MY ASIA DIARIES – KUALA LUMPUR
On 6th March 2026, my lifelong friend Dina and I made our way to Manchester airport and boarded our thirteen-hour direct flight to Singapore to embark on an epic three month trip across Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan and South Korea.
After take off, when the drinks trolley made its first round, we raised our glasses to my darling heavenly husband, Trav, whom we both tearfully agreed was certain to be with us on our epic journey. Then we settled into movies and snacks and meals and drinks, and more of the same, until the following day when we landed at Changi Airport in Singapore.
Then, feeling giddy with jetlag and exhaustion, we waited an hour or so for our connecting flight up to Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur – or KL as it’s also affectionately known – is the capital of Malaysia and a city I know very well as I’ve been fortunate to have visited on many occasions. I was excited to be back. I was also excited to introduce this fabulous city to Dina. I knew that once she saw her first glimpses of the breathtakingly beautiful cityscape with the shimmering Petronas Twin Towers and the sparkling new Merdeka 118 Tower – the second tallest building in the world – as viewed from the express train into the city, she’d immediately fall in love with KL, just as had done many years before.
Even better, I knew that the spectacular view of the Petronas Twin Towers would be ours for the next few days as a private viewing from our room at Trader’s Hotel in KL City Centre – as we’d upgraded our shared room to one with a tower view and lounge access with complimentary canapes and cocktails!
We’d reasoned that as our stay in KL would be mostly be relaxing and recovering from travel fatigue and jet lag, we should wallow in luxury for in a few days, while readying ourselves for the epic journey and adventures ahead!
Travel Insight: You should know, at this point, this extravagance isn’t quite the travel budget busting treat that you might expect. That’s because, with its low cost of living, Kuala Lumpur is known throughout the world as a city that’s rich in exceptionally affordable premium hotels.
Check out the hotels and compare prices here and read my full post on the best areas in Where To Stay In Kuala Lumpur.
A BIRTHDAY ‘SIGN’ FROM MY HEAVENLY HUSBAND
Arriving at KL Sentral Station on the 7th March – which also happened to be my birthday – we took a taxi to Trader’s Hotel. As you might imagine, we were feeling exhausted and extremely wobbly from the fourteen hours spent in the air and the eight hour time difference, so we were grateful for a cool drink and a comfortable seat while we were checked in.
Then our room key was offered and I was immediately overwhelmed with tears – because I’d realised that I had just received a clear sign from Trav – showing that without any doubt he was on this journey with us.
I saw that our room number was the exact sequence of numbers that had always had a very special meaning to me.
I sobbed. Dina gasped. There’s no way this could be a simple coincidence.
I mean, what are the odds? I’m told Trader’s Hotel has 571 rooms and suites across its 34 floors!
You may or may not believe in spiritual things but I certainly do. I’m not a religious person but just before my beloved Trav passed away, I asked him if he would send me a sign from the afterlife to let me know he was okay. He promised he would.
Not wanting it to be vague, I asked him to tell me what the sign would be? But he had simply assured me: ‘You’ll just know it’s me.’ And I do. Since his death, I have received many unmistakable ‘signs’ he is with me and being supportive from the ‘other side’.
Dina, being the lovely supportive friend that she is, has over the past year accepted that I feel comforted by these ‘signs’ but has also admitted to feeling a tad sceptical, even when some of these ‘spooky coincidences’ have happened when we were together. But, since our trip and all the unmistakable ‘signs’ she has now witnessed, she now wholeheartedly believes!
TRADER’S HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR
Arriving in our hotel room at Trader’s Hotel – we stood in awe and amazement – admiring the direct view of the Petronas Twin Towers from the floor to ceiling window. Then, hardly able to keep our eyes open any longer, we drew the curtains and collapsed with exhaustion into our respective beds.
A while later, I woke from a deep sleep, feeling thirsty and hungry and disorientated.
I looked at the time. “Dina, wake up!” I exclaimed… “it’s eight o’clock”.
Dina stirred and groaned and asked… “but which eight o’clock is it?” And, realising that neither of us was really sure if it was actually morning or night, we burst out laughing. And, we laughed and laughed at the craziness of it until we could hardly breathe. And I realised, for the first time in a very very long time, I was really laughing. It felt strange. It also felt good.
I was laughing again and realised I’d crossed a threshold. I suddenly felt alive again.
