Petronas Twin Towers.. by Cesar Pelli

If you have been to Kuala Lumpur, chances are you would have visited our iconic Petronas Twin Towers which are conveniently located in the city centre itself.

And if you are planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur, these iconic twin towers are certainly not to be missed. A visit to KL (short for Kuala Lumpur) isn't complete without setting foot at KLCC, commonly referred to in place of Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

Lots of shopping for starters and a whole lot of other activities in the vicinity as well besides gawking at the buildings from inside and out. I guarantee it.

You can also go to the viewing levels at 41 and 42, at the Skybridge, for a bird's eye view of the city. And there's the aquarium called Aquaria, a science centre called Petro Sains, there's a concert hall, home to our Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, etc. There is a Convention Centre in the vicinity and for hotels, there is Mandarin Oriental and Traders Hotel, both award winners in their category. The SkyBar at Traders Hotel is popular with tourists and locals alike.

A glimpse of SkyBar at Traders and the view outside it..Source

At KLCC, there's a huge park for a stroll or a jog or even a run as well as a wading pool to enjoy some water frolicking for kids mostly. There's also a fountain out front, a musical fountain with special lighting effects at night. And much more one can see and/or do at KLCC. Come see for yourself.

These iconic Petronas Twin Towers look even better at night. By the way, they remain the tallest twin towers in the world to this day, though for a while they were the tallest buildings in the world.

I'd like to pay tribute here to Cesar Pelli, architect behind Petronas Twin Towers, who had died, aged 92.

His famous works include the World Financial Center in New York, Canary Wharf Tower in London and renovation work on New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

Image source: NST.com.my
More images of Petronas Twin Towers.. for your viewing pleasure.


Related article: Dr M saddened by passing of Petronas Twin Towers' architect

Petronas Twin Towers illuminated in blue to mark UN day

Tonight, Malaysia's iconic PETRONAS Twin Towers will be lit up in blue joining other famous landmarks around the world in marking the 70th anniversary of the United Nations.

Apart from the Kuala Lumpur landmark, other structures taking part in the event include the Sydney Opera House, the Paris Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building in New York.

United Nations was established on 24 October, 1945, after World War II in order to prevent another such conflict.

At its founding, the UN had 51 member states; there are now 193 according to Wikipedia. The headquarters of the United Nations is in Manhattan, New York City



Sources:
-The Star
- Wikipedia

Flash floods hit Kuala Lumpur yesterday

As forecasted, Kuala Lumpur was drenched yesterday.

Heavy rainfall in the city for just an hour and a half in late afternoon resulted in flash floods in certain low-lying areas. One such is this public carpark at Jalan Pinang (image courtesy of The Star). Just for bearings, Jalan Pinang is right smack in the busy commercial KLCC area, an area where there are lots of offices and 5-star hotels.

The Star also reported that:

Traffic at Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Ampang came to a complete stop when water levels rose rapidly, while the pedestrian bridge at the Chan Sow Lin LRT station was closed due to flash floods at Jalan Yaacob Latif near the Cheras roundabout tunnel.

A spokesman at the centre said there were also reports on other affected areas in Jalan Jelatek (near the Setiawangsa LRT station) and Jalan Melayu.


Just a peek, here are a couple of screenshots from Google maps on the location of Jalan Pinang (top half of image) and the bottom half is the fountain area outside the Petronas Twin Towers in KLCC. This is a popular spot in the evenings - a relaxing place to just sit and watch the fountain do its thing. Starbucks is one of the outlets here enjoying this view.

If you look at the bottom half of the image below, you will see the Petronas Twin Towers at 12 o'clock while the shopping mall, Suria KLCC, is the two beige blocks on the left and right below the twin towers.

Tip: For more of Petronas Twin Towers or the other goings-on of Kuala Lumpur, check out the Labels below at the end of post.

Petronas Twin Towers in Pink - October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Image source: The Star

Catch the Petronas Twin Towers all illuminated in pink tonight.  For the first time, the country’s most iconic buildings are being illuminated in the signature pink of Estee Lauder Companies’ annual global Breast Cancer Awareness campaign.

The towers were lit up last night and will be lit in pink again tonight from 7pm until midnight.

