2008 Trip to Malaysia

Merdeka Square

MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 We catch a train to Ampang Park where KL's first major shopping centre is located. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 The centre itself was very old-fashioned when compared with the newest mega-centres in KL. Jenni had a great time looking at clothing while I got sore feet. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 We're continually amazed at how clean and modern KL's train system is. We wonder why our lot can't be even half as good; what an improvement that would be. Notice that there's no graffiti? MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 From Ampang Park station we return part way and get off at Masjid Jamek station. This where we find the Jamek Mosque.
MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 The mosque is situated at the junction of KL's two major rivers, the Klang and the Gomback. KL got its name from these rivers as Kuala means a junction between two rivers, and Lumpur means muddy. Hence, Kuala Lumpur literally means "muddy river junction." MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 Masjid Jamek (Friday Mosque) was built in 1907. It was designed by the British architect AB Hubback who sought inspiration from Moghul mosques in India. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 From the mosque, we walk towards Merdeka Square. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 The building to the left is the Panggung Bandaraya DBKL, a historical city theatre hall located across the street from Merdeka Square. It was built in 1896 and was completely finished in 1904.
MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 KL is at that stage of its development where it is preserving the facades of older buildings and constructing new buildings behind them. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 The theatre occupies the historical Old City Hall building. The building was designed by a colonial-government architect, AB Hubback, who is responsible for designing most of the colonial buildings in Kuala Lumpur. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is topped by a copper dome and a 40m high clock tower. It is a major landmark in the city and it serves as the backdrop for important events such as the National Day Parade on 31 August and the ushering in of the New Year. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 Jenni takes a breather in Merdeka Square.
MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 When World War II ended, Britain took control of Malaya again. However, Malaya's independence movement had matured and organized itself in an alliance under Tunku Abdul Rahman. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 When the British flag was finally lowered in Merdeka Square on 31 August 1957, Tunku Abdul Rahman became the first prime minister of Malaya. A 95-meter flagpole, one of the tallest in the world, marks that spot with a flat, round black marble plaque. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 Merdeka Square symbolized British sovereignty as it was a cricket ground for the colonial administrators and fronted the Royal Selangor Club, Malaya's most exclusive whites-only club. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 In 1961 Abdul Rahman mooted the idea of the establishment of "Malaysia" which would consist of Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, all of which were British colonies.
MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 The reasoning behind this was that it would allow the federal government to control and combat communist activities, especially in Singapore. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 Singapore declared independence from Britain unilaterally in August 1963, before joining the Federation of Malaysia that September. Singapore left the federation two years later. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 I pose on the bridge that crosses the Gombak River. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 Looking at the Panggung Bandaraya DBKL theatre hall from Merdeka Square.
MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 The Gombak River. I have seen rivers more attractive than this triumph of function over aesthetics. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 Gardens on the northern side of the Gombak River. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 A memorable feature of a visit to KL is the colourful tropical flowers everywhere. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 Incredibly colourful. Makes me wish I was a bee sometimes.
MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 A most amazing statue. It's of a trap-door plant that lures insects to their death and then consumes them. Not one of nature's most beautiful creations. MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 Notice that the pedestrian light is green but the crossing is occupied by motorcycles. If you were to get half way across when the lights changed, you'd be run down as hundreds of motorcycles moved off in unison. Crossing streets in KL is fraught with peril. Next: Tamin Tasik Park   
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