12/13/07 - Sally (Tait) Kretchmer is looking at hotels in KL for the reunion. We should have more info at the end of February, 2008.
04/06/07 - Sally (Tait) Kretchmer recently attended the ISKL reunion in Australia put together by Toni Mullen, ISKL Alumni Director, with help from Sally.
In July I shall be travelling there (KL) and can get a lot sorted out. Toni spoke to me about a number of things that she was going to look into. One idea Toni spoke of that I thought would be great was bringing old, new and others together for a Ball/Formal gathering at the JW Marriot hotel where they had the 40th anniversary of the school. (Toni and I already corresponded about this, and I agreed it was a good idea.) It was a great night, food beautiful, etc. The evening was only 160 ringgit (~ 46 USD) per person with pre-dinner drinks then you purchase drinks after that. It is a bargain for such a formal function. We could call it "Return to the Prom" because people are seated at tables which can be organized to our agenda. I guess it would not matter the newer alumni being there and one could say more the merrier.
A few other options would be to organize an optional trip to one of the islands. We go out to a number of islands off the East coast and they are beautiful. I would suggest that if one is coming all that way they may as well make the most of it. Photos attached of a little known island called Rawa, it is not unlike stepping back to the 70's of the beach chalets. Plan could be to tack it on the end of the KL sector and those that are interested. My normal jaunts to KL I always try to include an island. I am just looking at the schedule again and if it is alright with you may I make a few suggestions (I just tried to call you without success I think I may have the wrong number) so back to my email, re the schedule over the next couple of weeks may I revise a few things and put some other things in there and email it to you, would that be ok? You could see what you think and we'll take it from there.
Cheers
Sally
PS Picture is the chalet on the beach about 50 USD per night, sleeps 4, includes breakfast, other 2 photos taken from chalet, not bad eh?
Sally is a travel agent and will be helping a lot with the planning etc. of this reunion, she travels to KL quite frequently. I have told her to go for it.
01/16/07 - LeeAnn
The reunion will be held in January, starting officially on Thursday January 15th, 2009. I will be there earlier, and Louise Hobbs will join me. You are welcome to come (and go) at any time, there just won't be any formalized functions yet. I contacted ISKL and they use the Renaissance Hotel for a lot of their functions, so they will be checking with them for us and seeing what kind of a deal they can give us. ISKL is also going to host a Saturday night function for us! The hotel is centrally located and has a great Sunday brunch. www.klrenaissance.com
09/18/06 - LeeAnn
Heard from the Equatorial. I was not happy with the rates they guaranteed us, nor that they wouldn't give us a suite for free AND they wanted 50% paid now and the balance two weeks before the event. We are going to keep looking.
09/14/06 - LeeAnn
Dave Kenney called me last night from ISKL - yes, he did find some time to tour KL and the new school. He was sitting in Toni Mullen's office (Toni is the Alumni Director). He was phoning to rub it in, and it worked, I am jealous! He says it is sooooo different. We'll get his photos soon and get them posted.
09/09/06 - LeeAnn
Tony Lie ('73) is the latest alumni to sign up!
The Equatorial Hotel has emailed to say it will be a while yet before they can get me some rates as they are busy getting next year's rates set.
I have heard from ISKL. Toni Mullen, the ISKL Alumni Director, has some thoughts:
- Of course, it will be delightful to have the group tour the "new" school and provide up-to-date information regarding your alma mater. However, in addition to that, we would like to be on the schedule for a more formal event honoring the "old school alumni" - perhaps we could host the dinner/dance one night of the week.
One approach I have thought of is that the KL Alumni Council (soon to be developed) will act as hosts in conjuction with this office to celebrate your visit. We can work out the details as time progresses, but I also thought working in conjuction with the hotel will allow an easier night of festivities - if people are bringing their children or if anyone needs to leave at their own pace.
- re: Having the school store stocked with lots of "stuff": I will connect with the Booster Hut Moms to be well stocked.
- re: we could speak to the students about our experiences at ISKL, how ISKL shaped us, re-entry, etc.: Yes, we can definitely organize that that as the time draws closer.
- re: KL Alumni Council sounds like it could be a good idea since we have no idea where we are going anymore: All this sounds like great ideas,but it is just having people (for the Alumni Council) make a commitment.
- re: Perhaps the Alumni Council could assist us with getting into the RSGC and the Lake Club: This is a possibility.
- re: We might need someone to put down deposits for us until I can get money out to them, or someone to open a bank account so I can send them USD, etc. etc.: Yes, those are the logistics we will have to see about.
07/16/06 - LeeAnn
I've been in touch with the Equatorial Hotel to see what kind of deals they can give us.
06/07/06 - Sally Tait '79 ('74 to '79)
Mum is going to KL tomorrow so I shall get her to make some calls whilst she is there (regarding Lake Club and RSGC).
06/07/06 - Sally Tait '79 ('74 to '79)
You have got Batu Caves 4 hours, I think that may only take 2 hours tops. You will be so surprised at how close it is, I know I was. It should take about half to get there, 1 hour visit, half hour return. You would not want to eat lunch out there as there isn't much around. You may want to schedule the school visit for that afternoon or the other way around as you go past the school to get to the caves. Klang is the same, it shouldn't take too long to get to. RSGC for lunch and swim will have to be organized by someone. I would suggest one the Eu's maybe, and I could have a chat with them. If they can't work something out with RSGC it is a no go. We (Taits) have a membership (in suspension - non resident) and we have trouble getting in there. Just some thoughts. I know the times seem funny but the drive to Singapore is only 3 hours long, gone are the 8+ bus journeys. Speaking of buses - if you take that option make sure you get a good bus driver, Malays are still mad drivers. If you have any questions let me know, I am happy to try and help.
