Kuala Lumpur with Alwaha

Should you happen to be anticipating spending a few days in Kuala Lumpur, we can recommend the services of Alwaha Tours (No. 1, Jalan Cempaka SD12/4D, Bandar Sri Damansara 52200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; phone +6012 309 8388, fax 03 6275 7689, www.alwahatours.com) for sightseeing within the city and the surrounding areas.

My husband, Don, and I found them on the Internet, an English-speaking woman named Azorah answered all of our e-mailed questions promptly, and we used their services on our visit to the city, Feb. 28-March 1, 2008.

We (three of us traveling together) booked a private tour of the city (8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.) plus a trip to Kuala Selangor to see the fireflies and have a special seafood dinner (5-9:30 p.m.). Azorah met us at our hotel after we arrived. We had an English-speaking guide, Alex, and traveled in an air-conditioned van with driver. Alex structured the day’s sightseeing to suit our interests, providing a relaxing and enjoyable experience for us.

For the three of us, the cost of the day’s activities was MYR 825 (about $275) plus entrance fees to the Bird Park and Menara Tower. This was comparable to prices charged for group bus tours. We felt we had a much better deal!

NANCY EAGER

Hayward, CA