My second stop on my recent trip to Asia took me to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Once again, this was a first-time experience for me. I arrived on a Wednesday evening in torrential rain conditions. November is peak rainy season for this region, so I wasn’t shocked. The lightning lit up the sky as I entered Kuala Lumpur. Seeing the PETRONAS Twin Towers for the first time was magical, especially from the perspective of a rainy cab window. These iconic towers are the focal point of Kuala Lumpur, recognized around the world. Before my trip, I did plenty of research on Malaysia, and I was prepared to see a country struggling to recover from recent tragedies. It was troubling to see the turmoil in the country from the two plane crashes and current political issues. Tourism is significantly down, and nearly every major brand is trying its best to attract visitors from around the world. A definite rebranding of Malaysia is happening. I stayed at Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel my first two nights. The hotel is lovely and newly renovated and features the most beautiful Deepavali display in the lobby. The breakfast buffet was elaborate and delicious. I had the chance to explore Malaysian food for the first time, and I’m a fan! My days were packed with meetings, so I had little time to explore the city during the week. I changed hotels and stayed the weekend at Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur. The hotel is impressive, and my room was also newly renovated. I had a spa day to get some R&R in during my busy work trip. I then ventured out to the Central Market and had to try the fish spa for the first time. After about 10 minutes of kicking and screaming, I sat through 15 minutes of fish kisses and came out with some silky, smooth feet. I can’t decide if I would recommend this activity or not, but when in Kuala Lumpur . . . The shopping in the city is definitely something to write home about, with the exchange rate quite favorable for the United States dollar right now and the 5 percent tax back at the airport. I tried to squeeze in as much shopping as I could on the weekend, hitting up about five different malls. (Fran: I know you’re shaking your head, if you’re reading this …) I learned so much about Malaysian culture, history and the current economic status. There are many gems in this country, and the people are incredibly warm and welcoming. I hope tourism makes a comeback sooner rather than later, as the country deserves it. Stay strong, Malaysia! — Rafie Iannello, account director, Pacific Rim