222. THE KINGDOM OF KITSCH - GENTING HIGHLANDS

 

The ride to the top was pleasant, the road was wide, without hairpin bends. What greeted me was like a culture shock, a huge monstrosity of a hotel...boasting more than 7000+ rooms, the largest in the world!

This is no better than been confined to a cruise ship! 

Mercifully, I can escape outdoors or stay in the room or take refuge in another hotel cafe nearby...indoors, the crowd and noise was unbearable.

These 3 hotels in the background are the oldest and the most humongous would be this gaudy one below...

It's been 2 decades since I came this way. I had more or less decided I won't be coming this way again. What made it bearable was, the stay was during the week, avoiding the Malaysian weekend hordes. More importantly, the Mainland Chinese were still banned from leaving their country during this time of Covid 

Everything about the main casino building and hotel and theme parks were made to cater to the mass market. At least the corridors everywhere were really wide.

This is the main lobby area with that loooong counter and just 3 staff! The mass market love this, they don't mind waiting, they have the whole day and night to gamble, eat or drink or karaoke as many joints are opened 24 hours or till very late!

Their business philosophy has worked out well for the Malaysian Chinese family behind this Highland gambling integrated resort. The place and its activities, the noise, the blinking bright lights bring to mind the story of the 7 Deadly Sins.

My pictures give an idea of what to expect and what you can do if you venture this way. To avoid the awful noise and crowd, one can stay in the neighbouring smaller hotels and avoid altogether, that monstrosity called the First World Hotel...

The latter is unfortunately where most of the eating places are as well as the watering holes and games machines, the whole gamut...

The restos were tastefully done up. Sorry to report though, of all the meals I had, most were lousy. The favourable exchange rate made it less painful to have meals that's prepared without pride or passion by employees.

 

Like the table set put together with beer crates

Like this too - a terrace cafe sticking out of this shopping floor with a bar below it...brilliant design idea!

Took a quick look, not been in one for decades thought I'll have a flutter but it's not my scene at all

This croupier is quite a dish, needs more meat on her...don't think the gamblers noticed...

I had expected more gamblers, perhaps it was not a weekend or those from China are missed...

This light installation is in the lobby of another hotel which was so quiet and deserted, it was almost spooky after the bustle of the First World.

Wall installation using light papier mache plates - nice!

This is the view from the roof terrace. It's more kitsch out here! A stupa and some Western looking scholar types are added for good measure, never mind if not related...

I suppose no respectable integrated resort is complete without an auditorium for loud concerts. The only thing I don't mind about this building is it's a good copy of an art deco building in either New York or Chicago, made colourful by its kitsch designers!

Saved the best for last. There's lots more land for expansion, leading to degradation of the environment. Several condo developments were in various stages of completion. It's no longer as cool with the clearing of trees and flattening of hills. It used to be so cold I needed to keep my jacket on indoors. The hotels can be shrouded in mist most of the day - not any more. In the evenings one can walk outdoors without extra layers...

Why should the Government and the businessmen care about the environment? Or the corruption of the 'soul'? They are getting tax revenue, and more. Jobs are created. Nothing else matters as long as their politicians don't need to work hard...

As Kitsch has become an artform, I can appreciate that - not the bombardment from noise and stuffing oneself silly. Money and materialism are the 'Gods' here. Sad