Whew - another day of 'vacation' done. I think 'adventure journey' might be a better term - this is way to extreme to be a vacation! I'm loving it - though, the prevalence of English is marvelous for a traveler's confidence. Malaysia seems to be just like the travel literature said: a true mixture of Asia. So although there are lots of Chinese, East Indian, Malays, etc., English works out to be the common language. So that's made the logisitical side of travelling easier.
So, how was Kuala Lumpur, you ask? Well, first, I should tell you how I got here. Last night after I was at the interet cafe blogging to you, I went to have dinner, then to go to the train station, just in time to pick up my luggage and go through to get on the train and wait. Ha-ha. I had been worried because I was planning on going first class, but when I booked a few weeks back, all that was left was Second. But my worries were unfounded, it was a spacious, clean and airconditioned coach. We left Singapore around 10:30 pm and got into Kuala Lumpur around 6:30 am. I slept most of the way, and had a pretty good nights sleep, although it was certainly chilly. Don't you hate that feeling on trains or planes, when it's just a bit too chilly and you spend the night shivering?! I woke up 5:30, looked at my watch and thought it was 6:30 and started freaking out that I had slept through KL. I was quite a sight, whipping off my eye mask, taking off my extra socks, throwing on my shoes, generally scrambling. After a bit, I noticed the man in front of me was observing me, and I just asked him. But after that, I had trouble sleeping because I didn't want to miss my stop and end up in the Malaysian highlands by mistake!
Once I got off the train in KL, I felt awful. I hadn't showered or laid down since Taipei! The sun was just starting to rise, and I had no desire to see KL, all I wanted to do was sit down. So I decided to try something new - I walked to the proliferation of hotels outside the train station, and rented a room by the hour! I had to choose how many hours at the beginning - four. It was dirt cheap, so I was surprised to find a clean, airconditioned room. I had a shower, put on my pjs and had a wonderful nap. Afterwards, I repacked my bag and felt a good deal more ready to face the day. KL is worlds away from Singapore - although they are moving towards the affulence and opulence, it still feels much more SouthEast Asian poor. I really noticed the Muslim influence, perhaps because I haven't travelled to a Muslim country before (have I?) All the women have colourful head coverings, and while I was at the train station, I was wondering why all the men were going to this room by the washroom; it was a prayer room for them to wash their feet and say their prayers.
I started off my taking the MRT to the Petronas Towers, the tallest building in the world? Taipei 101 says it is now, so I don't know. Taipei's looks taller to me, but really, who am I to say! The Petronas Towers were famous in my mind because they are featured in the film Entrapment with Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones. I did the prefunctory (correct word, anyone?) pictures of the towers, me in front of the towers, although I found it a great hardship to be travelling without a good camera. It's downright depressing to see beautiful things and not be able to capture the memory for 5 years from now when I won't be able to remember a thing.
After I wandered through another massive mall, but again, had no energy to 'shop'. Actually, I'm still not feeling up to speed, my cold is moderately better, I can taste things. But the lingering effects of being sick combined with the energy-sapping heat made me look at every little cafe, longing to sit down and read. I didn't let myself though, if I only have a day in KL, and I slept through the morning, I was going to see everything in the afternoon! So, I whipped myself into shape, and dragged myself all over KL. The heat and blinding sun were oppressive, but it was worth it. KL is certainly not my favorite city ever, it's horrible for pedestrians, but it does have it's charms. I particulary liked the Malaysian Supreme Court, and was again struck by the injustice - all the prettiest buildings have boring things inside. The building looked like a rose and pink castle, with all the trimmings. It reminded me a bit of the the Vanderbult mansion in North Carolina.
I went through Chinatown to see all the hustle and bustle getting ready for Chinese New Year's tonight. It didn't excite me much - it was a lot like Taiwan. And Chinese New Year seems repitious to me, deeply entrenched in my Western mindset as I am. Why would I want to get excited over a New Year, when it's the year of the Rooster, which is supposed to be bad for me because I was born in the year of the Rooster? No, I'll choose to largely ignore it. I might try to see the Dragon Dances tommorrow in Penang.
I wish I could put pictures on here with my stories, it would make it better. Alas. You'll have to wait. Kathy, are you reading this? I was thinking of you in Venice while I was in Singapore. I loved Singapore, but it doesn't hold a candle to Venice. Everyone else, in case I haven't mentioned it before, out of all my travels, Venice is my favorite place. I would say it's a must see before you die. If that's not morbid. (= Let's say it's a must-see before Venice dies, and sinks into the lagoon.
The reason this post is so long, is because I am all checked in for my flight, and have time to kill. Burger King sells Internet Access by the hour, so I thought I would write a small book, Carole Nickle's Solo Adventure Journey Day 3: Kuala Lumpur. Tonight I will be on the island of Penang, staying at what is hopefully a 4 star beach resort. I'll be there all day tommorrow, swimming in the ocean, and then tommorrow night as well. So, don't expect a post for two days, you can just assume it would say this: "Went swimming, read book on beach, drank fresh juice, had a nap."
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