Malaysia

Malaysia (truly Asia)

The only two things I knew about Malaysia prior to the 18 hours lay over was that Formula 1 had a race here and they have the iconic Petronas Towers, which were once the worlds tallest buildings. Since I wouldn't be able to go the Formula 1, the Petronas Towers were the only things left to see.

Verdict: really beautiful city, especially with the lights on.

Highlights:

Since I was only there, alone, for 18 hours and I slept for 7 of them, I had a very limited experience of Kuala Lumpur but it was a very eye opening experience. The city reminds me of South Africa, complete with Nandos and crazy taxi drivers, not to mention the accent.

Malaysia is a Muslim country but it's full of diverse people, Chinese, Indians, all with their own religions and cultures; it really reminded me of home. All the good parts of Joburg, Cape Town and Durban put together.

But this was all in the city centre, I didn't get to see the surrounding, non tourist areas but on the train ride to the city, I got a glimpse of it. Like all cities, you get the glamorous, industrial, busy CBD and then you get were everyone else lives- lots of tall apartment blocks, some dirty some clean and people living on the side of the railway.

There's always a bit of reality behind the images of glamour.