KUALA
LUMPUR Kuala Lumpur has arrived. This lively, eclectic
city has managed to avoid the squalor of Bangkok and the
sterility of Singapore to become a destination in its
own right....
Despite the occasional spasm of architectural insecurity
(taller buildings! bigger malls!), KL hangs on fiercely
to its local color -- multiculturalism was practically
invented here. Ethnic Indians, Chinese and Malays, all
proudly Malaysian, populate a thriving metropolis that
still boasts plenty of colonial charm in addition to scads
of hip pan-Asian culture. And from the downtown splendor
of the Mandarin Oriental to the stately grandeur of the
Carcosa Seri Negara, there's no dearth of unique lodging
opportunities...
Cosmo's rocks. The world's largest indoor
amusement park is literally built into the walls of this
900-outlet shopping mall. You don't even need to ride
the looping rollercoaster to feel that thrill in the pit
of your stomach. Just stand and watch it overhead as it
flashes by. It really takes your breath away. There are
other rides for those more sane, plus a host of kiddie
rides. Highly recommended for families with bored kids