Third Kelby Photowalk

It was a memorable day. And it was a long day. KLickr participated in the Third Annual Scott Kelby Photowalk, and I was asked to select the route. Reading through my scouting pictures, I am sure that you were familiar with the proposed route. We started off at Central Market, at one of the mamak stalls there. Around 30 people participated and we left on time just after 10.15.

The route was plottedStarting pointBack to the wallWhen I woke up earlier in the morning, I kept my fingers crossed since there were heavy clouds around. Luckily it held, but the weather through out the walk was a rather overcast one. Although it was not too hot, the mood was also rather dull. We started off towards Dayabumi, then the train station, spending some time at the platform. We then pass by Masjid Negara, towards Dataran Merdeka. By the time we reached there, the group was already hungry.

Spotted by the Dayabumi carparkLast postBy the platformThe KTM StationQuick snackAt Restoran Warisan, near Dataran MerdekaWaiting?Putu anyone?Most of the group called it a day after lunch, which was had at a ‘daun pisang’ restaurant near Masjid Jamek. By the end, only a handful of us continued on towards Chinatown. As you can imagine, it was a tiring affair. I called it a day after Chinatown, walking back towards the spot where we started. Will wait for next year, but from my reading the Malacca group had tons of fun. I might be joining that walk for the next year’s chapter, just for the experience. All together, I processed about 160 photos taken on the walk.

More photos in the coming entry.

It's Happening on Saturday!

Link to last year's walk here. This year's route was plotted here.

Petaling Street

Welcome .... to McDonald'sFinally! I think I have the route pretty much sorted out. I was praying that it won’t be raining in the afternoon of the planned walk - 24th July. If so, then the plan would be to head for Petaling Street - KL’s famed Chinatown. The centrepiece of Petaling Street was this long canopied walkway flanked by shops, hotels and restaurants. Located just a 5-minutes walk from Central Market, 10 from Puduraya and situated right next door to ‘Bangkok Bank’, access was never a problem. Last Sunday, I had the chance to breeze through this area in the late evening as part my scouting exercise for the upcoming Scott Kelby Photowalk.

Winsin Hotel - one of the landmark of Petaling Street, located right next to Bangkok BankI parked my car just behind Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad - what used to be called the High Court, right opposite Dataran Merdeka. For that weekend, Dataran Merdeka was temporarily transformed into Dataran Bola, with a huge screen erected to beam the World Cup Final match live from South Africa. There was a street carnival planned for the evening and by the time I was about to leave for home, the whole area was starting to fill up by dwellers young and old. During the day, there was a five-a-side football tournament being played there.

After Dataran Merdeka, I went straight towards Masjid Jamek to check out the restaurants there - the planned venue for lunch. There was a mamak outlet called Restoren Jamek. Right next door was a half-decent Malay Restaurant called Restoren Dapur Kampung. Further down, there was a 7-Eleven, Burger King and McDonald’s. Don’t think lunch going to be a big issue. I then walked towards Lebuh Ampang, then turning left just before Central Market towards Bangkok Bank. Before I knew it, Petaling Street was staring straight towards me.

The place certainly has changed since the early 90s - a time I was more familiar to the area. I would have described the place to be agricultural if you understand what I mean. You would think twice before heading there alone, and made sure you did not take a wrong turn. Now, the place was fully covered with a row of roof-top level canopy, three stories high, shading from both rain and sun. Coming from Bangkok Bank, the place initially appeared open and inviting. You will soon reach a central area where another perpendicular path cut right across. The landmark here was the chestnut stalls. Turning right will take you to Hotel Malaya, the biggest hotel here in Chinatown. A left turn would take you to China Town Boutique Hotel.

Hotel Malaya at one endBeautique Hotel at another

If you are looking for a serious bargain rather just wanting to enjoy the sight, you should go straight on where the serious business were carried out. Here, the streets were narrower and was packed with stalls selling mainly bootleg material - watches, clothing, handbag and shoes - what Chinatown was famous for amongst the tourist. The transaction here were carried on using the universal translator - the calculator to type out the price. Haggling was a must!

In terms of photo-op, I don’t think the vendors would be amuse should we kowtow into the narrow stalls with cameras blazing. Might as well stay away from this part during the photowalk. We wold not want any drama, would we? Even if you were not looking for any bargains, there were plenty of colourful characters and facets to photograph. That being a Sunday, the crowd were certainly building up. To my surprise, the majority were either local or Indonesian, rather than your typical Mat Salleh. There were a few Arabs as well, but I was sure that they can aford the real thing.