However, the KLCC Lake Sym­phony Fountain will be illuminated in pink until the end of the month.

In previous years, it was the KL Tower that was illuminated. Other famous buildings and landmarks around the world that have participated in the campaign include the Sydney Opera House, the Tower of London and the Empire State Building in New York.

Counting my blessings

Looking at the Petronas Twin Towers this morning, I thought we were set for another fabulous sunny day but clearly not so looking at the overcast sky right now.  Surprising air quality according to the DOE is still good here in Kuala Lumpur though the skyline does appear to be hazy.

I count it a blessing that this pair of towers can be seen both from the office as well as at home - without the slightest effort. They are just there right in front whenever I look up and need a focal point to ponder a thought or two. Blessing? You bet!

A visiting colleague once remarked that the Petronas Twin Towers are the most exquisite buildings he has ever laid eyes upon and he has travelled extensively for work. He now is based in Shanghai and he travels to Malaysia a few times a year and never tires of taking pictures of the twins each time he visits.

Back home, I wonder how many of us locals really stop to admire these beauties in our very own backyard.

Incidentally, the Petronas Twin Towers are currently still the tallest twin towers in the world. Soaring to a height of 451.9 metres, the 88-storey twin structure is Kuala Lumpur's crown jewel. The world's highest double-decked bridge is also found here where it provides a stunning vantage point of Kuala Lumpur. Linking the towers at levels 41 and 42, it facilitates movement, and functions as an escape route in case of emergencies. Entrance to this skybridge used to be free of charge but a year or two ago, an entrance fee has been introduced. The fee structure is as follows to give you an idea:

Ticket Price
Adult RM80 (approx USD25)
Adult (MyKad) RM25
Child RM30 (approx USD9.30)
Child (MyKid) RM12

There is an observation deck at level 86 but not sure if that's open to the public.  It offers a 360-degree view of Kuala Lumpur. However, some reviews say KL Tower offers a better view of the city. KL Tower stands at 421m and over the weekend hosted the KL Tower International BASE Jump annual event.

Friday Frolics - What Architectural Style Are You?

Traffic jams aside, if I happen to be in the city, one of the things I enjoy doing is to pause to take in the sights of buildings. We may not have that many or like those in New York City but hey, we still have the tallest twin towers in the world, the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.

The twin towers are indeed a sight to behold but standing in front of this set of iconic buildings and looking across to the other side, you will get to enjoy many other skyscrapers that seem to have suddenly sprung up from the last time you were there.

Today's personality quiz is about architecture. Take the quiz to find out what architectural style are you.

HappySurfer Is Baroque

You have a strong personality. You are who you are, and you're darn proud of it. You are quite guarded. You feel reluctant to reveal your true self to others. You think on a whole other plane. You see patterns and logic where others see chaos. You are comfortable with theories. Abstract ideas and concepts delight you.

Which Architectural Style Are You?

Friday Frolics: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

Prince William and Kate on Far East tour

Source
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, are on a tour of the Far East as representatives of Queen Elizabeth II in conjunction with the celebration of her Diamond Jubilee. Malaysia is included in the itinerary. Their Royal Highnesses arrived at KL International Airport on Thursday, Sep 13, to begin their three-day official visit in the city.

Malaysia was their second destination after Singapore in their 9-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific. Let's trace their footsteps a little to see the activities they have been involved in..

Will and Kate on their way to Seri Perdana for lunch with the Prime Minister and his wife after arriving at KLIA - Source

Prince William and his wife Catherine pose with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor at Seri Perdana - Source

The royal couple later visited Hospis Malaysia, a charitable organisation which offers professional palliative care to patients suffering from life-limited illnesses, and received a warm welcome from residents and children from a nearby kindergarten.

School children waiting for the arrival of Prince William and his wife Catherine outside Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur Thursday - Source

Prince William and Catherine unveiling a plaque at Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur - Source

The Duchess of Cambridge shares a light moment with a boy and a woman - Source

In the evening, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had an audience with the King and Queen, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah and attended a royal banquet at Istana Negara.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pose for a photograph with Malaysian King Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, Queen Haminah Hamidun, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor at the palace in Kuala Lumpur - Source
Included in the royal couple's itinerary was a visit to the Kuala Lumpur City Centre and in Sabah, the Danum Valley, a primary tropical rainforest in Sabah. They left for the Solomon Islands on Sunday (yesterday).

