Welcome to part 2, of my travel diaries as I take on Asia. After a mini break/trip home to visit family and celebrate my quarter-life crisis birthday, I was back on a plane — this time heading to Malaysia.

You’re probably thinking I’m mad for spending money on flights home and back for just a couple of weeks, but what’s a girl to do? So, I packed my bags and resumed my solo travels, landing in the beautiful country of Malaysia.

I spent a week in Kuala Lumpur and, honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Malaysia had never really been on my travel radar — but since it was so close to other places I wanted to visit, I figured, why not?

I landed in the evening, dropped my bags off, and immediately headed out to grab some food. Being solo again was a bit bittersweet. It’s nice having the freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want — but you do miss the company. KL, as you might imagine, is a modern city: sleek skyscrapers, lush green parks, and — nestled between all that — local communities filled with restaurants, shops, and homes.

🍢 First Stop: Jalan Alor Night Market

Located in Bukit Bintang, this iconic night market opens from 5 pm to midnight and offers an overwhelming (in a good way) array of street food: satay, BBQ seafood, and more. I went for rice with what I think was sweet and sour chicken.

The place was packed — noisy, smoky, chaotic — but full of energy and flavour. Despite the sensory overload, I loved it. It felt real, local, and alive. It can feel a little overwhelming, but certainly worth trying. Despite its smoky and loud exterior, I enjoyed exploring a more

That night, I headed back to my accommodation, curled up in a chair with my Kindle, and soaked in the city lights. Simply magical.

🎨 Culture, Architecture & City Views

The next morning, I dove into the city.

First stop: Central Market, originally built in 1888 and now a heritage and culture hub. It’s located near Petaling Street and filled with boutique shops, handmade crafts, artwork, and souvenirs. I picked up a cute little keyring and wandered aimlessly, taking it all in. Out front, you’ll find a few great photo ops too.

🏮 Thean Hou Temple & 🗼 KL Tower

During the afternoon, I visited the Then Hou Temple. Set on Robson Hill, the temple is ornate, peaceful, and colourful — red pillars, dragon carvings, hanging lanterns. It blends Taoist and Buddhist influences, and has gardens, fortune-telling stalls, and even a turtle pond. I spent over an hour here just enjoying the calm. It is honestly a stunning and atmospheric place to see. I spent a good hour here, enjoying the peacefulness and admiring the views. This temple is free and you can go anytime between 8am-10pm.

Shortly after the zenness of the temple, I made my way to the KL Tower. The tower features an observation deck with a 360 panoramic view of the city. There are restaurants, exhibits, and even skywalks — definitely worth the trip if you want to see the city from above. It’s another interesting activity and a cool way to see the everything.

Finding myself fairly hungry and tired, I found myself heading towards Jalan Petaling. Known as The Vein of Old Chinatown, It’s buzzing with lanterns, roasted chestnut stalls, souvenir vendors, and an authentic charm that contrasts KL’s sleek high-rises. It’s a gritty but warm part of the city, and definitely a must-visit if you want a break from the gloss.

🐱 Monster Café & Quiet Nights

The next day, I visited Monster. A Garden Café, tucked away in Pasar Seni. Think plants, natural light, and most importantly: cats. The vibe is full-on Instagram-aesthetic, and the café doubles as a calm spot for brunch and cuddles

I had granola, coffee, and a Kindle in one hand while petting cats with the other. It was peaceful, mood-lifting, and a great way to start the day. Pro tip: it gets busy — book ahead or go during off-peak hours.

Clearly I hadn’t done much in-between since the rest of the evening was spent walking close by the Petronas Towers – KL’s most iconic landmark. With its towering architecture, nearby shops, and surrounding park, the area buzzes with people at night. Looking up at these great skyscrapers, you can get overwhelmed by sheer size of it. Everyone seemed to be just relaxing, chatting, or hanging out — and I loved that.

Sometimes, you need a quiet day in between the chaotic ones, right?

I went to a local market just off of Petronas Towers, where it was fairly quieter than the main attraction called Pelita Nasi Kandar. It had a bunch of super yummy food available from local stools and trucks. Munching on my food and sipping on a lychee juice, I enjoyed the music and ambience of the night.

🧘First couple of days

My first few days in Malaysia were surprisingly chill — and honestly, that’s exactly what I needed. After two months of nonstop movement, sightseeing, and travel chaos, it felt good to slow down.

I didn’t know much about Malaysia before coming, and I wasn’t expecting much either — but I was very pleasantly surprised. It has its charm. It’s modern yet authentic, fast-paced yet full of quiet moments.

So as always, Thank you for reading my post—I hope you enjoyed.

Until my next blog of intrepid tales on my trails…!