

And just as many other things to do!

There was no way anybody was going to be able to coerce Elsa into the water - that was really just an invitation for all sorts of terrible things to happen - but today she finally managed to nerve herself into leaving her room, bringing a geometry textbook with her to sit outside and soak in the ambiance of the pool, the summer weather, the fascinating view of the city beyond...

Her one concession to being beside a pool was that she was actually dressed for it by modern standards, wearing a modest swimsuit (http://www.reyswimwear.com/products/caroline-in-mint) which she'd then proceeded to layer a sarong (http://www.reyswimwear.com/products/caroline-in-mint) on top of. And her gloves. Because good luck getting her to ever take those off.

Today was the kind of day where Zoe wished she could put a leash on Grace without getting arrested. She was running to every shop, distracted by all of the shiny, pretty colored things, and it was a miracle Zoe was managing to keep up with her while doing her own window shopping too. There were some awfully nice things here.

Sia was mostly walking around here for the experience. She liked getting to see different cultures and how they did things here, so this seemed like a perfect opportunity to do so. She was especially looking to see if there was anything she'd like to take back with her.

Joker hadn't actually gone swimming yet. He'd spent so much time catching rays and relaxing that he'd forgotten about the water. He didn't realize it until they were just about to leave the beach, and at that point it was too late for fun in the surf.

Still, there was a pool here, and the view was STUNNING. He sat on the side of the pool, tossed his crutches and leg braces beside the chair he'd claimed with his towel, and slipped into the water. He swam over to the edge and just stood there, staring out at the city and enjoying the feel of being able -- with the water's help -- to stand without crutches. He'd probably stay here all day.

Kuala Lumpur [Friday, February 28, 2014, morning]

HOTEL

KUALA LUMPUR

OOC

Rooms [2/28 AM]

Pool, Gym & Spa

Restaurants

Shopping

Touring

Pool [2/28 AM]

Gym [2/28 AM]

Spa [2/28 AM]

Mosaic [2/28 AM]

Cascade Restarant and Bar [2/28 PM]

Central Market [2/28]

Suria KLCC [2/28]

Berjaya Times Square [2/28]

Little India [2/28]

KLCC Park [2/28]

Eat, Pray & Love Walking Tour [2/28]

Mod Your Shopping! [2/28]

Mod Your Adventures! [2/28]

Re: Pool [2/28 AM]

Re: Central Market [2/28]

Re: Little India [2/28]

Re: Pool [2/28 AM]