School children waiting to welcome the arrival of Prince William and Kate Middleton during their 'cultural walkabout' at KLCC Park in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. The iconic Petronas Twin Towers in the background. - 14 September, 2012 - Source

Wonderful weather for a walkabout in the KLCC Park. Pretty flowers for a pretty lady..

Prince William and Catherine Middleton making their way to the Assyakirin Mosque during the royal couple's walkabout at KLCC Park on Friday

Respectful: Prince William and his wife Kate take their shoes off - Source

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, giving a speech during a business luncheon hosted by the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Friday. - Reuters - 14 September, 2012 - Source

Brave face: The Duchess of Cambridge smiled her way through a tea party at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur despite the news that a French magazine has published topless pictures of her on holiday - Source

Grim faced: With lips pursed, the Royal pair head down the red carpet towards a waiting Boeing 737-800 jet at Kuala lumpur's airport taking them to their next stop, Sabah, East Malaysia.

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, wear the beaded jewellery Pinakol, synonymous with the Rungus ethnic culture, on their arrival at the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Beach Resort in Kota Kinabalu for a two-day visit to Sabah. NORMIMIE DIUN/The Star

The royal couple visited a rainforest in Borneo and enjoyed the high life - by being hoisted up a 130ft rainforest tree by ropes and walking along a 300-metre long canopy bridge.

Kate joked: 'I'm going to go "whee" and fly the way up.'

William and Kate toured the Danum Valley research centre in Sabah, one of the two States that make up the Malaysian part of Borneo. More: Dailymail - including a video

After lunch, much to their delight, they were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of an Orang-Utan family, a mother, father and their baby, while with a guide from the lodge.

An Orang-Utan seen near the tree William and Kate were hoisted up by forest conservationists

The couple have vowed not to let the furore over a magazine's decision to publish topless pictures of the Duchess derail their nine-day Diamond Jubilee tour of South East Asia and the South Pacific.

The say they are determined to press ahead with their high profile visit.

A source close to William and Kate, said they felt intense anger and disappointment at what had happened but believed very strongly that the tour was far too important to British interests abroad to be allowed to suffer.

'The Duke and Duchess are hugely disappointed by what has happened but both feel very strongly that it should be business as usual,' the source said.

'They feel it has been a great success so far and have thoroughly enjoyed the places they have visited and the people they have met.

The couple launched a legal action in the French courts against Closer magazine for what they described as a 'grotesque' and 'unjustifiable' breach of their privacy.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton, concluded their four-day visit to Malaysia Sunday.

They were given a traditional red carpet send-off at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport at about 7am. Next stop: the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.

On to Solomon Islands: Kate is crowned an Island Princess as she wears decorative headpiece given by well-wishers during village visit in South Pacific

More..
Photo gallery from The Star
Photo gallery from The Telegraph, UK
Videos from The Star

Related articles:
- Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive for three-day visit
- Royal couple endear themselves to guests with down-to-earth approach
- Tea and sympathy for Kate as she puts on a brave smile but grim-faced William shows his anger after topless photo outrage
- Scene of the crime: Royals confirm legal action against French mag as we reveal spot where long-lens photo of topless Kate was taken
- Will and Kate end Malaysia visit and head for Solomon Islands
- 'I'm going to go whee and fly the way up': Wills and Kate are royal high-nesses as they forget their troubles by being hoisted up a 130ft tree in Borneo rainforest
- Kate is crowned an Island Princess as she wears decorative headpiece given by well-wishers during village visit in South Pacific

Earth Hour in Kuala Lumpur

At 8:20 last night, I reminded myself that I must watch the lights go out at the Petronas Twin Towers. 8:30 came.. and went. Then much later at 10-nish, I realised that I had missed the greatest show on earth for climate change. Oh well.. Better luck next year.

So now, I have to rely on stills as in images or pictures for a glimpse of it. If you are just like me, below are two great shots from The Star. You can also read about The hour the lights went out..

Kuala Lumpur during Earth Hour

Kuala Lumpur before the lights went out

Eye On Malaysia

Ticket to Ride, this one..

