Our first time in Malaysia

After a lot of research about where to go in Malaysia, we planned a trip and visited Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, and Penang. We traveled from Minneapolis to LA, spent an evening in LA, then flew to Singapore and finally to KL.

Walking around the city, we explored temples, ate some great food, drank some incredible coffee and tea and cham, saw a lot of artwork, and learned a bit about Malaysia’s history. Some of our favorite experiences were visiting the Batu Caves and exploring the KL Bird Park and the Taman Orkid Garden (near the bird park). Seeing so many free roaming birds up close was an incredible, sometimes scary, experience.

Aside from these places, I didn’t photograph them, but we spent plenty of time in malls around KL to escape the heat.

Beverages and food items

Our favorite tea chain was Chagee but we also liked Mixue (their theme song is ridiculously catchy). Some of our favorite coffee was Old Town White Coffee tied with Oriental Kopi. Oriental Kopi also has some good food options. We also fell in love with cham (or kopi cham), which is a blend of coffee and tea. It’s fun to make at home, as well. Pulled tea, teh tarik, is also very enjoyable and reminds me a bit of Indian mixed/pulled tea.

One of our favorite snacks/breakfast items was butter and kaya toast. It is traditionally served with a soft boiled egg, which you can pour into a dish, into which you can then dip the kaya toast. I really enjoyed all the spicy fried noodles often served for breakfast or lunch - such as Hokkien Mee or Char Kway Teow.

Photography gear taken on this trip

The in-city images captured below were shot with an OM-1, one with the 9-18mm attached and the other with the 14-150 attached. All the images from the KL bird park were shot with the 100-400mm or the 40-150mm.

Whenever we travel, being present in the moment takes precedence over photography. I don’t travel with the intention of capturing the best images possible, but the best possible images in the moment without sacrificing me being present. If I end up capturing an incredible subject and composition, that’s an incredible occurrence. Most of my captures are a mix of snapshots and the more thoughtfully composed captures.

This post highlights some of my favorite captures from our time in Kuala Lumpur.

Around Kuala Lumpur

Merdeka 118/Warisan Merdeka Tower, second tallest building and structure in the world, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Street view, lanterns, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Street view, mossy building, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Temple entrance, people in the foreground, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Temple lanterns, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Temple views, architecture angles, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Temple entrance, people walking out of the temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Park and city views, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia I love KL - Kuala Lumpur City Gallery signage, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Park and city views, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Floating Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque, where two rivers join, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Another angle of the floating Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Fruit stall, city views, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Zus coffee, city views, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, street art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, buildings and light, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, buildings and light, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Restoran Mon Chinese Beef Roti, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Restoran Mon Chinese Beef Roti, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, me in a mirrored sign across the street, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Lookthrough covered sidewalk city views, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Lookthrough covered sidewalk city views, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, colorful street art and buildings, motorcycle rider in foreground, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, colorful street art and buildings, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, colorful street art and buildings, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views with Merdeka 118 in the background, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, street art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, street art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, street art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, street art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, look through, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Jalan Petaling Street Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Jalan Petaling Street Market, lanterns, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, lanterns, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, street art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Resoran Pik Wah, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Resoran Pik Wah, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City alley view, look through, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City lanterns, look through, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City lanterns, view of Merdeka 118/Warisan Merdeka Tower, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Ho Kow Hainam Kopitiam, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia One of our first meals in KL was at Ho Kow Hainam Kopitiam, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Peanut butter and butter bun, Ho Kow Hainam Kopitiam, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kwai Chai Hong street art alley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kwai Chai Hong street art alley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kwai Chai Hong street art alley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kwai Chai Hong street art alley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kwai Chai Hong street art alley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kwai Chai Hong street art alley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kwai Chai Hong street art alley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kwai Chai Hong street art alley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kwai Chai Hong street art alley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City street art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City street art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City street art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City street art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City street art and store front, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Jalan Petaling street market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City store front, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sand hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views, sidewalk look through, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sri Maha Mariamman hindu temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sri Maha Mariamman hindu temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Taoist Guandi Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Taoist Guandi Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Street view, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Street views, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, parking lot, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, entrance, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, statue, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, entrance, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and shadows, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and the sky, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and the sky, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and the sky, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and shadows, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and the sky, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and shadows, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and shadows, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and shadows with people, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and shadows with people zoomed in, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, Love you forever, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns in the sun, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and temple details, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and buildings, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, dragon, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, dragon, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns up close and in focus, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns out of focus, dragon focused, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and temple details, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and temple details, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, temple details - dragon, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and shadows, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and cityscape, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and cityscape, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lanterns and cityscape, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lantern detail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lantern detail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, lantern detail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thean Hou Temple, Love you forever, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City street art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City street art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Orange wall covered sidewalk look through, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Convered sidewalk look through, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City street art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City views looking down the street, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Covered street look through - welcome to..., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Buildings at golden hour, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Laluan Budaya Cultural Walk, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Colorful tile pattern sidestreet/alley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Store front Best Ah Ma Cafe, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Apam Balik (peanut pancake), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Apam Balik (peanut pancake), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Apam Balik (peanut pancake), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kunafa Crisp, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Merdeka 118/Warisan Merdeka Tower night view, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Night market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Night market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Batu Caves

The Batu Caves consist of several caves with many Hindu temples inside. We arrived at 7am, as early as possible, to beat the heat and crowds. I would suggest the same for anyone interested in visiting. The stair monkeys weren’t outside when we arrived, but were when we descended the stairs to leave.

Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City view from the top of the Batu Caves steps, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves interior, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves stair monkeys, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves stair monkeys, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves stair monkeys, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves stair monkeys, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Monkey at the transit station near Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Monkey at the transit station near Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

KL Bird Park & Taman Orkid Kuala Lumpur

The KL Bird Park is the largest bird park in Asia. Birds are free to roam around and will fly/stop right next to you. There is no barrier separating you from the birds.

We also visited the Taman Orkid Kuala Lumpur which is near the bird park.

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Conclusion

KL was the best starting point to ignite our love for Malaysia. While researching, we came across an incredible couple, named Travel with Lens, making Malaysia videos and blog posts. Their videos offer a level of detail and charm that other travel videos do not. We’re very thankful for their posts and videos.

We would love to go back to KL, maybe retire there. It offers all of the amenities, health care, and infrastructure we appreciate in the USA, but is far better in terms of quality of life and safety. Malaysia is the tenth safest country in the world. The USA ranks in the mid to high 100s, depending on the list in which you’re looking. If we could move now, we just might.