jeepster65
From: United States
11/7/2002 17:42 EST
I am a brit ex-pat living in the USA and am moving to KL with the US State Department (husband is the officer) with two girls 10 and 12 and two dogs.
I have a hundred questions and would love it if anyone out there could answer any of them. So here goes.
Which is the best International School for them to attend and why?
What is the beach at Port Dickson like. Is it really as good as it sounds?
Does anyone know what the quarantine factilies are like and can you pick a particular place. How far are they from KL?
What are the domestic airlines like. Are they safe?
Anyone ride horses (Hunter/Jumpers) on a regular basis - 2-3 times a week and if so what is the best stable to go to. Would love to find someone to ride with. Maybe we could e-mail and get to know each other over the next few months and then meet when I arrive.
I'm sure there is more, but right now those are my main questions.
I know this is a lot to ask, but if anyone has time I would really appreciate it.
We are all really looking forward to moving, although not until next Summer 2003, and making new friends to have fun with.
Thanks.
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sukhi
From: none
11/18/2002 10:35 EST
Hi jeepster65
I am also a brit expat, I lived in malaysia for 3 years. My twin girls were born there. I am envious that you are going there eventually i would like to make it my home.
Now for your questions.
Depending on where you are going to be based if its is Kuala Lumpur then you have no problems with international schools.
The Mont Kiara International School this located in Mont Kiara. Execellent school if you children are use to studying the America learning system, expat teachers
The Garden International School is also located in Mont Kiara. The British learning system from what i remember the teachers were local it was only the principal who was a expat.
Alice Smith school. also the british system with Expat teachers. This was located in Jalan Belamy which was from Kindergarten to age 11 i think and they had another school which was at Equine Park.
There is another school which ithink is the Ampang international school which is located where all the embassies are. I am not too familiar with this one.
I know that my friends had bought there dog and cat with them from canada and they were in quarantine for 3 months i think the location they were quarantine is near the airport but i might be wrong on this i shall contact them to find out.
The best beaches in Malaysia are on the east side, recently with all the kidnapings of tourists by the terrorists from philipines its not very safe. I have been to the beach in Port Dickson its not really for swimming good for a day out with kids,but there is pangkor which on the west side north about 3 hours drive from KL a ferry ride across to the island its has a beautiful beach.
I use to travel alot with the domestic airlines excellent i cant complain.
There are riding stables in Templer park about 30 minutes away from K uala Lumpur.
There are also the womens associations for us .
Coffee mornings etc
You will love the place
If you want to contact me directly to ask more questions you can do . My name is Sukhi Bahia and my email is sukhi_bahia@hotmail.com
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CASMalaysia
From: Malaysia
11/20/2002 17:44 EST
Hi,
We just moved to KL at the beginning of September with 2 sons (10 & 12), a cat, & a dog. We're from the US, but we've been expats for 5 years with the last four in Hong Kong.
I would definitely recommend the Alice Smith School if you're looking for a British system school. Our boys are in Alice Smith & have transitioned well. There are two campuses as the previous post noted. Pre-school to year 6 are at Jalan Bellamy & year 7 through year 13 are at Equine Park. There are school buses from the Ampang area. Most people in the diplomatic corp live in the Ampang area. We ended up in Ampang because we liked the convenience. If you're interested in having the attend a school with an American system, you probably should consider ISKL (the International School of Kuala Lumpur). It's located in Ampang.
On importation & quarantine: The facilities are at the airport and are brand new. You don't get to chose where your animals will be quarantined. The downside is that they are not air-conditioned. I'm not sure what your length of quarantine will be though. For us, it was only a week. The airport is about 45min to an hour from central KL. Having dogs will limit your housing choices. Be sure to mention that to your realtor so they don't line up properties that don't allow pets.
There are riding facilities in KL. In Ampang, there is the Royal Selangor Riding Club. It's not fancy, but it is convenient. I believe there's a riding club at Mount Kiara, but I don't know much about it. I think the nicest riding club is probably down in the area as you drive to the Alice Smith Secondary School in Equine Park. I'm not a rider though.
We haven't been out to Port Dickson yet so I can't comment on thebeach.
We flew Malaysian Airlines to Penang last Chinese New Year & it seemed fine.
I hope that helps!
Best regards,
Cheryl
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Bogart
From: Malaysia
11/21/2002 06:36 EST
Hi Jeepster. Welcome to KL. Kuala Lumpur is a very modern city that has most anything that any ex-pat would miss. Sorry, Port Dixon is not "all that" but there are many wonderful beaches that are only a flight away. One of our favorites is Langkawi, which is only a 45min. flight away. Air travel here is extremly easy. The only hardship is getting to the airport which is 45minutes from the city center. Once there though, you'd think you were in a western airport. Malaysia Air just won the award for "best cabin service" for 2002, and they are awsome. Singapore Air, need I say more? Asia Air, which I've never flown, also recieves great raves. As far as horse riding goes there are several places to pursue your interest. Royal Selangor has a stable and there is another called Mount Kiara. They may have websites, it's worth a look. The International School are great. There is ISKL (international school of Kuala Lumpur), and Mount Kiara that follow the american curriculum & The Alice Smith School that follows the british. All have web sites. Good luck to you and feel relieved, you are moving to a very safe and friendly city with plenty of ex-pats. Cheers!
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Ing1
From: United States
12/1/2002 00:43 EST
If you like, you can preview our new bungalow in Ukay Heights in Ampang at www.diplomatcapital.com, click on "Residence" The bungalow is behind the AMerican International School ( website - http://www1.iskl.edu.my/index.htm) , a Montessori kindergarten and the Mutiara Grammar School for English based curriculum. Mutiara is run by an English Headmaster, Mr King and the school's tel number is 011-603-4252 1452 and his website is : www.migs.edu.my.
Incoming dogs are not a problem and the facilities are at the new International Airport (see website: http://agrolink.moa.my/jph/dvs/quarantine/) for complete details.
Enjoy your stay !
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Ing1
From: United States
12/1/2002 00:59 EST
You can preview our new bunalow at Ukay Hieghts in Ampang, a old diplomatic and expat enclave.
Area is framed by ISKL (website: http://www1.iskl.edu.my/index.htm), Mutiara Intl Grammar School (Website: www.migs.edu.my) and a Montessori kindergarten. Mutiara is run by an English Principal, Mr. King and the school's tel is 011-603-4252 1452
Qurantine info can be viewed at:
http://agrolink.moa.my/jph/dvs/quarantine/
The facilities are very decent.
Enjoy your stay !
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