{"id":9835,"date":"2026-01-03T04:54:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T04:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vantours.co.uk\/blog\/?p=9835"},"modified":"2026-01-03T05:32:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T05:32:43","slug":"happy-2026-to-you-all","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vantours.co.uk\/blog\/2026\/01\/happy-2026-to-you-all\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy 2026 to you all…!!!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Well, that’s another Christmas over and done with. Was it really worth all the fuss…? We are settled into our new home in Kuala Lumpur, where we celebrated Christmas with a mix of the traditional and the local Malay way. We are a day early this week with our blog as we are off to “the jungle<\/a><\/em>” for two nights, where we are told there is no decent mobile or wifi connection to the outside world. Blimey, how will we manage?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 28th December 2025<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a relaxed morning, we go out for a walk and try find some food. We are planning to have a very early dinner today and visit a nearby coffee shop. Coffee shops here in Malaysia are nothing like home; they serve coffee but also a full selection of meals. We have a Thai tofu starter. Del has a Laksa (coconut noodle soup), and H has squid and noodles! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Tofu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
A very eggy tart<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
The men know all the dance routines!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

After our feast, we take a walk to the grassed rooftop of our local mall that has a small concert stage with lighting and sound, etc. There is always something going on here, and today is no exception, as we watch a very strange show of young Japanese girls singing and dancing, watched by nearly all adult men who know all the dance moves. Very odd. Even Del knew them!!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
The kids love this Pikachu thing… So does H now…<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We walk back to the flat only to stumble across 3 large yellow Pikachus<\/a><\/em> marching along to a guy with a whistle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pikachu is very popular here in Asia, and he is everywhere. All the kids have t-shirts and bags with him on them. There is always something going on here, but sometimes, to us, some of it just seems so random. It\u2019s an interesting place, this Asia. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
A bit of haze and light. Nice.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Once it gets dark, we get a cab to the river that winds its way through the city. They pump mist onto it and light it up at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It looks eerily impressive. We then hop over to the Petronas Towers and KLCC park on the metro and arrive in time to see a colourful fountain display. The two towers look impressive behind a huge Christmas tree, gleaming silver against the black sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Petronas towers look fantastic tonight!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s gone 9 pm, and the mall is still mega busy; we are dodging people trying to walk in a straight line. This place just never seems to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Monday 29th December 2025<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We go to the gym this morning and then have a swim in the other pool here, which is lovely. Once changed, we visit the butterfly park, a large, lush, and beautifully landscaped area where butterflies flutter around. A nice place to get away from the noise of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re not as brightly coloured as we thought they would be. Asian butterflies are mostly brown with dashes of colour on them. They have an interesting indoor display here, complete with a tank of many nasty-looking native scorpions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
One of these cases was FULL of live black scorpions!!!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There is a Middle Eastern restaurant in town that is famous for its shawarma kebabs, not something H has ever really fancied, but the reviews are good, and there is always a queue of about 1.5 hours at night. We decide at 3 pm to have an early dinner and beat the queues; however, when we arrive we still have to queue for 15 mins. This is madness; it better be good! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Del with his Turkish coffee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once inside the pretty dining room (there are 4 floors of dining areas here). We have the famous shawarma and a traditional dessert. The food is tasty, but we really can\u2019t see what all the fuss is about. We should know better, as we would normally<\/em> disregard any restaurant with a queue as just hype. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve booked another escape game at a different place, this one involves a prison cell (again), crawling through tunnels and an electric chair. It’s very good, and we manage to escape with only a couple of hints needed. In fact, it\u2019s so good we will come back and do another one tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Tuesday 30th December 2025<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We enjoyed yesterday\u2019s escape room so much that we start the day with another one, and why not, as they are a fraction of the cost of UK ones. This next one is a bit harder, and we have to sign a waiver for the physical aspects(!?). It is based around a serial killer\u2019s barber shop. We think we\u2019ve cracked it, only to find out there\u2019s another room to go and we\u2019ve run out of time. Oh dear. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
