We are travelling (2 adults & 1 child) to Aus in Dec. with a stop over for 2 days in Kuala Lumpur. Should we stay in the city (KL) which is about 55k from the airport, or stay in a resort area? We would like some shopping & sightseeing.

If you just have 2 days and want to do shopping too then KL itself should provide enough for you. Although you van reach places such as penang or Langkawi in under and hour by air you need to choose between a City and a Beach. Dobn't forget there is an Airport Express train between KLIA and the City. You will find shopping in KL very good.

If you want to take a look at the Resort Islands plus KL and links for sightseeing try www.malaysia.travelreporter.com

Stay in the city...and the Ritz Carlton is wonderful in KL.Get a private driver. There's a private driver...Mr. Pau...the only Chinese driver that I saw...who hangs out in front of the Ritz Carlton... where I stayed. He's great and about $8.00 an hour.Hiring a driver through a private company is at least $15. an hour. Read my post on Shopping Guides in Southeast Asia. Kuala Lumpur has very good shopping. Happy travels!

Thanks for the advice.
As we are going on to Aus & and will be coming from a cooler climate, should we wait to buy shorts & t-shirts etc in KL? Also I hear that suits are good value in KL, what price should I expect to pay & should I get one made & will I have enough time in 2 full days?...phew..!

Shorts and t-shirts will be cheap in KL. If you are only there two days, I wouldn't get a suit. A well-made suit takes at least three fittings. There will be plenty of places that will tell you they can make a suit in 24 hours - but it won't be a suit you'll want to wear!

Kathie,
Thanks for the advice, especially on the suits.