Flat Hunting / Friend Hunting

Week 2: 30/04/2012 - 6/05/2012

For my first two weeks in Kuala Lumpur my company put me up in a hotel. The lack of chores that accompany hotel living was great, but it couldn't go on forever. I had two weeks to find somewhere to live, which is actually pretty hard in a new city, when you don't know anything about how your life is going to work.

I basically narrowed my search down to three areas. Bangsar South (near work), Bangsar (between work and the city) and KLCC (in the heart of the city). So thanks to useful information from my colleagues (Becky, Jon and Paul) and the use of http://www.iproperty.com.my/ I had a look round a few places. All the property agents I used were very helpful and attentive. After weighing up the pros and cons I decided on living in the city, and rather than chosing one of the swanky new condos, I ended up selecting Desa Kudalari (House of the Running Horse), the oldest condo in KL, mainly through the fact that its a bit cheaper than everywhere else..... oh, and it has a bar by the pool!!!

Here is a quick orientation on KL:

Kuala Lumpur city centre, showing some of the important parts in my life

Whilst I was doing flat hunting research on the internet, I spotted that some expats were planning on meeting up for a beer. Keen to make some new friends, I invited myself along. After a Friday night work social (free buffet and beer!) I ended up at a random condo poolside hanging out with two Malaysians, an Indian, an Iranian, a Syrian, a Myanmarian (?) and a German. There were not many beers being drunk, it has to be said, but they are a good crowd.

Sunday night's little adventure involved letting Hanis (Malaysian) kidnap several of us to take us to a Steamboat restaurant which was pretty cool. The driving/navigation/planning let a lot to be desired....something to get used to in Malaysia!!

Fun times.

Selamat Datang!!

Week 1: 23/04/2012 - 30/04/2012

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

Most of you probably know that I have moved to Kuala Lumpur on a 12 month contract. I have been here for 7 weeks already. I thought I'd start a little blog to let you know about what I'm getting up to and whats going on in my life on the other side of the world. My aim is to once a week give a little update and attach a photo or two.

Firstly I need to give a massive shout out to my mum and my sister who were absolute Trojans whislt helping me sort my flat out before I left. They even continued to clean my flat whilst I popped out for a beer with my good friend Nige. Absolutely amazing. Terima Kasih!!

So, to get things started I'm going to do a few catch up blogs.

I flew out on Emirates, via Dubai, so I got the first leg in an A380, which was a great aviation experience. It made the Boeing on the second leg of the trip feel like a museum artifact!

A380 at Heathrow T4

I managed my sleep well flying out, so the jet lag didn't effect me too badly. It was good to catch up again with old colleagues from Bristol, Jon and Becky, including a few meals out and some Friday night beers.

My first Saturday night out was a pretty good one. Met up with Becky, her mum and dad, Mita, her mum and dad, Kayleigh and her friend.... A Scotsman. A few beers in the Sky Bar, then off to Jalan Alore for food with JND and his wife Elaine and Paul and his girlfriend, then off to Changkat Bukit Bingtang for more beers and some dancing..... I had a lie in on Sunday!

Anyway, thats enough for now.... more to follow shortly.

Selamat Malam!

Dom