A nice cup of “cham<\/em>“. Lovely.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We go for lunch at the Capitol cafe again and have their Nasi Lemak, which is delicious. Del tries a cup of local ‘cham’, which is a mix of tea and coffee with condensed milk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An odd mix, but Del thinks it’s quite nice. Whilst we are enjoying this, it has started to rain heavily, so next we jump on the metro and go to another immense mall – the TRX<\/a>. It\u2019s staggeringly big with a whole floor of just designer and high-end shops. They also have a very impressive Apple shop. How can there be this many malls, and who is spending all this money?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
The huge Apple Shop<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
…in the TRX mall Malaysia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We get back, and it’s Hayley’s turn to do the ironing with a view of the Towers…<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Ironing day with a view, and what a view.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
Ladies only cars on the metro, don’t cross the line Del.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
More Pikachu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Del’s got a new friend<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Wednesday 31st December 2025<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We get up late and set off for the gym. H has decided it\u2019s time to try out the rollercoaster near our flat, so we walk over to the mall opposite and pay the small amount to get into the theme park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s amazing how they\u2019ve squeezed so much stuff into part of a shopping mall. H goes on the coaster twice; it\u2019s a good layout, but a bit rough and twice is all she can do. It\u2019s not a bad coaster at all and certainly one of the better indoor coasters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By now we are both hungry and go to a sushi restaurant, a chain, which we\u2019ve been to before on past trips to Japan. The food is ordered on your phone and delivered on a \u2018train\u2019,<\/em> which makes us grin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here comes someone’s sushi… At least it’s on time…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We go mad and have a massive sushi feast, we eat half the sea… It\u2019s delicious, though. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Stopped at a red light<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
We are getting through a few trains full<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Green for go…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We head back. The mall below us is ramping up for the new year with live bands on the roof. We walk down there and check it out. It\u2019s very good, but we leave as it starts to get very crowded; besides, we have our own view and goodies to bring in the new year, and we will see and hear the bands playing below us anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
No, they are not washing machines, but a video game called Maimai.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We walk back through a games arcade. There are games in here that we don\u2019t even understand. One looks like a washing machine, <\/em><\/strong>but it’s a music video game called Maimai<\/a><\/em><\/strong>. Watching the kids play is mesmerising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We feel a bit old, or rather, we\u2019ve been dropped 50 years into the future. Some of these games require super-fast reactions and attention, whilst having your brain bombarded with sound and colour. Crazy.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Back in the flat, we open our Laurent Perrier champagne that we have bought for tonight. The Petronas towers and other buildings are all lit up, and we await midnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just before the big hour, a mist descends, and visibility drops, but the fireworks are all around us. We can see Merdeka 118<\/a>, the second-tallest building in the world, clearly, as it is right next to our apartment block, and it looks fantastic. There\u2019s even a drone show that we can just about see. It\u2019s fabulous, we love it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Merdeka 118, the second tallest building in the world<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
The view from our balcony before midnight…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Fireworks everywhere!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Drones over KL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Happy New Year to all of you!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Thursday 1st January 202<\/em><\/strong>6<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
A clean start to the day<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

After going to bed late, past 2 am at least, we get up quite late and have a relaxed day in. Here’s something for breakfast. A dragon fruit with rambutans. Very nice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tonight we have booked into a very special restaurant nearby, but first there is the matter of the \u2018world dragon and lion dance extravaganza<\/a>\u2019<\/em> happening just below us on the roof of the mall. There are 40 lion dance troupes with associated noisy drums and cymbals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We go down and watch them for a while. It’s busy and hard to see what’s going on, but the heat and humidity beat us, and we return to the flat to get ready for dinner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tonight we have booked at \u2018dining in the dark<\/a><\/em><\/strong>\u2019, a restaurant where the dining room is pitch black. The concept has been around for a while – by having no vision, it enhances your other senses and enjoyment of the food. We arrive at 6:30pm, have a welcome drink and are blindfolded and given a wooden shapes puzzle to get us ready for the experience, already this is harder than we imagined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After this, we have our phones and any light-emitting devices locked up and place our hands on the shoulders of the blind waiter who leads us into the dining room. It is indeed pitch black, and we are guided into our seats and told where our drinks and cutlery are. It is rare to be in an absolute blackout, there is usually a chink of light somewhere. The darkness here is very unnerving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
