Chinese New Year in KL Part 1

So did I mention that I was in Kuala Lumpur from the 9th of February to the 11th? No?

My 6th aunt on the maternal side had to stay in KL due to work and could not travel to Singapore to celebrate Chinese New Year with the rest of the family. So what did her sister ie my Mom do? She abandoned her husband and son, dragged her daughter ie me along and hopped on a train for KL.

It used to be that both Singapore and Malaysia customs and immigrations operated from the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. Then the Singapore operation shifted to Woodlands Train Checkpoint in 1998 but the Malaysians refused to move. This resulted in the rather absurd situation of passengers boarding the train in Singapore going through Malaysia Immigrations first.   

The last time either one of us took a train to Malaysia was donkey years ago, way before the railway squabble. We did not realise that our passports were not stamped and immigration cards not collected until much later. Yes, yes, rather careless of us but having the passport stamped when presented to an immigration officer is something one take for granted. When we checked with other passengers on finding out that irregularity, we were told to hold on to our train tickets as proof that we did not enter Malaysia illegally.

We were really glad when the train finally chugged into Stesen Sentral Kuala Lumpur at 11pm. It was good to be on steady ground after shaking non stop for 7 hours. I had a chicken burger on the train but my stomach was still grumbling. Met up with 6th aunt and quickly checked into the Hilton above the railway station.

The hotel room was decorated zen style yet manage to feel cozy. I especially love the huge open concept bathroom. As the hotel did not have any 24-hour restaurant, we ordered room service. We had chicken soup with rice vermicelli, mee goreng and pancakes with smoked salmon. I was so hungry taking photographs was the last thing on my mind but I can tell you that the food was delivered promptly, beautifully presented and very delicious.

I love my Mom for dragging me to KL.

Comments

[MrsT]

Ahhh.. so you did enjoy your trip..??

[tannnoy]

there is a chinese restaurant housed like a shack that you should really try near sentral, along jln brickfields i think. but at this point in time, its name eludes my memory but i do know their speciality is fish head cooked several styles and tang hoon (glass noodles).