So, a quick freshen up, and we headed up to the Sky Bar on the roof of Trader’s Hotel. In the sky bar, which at night is dimly lit, there is also a swimming pool. Except, Dina hadn’t seen it in her sleepy and almost delirious state of jetlag, and while heading to a table almost waded into it. This amusing almost-straight-in-the pool scenario had us both bubbling up with yet more uncontrollable laugher!
We ordered a couple of pizzas and two Old Fashioned – Trav’s favourite tipple – of bourbon whisky and angostura bitters with a good twist of orange. Delicious. We were just raising our glasses when the background music changed to a song of great significance to me and Trav and it was Dina who’d realised this even before I did. We believe he was wishing me a happy birthday and approving of our drink choice!
Trader’s Hotel is in on the edge of the city centre park. At the other side of the park and directly opposite the hotel (hence the amazing view) are the Petronas Towers and at their base is the Suria KLCC designer shopping mall.
Despite the modern mall setting, Dina and I enjoyed having coffee in a beautiful colonial style coffee shop called Bacha. Conveniently, the hotel provides a buggy service if it feels too hot to stroll through the park. And my goodness was it hot!
I’d once tried to describe the intense Malaysian heat and humidity to Dina, whom as you can see is a fair-skinned red-head, but neither of us was prepared for a blazing 40 Deg C (104 Deg F) being reported as an unseasonal tropical heatwave.
Thank goodness for air-conditioning in both in our cool hotel room and in the mall when we ventured out. We hadn’t actually planned to do any sightseeing during our four night stay in Kuala Lumpur, as our priority was to rest, recuperate from the travelling, and to adjust to the eight hour time difference before moving on, as we knew we would be returning to explore KL for another whole week – staying at The Holiday Inn Express – before leaving Malaysia and heading off to Vietnam.
NEXT TIME: In Part Four – our fabulous adventures in George Town Penang where the whole town is a UNESCO site and the island is known as the food capital of Malaysia!
FIND YOUR PERFECT PLACE TO STAY IN KUALA LUMPUR
THE RESOURCES I USE TO PLAN AND BOOK MY TRAVEL ITINERARIES
SKYSCANNER .NET – I use Skyscanner website as a search engine to find and compare flights and source best flights. But I believe it’s always important to book the flight you’ve selected directly with the airline – as if anything goes wrong you are dealing directly with the airline rather than a third party agent.
TRIPADVISOR UK or TRIPADVISOR .COM – to read reviews and research hotels, things to do, local restaurants etc.
BOOKING.COM – this is my favourite for booking site for hotels and accomodation. I use the Booking.com App on my phone to reserve and to book – it’s quick and easy and I often choose the free cancellation period option in case I change my mind and rebook. I have achieved ‘genius’ level through my (hundreds) of bookings over the years. This often gives me discounts and perks like free breakfasts and room upgrades in selected accommodations. I’ve never had any problems or issues with Booking Dotcom so I’m happy to recommend booking with them.
EXPEDIA UK – travel site for booking flights, accommodations, holiday packages, car hire and more.
AGODA .COM – travel site for booking hotels and transport and things to do at your destination.
HOTELS .COM – booking site for hotel accomodation.
VRBO .COM – booking site for hotels and accommodation.
KLOOK.COM – this is my favourite attraction ticket website – I use the App on my phone – to easily book tickets and tours.
GET YOUR GUIDE – discover and book things to do and tours at your destination.
TOURRADAR – If you don’t want to book everything independently and would rather have the planning done for you and would prefer a guided adventure as part of a group then I will suggest taking a look at TourRadar. I’m associated with TourRadar and they have a fabulous choice of tours and holidays and cruises all over the world at really great prices. I’m looking at booking some of their tours for myself next year. Booking through my highlighted link automatically gives you another £$50 off! If you’d like to discuss specific tours with me then get in touch and I’ll do my best to advise you.
HELPING YOU PLAN YOUR OWN TRAVEL ADVENTURE
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IN THE MEDIA
I’m also talking about this epic trip of friendship and adventure in the media and would like to let you know that I’ve written a feature for UK Woman and Home Magazine. Our travel story will be featured in the January 2027 issue which will be in the shops and available to buy in December 2026. Don’t forget to get your copy! Also see My Media Page.
THE BACKPACKING HOUSEWIFE RECOMMENDS TRAVEL INSURANCE
