RandyRandy

Otherwise it was fine. I was surprised at the amount of non-Halal options - they have more than KL from what I saw and it is the most heavily populated Muslim country in the world. The people I dealt with were all very super-friendly and they're very service oriented. Stayed at the Gran Melia and overall may have had the best service of any hotel I've ever been in. I think the Park Hyatt in Tokyo is the most luxiourious, but this Gran Melia was awesome. And it had Embassy-type security. Searches of every car inside and out, metal detectors, guys with serious looking automatic weapons.

It's a quick 2 hour flight from KL and cheap on Air Asia - we'll see if I go back.

I've been in KL for almost 2 years (in Bangsar). The rainy season is just coming to an end - it's been a rough month. In June I moved from a very modern apartment building to a 5,000SF townhouse. I have an exterminator in literally once a week to do battle with those cockroaches. Their size is stunning.

Otherwise KL is ok - very international modern city. Reasonable prices for most things. I saw a CNN report that said it was number 8 in the world for foreign tourists. Lots of Aussies and Middle Easterners. A lot of oil money. Economy is weak, the Ringgit has tanked to 1997 levels. I'm looking at another 18 months here, then back to New York.

I made it to one bar last night - Top Gun in Blok M. Reminded me a little of Tijuana. A lot of available talent for on premises or takeaway.

I did catch up on a ton of emails and was Whatapping plenty. Bought a sim card at the airport for $5 and it was a lifesaver.