A game played blindfolded before you dine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
A nervous Del…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Del has a bit of a panic and feels a little overwhelmed and nauseous, but this soon passes. It is the weirdest and strangest experience. Our waiter, AK, is visually impaired, as are all of the waiters here. How he manages to move around in the dark and serve us food and drink so efficiently and professionally staggers us! The food is placed before us, 4 courses, each of multiple dishes, and we are left to work out what we are eating. It\u2019s all delicious, and we will find out what we have eaten afterwards. We think we have identified quite a few flavours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
A very tasty starter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
A delicious main<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
A fabulous dessert<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Our dine in the dark dinner…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We make it through the evening without knocking anything over or spilling our meals down us. Outside, we have the menu revealed to us, we are for the most part right, but one of the starters that we thought was definitely seaweed was actually jellyfish!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We highly recommend the experience if you ever get the chance to do a ‘dine in the dark’ evening, an unforgettable night and most enjoyable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We walk to the nearby Bukit Bintang Centre, where it\u2019s chaos. This is the centre of Kuala Lumpur nightlife, it’s noisy, bright, and the smell of all the different foods is just incredible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n
Jalan Alor,<\/strong> the main food street in Kuala Lumpur.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are a few buskers, but it’s not just someone with a guitar going “la la la…”, but full band set-ups on a street corner. We found a heavy metal band, led by a muslim lady, they really rocked. What a din…, they drew quite a crowd. Great fun to watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were ladies dressed in traditional Chinese dress doing a ‘thing<\/em>‘, promptly followed by a marching band with bagpipes. Well, why not…? There is something for everyone here… and not a policeman or ‘official<\/em>‘ in a hi-viz vest in sight. Who needs them? Leave us alone.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
AC\/DC muslim style. Brilliant…<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Friday 2nd January 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, we are visiting a place called Immersify<\/em><\/a>, which is described as a “multimedia art gallery<\/em>, and it just so happens to be in the building next door. It\u2019s made up of 14 rooms of projections, props and clever lighting, but on a massive scale. Some make us a bit giddy, and there are some beautiful landscapes. There is one attraction where you can decorate your own animal on a piece of paper, scan it and have it appear within seconds, swimming or walking past you on a huge screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Our drawing pre scan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Our drawing on the big screen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s very interesting and entertaining, and takes about an hour. We can’t help but notice the contrast between last night’s dinner with no vision and today\u2019s feast of colour for the eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Spot the Dels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n
An hour in Immersify KL. Excellent.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

 We have a light lunch in the mall at a Chinese restaurant recommended in the Michelin guide. The lunch is 3 courses with dim sum and water for \u00a38 for two! It’s not bad, but we both agree to having had better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We head back to the flat, and later on, we’re going to yet another escape room. This time, we are going for an easier one, after failing so badly on the last one. This one involves creepy clowns (are there any other types?) It\u2019s a wonder we don\u2019t have nightmares. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We do quite well at this game and escape with 5 mins to spare! Proud of ourselves, we go for a beer nearby. This is a craft beer bar run by an Irishman. H has an IPA, and Del has a chocolate orange tiramisu stout (really), which tastes just like it sounds and is a bit odd. We try a Malaysian IPA and share a bagel as we are peckish now. It’s a nice location with an unobstructed view of the second-tallest building in the world, the Merdeka 118<\/a><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
A couple of beers with the Merdeka 118<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

It turns out to be a rather expensive evening. Malaysia has the second-highest alcohol tax in the world, which they call a sin tax, and every penny goes to the health service. You can go to a hospital here, and all you have to pay is 1 ringgit or 20p! or so we are told.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We call it a night as H is getting bitten by mosquitoes. Don\u2019t know how she\u2019s going to cope tomorrow in the jungle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n