On a whim I decided to venture into the highlands behind Kuala Lumpur. I really wasn’t expecting the crazy mishmash of casino, shopping mall, outlets, theme parks and bars that exist 1800m above sea level about 55km from Kuala Lumpur. No-one photo can capture the melange that is Genting, I felt like Inwas entering a foreign world as the cable car crested the hill and descended into the last stop.
There is a large casino on two levels that would be the cash cow. Photos aren’t great because they are forbidden. There are an extraordinary number of slot machines with that little Aussie Battler, Aristocrat, prominent. There’s tables with croupiers doing blackjack and roulette, but there’s also almost like classrooms, where players sit in front of a digital screen and a single croupier.
There’s a ridiculous amount of shopping amongst the indoor them park with big brands across at least four stories.
This is Malaysia so there is an impressive food area on the top floor, which is accompanied by an outdoor bar street called SkyAvenue. Other than Changkat Bukit Bintang, this is the most western bar street I’ve seen in Malaysia.
Nothing screams Malaysia like an English fish and chip restaurant and bar 1800m above sea level in a casino fun park. I’d never heard of the Harry Ramsden chain – but it is big and has sites in the UK, Ireland and Malaysia(?). The Laughing Fish is a good place to watch soccer and drink the ubiquitous Tiger.
Equally odd is “Alps”, Malaysia’s “Highest Beer Bar”. It apparently does snow in the Genting Highlands, but a light dusting is as good as it gets. That hasn’t stopped an alpine theme bar that features Edelweiss Beer. I’m partial to a wheat beer and Edelweiss is a good one, which I tried for the first time on this trip.
The ride down from the Genting Casino and fun park provides great views if the clouds clear. There’s an impressive temple complex half way down. You can get off and on the cable car at no charge to inspect it, but I was running late.
The Genting Highlands complex is a unique experience. If there’s a next I’d research whether it is possible to get a taxi from the base of the cable car to the Genting complex entry, because a 75 minute wait was punishing. But otherwise an enjoyable and whacky day.
back of the ferry 