By Henrylito D. Tacio

WHEN the AIDS Society of the Philippines announced that I won in its AIDS Media Contest and part of the prize was to travel to Kuala Lumpur to attend the 5th International Conference of AIDS in Asia-Pacific Region, I was totally excited. After all, it's one of the finest cities in Asia.

"Today's cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur, with its high-rise buildings creeping closer to the Lake Gardens, is not just the capital city but the heart and soul of Malaysia. Its legacy of extraordinary colonial buildings, well preserved, and excellent modern architecture make it a major tourist destination in its own right," says the 17th edition of 'All-Asia Travel Guide.'

Kuala Lumpur - the youngest Southeast Asian capita and the most economically successful after Singapore - started life as a swampy staging post for Chinese tin miners in 1857. In fact, it got its name from the site at the junction of the Kelang and Gombak rivers. Kuala Lumpur, in Malay, means "muddy estuary."

The make-up of Kuala Lumpur includes Chinese, Indian (brought in by the British to work in the rubber plantations), and the ethnic Malay. These three groups have vastly different religious beliefs: Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. Statistics showed that almost five percent of the city's total population, however, are Christians.

Kuala Lumpur may not be Malaysia's most charming city (it doesn't have the narrow alleys, bicycles and mahjong games of Melaka or Kota Bharu or the atmospheric waterfront of Kuching) but it's safe and sociable, and with a population of nearly two million, it's usually exciting in the day and always buzzing with energy at night. From a cultural standpoint, it certainly has enough interesting monuments, galleries, markets and museums to keep visitors busy for at least a week.

One tourist I interviewed rated the city by saying these words: "Kuala Lumpur is a very nice place. It is clean, neat, and well-prepared. You can find people from all races. It has very interesting places to visit. I think the city is a good place to have a vacation in Southeast Asia."

Another foreigner has this observation: "The best place I've seen and the friendliest people I have met. Two other points need to be mentioned: It has nice weather and excellent cuisine!"

That's not all. "After the rush hour, Kuala Lumpur start to glow," said another tourist. "All night spots start their operations. All kinds of people are on the street of 'Bintang Walk' - eating, shopping or just admiring the lights of the city. Open air food stalls is also available and it is very reasonably priced. By 10 p.m., most night spots like pubs, discos and live entertainments are packed."

The city center lies astride the Kelang river. Situated at the junction of the Kelang and Gombak rivers is the Masjid Jame (Jame Mosque). Built in traditional Arabian style, complete with intricately designed domes and minarets, the mosque nestles within a grove of coconut palms.

As stated earlier, Kuala Lumpur is noted for its high-rise buildings. Perhaps the most famous of them all is the Petronas Twin Towers. Formerly the world's tallest building (it loses the title to Taipei 101 building in October 2003), it stands at a whopping 451.9 meters (1,482 feet) above street level, with 88 stories. "The towers are a visual and architectural feat to behold! It is spectacular when lit up at night," commented my friend, Dr. Dominic Garcia.

A sky bridge links the twin towers at the 41st and 42nd floors, and more than 50,000 people conduct business in these high-rises each day. The complex also includes a shopping and entertainment center with two department stores, 300 specialty shops, food courts, and a cinema complex. Gardens and fountains fill the surrounding area.

Before the twin towers, there was the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Designed by British architect A.C Norman, it was built in 1897 with a unique Moorish-style design. The Moorish inspired design of the building is based on some of the features of buildings in Islamic countries that suitably reflect the cultural background of Malaysia. It used to be the Colonial Secretariat offices, but now houses the Judicial Department (Supreme and High Courts) on one end and Infokraf, a centre for Malaysian handicrafts, on the other end.

The building's main attraction, however, is its 41-meter clock tower in the middle - (the city's answer to London's Big Ben!). The clock tower is significant to many major events; from the lowering of the Union Jack at the struck of midnight when Malaysia (then Malaya) gained independence to the numerous New Year Eve celebrations.

Across from the building is the Merdeka Square located on what used to be known as the Selangor Club Padang (field). On the other side of the square is the very British Selangor Club itself. From the club, it is a pleasant walk of about 3.5 kilometers to the Muzium Negara on Jalan Damansara. The museum provides an excellent introduction to Malaysian culture.

Parliament House, the National Monument and the Lake Gardens are all situated west of Masjid Jame. Facilities for boating are also available here. Located on the fringe of the gardens is the Orchid Garden, full of different varieties, and close by the Bird Park and the Hibiscus Garden. Even more exotic is the butterfly sanctuary housing some 6,000 butterflies of over 120 species.

From huge department stores to colorful bazaars to quaint little shops, shopping in Kuala Lumpur is a unique experience. However, if you are looking for bargains, go to the Chinatown, just around the corner in Jalan Petaling. This is the place where you can get a lot of cheap things: T-shirts, souvenirs, designer watches and anything you want. At night, this stretch of the road is closed to traffic and becomes one long street market. "It's this huge bustling outdoor flea market, where bargaining is a must," replied a colleague when I asked him what he remembered of the place.

Here are some reminders you should keep in mind while visiting Kuala Lumpur. The tips have been shared to me by a friend who has been to Kuala Lumpur several times: When you arrive, always keep an eye on your hand luggage, laptop, cell phone even your check-in bag. When you exit a bus or taxi, always look behind your seat to see if you left anything behind.

When eating, never leave your important belongings like cell phone, purse, wallet or pouch on the dining table or empty chair. When at any counter (hotel, mall, etc.), never leave your bag unattended. Put it between your feet or simply use it around you.

When taking a taxi in Kuala Lumpur, always make sure the meter is running. If the taxi driver refuses to run the meter, politely get out and look for another.

When you leave your hotel room, never leave your passport or personal belongings there. Always put it in the hotel reception safe before going out.

How do you get there? Many international and Asian regional airlines operate in Kuala Lumpur. Apart from the national carrier, Malaysian Airlines, more than 30 international airlines have regular services to Malaysia. Consult your travel agent to know the best way to get there.

Selamat datang!

ooOoo