Soph’s Scribbles

After a short internal flight from Singapore, we touched down in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, officially ticking off a brand-new country. Hunger hit immediately, so we grabbed crispy chicken and rice at the airport before heading to our hotel. And wow, the room was unreal, genuinely fit for a king. The perfect start to our KL adventure.

Even though it was late, we couldn’t resist heading out to explore. We wandered along the River of Life toward Chinatown, soaking up the atmosphere and stopping for a drink just off Petaling Street. It was such a lovely spot, buzzing with energy and tempting food stalls, a gentle first taste of the city.

Batu Caves: Colourful Temples & Cheeky Macaques

After a good night’s sleep, we set off early to visit the iconic Batu Caves, one of Kuala Lumpur’s most famous landmarks. Getting there was a bit of an adventure in itself; a private shuttle, a moment of confusion on the train platform (classic us!), and a very kind local who pointed us in the right direction.

Once we arrived, we covered up and explored the caves below before heading outside to tackle the hundreds of rainbow-coloured steps leading up to the temple. It was sweaty, challenging, and absolutely worth it. At the top, we paused for water, took in the views, and laughed at the mischievous macaques causing chaos on the stairs. Smoothies followed; mango for me, banana for George. The perfect reward!

Petronas Twin Towers & KLCC Park

From Batu Caves, we jumped back on the train and walked into the city toward the Petronas Twin Towers. It ended up being around an hour’s walk, broken up by a very necessary (and very large) McDonald’s stop. Eventually, we reached KLCC Park, where we relaxed in the shade and admired the towers soaring above us.

The vibe here was calm, green, and surprisingly peaceful for such a central spot; a lovely contrast to the busy streets we’d walked through earlier.

Chinatown, Nasi Lemak & Durian Firsts

After cooling off at the hotel pool and spending a couple of hours reading, we set out again for dinner. Plans for Little India quickly changed, and we found ourselves back in Chinatown, just as the rain started pouring.

We sheltered under a canopy and tucked into Nasi Lemak, Malaysia’s national dish, washed down with a cold Tiger beer. George then bravely tried durian; the infamous fruit banned on public transport. An experience in itself! By the end of the day, we’d clocked over 22,000 steps and slept incredibly well.

KL Bird Park: Flamingos, Owls & Stolen Waffles

We started the next day slowly with a lie-in before heading to KL Bird Park, the world’s largest free-flight bird park. Breakfast turned chaotic when a cheeky Cattle Egret swooped in and stole my peanut butter waffle, sparking laughter and camera flashes from everyone nearby.

After that drama, we watched the bird show and wandered the park, spotting countless species. Flamingos were my favourite, while George loved the owls. It was such a fun, relaxed way to spend the morning.

Merdeka Square, Central Market & Local Finds

From the bird park, we created our own walking tour, starting at Merdeka Square, a hugely important historical site. We stopped for pastries and coffee before exploring Central Market, packed with art, souvenirs, clothing, and food stalls. We picked up the essential keyring and fridge magnet and could easily have spent hours browsing.

We followed the river back to our hotel for another pool break (I may have fallen asleep), before gearing up for one final food adventure.

Jalan Alor: Kuala Lumpur Street Food Heaven

That evening, we made our way to Jalan Alor Food Street, one of Kuala Lumpur’s most famous street food spots, and it instantly became one of our highlights in the city. The entire street was buzzing, packed with people, sizzling grills, neon signs, and the smell of spices drifting through the warm night air.

We started with Rougamo, filled with tender chicken and beef, topped with a punchy, Mexican-style salsa and wrapped in a crispy bread shell, almost like a cross between a flatbread and a spring roll. I grabbed a refreshing dragonfruit juice, which was perfect in the heat. Next up was the iconic Ramley Burger, a local favourite that absolutely lived up to the hype.

As if that wasn’t enough, we shared BBQ chicken buns and dumplings, while George added a lamb skewer and fried chicken to the table. Just when we thought we physically couldn’t eat another bite, we spotted a stall selling wheelcakesand couldn’t resist. The peanut butter and chocolate filling was unreal; warm, gooey, and the perfect sweet ending.

Night Views of the Petronas Towers & Farewell KL

Stuffed and happy, we strolled back to KLCC Park to see the Petronas Twin Towers illuminated at night, lighting up the skyline. We sat chatting with some local Malaysians, shared a nightcap beer, and soaked it all in.

Another 20,000-step day, another unforgettable city. Kuala Lumpur completely won us over, and with an early flight to Penang the next morning, we headed to bed feeling incredibly grateful for our time here.