Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
After a 6 ½ hour train ride from Singapore, we arrived in Kuala Lumpur. Again, a very modern city with all the amenities and influx of cultural influences. The best part was that we treated ourselves to a 5 star hotel for US$50!!!! It was fabulous…the only bad part is that we once again got used to luxury. Our lodging after this was a bit disappointing.
Again we were only in Kuala Lumpur for 2 ½ days and as such only got to see some of the highlights. The first morning we went to Petronas Towers (currently the tallest buildings in the world). Only 800 visitors are allowed to the viewing deck each day so we had to line up for an hour at 8 in the morning to secure our spot. The best part is that it was free. The bad part is that the viewing deck is the bridge between the two buildings and is only half way up. It was still an amazing view though. We learned that the buildings are in the shape of an important Islamic symbol, the octagonal star. There is also a full size acoustically fit concert hall at the bottom and a six storey shopping mall (with all the amenities…many of which are out of our price range!). Here is a picture of the Petronas Towers.
We submitted to all of the great shopping in Malaysia and purchased a laptop…because that is what all backpackers need. We must be the worst backpackers ever having stayed in a 5 star hotel and purchased a laptop in the same day. I think we exceeded our budget! As such, we felt guilty and tried to make up for it by taking the local bus (instead of a taxi) to Batu Caves. The bus system in Kuala Lumpur leaves much to be desired and is very chaotic in comparison to our experiences in other countries so far. We did eventually make it there though. Unfortunately the 30 minute ride that took us an 1 ½ hours set us back so far that we had to take a taxi back to the hotel anyways!
Batu Caves are ancient Hindu Caves high up in the limestone cliffs that were discovered by an American naturalist in the last 100 years. They have once again become an important place of worship and it’s hard to say if there are more worshippers or tourists there on a daily basis. Here is a picture from the bottom. We climbed the many steps to enter the series of 3 caves which contained various shrines to the Hindu gods. It was very foul smelling inside and we were a bit surprised that such an important place of worship was not better maintained.
Perhaps the most interesting part was the multitude of monkeys that were hanging from the cliffs and would come down to the staircase to interact with the visitors. Many of the worshippers would give the monkeys bananas or coconuts. I made the mistake of looking too closely and taking this one’s picture. Once I was past him and walking down the staircase he threw his coconut at me and nearly hit me in the head! Wade defended the beast by saying that he was just finished with his coconut, but I know better. Wade probably encouraged the monkey’s bad behaviour for his own amusement.
Again we were only in Kuala Lumpur for 2 ½ days and as such only got to see some of the highlights. The first morning we went to Petronas Towers (currently the tallest buildings in the world). Only 800 visitors are allowed to the viewing deck each day so we had to line up for an hour at 8 in the morning to secure our spot. The best part is that it was free. The bad part is that the viewing deck is the bridge between the two buildings and is only half way up. It was still an amazing view though. We learned that the buildings are in the shape of an important Islamic symbol, the octagonal star. There is also a full size acoustically fit concert hall at the bottom and a six storey shopping mall (with all the amenities…many of which are out of our price range!). Here is a picture of the Petronas Towers.We submitted to all of the great shopping in Malaysia and purchased a laptop…because that is what all backpackers need. We must be the worst backpackers ever having stayed in a 5 star hotel and purchased a laptop in the same day. I think we exceeded our budget! As such, we felt guilty and tried to make up for it by taking the local bus (instead of a taxi) to Batu Caves. The bus system in Kuala Lumpur leaves much to be desired and is very chaotic in comparison to our experiences in other countries so far. We did eventually make it there though. Unfortunately the 30 minute ride that took us an 1 ½ hours set us back so far that we had to take a taxi back to the hotel anyways!
Batu Caves are ancient Hindu Caves high up in the limestone cliffs that were discovered by an American naturalist in the last 100 years. They have once again become an important place of worship and it’s hard to say if there are more worshippers or tourists there on a daily basis. Here is a picture from the bottom. We climbed the many steps to enter the series of 3 caves which contained various shrines to the Hindu gods. It was very foul smelling inside and we were a bit surprised that such an important place of worship was not better maintained.
Perhaps the most interesting part was the multitude of monkeys that were hanging from the cliffs and would come down to the staircase to interact with the visitors. Many of the worshippers would give the monkeys bananas or coconuts. I made the mistake of looking too closely and taking this one’s picture. Once I was past him and walking down the staircase he threw his coconut at me and nearly hit me in the head! Wade defended the beast by saying that he was just finished with his coconut, but I know better. Wade probably encouraged the monkey’s bad behaviour for his own amusement.
posted by The Adventures of Rena & Wade | 1:00 AM
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