There are fireworks bursting outside our window. It’s unusual to see fireworks from above but being on the 19th floor we are higher than them when they explode. I tried to take some pictures but my phone was no use.
We have had another amazing day. After breakfast in the Sheraton, get us, we set off on our adventures. We have stayed in KL previously but it was a single night en route to the north of Malaysia and Penang and It certainly wasn’t in a place like the Sheraton. As I recall it was a windowless backpackers on the other side of Chinatown down a side street near the bus station. It was cheap, quiet and clean and served our needs on that occasion. As we were only passing through on that occasion we didn’t get chance to explore the city and that’s what we are taking the opportunity to do now. We set off early and made our way to Pasar Sani metro terminus. It’s the first time we have used the KL metro and not surprisingly it is completely different to the Singapore system. It operates from electronic ticketing machines that only accept cash and after providing the route details issues you with a plastic token. A small red plastic coin that allows you to enter and exit the metro at your chosen destination. It took some getting used to but after a short time we were zipping about like locals on a big shop day.
The first stop was the Malaysian National Zoo. We have not been to a zoo since the kids were small but this one is special as it is playing a huge role in the conservation of tigers, orang-utan and pandas.
As a footnote as we were leaving Ipoh I was reading the local news on the eye pod and it said some tigers had been spotted close to the town and was advising people to contact the police if any where sighted close to the suburbs. It also advised the locals not to let their children play in the forests as there was a chance they could be eaten. The matter of fact way of reporting this situation made me chuckle. There is nothing other than a stray dog that wants to bite or eat you in the UK whereas In south east Asia there are lots of things that think of you as nothing more than a light snack or lunch.
The Zoo was fun and interesting and the new Panda conservation building was a pleasure to see. The Pandas have better accommodation than Crispy.
After the Zoo we made our way to the Batu caves. A collection of cave temples built within limestone cliffs on the outskirts of the city. The temples were busy and preparing for a big festival this weekend which is probably the reason for the fireworks below our window. We will miss the festivities as they are happening on Sunday and we will be on our way to Doha en-route to the hovel at Crispy HQ. It’s a shame as it looks like it’s going to be a crazy affair. Crispy was refused entry to the main temple as she was wearing shorts. The lady at the entrance tried to flog her a small piece of cheap cloth to wear as a sarong but Dear old Crispy was having non of it and dragged me back onto the local market to buy herself a sari for the same price. Three pounds Sterling saw her dressed as like a high caste Indian lady and she was congratulated, stopped and praised by dozens of other local ladies as she swept past the temple guardian with a smug smile and into the temple.
The temples were amazing and we spent a long time watching the religious ceremonies inside. I spoke to a young priest and he informed me it takes a minimum of twelve years training to be a temple priest. After all the years we have travelled and all the temples we have visited Hinduism is still a mystery to me. The priest reassured me and said after all his years training it is still a mystery to him so it made me feel a little better.
Before we knew it the day was growing old and we were forced to leave for the one hour journey back to KL Sentral. It was rush hour and the metro was at capacity but with Crispy’s amazing queue jumping skills we never missed a beat. A quick beer before showering, we were both very hot and sweaty, saw us back in Chinatown for tea, salted egg squid and Beccan rice in a little food court on the market. It was delicious.
Tomorrow is more sedate as it’s our last day, I’m sure I’ll find something to fill the day and stop Crispy getting bored and fractious. I’ve got a few ideas in mind.
Bare and Crispy signing off, KL, Malaysia
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