A quick weekend getaway to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We left early on Friday morning, and were settled into our hotel rooms and checking out the tourist brochures before 4pm. As our plane touched down, we saw acres and acres of palm trees - Malaysia is the world's largest exporter of palm oil. The temperature stayed at 34 degrees, rainshowers and lightning at night, but sunny in the morning. Not the plethora of highrisers and skyscrapers of Hong Kong, we were able to see much of the city from our 17th floor rooms. We could see the Patronus Towers and the KL Tower across the horizon, lots of green space.
First thing on Saturday, we booked a driver and car for 4 hours to take us around the city to all of the sights - his english was perfect, and he was very knowledgeable, and proud, to share his city and its history with us. We talked of everything from politics to culture, to education and his family, and he suggested many of the sights we visited throughout the day. First up - the Sultan's Palace, where we stood outside the gates with the throngs of tourists. In Malaysia, there are different states, and their King rules as Sultan for 5 years, before another state sends their King over. Very fair, and democratic, and stopped the years of war that had previously beleagured the country.
The gates to the Sultan's Palace - they were getting ready for a huge celebration inside - we could see large white tents being prepared. Gorgeous, green gardens, and lush landscapes.
Reading about the history of the Sultans' rule - the list of all the Kings and the states from where they came.
Cheesy, but necessary
Next up, Malaysia's largest Chinese temple, of all things! Outside, the caricatures of all of the Chinese zodiac animals - Bob, of course, born in the year of the Rabbit.
Jennifer, born in the year of the Snake,
Sarah, born in the year of the Monkey,
And Meg, born in the year of the Dog!
The temple entrance was absolutely breathtaking, and unbelievably, lots of familiar decorations and mosaics.
The architecture just along the rooftops was beautiful - lots of detail.
Inside the temple, the 'fortune sticks' - you grasp a pile of them in both hands, and let them fall back into the centre of the hole - the stick that stays up, or sticks out, is yours. You take it out, and it gives you a number corresponding to a small drawer. Inside, rolled paper, like inside a fortune cookie, with advice on everything from travel (not advised) to moving homes (not advised) to love (established)!
Sarah and Meg at the fortune stick area. You can see the metal 'drum' in front of Meg where the small drawers holding the fortune papers are kept.
Meg, reading her fortune.
Golden, brilliant statues and lots of flowers and candles, and incense. The pads behind the girls are for praying
We chose incense sticks, to light and leave behind us on our way out.
Bob, putting his lit incense stick into the huge metal pot, filled with sand. The smell was very powerful.
Beautiful mosaics, tiles and paintings on every surface.
And outside, we walk from the Temple to the back, where the 'turtle pond' waited.
And, yes, it was! Full of every size of turtle, in a peaceful, crowded pond.
Turtle haven, really.
Next up, the national War Memorial, listing soldiers from WWI, WWII, and their War of Independance, in 1959. The temperature, low thirties, combined with the humidity, felt like a wet furnace, we were glad to be able to go into the air conditioned car in between all of the sites.
A beautiful, peaceful Memorial Site - in front of Sarah, the flags, and regimental crests from all over the world, of regiments that had served in Malaysia. Lots from England, France and Australia, and even Canada!
Bob, beside the War Memorial.
And, next stop - Bird World! Or, the Bird Park - a huge acreage, covered in netting with every colour and size of exotic bird. And, above the lovebirds, the lovebirds.... (corny, but hey, we're tourists!)
Gorgeous colours, lots of sounds, lush greenery. Walkways we shared with tons of birds, peacocks, blue and white, and orange birds. Very cool.
From the heron family, I believe.
These little blue birds were everywhere, and not too shy.
Sarah's creative interpretation of pink toes and koi.... we walked over bridges across streams and ponds.
Pelicans and... pink flamingoes, my favourite!
You can't really tell, but the flamingo pond, was a subtle sea of light pink - this one is for you, Nan!
Wouldn't be Bird Park without the ostrich! A foul (fowl) smelling thing - you smelled it before you came around the corner. Almost balding, we got a good look at leathery, grey skin, lots of attitude, and a huge behind... and then we got a shot of the bird!!!
Our bird park nymph...
And after a cool down and several bottles of water later, next stop, Malaysia's largest Mosque. Unfortunately, closed to outsiders for prayers. It was very serene, we could hear the call to prayer over the high walls.
Beautiful architecture of this massive Mosque - with no glass windows, but intricate lattice-brick screens.
And wouldn't be complete without a roadside food stall! But, it was too hot to eat, we grabbed more water bottles, and pressed onwards.
In the centre of Kuala Lumpur, Independence Square and the site of all celebrations. They built huge parking lot underneath the grass and buildings, but embarrassingly, every time it rained, the parking lots were flooded, so they closed everything underneath. Lots of colonial architecture - you can see the KL Tower (like the Space Needle) in the back. Nothing happening in the Square that day.
Fountain in Independance Square - couldn't get the massive flagpole in the picture - too high.
Across the street, we walked beside the Law Courts - stunning architecture again - that combination of pink and white stone.
At the end of the tour - we stopped along the main canal, for a quick visit before returning to our hotel.
A Muslim country - the shops in KL were FULL of headscarves, burkhas and more - tons of colours and, sounds and smells - very cool.
Heading back from the Law Courts to the car and back to the hotel.
OK, did we mention the rainstorms? We were walking only 4 blocks to the local mall to see the indoor theme park, and a movie, and the skies opened! They asked us if we wanted to take a car to the mall - and we said, "Nah, it's just over there...." Spoke too soon! The drops were warm, and HUGE - we literally ran, screeching to huddle under a palm tree, and then to the mall - nicely airconditioned, absolutely SOAKING 10 minutes later. Too wet to sit in a cold movie, thank goodness for the Esprit shop at the door.
The girls and Bob spent 2 harrowing hours on the world's largest and freakiest rollercoaster, enough rides to empty even the hardiest of stomachs - I spent most of the time taking pictures, and trying not to look! The mall was like a small city - with every kind of retail name in the world, and the crowd a curious mix of families with mothers in full burkhas, lots of Indian accents, and chinese tourists - not too many western faces. Fascinating!
Dinner that night at, of all places, Hard Rock Cafe, KL, to celebrate my birthday. The girls were fascinated with the rock memorbilia - Meg had her chicken fingers, and for dessert - chocolate cake and icecream! Fun!
KL - lots of wonderful market shopping - famous for the batik fabrics, woodworking and ceramics. We also visited a great local restaurant and tried local Malay food - lots of spicy seafood with noodles and soups - Meg had the carbonara pasta... - local beer, and good company. Great weekend, just the four of us together during such a busy time.
