Travellingman reisverhalen - - Dubai - Kuala Lumpur
Day 2: Vrijdag 1 april 2016
Dubai - Kuala Lumpur

After being disembarked, again through a security check. Again my backpack was partly checked, but this time less severe than in Amsterdam. I looked at the sign for which gate I had to go, but did not do this correctly. This night there were two flights to Kuala Lumpur. I thought I had to be at gate C and took the train. Just in time I realized that I had to leave from gate A and took the train back and also the huge elevator. From the elevator you have a nice view of an artificial waterfall and some colored fountains. I found a smoking room and smoked a cigar and then I bought a cup of coffee. After some waiting at the gate, I went again to the smoking room to smoke a cigar.

Around 3 PM the gate finally opened. We had to go a few stairs down and came into a larger space. After waiting here again, we were transported by buses. Apparently the plane was far away, because the ride was more than 10 minutes. Finally the plane left with a considerable delay. It was a Boeing 737-300, which makes a lot more noise than the Airbus 380 of the first part of the trip. Along the way I slept, had something to eat and watched a movie (Joy). Especially in the first half hour, I noticed how many notices were made by the cabin crew and pilots, which became very annoying.

The flight lasted 6 hours and 45 minutes and after 5700 kilometers the plane landed around 3.30 PM in Kuala Lumpur. It is here 6 hours later than in the Netherlands. To pass the customs, I had to take a train to another building. After a good walking some more pass through customs (flexible service) and then wait for my bag, which took 20 minutes. It seems as if my bag is always one of the last that comes from the belt.

After I was finally out of the terminal at 4.30 pm, I went in search of an office of the rental company off my car. I had this booked online and this time the office was easily found. It took still had 20 minutes for all the paperwork was finished, but finally I could go to the garage where my car was already ready. After a final inspection I was on the way to Kuala Lumpur.

The ride was mainly on major highways, but with a number of toll gates. The pay was one time better than other times. Eventually, a counter clerk was kind enough to arrange a pass for me. One time I missed the exit due to road works and had to drive back. When I approached the city, I saw still hang a kind of haze pollution, but on Itself the city was well visible, but at the higher temperature (35 C) it nevertheless gave a strange image. Once near the center I missed a turn and driving back was not easy again. It's pretty busy and a diversity of road work also did not contribute in a smooth ride through the center. Near my hotel there is a busy intersection. This is where the traffic light were not working and a police man was directing the traffic, which does took some time. Eventually I was, after driving over 60 kilometers, at 6.45 PM at the hotel. After checking in I wanted to park my car, but before that I had to drive around quite a distance through a busy streets, it's all one-way traffic. The hotel is called Bintang Waristan and is located in Bukit Bintang, which is part of the center.

Around 7.30 PM I finally arrived at my room, small but well equipped with all the things I needed.

I took a well deserved shower and walked around in the neighborhood. A lot of restaurants, mostly Chinese oriented. One street was actually a field of tables and several booths where you could buy all kinds of food. It was also very busy. On the other side of the main road were more 'expensive' looking restaurants. Eventually I chose to eat near my hotel with an Arabic restaurant. Good food.

After smoking a cigar, I lay down on my bed and went to sleep around 11 PM.

Initial publication: 02 april 2016
Last update: 06 mei 2016
© A. Heeroma







Click photo to enlarge