Gnarfgnarf sights in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Twins of Kuala Lumpur at night

The KL Tower, we sure like scrapers here

Kuala Lumpur's Palace

SIGHTS OF KUALA LUMPUR

Gotham City revisited

Go see the Petronas twin towers. The twins were the tallest buildings in the world for a brief time. The twins were further exalted to fame when Hollywood filmed the action flick 'Entrapment' with Catherine Zeta Jones and Sean Connery. Great shopping mall below (KLCC mall) and great view from the top. Nice park and pond by the side for those who want a bit of nature in the otherwise urban KL jungle. However, if you ask me, it's best to view the twin towers at night from afar. There are many spots in KL where you can get a glimpse of the towers in their glory and magnificence.

Another sky-scraper worth seeing is the KL tower, the Eiffel Tower of South East Asia. You might have to queue to get up there and pay a small fare but if you want a view of the entire city, this is where you will get it. Jalan Puncak. Admission: RM 8. Open 10.00-10.00

Old architecture

For those who enjoy the intricacies of good old architecture, check out the old railway station building, the courthouses and the Royal Selangor Club building in front of a vast Padang (field) where Malaysian independence was declared in 1957. They are all in the same vicinity. In my view, this is really the heart of KL. The majesty of the buildings is unsurpassed anywhere else in Malaysia. Great photograph taking spot. Merdeka Square. Admission: Free.

Expeditions away from Kuala Lumpur

I always tell my visiting foreign friends that a day or two at a Malaysian beach resort is an absolute must. KL is great for one thing - it is a good focal point in Malaysia from which you can start your journeys to nice world class beaches and resorts.

The Peninsular (West Malaysia) is host to numerous beaches, both spoiled and unspoiled, crowded and secluded. Tourists often flock to Penang (5 hour drive from KL), Langkawi (4 hour drive from KL) and Tioman (4 hour drive from KL) for a taste of high-living by the beach. You can get to these hot destinations by bus or rent a car and try to get there yourself. Not too hard if you ask me. The North-South interstate highway is excellent. Road signs are clear and roads are wide. Pay a little toll but it's worth it. At these places you can get great seafood (barbequed prawns, fish, squid etc), great beaches, water sports, obscenely tall cocktails and of course, a to-die-for tan. No nudes please. Foreigners in bikinis or monokinis are a welcome sight though the local chicks are often clad in a one-piece.

Tioman is also a hit with ardent divers. Trengganu (on the East coast of West Malaysia, 5 hour drive from KL) is home to many beaches. More significantly, Trengganu is the headquarters of the infamous leatherback turtle. Check with the locals when the egg-laying season is. During this time, the turtles come in huge crowds to lay their fragile little eggs on the beach. A rare and captivating sight. Check out the beaches at Pangkor (3 hour drive from KL) and Pangkor Laut (a sub-island off Pangkor). Pangkor Laut is rated one of the best beaches in the world. Clear seas and sandy white beaches are the norm. Check out Sabah in East Malaysia (You have to fly here). Tanjung Ara is a great spot for divers. So is Sipadan but look out for terrorists. When hitting a Malaysian beach, remember to arm yourself with sun-tan oil and aloe vera gel to soothe the burnt epidermis. Ladies, drape a sarong round your waist and leave a high slit on the side. The wind will do the rest. Malaysian beaches are absolutely fantastic! A bronze sheer on the skin is an unmistakable mark of your success.

For a quick day-trip from the city, try Malacca. Malacca is a historical little town that is located to the south of KL. It is only an hour and a half away from KL. The atmosphere here is unique as is the history. Malacca was once a famous port and used to be occupied by the Portuguese. The Portuguese influence has added a charming flavor to the architecture, food and lifestyle here. Look out for the famous red post office building in central Malacca (you won't miss it). Try the Mee Siam (typical Malaccan noodle dish here. It's great and KL cannot offer an authentic version of this dish.

Taman Negara -this is the National Park of Malaysia. Located in the middle of the Western Peninsula, Taman Negara offers great views of flora and fauna. Only 5 hours from KL. It is here that you can find the oldest tropical rainforest in the world. Lots of activities - you can go fishing, observe wildlife, trek the forest and lots more. An absolute must for the adventurous nature-lover. There are many tours that operate in and around Taman Negara. The more luxurious ones cost about US $300-500 for a 3 day 4 night visit to the park. For those who can rough it out, you should be able to get by with a much smaller budget.