5 Things to Do When in KL

It's not like we're experts on KL. After all, the last time we were there before this trip was in 1999 or 2000, so long ago I can't even remember precisely. But if, like us, your idea of a good holiday is to potter around, do some light shopping, do a lot of heavy duty eating, sit around and soak in the local whatever, drink lots of coffee while people-watching, then this is our five sens' worth (two cents' worth in SGD).

1. Stay at the Ritz-Carlton - be pampered without having to pay a bomb.

2. Gawk at the chic eateries in the basement of Starhill Plaza on Jalan Bukit Bintang, even if you don't eat there. If you think Singapore is hip, check this out:


The Village Bar

It's a designers' wonderland and, wandering around in it, we felt a little like Alice through the Looking Glass. Don't forget to pee, so you can check out the toilets.

(for more details, visit Starhill Plaza's website)

3. Go shoe shopping - it is the land of shoes.

4. Buy Nike socks. It's a little known fact but Nike apparel in general, and socks in particular, retail for less in KL.

5. Eat, drink and be merry for a fraction of what it would cost in Singapore. With the exception of some of the international chains such as Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (a regular latte was M$10 or S$5), most places are cheaper than their Singapore equivalents, because of the favourable exchange rate and the lower cost of living.

One last piece of advice: if you are in the Bukit Bintang area and want to get to KLCC, take a cab. Unless you are alone, don't bother taking the LRT. If there are two or more of you, the cost of the train tickets will exceed the cost of the cab fare.