Travelogue
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Jan/Feb 2003 pics , Links
Kuala Lumpur is a nice city to visit. I spent 5 days there taking in the sights. Spent two full days just walking around the city. Up through Little India and on to the Petronas Towers area. I must have walked for miles each day. Stayed in Chinatown at Hotel Chinatown Inn. Cost was 89RM per night with window, tv, a/c, and hot shower. The nightly market set up on the street below with fruit, noodles, satay, cd's, dvd's, t'shirts, watches, nuts, roti canai, and so much more. I ate well. Spent another two days at Thaipusam, which was taking place out at the Batu Caves. Also went to the city of Melaka for a day.
Transportation was very easy within Malaysia. There is a train that runs from the airport to Kuala Lumpur. The bus is a bit cheaper and will drop you at your hotel or very close by. Took a bus to Penang for 20RM. Nice bus and ride. Main bus station is next to Chinatown Kuala Lumpur. Tickets can be bought there or from travel merchants on opposite side of street. Internet available all over the city. Excellent cheap food can be had from the street vendors.
Overall I enjoyed
my stay in Kuala Lumpur. A bit pricier than other SE Asian destinations but
it can be done fairly cheaply. Found most of the people very friendly and would
return here again.
Melaka Malaysia 2003
Spent only one
day in Melaka and enjoyed it. It lies about 2 hours South of Kuala Lumpur along
the Straits of Melaka. A Portuguese settlement and known to be a city of religious
tolerance. On one stretch of street there is a Mosque, Hindu Temple and Chinese
Temple. All within 200 yards of each other. The oldest church in Malaysia is
here, the "Christ Church" still stands. Some of the streets here are
very narrow. Had an excellent Chinese lunch including fish, chicken, and beef
dishes served with rice and tea. It was a nice visit. Don't think I would have
enjoyed more than one day though.
Thaipusam Festival Kulala Lumpur Malaysia 2003
Thaipusam is a
Hindu festival where devotees honor Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lord Muruga.
I walked with thousands of devotees from Sri Mahamariamman temple in Chinatown
out to the Batu Caves NW of Kuala Lumpur. A large silver chariot began the procession
from the temple. Even a few elephants were there for the occasion. After the
long walk, arrived at the Batu Caves around 10am Jan 18th . Saw a devotee with
approx 25 hooks from his skin attached at the ends with small, silver urns of
milk. Then, a man and woman passed me with two canes over their shoulders. Strewn
between the canes a piece of cloth with their child inside. They were all making
their way up the 272 steps into the Batu Caves. Spent the afternoon and late
into the evening just watching everything going on around me. Lots of trances,
piercings, large kadavis, hooks, and coconuts breaking on the ground. Seemed
like the ongoing arrival of more and more devotees would never end. By 10 that
evening it was getting hard to move about freely in many places in and around
the caves. Getting even harder to come by good photo opps. Such an interesting
festival to see. There were 4-5 piece musical groups playing while people were
getting ready to wear the kadavis. Drums, Indian horns, and vocalist chanting
in what sounded like an Arabic type language. Very intense sounds which added
to the almost surreal feeling of it all.
Penang Malaysia 2003
Only spent 2 days
in Penang. Mostly in Georgetown. Took a bus there from Kuala Lumpur. Stayed
in Chinatown at Hong Ping Hotel on Chulia st. 59RM per night. Very clean. The
first day I just walked around Georgetown. Chinatown, Little India and the boardwalks
along the ocean. Huge food area sets up in the evenings along the water. The
next day my friend whom I met the day before took me around the island. Izad
picked me up around noon and we headed toward the Snake Temple. I was a bit
disappointed as most of the snakes have gone. I only saw about 4 or 5. Next
we headed South around the island up into the hills. Nice views from up there.
Izad also took me to some secluded beach areas around Penang. Also went through
Ferrenghi Beach where most of the beach goers are. Had a stop at a fruit farm
where I enjoyed a glass of Hogs Plum fruit juice. After the day around Penang
Izad and I had Muslim food. It was excellent. I had Chicken Biyrani. Had a great
time in Penang. The next morning I caught a ferry to Langkawi Island.
Langkawi Island Malaysia 2003
Had five full days
to enjoy Langkawi Island. Took a ferry from Penang to the island. 2.5 hour trip
with smooth waters. Nice ferry too. Think it was 65RM round trip. You can get
an open return ticket. Cab ride from the ferry to an area near Pantai Cenang
called Pantai Tengah. 14RM for the ride. Spent most of my days the same. Beach
after breakfast until about 2pm. Then head back for a shower. The daily walk
was next. Usually down to Pantai Cenang. Use the internet for a while then get
some dinner after watching the sunset from my hotel. Did one day of Island hopping
which was kind of boring. Would have been better off hiring a boat on my own.
It is a beautiful island although I have seen nicer in Southern Thailand. I
did see a monitor lizard near my hotel.
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