Good bye!After an hour or so, I walked back towards Central Market, before tracing my route back past Masjid Jamek towards Dataran Merdeka where my Kelisa was parked. The place was already starting to pack up. I will publish the final route for the photowalk in a later entry.

The Proposed Route

The proposed meeting point - no, I don't have shares thereHere we go! We will start off from Central Market. Best bet would be to park across the river at Dayabumi, or alternatively to use public transport. We will congregate at Restoran Yusoof dan Zakeer, right next door to the Central Market building. On Saturdays, watch out for the market stalls along the lane in front of the restaurant. We will have breakfast there from 9.30 before embarking on our walk at around 10.15 at the latest. Please be on time. As soon as we get a big enough group, we will start off. For my contact, please DM me on flickr or twitter @harisrahman. Let me first make one thing clear – anyone can join up even if they have yet to formally register. You are welcomed to join in or leave at any point, as long as people are aware that you will be doing so. None of us will be doing any head count! But beware, the obligatory group photo will take place at the beginning, not the end! LOL!

The restaurant might be hidden behind these canopiesWalking behind a stageCrossing a bridge towards Kompleks DayabumiWalking through the carparkUntil we emerged on the other side. Looking right towards Dataran Merdeka. Will be turning left instead.We will then walk past Dayabumi on our left, towards the train stationWe will make our way around the Central Market area before pushing on across a small bridge towards Dayabumi, through the carpark and the basement shops there to the other side, which lead us onto the main road, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin. Turning right will take us to Dataran Merdeka. We will be turning left instead, towards the Post Office Building, down the hill along Jalan Tugu, heading for the Old KTM Station, and Headquarters. We will linger here for a while, before crossing the underpass towards Masjid Negara. Next up will be a trek towards Dataran Merdeka. We should be there well before midday. After snapping the architecture around there – the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the tall flagpole and the Royal Selangor Club, we will head towards Masjid Jamek. There are restaurants here for lunch. There is a mamak restaurant, a Malay restaurant, and other fast food outlet – Burger King and McDonald’s around the Masjid Jamek Monorail station. There is also a 7-Eleven there.

We will head towards the old train station, now converted into a hotel. From here we will use the terowong to the KTM headquarters and Masjid NegaraQuick glimpse at the old stationThe KTM Headquarters right oppositeWe will then walk past Masjid Negara towards Dataran Merdeka - the Bangunan Sultan Abdul SamadThe famous flagpoleDataran MerdekaAfter lunch, we will linger around the Lebuh Ampang area, maybe snapping and joining the Dzohor crowd at Masjid Jamek, before heading towards Chinatown. We will pass by Lebuh Ampang, Central Market and its annex, and Bangkok Bank – more architecture and urban snaps, just in time to reach Chinatown/Petaling Street. A quick check on the internet, in terms of happenings in the city, there will be an AV exhibition at the Marriot, a few new shows opening on the theatre, a silat festival at Central Market the next day – 25th July, some poetry reciting demonstration at Dewan Bahasa, otherwise there were hardly any event happening on the day nearby.

Proposed lunch site - around the Masjid Jamek Monorail station, a few eateries there.We will then walk by the Masjid Jamek - on the spot where Sg Gombak met Sg KelangWe will then walk further towards Chinatown, via Bangkok Bank and absorb the atmosphere

We will spent the rest of the walk at Petaling Street. For those who have not ventured to Chinatown recently – myself included – the place has really been transformed. The rooftop canopy being the main one, hence should in be raining in the late afternoon – we should be fine. The canopy covers the whole of the main street. Halfway up, we will reach a junction, with another path cutting right across. The landmark here will be the chestnut stalls – buah berangan. Turning right will take us towards Hotel Malaya at the end, and left to the China Town Beautique Hotel with stalls all along the path. Straight on from the main path will take us deep into the business part of Petaling Street where the main bargain and business were to be had, when we talk about counterfeit stuffs etc. On my previous dry run, I don’t think the storekeepers there appreciate us coming in with our camera without buying their wares. Better to stay away from that part unless you fancy some bargain yourselves. The area was colouful to say the least and everyone will be free to roam. The final stop will be where we started in the first place, Central Market – Restoran Yusoof dan Zakeer maybe a good landmark to meet up should everyone wish. Following that, we can also roam around CM, have tea. It should be more crowded at that hour.

Hotel Winsin across Bangkok BankFinally reaching Petaling Street properIt will be crowded late afternoon on a SaturdayThe canopy I mentionedColours everywhereThe beautique hotel at one endCheck uot this old-school apam balik vendorDuring my prior discussion with Shafina – our co-leader, has a few ideas of footing in a photoslide event at the end of the walk Venue was the issue. I will keep everyone updated should there be any news.

