Mga Lakwacherang Doktora: March 2017

This is the eighth part of our 6-days-5-nights Ultimate KL-Singapore Vacation Leave.

After the amazing morning we had at Batu Caves, we went back to the KTM Komuter Batu Cave Station and alighted the train once again. Our initial plan to go to Genting Highlands was scrapped, so we decided to explore Merdeka Square and then head on to Central Market to have lunch and meet up with my friend there.

HOW TO GET TO MERDEKA SQUARE FROM BATU CAVES:
BY TAXI:

Probably the easiest way but more expensive and it is a bit hard to look for taxi coming from Batu Caves. Also, not as fun as taking the train BY TRAIN:

From the Batu Caves KTM Komuter Station, we got off at the Bank Negara, 5th station from Batu Caves (fare: RM2/person).

The Bank Negara Station

You would see this peaceful view while walking towards the covered walkway

We then transferred to the Sentul Timur-Ampang Line and alighted at the Bandaraya Station of the said line. Just follow the signs, you would be going across a covered walkway. It's very easy to look for the station.

This is the covered walkway you would have to walk to to get to the other train station

Bandaraya Station

If you look at the view from the station, you would see this huge Sogo Mall

One station away from the Bandaraya is the Masjid Jamek Station, get off there (fare: RM1.20/person).
At the Masjid Jamek Station, follow the signs towards the exit. The exit station we got out of was along the road, near the Menara UAB Building. From there, you can cross towards the Masjid Jamek Mosque, however, during our time, it was under construction and to roads going towards it were blocked off. So we had to circle around it.

Masjid Jamek Station

Look for this exit area at the station

Just walk straight at this sidewalk, there is a corner there you could turn left, you could see the square from there

Masjid Jamek Mosque under construction :(

Look out for this road, this is where you would turn left to go towards the Merdeka Square. You would be passing a number of buildings while walking down this road.

Google map showing where we walked from the Masjid Jamek LRT Station

There are a lot of sights and buildings to see in this area. You could actually do a walking tour around it. I think there are some Heritage Guided tour available, but of course, we did not avail it as we want to walk around leisurely in our own time.

The first building we were able to pass was the Panggung Bandaraya or the City Theater. It is a historical theatre located across the Merdeka Square, at the junction of Jalan Tun Perak and Jalan Raja. This formerly occupies the historic Old City Hall of Kuala Lumpur. Now, this was built for production stages such as plays and musicals. From here, you can already see the Merdeka Square from afar.

The exterior of the Panggung Bandaraya or the City Theater

Next up is the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It is a late nineteenth century building located along Jalan Raja and is also across Merdeka Square. It was previously known as Government Offices but, later, was renamed after Sultan Abdul Samad, the reigning sultan of Selangor at the time when construction of the building began. The building houses the offices of the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture of Malaysia. Unfortunately, around the building was lots of construction going on so we weren't able to take pictures but, nonetheless, the exterior of the building was amazing. There are bricks all around the building and it looked kind of ancient but still very beautiful. And of course, top it of with the clock tower known as the "Big Ben" of Kuala Lumpur, this building is almost perfect. I say almost perfect because the view was ruined with the construction going on.

Sultan Abdul Samad Building view from below

"Big Ben" of KL

Darn constructions ongoing

Just walk on straight to continue the tour

Head on straight after the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and you would come across an intersection. Just across the street is another huge building with lots of bricks on it, called the National Textile Museum or the Muzium Tekstil Negara. It is a museum that showcases the process and technology of textiles, and it also houses a huge collection of traditional apparel, clothes, accessories, and textiles in Malaysia. Admission is free and the museum is open from 9:00am to 6:00pm. We opted to enter because it was free, and because it was air-conditioned inside and we needed a break from the heat of the sun.

National Textile Museum

Muzium Tekstil Negara

Hurray for freebies!

There are four galleries found within the two-storey museum. Of course, before entering the first gallery, register your name first in the registration area. The first gallery is the Pohon Budi Gallery which exhibits the origin of textiles from pre-historic times until the recent times. It also features the tools, materials, and techniques of textile-making.