Dave no problem, I shall give the Equatorial the once over.
Cheers
Sally
06/07/06 - Jennifer Tait '75 ('74 to '75)
Need at least half a day at KLCC (Towers) and should see this also at night. Can combine this since it is open at night. Lots of casual eating throughout the complex including good safe local food on the top floor (I think). The Golden Triangle for shopping now centres around multiple complexes around the Bukit Bintang area.
A strange thing in KL now...short distances take ages to drive, long distances a breeze. 2.75 hours KL to Singapore 30min from "the Dog" to Jalan Ampang at 5PM if you are lucky. Do not underestimate the traffic factor nor the disorientation you will feel. It is very hard to get your bearings unless you anchor yourself in a relatively unchanged area. Chinatown and lower Batu Road towards the Padang and that area are relatively unscathed. I am going up there in two days. I will try and take some street photos for you.
06/06/06 - Sally Tait '79 ('74 to '79)
A few other thoughts there is a great place for children worth emphasizing on the website called Sunway lagoon, a beautiful island, more like the islands were when we used to live there is one called Rawa, there are two places to stay, the huts on the beach are great but not many of them. There are a number of other islands worth going to on the southern east coast Kuantun not being what is use to be. Port Dickson also has some nice accommodation now and the old beach club is still there. The Fireflies are worth going to on a night trip there is a fishing town near by where you can get chilli crab etc. all very Malay.
06/05/06 - Sally Tait '79 ('74 to '79)
I travel to KL at least twice a year and can help out with a lot of research as a tourist as against a local. KL is the same yet very different.
Cheers
Sally
PS I also have quite a good travel background as I am a part time agent.
05/07/06 - Toni Mullen ISKL Alumni Director
Perhaps mid august.... we actually start school about Aug. 9/10. (In regards to the Alumni Office providing some support for our reunion.)
04/26/06 - Tony Storey '74 ('70 to '72)
I have been back 3 times now and just love it. Some of the activities you list are really very different. Port Kelang is now almost unrecognizable, as is Port Dickson and a few other places. Not sure the Lake Club is still there either, the whole lake gardens park area is now redeveloped with butterfly and bird parks.There is a good Batik factory/Batu caves tour, however there are no more "tin mines" close to KL..they are now 5 star water resorts!! The dining room at RSGC serves fantastic Chinese banquet if Alfie could pull that off for us all. Happy to help co-ordinate in any way I can.
cheers
TS
04/26/06 - Tony Storey '74 ('70 to '72)
From my 3 trips back to date, you will find Singapore Sooooooo much more expensive that KL, so that could hinder some attendees. For example, the Malaysian Ringgit is at about $2.80 to the Aussie dollar which is almost where it was "way back when". The Singapore dollar is at about $1.20, or less than half. Prices in both places are very similar, so Malaysia is much better value. Also KL is the new shopping hub for bargains, not Singapore. Penang is still relatively cheap and Frasers Hill still very much as it was. Another option could be Genting highlands which is now very developed. As I said in my registration, very happy to help with any organization for the event that I can.
Cheers
TS
03/21/06 - Wing Kwong Chan '74 ('73 to '74)
I'm based in KL. Call me if any help is required.
03/01/06 - Randy Edge '75 ('73 to '75)
You should just make the trip here and even if you do not have a lot of money to "do it right". Everything is pretty cheap here and just being here is the thrill. You can get round trip tickets for US$700 which is really cheap in comparison, so "just do it". Once you get over here again, one gets infected with why we used to love it so much and it will help you drive the reunion. As an adult everything is different, but as a person and this being Asia, it is pretty much the same.
Anyway, who knows what operations we will have in place in the year 2009 but regardless, hosting events here for the gang will be expected. We are talking about opening a good restaurant at some point as well, so we may be able to to a one stop shop for several get togethers.
02/28/06 - Alfie Eu '75 ('73)
Please update everyone on my contact details in KL. I would be delighted to act as logistics coordinator, ie hotel selection and bargaining !! transport .. beer bus !
Do let me know. If any one is in town by chance, please do call.
Best regards
Alfie
Company name – Grenland Nusantara S/B
Address – 2nd Floor (Left Wing), Menara Kemayan
160, Jalan Ampang
Kuala Lumpur 50450
Tel : + 603 2166 1313
Fax : + 603 2166 3131
Home – 13, Jalan Pakat
Ukay Heights, Ampang 68000
Selangor
Tel : + 603 4256 9886
Cell : + 6012 303 8113
02/26/06 - Jennifer Tait '75 ('74 to '75)
I was in KL again about two weeks ago and had a great time. Even went to Thaipusam again which unexpectedly overlapped my visit. Next trip is planned for June so if you want any leg work done I or Sally (sister) would be glad to help. Haven’t been down to PD lately but understand it has changed significantly and I am not sure that the length of trip would warrant PD (can do half day trip) when there are so many other great places to go after making the big commitment to revisit Malaysia. The islands on the East Coast are easily accessible particularly as a detour from Singapore in route to KL or vice versa (by car). Pulau Rawa is particularly beautiful but may be more suitable for those with more time. You may get a better perspective from Randy The infrastructure has changed substantially both from a sightseeing perspective as well as travel. You can drive from KL to Singapore now in less than three hours and I have done it a few times but traffic in KL can be terrible.
Re travel you may want to check out Air Asia flying out of a hub (Singapore and Bangkok are the obvious ones) into KL. We use then a bit on short legs. . I used them on the same last trip to go to Angkor Wat (Siem Reap) in Cambodia. A few issues re luggage allowance (15kg) but they are cheap for short hops. (I picked up the Siem Reap one way ticket price for $20 on the net.) It is quite a while off anyway.