Finally basking in the glory of a successful walkJust a friendly message to everybody joining. Do distribute and exchange your phone numbers at the beginning as should some of us be left behind a quick phonecall could make all the difference. Be safe. Travel light, not with all your gears hanging on you etc. Be sensible. Travel at least in pairs. The more the merrier. The area we shall be venturing in will be full of people as the theme will be urban. Wear a comfortable pair of footwear. But most importantly, have fun. Looking forward to meeting up and getting to know all of you!

A more complete entry with pictures of the route can be seen in my blog at http://harisrahman.com – but only in a couple of days. I need time to go through all the photos to upload. Take care.

More scouting

The unmistakeable Kompleks Dayabumi - Petronas used to operate from here prior to the Twin TowersNow that we sort of like had the general idea of where to head for on the upcoming Kelby’s Photowalk, it was my turn to do another scout, to avoid any surprises so to speak. All in all, it was a very promising route, but it will need some refinements, and luck for good weather.

The starting pointAs proposed, we will be setting off from Central Market. I imagine on a Saturday morning, at 10, CM will still be quiet. I will later scout for a restaurant for us to congregate. Maybe some of us will be having breakfast there. There was a small market there today on the main walkway. Apparently according to one of the vendors, it happens there every weekend morning. From my observation, there was not very much to see there. Maybe we will walk around the area for a start before setting off to the train station.

The weekend market next to the CM.... selling all sortsFor there, we will cross a small bridge towards Kompleks Dayabumi where we will pass throguh the car park. I suggest we park there. It was indoors and costs RM2.50 per entry. The entrance is rather tricky since you have to be driving from Dataran Merdeka to get to the entrance. Through the car park, into the small shopping area at the Kompleks, we will emerge on the other side. A right turn from here will take us to Dataran Merdeka. We will instead take a left towards the old Train Station. It has now been converted into Komuter station, and part of the terminal building has been renovated int a hotel, Heritage Hotel. I will need to talk to the hotel management to see if there is any worthwhile access through the hotel, in case it leads into anywhere near the old platform. If so, that will be ace!

There is a beaten path from CM to Dayabumi, along an underpass, then across a pedestrian bridgeThis will take us straight into the carpark - I propose we park here, but public transport is of course would be betterAn exit from the carpark will lead us here. Straight down would be Dataran Merdeka but first we will head in the oposite direction.We will then reach the old train stationAn underground pass will then take us towards the KTM office right opposite. We will then move towards Dataran Merdeka, passing by Masjid Negara. Maybe more photo op there. Past Bukit Aman, we will soon reach Dataran Merdeka, Bangunan Sultan Sallehuddin - the old High Court - and the famous flagpole. Maybe we will spend a few moments here.

Fancy a quick drink?Brought back childhood memories this. Used to take the train from Penang to reach KL, and this was were we alight.Under another pedestrian underpass to reach the KTM Office buildingPassing by Masjid Negara, we will then head towards Dataran MerdekaA short walk round the corner will take us towards Lebuh Ampang. This is where the old KL meets new, with plenty of restored shop front. There will be a few Mamak restaurants, McDonald’s, Burger King and 7-Eleven to stock up or stop for lunch. We will also be passing by Masjid Jamek - the real centre of Kuala Lumpur for more photo op! Central Market - where we set off was also just round the corner.

Dataran Merdeka and the famous clubhouseThe pole needed no introductionThe Masjid Jamek forming the real center of Kuala Lumpur - where Sg Kelang and Sg Gombak met. There are plenty of restaurants near here for lunch.From here we might linger around a bit longer around Lebuh Ampang or head towards Chinatown, depending on our mood. We might already be tired by then, or filled up our memory cards …..

There will be a lot of things to photograph. A renovated shop front.Colourful and contrasting buildings - disclaimer, taken with a 7DFreedom of expressionCongregation of foreign workersKuala Lumpur welcomes youAll this scouting was done in under an hour believe it or not!I will need to scout this area more specifically to finalise the route to take to Chinatown, or even if it will be worth the trip considering the time we will be arriving there which will be right after lunch. Will update more as the time nears. Everyone are welcomed to join in on the photowalk scheduled for Saturday 24th July. For further information about the walk and how to join, please visit here. A more thorough walkthrough can be seen on my flickr set. Slideshow for this scouting mission can also be seen here. Again, all the photos here were taken using a mobile phone unless otherwise indicated.