Here we are in Port Klang on the Strait of Malacca.In days gone by, this area was a haven for pirates who plundered the ships of the Dutch East Indies Company.And piracy still occurs.In 2014, there were 48 cases of piracy or robbery.In 2015, a whopping 104!Today it is oil tankers that are attacked and their cargo siphoned.Almost half the world’s trade passes through the Strait of Malacca; so, the good news is that with the assistance of Navy patrols from India—2016 saw only 1 case of piracy.
So, let me tell you about Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.We took a Holland America excursion into the city.It’s a long drive from Port Klang and heavy traffic makes it even longer—took us about 1 ½ hours.But once in the city, we had a marvelous experience.As in all of Asia, we marveled at the architecture.This is where the Petronas Twin Towers are located.They are really, really tall and may still be the tallest in the world—but with all the construction going on here, it’s possible that record was broken!The following photos will tell the rest of the story:
Port Klang Cruise TerminalSail Boats on a lake in the city of Kuala LumperThe new Presidential Palace, built in 2011Entrance to National Monument, 1966. Memorializing WWI, WWII, and the Malaysian “Troubled” times 1948-1960.Largest Free Standing Bronze in the World, Modeled After Iwo Jima Memorial (both by Felix de Weldon)National Mosque (Malaysia is Moslem Country by Law)View of the old railroad station dating from the British Colonial era.Nice building across from the old RR station that functioned as the Kuala Lumpur Railroad Headquarters.Independence Square (called Merdeka Square on the map) where old British Colonial buildings are located. This is the former cricket field of the exclusive Selangor Club.The Selangor Clubhouse is still in use but only for the elite Muslims of Kuala Lumpur. There is a fine restaurant inside.The Selangor Club.This former cricket field (Padang) is where Malaysian independence was declared in 1957. The flagpole is reputed to be the largest in the world. The domed bldg on the right was once the British Admn. printing facility. Today, it is the National GallerySultan Abdul Samad Building across from Independence Square.St. Mary’s Cathedral, synod of West Malaysia.National Textile MuseumFormer High Court Building.MUD, the city theater.This appears to be a lovely mosque reached by that interesting bridge.Those little boys are so cute in their traditional dress.Interesting juxtaposition of old and new architecture.Interesting high rise building growing greenery on its side!The gardens outside the Petronas Twin TowersView of the Petronas Twin Towers from the Gardens.
RovingRaconteurs.com 