Saturday in Kuala Lumpur

So did a bit of the touristy thing today - kind of the first time for that since arriving in Asia really.
Took the monorail (LOVE the monorail and LRT system btw) to Bukit Nanas and walked to the Petronas Towers then along that road to the Menara KL Tower.
Totally recommend the Malaysian Tourist Center (matic) that you pass along the way. Bathrooms were incredibly nice - I actually had to stop and take a pic! And while I was doing so an employee walked in... doubtless thought I was either nuts or up to something. Oh Well. Later waited for the rain to stop in their little art gallery. Lovely work and even some little canvases for a fair price I was seriously contemplating. Only problem? No one around to give your money to! I did go on a Saturday and the center seemed only half open, so perhaps I picked the wrong day because it looked like sometimes the artist might paint there! Im thinking of stopping back either Monday or Tuesday before I leave to see it again. I love art galleries and this one was right up my alley - just the right mix of reality and abstract originality. (And it didnt hurt that while I waited out the rain on the hot, humid day, it had ac and pretty much no other people.)
After that I walked onto Menara Tower, which I would again recommend. The walk up is a bit long and tough, but there is an option of a free shuttle (I just like to walk and needed to justify the Sundae I had just eaten :) ) I got some lovely pics also on the way up. I just love in KL how the jungle and modern city can be taken in one shot - which reminds me, real quick, KL has very nice wide sidewalks - a big step up from Bangkok, which Alanna referred to as sidescrambles :) - but in walking I came across this enormous old tree that took up most of the walk. Sorry, but in the US it would probably have been chopped down and removed. Here though I love the effort they go to to preserve these beautiful old trees.
Anyway, back to the tower. I didnt actually end up going to the top (it cost $ and Im cheap) but they did have lovely little souvenir shops that I felt were very reasonably priced and even a water cost only 1 ringett (about $0.33), much needed after the trek! But the best part was the cultural village. They had native music that greeted you and set the atmosphere as you came to the entrance, then you walked down a little enclosed walkway and emerged in a village filled with house designs from all over Malaysia and - the best part - a sign telling their origin and about their construction! There was then a little area showing the stages of constructing KL tower, some local instruments and signs giving info about some local attractions.
All in all a wonderful, if exhausting day :)