Kuala Lumpur

Flying from one of the smallest and quietest Southeast Asian capitals (Vientiane, Laos) to one of the biggest and most bustling (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) was a bit of a culture shock. We weren't prepared for skyscrapers, high-rise apartment buildings, multilane toll roads, mega shopping malls, subway systems, and so much else that felt like the United States. But beyond the superficial resemblances, we quickly came to appreciate the mix of three vibrant cultures---Malay, Indian, and Chinese---that make Kuala Lumpur a unique and fascinating city. Joined by our friend Robin from home, we also discovered that Kuala Lumpur is a place full of good street food, varied architecture, interesting museums, and terrible traffic.