Friday, April 5th
"Apa Caba"! This is "how are you" in Malaysian.
This is the capital and largest city in Malaysia with a population of 1.6 million but the entire metro area has over 7 million. The country has a population of over 30 million of which 55% are Muslim. In the past Malaysia was known as a major exporter of tin and rubber but tin is no longer mined that much. In addition nowadays, it manufactures electronics components, produces crude oil, is financial and insurance center, produces a lot of palm oil (which has a myriad of uses), and has a good tourism industry.
Last night we sailing through a big storm with lots of lightning and wind. Strange, but did not hear any thunder. There is a lot of boat traffic here in the Strait of Malacca between Indonesia and Malaysia. We are not arriving in Kuala Lumpur until 10am and all tours not departing ship until 12:30. Not sure why they aren't leaving sooner. We will be taking a tour today. When we stopped here back in 2010 we did not do any tour so have to see it this time.
Back from the tour and getting ready for dinner now. We were delayed getting ready as there was a Malaysian culture show for Regent's best customers in the show room at 6pm, just after we got back from out tour. So it's 7pm now and I am downloading photos while Rebecca finishes getting ready.
I was amazed with Kuala Lumpur today. Construction is going on like gangbusters. There are huge industrial buildings everywhere. Sam, our guide, says Japanese car manufacturers have several assembly plants here for cars, trucks and buses. Unemployment is only 4%. I can tell how good the economy is by the number of cars on the roads. Not many motor bikes as in the other Southeast Asia countries! Now I know why my investment brokerage company has us with some investments in Malaysia. This was a wonderful day here in the Malaysian capital. I was very impressed with this country. Not sure about the Muslim influence however!
This is an American owned pier and is used by the US Navy for all its ships coming through.
Our tour for today
Lots of modern houses that are government built then sold to the people for reasonable rates.
The Blue Mosque. Photo taken from couple miles away so much larger than it seems.
Brewery
Modern apartments everywhere
Modern office buildings also.
Buddhist temple
Indian part of town
Hindu Temple
Lush vegetation
National Monument--Monument designed by an American to commemorate the countries who fought here against the Japanese during WWII.
Crest of Malaysia
Click to enlarge and hopefully you can read what it says.
I overheard a gentleman on our bus say that the flag on the monument was the American flag. Wrong, it was the Malaysian flag. Red and white stripes are same but top left is very Muslim.
Independence Square
Sam, our guide
In distance is twin towers
In background is the new King's Palace.
Just a year old and larger than the White House. Cost to build- $1.7 million US dollars
King's Palace
In background is the Kuala Lumpur communications tower
Gates to Palace guarded by King's guard with machine guns.
When we reboarded the ship there was an exclusive Malaysian cultural dance show for Regent passengers who have sailed many days with Regent.
https://goo.gl/photos/4tShCbqjBnkyU3RA6
"Apa Caba"! This is "how are you" in Malaysian.
This is the capital and largest city in Malaysia with a population of 1.6 million but the entire metro area has over 7 million. The country has a population of over 30 million of which 55% are Muslim. In the past Malaysia was known as a major exporter of tin and rubber but tin is no longer mined that much. In addition nowadays, it manufactures electronics components, produces crude oil, is financial and insurance center, produces a lot of palm oil (which has a myriad of uses), and has a good tourism industry.
Last night we sailing through a big storm with lots of lightning and wind. Strange, but did not hear any thunder. There is a lot of boat traffic here in the Strait of Malacca between Indonesia and Malaysia. We are not arriving in Kuala Lumpur until 10am and all tours not departing ship until 12:30. Not sure why they aren't leaving sooner. We will be taking a tour today. When we stopped here back in 2010 we did not do any tour so have to see it this time.
Back from the tour and getting ready for dinner now. We were delayed getting ready as there was a Malaysian culture show for Regent's best customers in the show room at 6pm, just after we got back from out tour. So it's 7pm now and I am downloading photos while Rebecca finishes getting ready.
I was amazed with Kuala Lumpur today. Construction is going on like gangbusters. There are huge industrial buildings everywhere. Sam, our guide, says Japanese car manufacturers have several assembly plants here for cars, trucks and buses. Unemployment is only 4%. I can tell how good the economy is by the number of cars on the roads. Not many motor bikes as in the other Southeast Asia countries! Now I know why my investment brokerage company has us with some investments in Malaysia. This was a wonderful day here in the Malaysian capital. I was very impressed with this country. Not sure about the Muslim influence however!
https://goo.gl/photos/4tShCbqjBnkyU3RA6
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