After the internet this morning we found a decent guesthouse, Anju right across from the Bus station, and dropped our bags. We were really very tired, but eager to make it to the Petronas Towers, having heard that they only give out a limited number of free tickets per day. We managed to find the subway station and transferred to the light rail at the appropriate station, the KLCC (city centre). We found the towers, which were an incredible sight with the morning sun glistening off the stainless steel and glass structures towering high into the sky.

We found the line up for the tickets, which was disagreeably long. Taking turns waiting we explored the adjacent shopping centre over the next hour or two that we had to wait. Recieving some of the last freebies we left until the 2:45 embarkation time. We walked towards another towering landmark, the KL Tower. Met some brits walking the same way and together found the big CN-like tower (not quite as tall). Paid 15RM to go up tot he viewing platform - fantastic view, good audio tour of the cityscape below.

I have been amazed to discover that most brits I meet do not know that we share the same monarchy. I don't know if this is disturbing, but, it is surprising.

Took lots of photos, then descended. Andy went back to the hostel and I went to find a taxi to take me to the Indonesian embassy, which turned out to be closed for Hari Raya (muslim holiday lasting until Nov 22.). I found the nearby Japanese embassy, finding it closed for a sushi break or something (it was around lunchtime). With my Twin Towers tour lingering in the near future I didn't choose to wait for the office to reopen. On my walk back, using the massive towers as a landmark, i met a pair of muslims from Bangladesh studying in KL. They gleefully invited me to have a drink with them outside their mosque. I had the soybean juice/milk, they had apple juice. We discussed islam, and christianity, then life in Canada and the world. Tried to figure out the difference between Canada and America, tried to solve other world problems. Nice guys. I left in time to reach the towers around 2 and went into the ultra-modern mall to kill time. One of the glitsier and more expensive malls I've been in, this one featured every name brand from Gucci to Calvin Klein and more. I found a record store and looked through Malay music, then over to the book shop to find a Bahasa dictionary, which was not possible for some reason. Figure a malay bookshop ought to have a malay dictionary?
met Andrew at teh elevator at teh prescribed time and went up the elevator with about 25 other tourists to the 41st floor, of 88. Walked out onto the skybridge, the two story platform joining the two monstrous towers (now the tallest in the world). The view was very good, though not as nice as the view from KL Tower. Amazing to be in one of the most famous structures in teh world, though. Even from the 41st floor the floors above loomed into the sky.

Felt a bit concerned to be a tourist in such a target as the worlds tallest building, especially in an Muslim state, but the security was high and there were no problems.

Made our way back to the hostel, now extremely exhausted.

Because of our very early flight, and the distance of the airport from the city, we will have to stay the night in or very near the airport. Means another rough night, i fear. But we're off to Borneo...!!!