There is the possibility of a serial murderer stalking young children. The latest was a young Malay child of no more than seven. She was brutally raped and then strangled and thrown into a cesspit. The other two have not been found.
I believe the murderer is driving a car and not a "kapchai" as the under 150cc motorbikes are called. Imagine abducting a struggling 5 - 9 year old child. One could not possibly ride that motorbike, let alone not have anyone notice the child on board. You would have to put a helmet on the child as well. No, this person has a car, and if he has a car, would he have a house?
The murderer drove within 5 minutes walk from where I live. Jalan Semarak, a one kilometer stretch of road right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur city. It is even possible he came hunting down our road. I hope he is caught as the fear of this animal perturbs me.
What did the Doors say,"...theres a killer on the loose". So look after the kids. Kairo has been give authority over the house when Xia and him are at home.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Hari Raya in KL
The best time of the year in KL is during the holidays, and most especially during Hari Raya. Not because the parties are any better, although some say they are, but because traffic is non-existent and so the pollution.
As one takes a drive down Jalan Tun Razak, now a hysterical nightmare during the common days, one can drive at a leisurely 80kmh. Now that is what is called nice driving. Getting anywhere around this town is a cinch.
Unfortunately Raya ends by the end of this week, Sunday will be nightmare as everyone returns. So whatever you are doing, go out now, leave the weekend for another day!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Streamyx is crap
The problem in Malaysia is that there is some kind of business model where the consumer is the last person cared for on the list. First they moved everyone of their 56K line and pushed them to their ADSL business. Than they constrict the pipes in ADSL so they can push them to their totally unsecure WIFI network. I bet you that becomes crap as soon as something else pops up.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Mega Mall
For a muslim country, Christmas time is sure busy in KL. Driving down the federal highway, traffic was at a crawl from Mega Mall all the way to the start of the federal highway beginning in KL itself.
Mega Mall is an engine enigma to me. There it sits in the middle of three of the most populated areas in the Klang Valley, yet its only form of public transport is a single free bus from Bangsar LRT to itself and back again. It is the source of only traffic and traffic jams for anyone going down the federal highway towards PJ from KL. How is it that there are so many cars in this country?!
When I was living in Thailand, I met a man at a school who said to me that Bangkok is a dead city in terms of things to do for free. That may also go for KL as well. Before you do anything, be prepared to spend a few bucks. Nothing is free here. Now that is either an argument for or against Malaysia PLC. Something I am still dwelling on and in.
Mega Mall is an engine enigma to me. There it sits in the middle of three of the most populated areas in the Klang Valley, yet its only form of public transport is a single free bus from Bangsar LRT to itself and back again. It is the source of only traffic and traffic jams for anyone going down the federal highway towards PJ from KL. How is it that there are so many cars in this country?!
When I was living in Thailand, I met a man at a school who said to me that Bangkok is a dead city in terms of things to do for free. That may also go for KL as well. Before you do anything, be prepared to spend a few bucks. Nothing is free here. Now that is either an argument for or against Malaysia PLC. Something I am still dwelling on and in.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Traffic in Kuala Lumpur...
Is actually determined by schools in the area to some extent. Whenever the school holidays begin, traffic becomes light and if you are willing to bypass the usual hours where office workers rush to work than it is actually quite pleasant.
However when school begins, I believe that workers begin to push their work times forward and this causes worker traffic and school traffic to intermingle creating the big 'JAM' as its known in these parts. The average speed of a vehicle in KL is somewhere between 10 - 30 kmh. Not much good if you have a V8 Mercedes but great if you have a small car like the ones made here.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
The whole population of KL must have passed through KLCC today ...
Otherwise the population in this area has just gone insane. Annual Christmas shopping and there was hardly any place to move around the crowd being just enormous. As usual, KLCC dragged out their Xmas tree Christmas centrepiece for the umpteenth time. I am going to spoil the next newbie tourists surprise. Here is a picture of the tree. Its now Christmas 2008. I wonder when they will decide to change this ornament.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Arts and Crafts
My youngest child is friend deprived unlike my oldest who seems to have no end of friends from around the area. It a matter of luck really. Sometime you live somewhere where there are hundreds of children of the age of 10 and sometimes there are hundreds of the age of 5. This usually means that we have to find things for my youngest to do.
