The theme of day one in KL was damp – from the slightly sticky sweet smell of the tropics as I entered the terminal, to the perspiration as I dragged my luggage to the hotel, to the down pour in the afternoon in which I managed to get drenched, to the enourmous shower-head in the hotel room which provided a great shower in spades. Welcome to the wet zone Adam!

After getting to the hotel, looking like someone who had spent half a day running under a sprinkler and leaving a little wet puddle on the lovely marble reception desk I was happy to take any room available. The fellow at reception – Ramesh – was somewhat brusque, which I put down to my damp condition. However, after seeing him check in another couple the next morning I took the lack of a smile or pleasantries less personally.

The room was lovely and all I wanted to do was get cleaned up and sleep. When the bellboy brought my bag, (and pointed out the lights would work better if I put my keycard in the appropriate thingy) I knew I should tip something but really had not the slightest idea how much – I shuffled through my wallet searching for an appropriate amount and slightly begruding the lovely fellow for my own discomfort and uncertainty. Amounts ranging from 20, or 30 ringgit to the 1 rinngit notes in my wallet all seemed plausible. Realising the situation was getting uncomfortable I grabbed a couple of notes and hurridly shoved them into his hand. I had tipped 2 rinngit and immediately the mental arithmatic kicked in and I realised I had tipped him about 60 cents. I tried to say something, but I was mute as he backed out of the room, thanking me profusely, as I made some sort of ‘I’m sorry’ / ‘Oh, my God, I’m drowning mime’ which I could appreciate fully because of the mirror directly in front of me.

Had a bath and couple of hours kip, then headed out to the Islamic Arts Museum. It was a fair walk from the train and, again, I was sweating like anything on arrival. I intended to eat at the Museum before looking around, but was informed the cafe had just closed before I arrived. It was very interesting, especially the special expedition about the Hajj, but to be honest after about half an hour my stomach demanded food and I was fading fast.

By the time I had finished in the Museum it was raining hard and I had no idea where to go for food. I headed out towards Bukit Bintang, stupidly, by foot. I used KL tower as a landmark and headed towards it. I got close to it and it started raining really, really hard. It  a was only then that I remembered that KL tower is at the bottom of a big, steep hill. Somehow managed to clamber up in the pouring rain and sought out somewhere to eat and dry off at the base of the tower. All the food outlets turned out to be expensive and unattrative. Sat down with a drink and contemplated my sad lot.

I didn’t really want to get a taxi because I didn’t know where I wanted to go and thought about finding the monorail as the weather had eased off. I literally completed one circuit around the tower and returned sopping wet, again! Gave in and took a taxi to Suria KLCC, the Petronas Twin Towers. Found a food court there, which I had missed earlier. Made a very passable supper out of BBQ Chicken Rice and red guava juice. Headed back to the hotel, which took all of five minutes, but again I arrived looking like I’d swam.

Collapsed into the bed, but left the lights on as I had to charge the camera and phone. Finally at 3am I turned the lights off for good and slept soundly until morning. I awoke feeling surprisingly refreshed, feeling at peace with the world and with none of the soreness I expected from the flight and all the walking of the previous day.