Club Med’s marketing manager for Malaysia and Singapore shares not-to-be-missed tips for Kuala Lumpur and Sydney
KUALA LUMPUR
What do you love most about this city?
What I like about Kuala Lumpur is the mix between culture and modernity as well as the strong heritage from Chinese, Malay and Indian influences. I like that everything is moving fast and the energy. Every month you can discover several new places to explore.
What is your favourite local dish from here and where can we find it?
Hard to pick only one as Malaysia offers so much variety given its diverse cultures. I love chicken satay, noodle soup or one of the delicious pineapple tarts. I would recommend Baba Low’s in Bangsar for their delicious signature Nyonya Laksa.
Where would you take a first-timer to in this city?
I would recommend a visit to Chinatown and Jalan Tun H.S. Lee where you can visit the Chinese temple just a metre away from a Hindu temple. I would also recommend a visit to Central Market to feel the vibe and discover the local artists.
What are the activities that a first-timer must do in this city?
Eat Malaysian cuisine and visit the temples and obviously, see the Petronas Twin Towers.
The best place to have dinner with:
a. family – Fuego. What a view and try the guacamole!
b. friends – Mezze Bar. Great food, wine and ambience.
c. colleagues – Somewhere casual or Din Tai Fung to share some dumplings and the beautiful spicy wontons.
The best thing about the locals:
Their kindness and curiosity.
What should visitors avoid?
Staying in their hotel and not going off the beaten track.
Name one souvenir to bring home.
An angpow. This beautiful and sophisticated “red packet” is usually used during Chinese New Year.
Words that sum up this city.
Contrasting, surprising, multicultural, and exciting.
Where might we find you at 1 am in this city?
On the terrace of a restaurant or a bar somewhere in Bangsar having a nice bottle of French rose or Australian wine.
SYDNEY
Describe the locals.
Outgoing and laid-back.
What do you find most refreshing about this city?
Small town feel in a big city. Sydney is close to the sea and has spectacular natural surroundings, beautiful coastal walks and thousands of little cafés with great coffee.
Name the café/restaurant where you had the best:
a. coffee/breakfast – Textbook in Alexandria. A brand new bakery where you can enjoy an array of beautiful homemade patisseries or delicious breakfast options such as poached eggs, leek & ricotta with homemade brioche.
b. lunch – For great views and good music, it has to be Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel or Coogee Pavilion for a long lunch with a jug of cool and refreshing Pimm’s or a bottle of wine.
c. dinner – Nomad, located in the trendy suburb of Surry Hills.
The best thing you can do here for free.
The breathtaking Bondi to Bronte walk. Take the time to have a swim in the Bronte Rockpool, my favourite of the many in Sydney.
What was the best experience in this city for you?
A 30-minute helicopter ride over the city and Sydney’s most iconic beaches with my brother over the Christmas break.
Your favourite memory of the city?
Sunday well spent with my friends on a catamaran around the harbour. We located hidden beaches and enjoyed the beautiful scenery with floaties, good wine and great music.
The one thing you would do again if you went back:
The coastal walk again and again, departing from Bondi to Bronte, or a morning run around the Royal Botanic Gardens.
A lesson learnt from this city:
That work-life balance is fundamental.
What was the best piece of souvenir you took home from here?
A beautiful photograph of Bondi taken by iconic photographer, Aquabumps. It was a gift from my beautiful friends for my farewell.
Name something they have here that you wished you had at home:
The beaches!