Craft Attack at Great Eastern Mall provides an arts and craft programme for RM350 (a local way of saying Malaysian Ringgit is to call it RM) for ten classes. My daughter's first attempt at this was a wonderful picture frame with Snow White and apples. The pride my daughter showed tells me that this is a winner and a wonderful way to occupy her time. Great idea and wonderful gift.
Craft Attack at Great Eastern Mall provides an arts and craft programme for RM350 (a local way of saying Malaysian Ringgit is to call it RM) for ten classes. My daughter's first attempt at this was a wonderful picture frame with Snow White and apples. The pride my daughter showed tells me that this is a winner and a wonderful way to occupy her time. Great idea and wonderful gift.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Bukit Antarabangsa landslide
Rain has been falling since 8 pm yesterday. It is now 11:06 am in the morning and there is a slight to heavy drizzle. Reportedly, over 3000 people have been forced to evacuate from the worst areas. Saturday, December 6, 2008
Taman Bukit Mewah, Ampang landslides
Another unnecessary tragedy has struck the Bukit Antarabangsa and surrounding Ampang region. A landslide at approximately 3:30 am claimed over 4 lives. This is the third landslide in the area in as many years, each having taken life. When is something going to be done about this?
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Pan Mee and a great eat
Just behind McDonalds on Jalan Bukit Bintang, on the same road as Fortuna hotel, there is a great eating place for pan mee and wan tan mee. The name of the place is Pan Mee. It is a small local noodle shop about 25 metres from the Fortuna.
Whats good about it is that the noodles are all home made, the chili is to die for and the meatballs are one of a kind. Foodies will love the drinks as well. These are herbal teas and soy bean based drinks. Local varieties in other words.
Homemade noodles are actually made from eggs and flour and do not have yellow dyes. The difference is also in the way the noodles soak up the sauce.
The meatballs taste of real meat, pork or beef, and not an assimilation of gluten and cereals. Mixed into the meatballs are a variety of herbs and chiles.
Order the 'khon low' or dry style wan tan mee, mix in the dry and wet chilies with a cut lime and you will be in heaven. Another wonder of ancient Malaysia!
Try to eat there before or after 12pm as this is a favourite eating place for local workers and it can get fairly crowded.
Whats good about it is that the noodles are all home made, the chili is to die for and the meatballs are one of a kind. Foodies will love the drinks as well. These are herbal teas and soy bean based drinks. Local varieties in other words.
Homemade noodles are actually made from eggs and flour and do not have yellow dyes. The difference is also in the way the noodles soak up the sauce.
The meatballs taste of real meat, pork or beef, and not an assimilation of gluten and cereals. Mixed into the meatballs are a variety of herbs and chiles.
Order the 'khon low' or dry style wan tan mee, mix in the dry and wet chilies with a cut lime and you will be in heaven. Another wonder of ancient Malaysia!
Try to eat there before or after 12pm as this is a favourite eating place for local workers and it can get fairly crowded.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Jungle journey to Sungai Congkat
About an hours drive from Kuala Lumpur is a series of water-falls and a hot water pool where one can find peace and solitude and experience the Malaysian jungles.
Drive down Jalan Ampang until you get to the last set of traffic lights. Turn right pass two traffic lights and at the third set of lights turn left at a sign post showing Kajang. The drive up the hill is worth it as from here you can see the whole of Kuala Lumpur from the North East. Turn left at the bottom of the hill.
Balmy days like today is one of the best times to go. The water is cold and refreshing, the rock pools full of interesting fish and insect life. How does the stickleback like fish manage to find its way up the water fall is an fascinating study in migration patterns. Is part of its migratory routes in the water ways determined by its predators.
Lush joungle covers either side of the fall. Probably one of the hiddens wealths in Malaysia, dragon flies in scintillating colors buzz buzily around the fall-climber. It is not an easy climb but if one is experienced enough, the journey is worth a million. The air is cold so bring a climbing sweatshirt. Insect repellant is a must.
Passing through the Kampung I noticed at least three weddings. Everytime I go there there is a wedding in progress. For such a small Kampung I wonder if they have enough brides.
There's the usual pulut makers. Pulut is a small, sweet or savoury spoonful of rice wrapped in banana leaf. It is a kind of Malay sweet. Also curries being stirred in huge woks or indian pots. Spice waft through the air as an aunty, usually, stirs the curry. Young children walk the street hence the need to drive slowly and carefully. Kampung life has its own pace.
Drive down Jalan Ampang until you get to the last set of traffic lights. Turn right pass two traffic lights and at the third set of lights turn left at a sign post showing Kajang. The drive up the hill is worth it as from here you can see the whole of Kuala Lumpur from the North East. Turn left at the bottom of the hill.