Ticket to ride the Eye on Malaysia, that is. This is an awfully late post. I apologise.

Ticket prices - a lot cheaper than rides elsewhere, I believe

These are the rest of the shots. Click to enlarge image. As you can see, there is a lake nearby. This is a man-made lake, named Lake Titiwangsa. I'm not too sure but I suspect this lake could have been from those tin-mining days of Kuala Lumpur.

Lake Titiwangsa is just a small part of the park that it is. It is popular with city folks as a recreation ground where it is used in the mornings and evenings for activities like jogging, walking, cycling, roller- or inline-skating, a game or two of badminton, tennis, even kayaking.

And when it comes to dinnertime, why not head on over to the Lake Titiwangsa Seafood Restaurant for authentic Malaysian cuisine. There is ala carte, buffet and steamboat dinner. This is a popular place with tourists and locals alike as dinner comes with a cultural show entertainment.


The park is in the city itself and is located next to a number of landmarks which include the newly-built Istana Budaya (Cultural Center) where the forthcoming Mamma Mia musical will be staged. The Istana Budaya is the blue-roofed building in the bottom row picture, second from right.

Other landmarks include the National Art Gallery and the National Library. Also in the same vicinity is the National Heart Center (a hospital), Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, a private hospital (Tawakal Hospital) and the Bernama news agency.

You would also have noticed the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and the Kuala Lumpur Tower in the background. The former is just a 10-minute ride away while the KL Tower may take another ten minutes or so.

Unfortunately, the aerial shots did not turn out well as the glass is heavily tinted. Plus, there was a slight drizzle.

The Eye On Malaysia was supposed to be in Kuala Lumpur until Dec 31 of last year but it was extended to August this year. If you'd like to enjoy a ride, you would have to go to Malacca as the Eye on Malaysia is now located permanently in historical Malacca to boost tourism. Did you know that Malacca has recently been designated a World Heritage site along with Penang Island?

This picture source is The Star

Blue Skies and All Things Nice & KLCC Petronas Twin Towers

A lady colleague (who's from the States) was saying she wished she needn't have to come into the office today. She exclaimed, "I mean, look at the glorious weather outside!"

I have to agree with her. The weather is simply fabulous today and we haven't had this weather for a long, long time. The sun is up early and the sky is blue or mostly. I thought I'd show you a picture just to bring you a little warmth, those of you who are up north in Winter.



Oh dear! KL is polluted.

Talk about KL, I was at a hotel in the KLCC area and took these pictures. The one below is from the Club Lounge looking down on the roof of KLCC Suria, the shopping mall. I've always been fascinated by the colorful mosaics there. Quite a piece of artwork.



Here's another picture of the mosaic roof. That body of water on the right is a wading pool and is open to the public. Beyond that is the KLCC Park (the following picture) and from the little cafe of the bookshop, Kinokuniya, the view is spectacular. Starbucks is on the groundfloor, I think.



Here's the picture of the KLCC Park. It's a sprawling park with jogging tracks and all. Apologies, the picture's not very sharp. Wobbly legs and shaky hands at that height. lol


Many people have been awed by the sight of the Petronas Twin Towers. To tell you the truth, each time I pass by them, I get this feeling too. For me, the best angle is from near the traffic lights, opposite where the Public Bank building is. The towers are best viewed at night when they are lit. By the way, if you happen to be there (at the vicinity of the Public Bank building), you'd also be next to the building where Altantuya was last seen alive. Yeah, that's right. A little trivia for you.

Here's a picture I took from the ground. That's the moon on the left.



Well, that's all I have.

Have a great week ahead, y'all!

Petronas Twin Towers - the Skybridge

This is a picture of the Petronas Twin Towers and the Skybridge. This picture was taken in February one evening. The Skybridge links both towers on floors 41 and 42. I have not been up there but I will, one day. Did you know that it was pre-assembled in South Korea and transported here?

The Petronas Twin Towers may not be the tallest buildings in the world but no doubt about it, they are awe-inspiring and to quote a well-travelled friend from the US:

"It is interesting there are many tall buildings in the world but none of them have the majestic beauty like the KLCC Twin Towers. They just shine like a star at night time. :)"

Don't just take my word for it. Come see for yourself too.


Related article:
View from the Skybridge