Kuala Lumpur

30.12.2011 - 07.01.2012

Kuala Lumpur came as a shock to us jungle hermits with its immense sky scrapers, speeding air railways, ten-story shopping malls with roller coasters inside them and its overflowing ocean of people. The transport system is easy and fun, with some trains having women-only wagon options, absolutely everyone being courteous and friendly, an exciting temple, museum or market just about at every stop of the way. As soon as we got off the plane we met the nicest taxi driver who taught us the most important phrase of our stay in Malaysia: "Terima Kahsi" (thank you), which is one of the only ones that has actually stuck to us so far =). So with that grateful attitude we were able to really enjoy our first week in Asia, in the great and modern but also traditional KL. In apparent contrast with the latest technologies and architecture is the very conservative dress code, mostly in women but also in men, the first wearing long and flowy gowns and covering head and neck with colorful scarves or full burkas when Muslim, or simply procuring discreet lengths when Indian or Chinese. Another imponent sign of tradition is the sudden burst of beautiful, single, male a cappella singing, which flows mystically out of the mosques and into the busy streets of the city. Food is also remarkable, with most every little stand on the street offering ridiculously cheap dishes with new vegetables and outstanding flavor. All of this to say that our introduction to Malaysia was full of new and fun experiences, our favorite outings being the Central Market (full of everything you'd want to have!), the unbearably ticklish fish spa, the KL Bird Park with its gorgeous feathers, the national museum, the Batu Caves (dirty but full of crazy macaques), our New Year's Eve and the Batik lesson on the last day.
A great first week before our adventures in the jungle!

The active streets of KL.