Balmy days like today is one of the best times to go. The water is cold and refreshing, the rock pools full of interesting fish and insect life. How does the stickleback like fish manage to find its way up the water fall is an fascinating study in migration patterns. Is part of its migratory routes in the water ways determined by its predators.
Lush joungle covers either side of the fall. Probably one of the hiddens wealths in Malaysia, dragon flies in scintillating colors buzz buzily around the fall-climber. It is not an easy climb but if one is experienced enough, the journey is worth a million. The air is cold so bring a climbing sweatshirt. Insect repellant is a must.
Passing through the Kampung I noticed at least three weddings. Everytime I go there there is a wedding in progress. For such a small Kampung I wonder if they have enough brides.
There's the usual pulut makers. Pulut is a small, sweet or savoury spoonful of rice wrapped in banana leaf. It is a kind of Malay sweet. Also curries being stirred in huge woks or indian pots. Spice waft through the air as an aunty, usually, stirs the curry. Young children walk the street hence the need to drive slowly and carefully. Kampung life has its own pace.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Watch out for the concierge
Like most cities, the concierge is the hidden service that most people see but hardly take notice off. We leave our cars, and they park them. When we return, they get our cars and we pay them.
Have you wondered how we know who the concierge is? Or even if you will get your RM1 million car returned? Not likely! Its all to do with the city....
I went for a Whopper at Burger King, parked, was chased off but managed to waylay the parking attendents. It was a public car park after all! Drove off and found that someone had planted two nails in my back tyre. I wonder how that happened?!?!?!
Speak not of where you may be is a parable that in Malaysia one should adhere to. Better to be wise than foolish.
Have you wondered how we know who the concierge is? Or even if you will get your RM1 million car returned? Not likely! Its all to do with the city....
I went for a Whopper at Burger King, parked, was chased off but managed to waylay the parking attendents. It was a public car park after all! Drove off and found that someone had planted two nails in my back tyre. I wonder how that happened?!?!?!
Speak not of where you may be is a parable that in Malaysia one should adhere to. Better to be wise than foolish.
Zouk! Relauching of the KL Superclub
As a parent and an ex-school teacher, I see so many young people beginning their journeys through life. City entertainment is a part of that journey where music was its beginning. Zouk! here in KL is one place where the young find themselves, celebrating their lives and their fashions, for the men, its the usual, the women, the lesser the better. Zouk is after all a "super club", that is they have a massive space and an even more massive acoustic system that renders all but the totally deaf rubber legged.
The 27th of November, 2008 was Zouk's relaunch after a refitting and revamp of its interiors and club rooms. A slight drizzle forced most of us to stand under the tents. It was crowded. Traffic was at a standstill. I don't doubt Zouk had its part to play in this, even if it were not for the rain.
Standing there, I was reminded of my youth. A young man was trying to impress a young lady with his vast travel experience in Phuket and England, where England was pronounced with an almost English accent. To do this you have to raise your pitch on the Eng and lower it on the Land, pronouned lund, the d heavily disguised like a back door maestro.
Two Australians who finally made it pass the door bitches were revved up to go. Leg vibrating like jack hammers. Then it all happened. Dancers, doing high energy wayang kulit opened the doors, the golden dyed hair flashing in the lasers, silver tops barely seen over the heads of so many pre-180's (cm that is). A loud bang, silver streamers and confetti and the doors were opened.
Not a one for crowds, I went home.
The 27th of November, 2008 was Zouk's relaunch after a refitting and revamp of its interiors and club rooms. A slight drizzle forced most of us to stand under the tents. It was crowded. Traffic was at a standstill. I don't doubt Zouk had its part to play in this, even if it were not for the rain.
Standing there, I was reminded of my youth. A young man was trying to impress a young lady with his vast travel experience in Phuket and England, where England was pronounced with an almost English accent. To do this you have to raise your pitch on the Eng and lower it on the Land, pronouned lund, the d heavily disguised like a back door maestro.
Two Australians who finally made it pass the door bitches were revved up to go. Leg vibrating like jack hammers. Then it all happened. Dancers, doing high energy wayang kulit opened the doors, the golden dyed hair flashing in the lasers, silver tops barely seen over the heads of so many pre-180's (cm that is). A loud bang, silver streamers and confetti and the doors were opened.
Not a one for crowds, I went home.
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