Kuala Lumpur: Sweat, Street Art, and Seriously Good Coffee (Maybe)

okay, so kuala lumpur. it’s…a lot. i landed with absolutely zero expectations, mostly because i booked this trip on a whim after a particularly brutal gig in manchester (drums are heavy, okay?). and honestly? it’s exactly what i needed.

first things first: the *humidity. i just checked and it’s… clinging to everything right now, like a second skin. thirty-four point two degrees celsius feels like a personal attack, honestly. the air is thick enough to chew. i’m pretty sure my hair has developed a sentience of its own. i’ve been mainlining iced coffee since i stepped off the plane. speaking of which, the coffee scene here is surprisingly legit. i stumbled into a tiny place near jalan alor called ‘vcr’ and it was chef’s kiss. seriously, go. https://www.vcrkl.com/

but it’s not just about escaping the heat. the street art is insane. i spent a whole afternoon wandering around, camera in hand, getting lost in the murals. it’s everywhere - vibrant, chaotic, and totally captivating. i overheard someone at a hawker stall saying that a lot of it gets painted over pretty quickly, which makes it even more special, you know? like it’s fleeting and you have to appreciate it while it’s there. i’ve been trying to document as much as possible.

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"apparently, the best nasi lemak is at this stall near the central market, but you have to get there before nine am or it’s all gone. and the lady who runs it? she’s a legend. super grumpy, but the nasi lemak is worth it."
endblockquote

i’m staying in bukit bintang, which is…loud. constantly. it’s a sensory overload in the best possible way. there’s music blasting from every direction, the smell of street food hangs in the air, and people are everywhere. it’s exhausting and exhilarating all at once. i’ve been relying heavily on earplugs.

my neighbors seem to be mostly other tourists, but i did have a chat with a guy who’s been living here for years. he told me that if you get bored, melaka and putrajaya are just a short bus ride away. he also warned me about pickpockets around petaling street, so i’ve been keeping a close eye on my bag. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g298307-Kuala_Lumpur_Wilayah_Persekutuan-Vacations.html

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"don’t bother with the fancy rooftop bars. they’re overpriced and full of tourists. go to a local mamak stall instead. way cheaper and way more authentic."
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i’ve been trying to find some good vintage shops, but it’s proving difficult. most of the stuff here is either brand new or…well, let’s just say it’s seen better days. i did find a cool little market near chow kit* though, with some interesting finds. https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Vintage+Clothing&find_loc=Kuala+Lumpur

overall? kuala lumpur is messy, chaotic, and completely captivating. it’s not a place for the faint of heart, but if you’re willing to embrace the chaos, you’ll have an amazing time. i’m already planning my next adventure. maybe somewhere colder. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/malaysia/kuala-lumpur

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