We wanted to go back to Kuala Lumpur to visit some of the sites, eateries, and spas we loved so much when we lived there. We wanted to go back to visit the new school….the school we spent so many hours scouring over blueprints, conferring with architects, and getting input from constituents. But above all, we wanted to go back and visit with all our friends, so many friends near and dear to our hearts.

Sites and Eateries

We thought we might have more time for exploring, but instead we spent the bulk of our time visiting with friends. But one day we went to ChinaTown to find this new little alley. It is called Kwai Chai Hong, its Cantonese meaning translated to Ghost Alley or Little Demon Alley. In years past, this alley was a blight on the neighborhood, really ratty. But now it has been transformed into a street art paradise.

One night, friends took us to dinner at a new Indian restaurant and afterwards we went looking for this cool little speakeasy. Speakeasies are popping up all over KL. Some are easy to find, others truly hidden. Half the fun is finding them. PS150 is the name of our destination and is located just outside Chinatown in an old building that used to be a brothel. To find it, you have to locate a toy store, or what looks like a toy store. It is a fake front, and you are let in through a door in the back. You head down a long alley decorated as an opium den of old, then through a couple more doors and finally you have make it to the bar. Drinks were fantastic.

When we were done, we went looking for another speakeasy purported to be in the vicinity. After looking for a bit, I found an open door leading to a stairway and a man standing outside. I thought…this has to be it!!! I asked the man, “What’s upstairs?” His straight-face answer, “Girls”. So we had been in a former brothel and then we go and find a real one!!!! Too funny!!!

Kuala Lumpur is a foodie’s paradise and so we were looking forward to eating here again. Our favorite restaurant, La Mexicana, had closed, but we were able to visit some old favorites and a few new ones. We also were on a search for the best tasting Mojito.

The New School and All Our Wonderful Friends
The new school is AMAZING and it is HUGE. Complete with a 50 meter, 10 lane swimming pool, a 25 meter, six lane swimming pool, a learn-to-swim pool, two massive libraries, underground parking, a maker lab in the elementary school, the list goes on and on and on. It takes forever to walk from one end to the other and is four levels high. The elementary has their playground and cafeteria on the roof. The performance theatre seats over 700. It is the first school in all of Malaysia to receive the Green Building Index Platinum rating. It was fun so see the fruition of all the hard work that went into planning this school. We spent the better part of two days exploring this facility and meeting with all the people.

We were so touched by the reception we received. One staff member heard we were coming and drove all the way from her home by the airport (one hour away) just to see us. A couple others bought new outfits to wear. We had dinner with the Head of School, another dinner with one of the art teachers, another with counselor and tech coordinator, another with the former HR Director, and lunches with my former secretary and her family, and with a former art teacher and PE teacher, and drinks with one of the first grade teachers. Unfortunately, most faculty had already left for the summer, and maybe that was good as we were going out all the time. Such a good feeling being with all our friends.

It was good to be back in Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur. It was good to see the school and connect again with friends. But after 10 days it was time to leave. Time to fly to Bali for new adventures. Goodbye Malaysia….we will miss you.