Kuala Lumpur25 Apr 2015
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I've no idea what this sign said at the Monorail station. All...
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I thought I was set today. I knew how to get to the Monorail station, I’d even figured out how to cross the roads & I had my tokens I’d bought yesterday. Wrong! The tokens wouldn’t work & I found out they’re only good for one day. What a stupid system.
I got the Hop-on Hop-off bus again but got off at the 3rd stop which they said was for the National Monument. It took a bit of finding & was a long way from the bus stop but it was quite impressive & I’m glad I persevered.
Back on the bus & my next stop was the Petronas Towers. First they take you to the Sky-bridge which is on the 41st floor then you go up to the 86th floor for a wonderful view over the city. It was quite clear today so you could see a long way.
Then I took a taxi to the Royal Selangor pewter factory & showroom. What a classy company it is. I was greeted at the door & introduced to a personal guide who gave me a free tour around the museum & the workshops where I could watch a lady pour the pewter into the mould & was amazed that it hardened within a few seconds.
There were also demonstrations of polishing the pewter & also hammering the designs. You can have a go at making your own pewter bowl but I passed on that. My guide left me at the gift shop where I bought a couple of beautiful little dragons, then as I was leaving an older lady approached me & we got talking.
It turned out that she was the grand-daughter of Yong Koon, the founder of Royal Selangor who came from China & started the company here in 1885. The company is still owned by the family & is now being run by the 4th generation.
She was lovely & told me lots of stories about different pieces then organised a driver to take me to the closest monorail station. She said they’ve opened an office in Melbourne & her sister is working there.
It was another very long but very satisfying day. It was quite warm & rained some time when I was at Royal Selangor but it had stopped by the time I had to walk home & is another beautiful evening.
