Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is still the same busy and could-be-cleaner city. The last time I was here was in March 2007, and how things have changed in a space of 12 months.

Many new building sprouted up, including some new ones near the hotel where I am currently staying at. One of the nicer jewel in the city is the Pavilion KL. It is one of the newest shopping complex, situated in Bukit Bintang. The shopping complex reminds me of the Siam Paragon in Bangkok and this shopping complex in Los Angeles (I forgot its name). Here you may find high-end fashion names, such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Aigner, Zegna, Gucci and Prada among them. Here you may also find J-Co Donut & Coffee; apparently a better version of our own Fun Donut. If I am not mistaken, J Co Donut was started by this Indonesian company; which may not come as a surprise as the shop's logo and the typeface for the shop's name look a bit like Starbucks Coffee's. Speaking of food, I love the food court here. It is run by Food Republic, a familiar name from Singapore.

KL is still a haven for shoppers. Be it electronic goods, internationally or locally branded items and computers; you are bound to find some good bargain along the way. KLCC Suria is the same crowded place and so is Bukit Bintang area. The taxis still charge from greed, rather than from the meter. I tried to catch a taxi from Bukit Bintang back to the hotel. 5 taxis stopped and each one of them wanted to charge RM10; I managed to catch a metered taxi which charged less than half that amount.

As of the conference that I am attending now, it was officially opened by the Regent of Perak, His Royal Hghness Raja Nazrin Shah. In his speech, he reminded everyone of the importance of water. Regardless of its abundance, especially in the tropics, we should not take it for granted. With the challenges ahead, such as global warming, we should be well-prepared to provide a continuous and reliable supply of clean water. He also reminded everyone that we all have a stake in the water cycle; we could be the producer or the user of water. In an exhibition that accompanies the conference, more than 200 exhibitors take part and showcase various products for use from the extraction of water upto its re-treatment. I was more interested with the many laboratory equipment; many of them are now simpler and friendlier to use. I have a few things in mind that I would like to see being used in the lab I'm working in.

Yesterday, I had a quick lunch from the KLCC Suria's Food Court. I have always had something from this place for something to eat. However, not long after that, I had a bad 'tummy activity'. I had food poisoning! I have been confined in the room since yesterday. I am feeling much better today, but I'll have to be more cautious of where I eat now.