The second gallery is the Pelangi Gallery. It houses different batik found in Malaysia, as well as extensive textile designs from Chinese.

The third gallery is the Teluk Berantai Gallery. It highlights the making of Malay songket called Teluk Berantai. It is made up of a scattering of individual flower designs that is stitched together into geometric patterns.

The last gallery is the Ratna Sari Gallery. It displays jewellery and accessories that are made with diamond, gold, silver, copper, beads, and plants.

During our time to visit, there was an ongoing head dress exhibition on the second floor.

We spent around 30minutes to an hour exploring the place. It was an interesting way to learn about the rich history of textiles in Malaysia and it was a welcome respite from the heat of the sun outside hehe. From the museum, just across the other side of the street, you would see the Restoran Warisan.

Exterior of Restoran Warisan

And right beside Restoran Warisan is the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery. KL City Gallery is a museum which houses miniature models of buildings and structures found in Kuala Lumpur. It tells the story of the development of Kuala Lumpur. This miniature models are done inside as well so you could view them also. In front of the building is the famous "I Love KL" sign in which your KL visit would not be complete if you do not have a picture with it haha.

Exterior of the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery

Galeri Kuala Lumpur

I Love KL. Don't forget to take pictures here!

Anyway, the gallery has an entrance fee of RM5 (57php) per person, however, this can be used in the souvenir shop found there, so you can buy anything worth RM5 with that ticket. Not bad. The gallery begins with banners outlining the history of Kuala Lumpur. Next are the miniature models of famous structures around KL such as the Masjid Jamek Mosque, the Twin Towers, etc. It was really amazing, the details on the miniature models were beautiful. I think you can opt to hire a tour guide to tour you around the gallery, but the models itself has writings on the history of each building so a tour isn't necessary.

Mini Jamek Mosque. Atleast even if it's miniature mode, we were able to see the mosque hehe

Miniature KL City Gallery

In the second floor is probably one of the most amazing things we have ever seen in KL. It is a 40x50 feet miniature model of the whole Kuala Lumpur! And not only that, it has a light and sounds show, showing how KL was developed, what other plans they have for KL, etc. It was amazing! It was like a 3D show coming alive right in front of your eyes. And the models are just so detailed, it was so beautiful. Definitely a must see when in KL!

Miniature Kuala Lumpur

Po Overlooking the Miniature Kuala Lumpur

After the show is the area where they make these miniature models. And then further on is the souvenir shop where you could spend your entrance fee of RM5 with whatever you want at the same price. We were able to buy some souvenirs and keychains here, as well as water and coke. The souvenirs are really nice looking, doesn't look cheap, but is not expensive also. They also have miniature models of the Twin Towers for sale here, a bit expensive though, but it's a really nice souvenir. There is also a mini cafe you could sit at and refresh for a while. You can also use your RM5 there.

These are all for sale

Mini Petronas Twin Towers. I wanted this but a bit expensive

The souvenir shop itself is like a gallery already

More for sale items!

We spent about an hour here, also, a positive note, the aircondition in the area is amazing! Such a respite from the heat outside! There is also a mini store infront of the gallery where they sell ice cream and drinks so purchase once to avoid dehydration! Anyway, after the gallery, and just right across, is finally the Merdeka Square!

Merdeka Square

or Dataran Merdeka

Merdeka Square or Dataran Merdeka is a square garden located in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It is literally the Independence Square, and it is in this spot where the Union Flag was lowered and the Malayan Flag raised for the first time on August 31, 1957. Merdeka Square has been the usual venue of the Merdeka Parade (National Day Parade). It also has the 100-meter flagpole of the Malaysian flag which is said to be the highest in the world, and this is the spot where it was first hoisted up. Also in the square is the Victoria Fountain which was built to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. On the other side of Merdeka Square is the St. Mary's Church which is the oldest catholic church in KL, unfortunately, we weren't able to go there anymore because it was very hot and due to time constraints.

The Malaysian Flag

100-meter flagpole

The Victoria Fountain

The previous leaders of Malaysia

Lots of flags hoisted up in the square

Monday, March 27, 2017

The Ultimate Kuala Lumpur-Singapore Vacation Leave: Strolling Around Merdeka Square