we stayed at the holiday inn, too. the bus stops almost at the door to take you to the national park where you can take a boat to isolated beaches or trek to and from there in the jungle.register first at entrance.Have many coins as they give no change. about 1-1.5 MYR per person. also goes to georgetown and port.

there are plenty of laundry places along the road, too, same day service.

the food court down to to your left when you leave the hotel is EXCELLENT. we had very good char koay teow there, oysters, and good a banana roti dessert from the indian lady on left near entrance. ask her to make it THIN.

also, ferringhi gardens ( turn right out of the hotel.. but enter NOT from main street, but go around through the back as it is a more stunning entrance)for a more upscale atmosphere is very nice.

we had great banana "roti" at the food court and also for breakfast down the beach at a small muslim place. enjoy that area.

The yahong art gallery has a lot of very nice interstign handicrafts. (across the street from hotel but down to the right a ways.)

We didn't think the spice garden was too interesting.

i am so glad your passport duplication worked out well.

Thank you for the tips, lincasanova. We are enjoying our stay here very much -- good food everywhere!

So glad you've got all the paperwork sorted. I am in KL about 2 to 3 times a year and have been rather blase but lately everyone has been warning me about bag snatchers. So during my last trip, I tried not to walk where motor-cyclists can whizz past you, ie I hang back at the lights and position myself well when crossing roads.

I was warned repeatedly in Melaka by shopowners to be careful with my purse. I guess we weren't really in shops much in KL, or perhaps we would have heard the same.