Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Our flight from Mulu didn't depart until 1:45pm so we had the morning to relax. I finished my first book (Children of Dune) and started reading Tai Pan). I wanted to go onto book three of the Dune series but didn't have web access to figure out which book was next.

We walked across the suspension bridge to leave Mulu Park - it felt odd to leave even though it was just across the bridge, having been in Mulu Park the last few days.

Paid 5 ringgit each for transport to the airport. We were able to check our baggage all the way to Kuala Lumpur even though I had bought the two legs separately on the web.

We waited in departures hoping to see our plane arrive - this was the flight that had been cancelled on our way into Mulu. Finally it arrived about 30 minutes late - we were nervous for a few minutes until they announced (no loudspeaker - just a person talking - it's a very small airport) that it was the flight to Miri and not the next flight to Kuching.

We had enough time in Miri for another 3 ringgit automated massage before the flight to Kuala Lumpur.

There was a distinct feeling landing at KLIA that we were no longer in Borneo. After three weeks of adventures in national parks and small towns, we were now back in the big city - the tarmac was filled with A380s and Dreamliners from all over the world.

It was a long 1 hour 45 minute taxi ride from the airport to the city centre, almost as long as the flight.

The checkin at Traders was very professional (it's a Shangri La hotel). Our room had a great view of the Petronas Towers - we had booked here because it's the best view of the towers.

It was pretty late (after 9pm) so we just ate in the hotel restaurant, and then called it a night.

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We had signed up for the Traders Club access when we booked. At the time I was wondering if we'd actually use any of the benefits but it turned out to be a great deal. We has a very good breakfast in the Traders Lounge - it's almost at the same height as the skybridge that connects the Petronas Towers and so has great 360* views of KL.

Heather shopped at Suria KLCC, the big mall at the foot of the Petronas Towers. Apparently it has some pretty good stores that aren't in Canada.

Headed to Chinatown on the LRT (very easy to navigate), and had lunch in a street food market. We pointed to order and ended up with some great tasting noodle soups. Another guy came around to take drink orders and we had had a teh tarik each. Overall an excellent lunch.

Walked over to see the Masjid Negara mosque, and then to the Islamic Arts Museum which was amazing. One display was models of significant mosques around the world - I was surprised that I'd only seen one out of the 20 or so displayed. There are some very cool looking ones in Uzbekistan - we'll have to look at that for a future trip :)

We got back to the hotel in time for happy hour at Traders Lounge. It's a great happy hour - free food and drinks from 5pm to 7pm. I had a few Tigers (which I just learnt is brewed in Singapore) and Heather had white wine.

One of the best nightspots in KL is the Skybar at the top of our hotel and it was a Saturday night so we decided to check it out. A few drinks later it was after midnight and we headed off to bed.