Malaysia, Part 2

So our second day in Malaysia started early - not as severely early as the 4:30 am jump-start the day before, but early enough to be uncomfortable.  But we were travelers on a mission, and the mission was the Skybridge of the Petronas Towers, formerly the tallest buildings in the world (a recently constructed monster skyscraper in Taipei now takes the cake).  We arrived at what seemed a very reasonable, early time, but the line for tickets was already out the door, through the hall, up the escalator, etc.   So after a full 30 seconds of waiting, we decided that we wanted to see the towers themselves, not the view from within, which is better accomplished from the (wait-free) ground.  So we bounced, still feeling satisfied at seeing the inside of these gorgeous structures.

On our way back to the hostel (and to catch a bus to the caves), we popped in the Shangri-La Hotel, whose international buffet had been recommended by a friend of a friend of Camille's.  The whole place was just lovely, and I snapped some pictures of pretty delectable and not-at-all-cake-looking cakes.  (Check out the photos on my Facebook page - look for a white purse and a mountain of pillows - yes, those are the cakes).  

Then it was on to the grand attraction of the day, the Batu Caves!  We hopped on a bus which took us several kilometres outside of KL, and as we approached, we could start to see the giant rock that housed the caves rising in front of us.  Well, I did - Camille was napping :)  It was already pretty imposing.  We arrived at the gates, which features dozens and dozens of carvings of Hindu gods and figures, all beautifully sculpted and painted, but the main attraction was the set of 272 stairs and the ginormous statue waiting to greet you as you began the trek up to the main caves.   Before we began the walk up, we fueled up on Indian food from one of the restaurants on the ground which, my goodness, was so good, I am still dreaming about the roti (a kind of bread... I would try to describe it, but words fail).  After a most delicious lunch, we climbed the stairs - and I'll say, nothing could have prepared me for the sight inside the caves.  It was, absolutely, one of the most breath-taking and awe-inspiring places I have ever been to.  I have never felt more like Indiana Jones in my life.  As the cave's monkeys played all around us (see the video below), we watched people come and go, sitting at the opposite end of the cave from the entrance, enjoying the sunlight shining down through the opening at the top.   We had a bit of a scare when a monkey jumped on a little girl's back - she was holding a Coke bottle, one of the monkeys' favorite toys, and the monkey decided that he needed the bottle for himself.  She threw a fit until the monkey dropped the bottle, but after she picked it up, a number of monkeys began to chase her around the cave, her parents only intervening after a few minutes of her shrieks.  I was terrified for her - although the monkeys were sooo precious, I kept thinking of the movie Outbreak and fearing that we could all be infected with the ebola virus or something.  But thankfully, no monkey bites here!   (Btw, the story of me being chased by monkeys is much less exciting - a few of the monkeys enjoyed my green shoes a little too much and tried to come get them off my feet when I got too close - but nothing like a monkey rampage).

After a little more time mulling about the grounds of the caves, it was time to head back into the city.  We took a bus to Chow Kit market, which is a massive, tent-covered produce market on the outer side of the city.  I have never before seen such a variety of fruit and vegetables and meats and fish in my life!  I have also never smelled so many... interesting smells in my life.  I had a fresh guava, given to us by one of the stall workers, and the two of us were wolf-whistled at numerous times.  There was one guy in particular who was quite irrepressible, saying hello, then asking my name, then telling me his name, then telling me his name was actually Tom Cruise.  I smiled and waved, but moved on quickly, not because of him but because of the strong smell of recently-killed eel that was wafting up from the stall I was standing next to right then.   The market was quite an experience - I'm glad that I was able to see it, but I'm not entirely I could go back - if only just for my nose's sake.

After a return to our hostel and a quick jaunt to the neighboring mall, we showered and primped for a fancy dinner that would take us back to the Shangri-La Hotel for the famous international buffet.  Camille and I each had 5 plates, with each plate concentrating on food from a different country (French cheese plate, Japanese sushi, Chinese dimsum, Indian and Malaysian satay and masala, and desserts from all over...   yeah, I'll let you drool a little bit here).  My dessert intake was basically limited to heaps and heaps of fruit and cake smothered in white chocolate from the fondue fountain.  Camille and I were there for three hours, letting each plate of food digest before moving on the next.  The only negative thing about the experience was the polite request that I not take pictures after I went to capture the spread at the dessert bar - but at least I got one picture!

After we finished up, we strolled along Jalan Ramlee, one of the main nightlife streets in KL, looking for ideas for the next night (since we had just eaten an inexplicable amount, we weren't exactly in the mindset or physical shape to go out and dance).  We mostly just ended up people-watching, though, as we ended up at the base of the Petronas Towers once more, hanging out until the spotlights went off at midnight.  It was a lovely close to the end of a delicious day.  

Last day to come soon!  I realize, again, that I am a bit late and a bit spread in these entries, but you can blame my renewed vigor in Cantonese class - don't tell anyone this, but it's actually starting to be a bit fun.  It's almost a shame that it's just about over - almost.  

Love to all!

xoxo