Ray

For the most part, KL is a fantastic, colourful city, with great food, great shopping places, and mostly friendly people. I’ve always enjoyed my visit to KL, be it for holiday or business (I stayed there for about 6 months in 2003).

That said, if you don’t drive, it’s best to have somebody you know (maybe a friend) bringing you around. My experience with the taxis here, it’s like whenever you get into a cab your chance is 40-40-20: 40% chance of getting shown ridiculous price at the end of the trip (it’s like all of them have a “QUINTUPLETHEMETERRATE” hidden button somewhere), 40% chance of getting asked for ridiculous money before the trip starts, 20% of actually finding a normal, or rather I should say exceptional, taxi driver. I usually tip generously those exceptional taxi drivers who charge me normal rate, because they are so freakin rare.

Do NOT go alone if you’re female. Travel in packs. If you feel that you’re pretty and/or well-endowed, curvaceous, voluptuous, whatever, please don’t succumb to that temptation of “flaunting what you’ve got”. Cover yourself well. I’ve heard and read too many gangrape stories in KL newspapers, the last one was a model who was raped and then murdered. Please, be safe. Use common sense. Travel in packs, get some guyfriends in the group, do not go to dark areas, be watchful of your surroundings, and carry a pepper spray just in case.

Um, it’s going to be strange saying this after all that above, but I’ll definitely go back. Nice, nice city overall.

Bali is a beautiful island with great scenery and (mostly) friendly people. I had a wonderful experience there with a hired car, from Uluwatu, then Candidasa (lovely and deserted beach, unlike Kuta), then that “Palace of Water”—I can’t remember the name, Tirta something.

Then of course Ubud, the place of artists, good food, and cool weather.

The only bad experience of our trip was our visit to Pura Besakih (supposedly the biggest temple in Bali). That supposedly holy place is like run by a bunch of thugs and crooks, who constantly harassed you for money, money, money, money, money, starting from the beginning of the long, narrow road to Besakih (which gives you fantastic view along the way, BTW), to the parking lot, and of course to the entrance gate.

Our visit to Besakih was basically ruined, so after a quick look inside the temple (accompanied by 2 of the thu… guides, who asked for MORE money after the short tour), we just drove away and decided to drive slowly to enjoy the scenery.

Not far from the temple? A policeman is trying to stop us for no reason. But we were wise now. I just stepped on the pedal and disappeared from his sight.

The last two days we spent in Sanur beach, which was just lovely. We had a great time there, waking up in the morning to see the sunrise, and walking along the beach at night to watch the little tiny minuscule crabs drunking their way along the sands.

And they have wonderful seafood!

I enjoyed Bali a lot and I’ll go there again. But Besakih, no way, not ever again.

Foie Gras, Escargot, Truffle, Roast Duck… any more ideas on what to eat in France? :)