Starhill Gallery, which is attached at one end to the Ritz-Carlton, is super fancy and posh, containing 90 luxury stores. Even its food court boasts restaurant-quality cuisine and is grandly titled 'Feast Village'.
Just a little way along from Starhill, The Pavilion houses everything from serious top end designer stores to US and European imports like Top Shop, Forever 21 and Zara. I also came across a Paris Hilton flagship boutique, of all things. There's a fantastic foodcourt on the ground floor, several department stores and a whole level of spas and beauty salons for those who need a pick-me-up after a hard-day's shopping.For those with smaller budgets, BB Plaza and Sungei Wan Plaza are a treasure chest of cheaper goods- each one a multi-floored myriad of department stores and boutiques selling everything from fashion and accessories to gadgets, cosmetics and homewares.
The two malls merge into one another - almost the only way to tell which one you're in is to notice the changing pattern of the floor tiles. Each floor stretches out in so many directions that it can be easy to get lost, especially as you wend your way upwards.A little way out from the main centre is Sunway Pyramid in Petaling Jaya. This Vegas-like monolith of a mall, attached to a casino, hotel and amusement park, is extravagant in size and design (think lots of gold columns, fake pyramids and sphinxes) but offers a greater range of stores to suit all budgets, as well as an indoor-ice rink. I did a lot of my last-minute gift shopping here.
Petaling St markets in Chinatown are heaven on earth for the seekeer of "genuine fakes". The markets, which are best visited at night, do a heavy trade in shoes, bags and jewellery but also clothing, knick-knacks and souvenirs. Keep an eye out for DVD sellers roaming with their folders of pirated movies - they, in turn, will be keeping an eye out for the cops.It can get a little claustrophobic as you squeeze along the narrow lanes past the hordes of hawkers, all intent on getting your attention (and your cash) by jumping out, brandishing their wares and throwing compliments around like confetti. (They tried everything from the standard "beautiful lady" through to "Hey! It's Charlie's Angels!" on us.)
If you're into fake monogrammed bags and wallets, sunglasses, rip-off streetwear or Tiffany jewellery (actually surprisingly good quality), this is the place for you. But be prepared to be ruthless with your bargaining and vigilant about your personal belongings. It's best just to stash some cash in a safe pocket and leave everything else behind.
For variety of goods and actual shopping experience, KL really is something else. There are so many brands we don't get here in New Zealand, and once you get used to the constantly hovering shopkeepers (they're eager to help you, not watching in case you shoplift!) you'll appreciate the excellent service.Next time: exhausted from too much shopping, we're treated to a welcome but hilarious 'sensory therapy' experience before a night out on the tiles with some surprising new friends.
Amy Williams travelled to Malaysia courtesy of Malaysia Airlines and Tourism Malaysia.
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