You Watt?!

So often the levels of sophistication, development and international standing of a country can be measured by its architectural achievements. Look at the Colosseum standing tall in Rome, the Harbour Bridge dominating Sydney or the Western Wall casting a shadow (in more ways than one) over Jerusalem. So I have decided to compare and contrast some architectural achievements that I have witnesses in the past few days.

Firstly there is Angkor Watt, Cambodia. Built by the Khmer empire between the 9th and 13th centuries, this is one of the modern wonders of the world, surviving in wonderful condition. Elaborately levelled with stunning bas-reliefs, yet built with limited resources and no modern machinery, this is truly a breathtaking phenomenon.















Secondly, the twin Petronas towers that dominate modern day Kuala Lumpur. Whilst Malaysia is not regarded as a first world nation (yet) these towers were until recently the world's tallest building with 88 floors, a lift that moves at 5 metres per second etc etc. Pretty impressive, in other words.




















Thirdly, I spent at least an hour looking for Britain's centrepiece of Kuala Lumpur, a colonial masterpiece that would make me proud of my homeland. Having built such wonders as the Milennium Dome and Wembley with such efficiency and prudence, I presumed that I would be in for quite a treat. Merdeka Square is regarded as the centre of KL, the sight of Malaysia's independence and something (for once) that Britain could be proud of in the empire. And here it is...














Yes, that is really it. A former cricket pitch. With a flag at the end. Britain's total architecturtal contribution to the region seems to be a cricket pitch. And not even a good pitch with swinging wickets, barmy army shouting and beer flowing. Just an empty cricket pitch where apparently they play once a year. And that was it. Rule Brittania!