Wednesday, Feb. 9.
I seem to have been awake all night, but, in what seems an instant, the lights flash on at 5 a.m. as we start our decent into Singapore. Obviously, I have slept! I’m so pleased my jacket has been tucked in behind the straps of my backpack, as there are no blankets on a no-frills flight. Peter lent me a pair of his socks, so I am quite cozy.
As we walk, and walk, and walk to the other side of the “u“ shaped building, I keep staring at the plants. Surely they are fake, they are all so perfect. No, I finally spy a deviation in the pruning of one and touch it just to make sure. It is a lovely airport. We find our departure gate and then backtrack to Burger King for a little breakfast. We have only a little over an hour from touchdown until boarding for the next leg to K.L.
The plane is not full, but by the time I think about moving to an empty seat, we are on the decent. It is only a one-hour flight.
The travel time is extended when we walk, and walk, and walk, and take a bus, and walk, and walk, and finally get to immigration, and walk, and walk, and walk, and go down the stairs to the luggage turnstiles. We watch the suitcases going around, but ours are at the next belt, neatly set to the side. They have probably been here for half an hour.
The drive into town is a little scary as it is 65 km. to the city and we are in a taxi hurtling down the highway at 120 to 130 km/hr., moving left to right and back as the space in traffic allows. Just as we come off the highway, a scooter goes past with a Dad in front, a wife on the back both wearing helmets, but squeezed in between with her arms tightly around her Dad’s waist is a girl of about six - hair flying.
We arrive safely at the Pacific Regency. What a step up from what we are used to. Even the luxurious places in South America don’t compare to the service and the spaciousness at this hotel. Also, we are beside the Menara (KL) Tower, a 10 minute walk from the PETRONAS Twin towers, and a 20 minute walk (in the other direction) from China Town.
Our room is not ready - it is only 9:30 am - but our bags are checked and we are directed to the roof-top pool where we are welcome to take a shower, swim, or just relax.
There are comfortable bed-sized mattresses on raised platforms surrounded by glass walls on which you can stretch out and view the city. After a stroll around to check the place out and to take some touristy pictures, I roll-up my jacket for a pillow and within minutes I am fast asleep. The call comes at 11:30 and, once I am fully awake, I feel totally refreshed.
We get settled in our “palace” and then take the free shuttle up to the Menara Tower. It is very smoggy today, so we leave the ride to the top for, maybe, a clearer day. I am hungry, so we search-out a restaurant (there are so many it is hard to make a choice!) where I can have a nice soup. I settle for a ginger - carrot soup and, with a glass of crushed fresh fruit, it is a perfect lunch. With my tummy full, I am ready to explore. I’m amazed that we don’t get lost, as it would be easy to do in the maze of shops in the central area. We amuse ourselves just people watching.
It is quite overcast and muggy and does sprinkle a little as we return to the hotel. We arrange for two tours tomorrow, and then take to the water. We use the robes provided in the room to wear over our suits. Peter even uses their flip-flops - I think this is the first time I have ever seen him in them. It’s sort of like Peter wearing jeans. Never!
The water is lovely and we immerge refreshed. We read as we dry-off. I look over and see that Peter has finally hi the wall. He sleeps for about half an hour and, thankfully, doesn‘t snore.
We look at the various restaurants in the hotel, but decide to get some groceries before we eat. Once we have shopped, we return to the Secret Recipe restaurant from lunch-time. The servings are moderate, but everything is delicious. Our first impression of K.L. - NICE PLACE.
The Menara (K.L.) Tower.
The PEDRONUS Twin Towers.
I seem to have been awake all night, but, in what seems an instant, the lights flash on at 5 a.m. as we start our decent into Singapore. Obviously, I have slept! I’m so pleased my jacket has been tucked in behind the straps of my backpack, as there are no blankets on a no-frills flight. Peter lent me a pair of his socks, so I am quite cozy.
As we walk, and walk, and walk to the other side of the “u“ shaped building, I keep staring at the plants. Surely they are fake, they are all so perfect. No, I finally spy a deviation in the pruning of one and touch it just to make sure. It is a lovely airport. We find our departure gate and then backtrack to Burger King for a little breakfast. We have only a little over an hour from touchdown until boarding for the next leg to K.L.
The plane is not full, but by the time I think about moving to an empty seat, we are on the decent. It is only a one-hour flight.
The travel time is extended when we walk, and walk, and walk, and take a bus, and walk, and walk, and finally get to immigration, and walk, and walk, and walk, and go down the stairs to the luggage turnstiles. We watch the suitcases going around, but ours are at the next belt, neatly set to the side. They have probably been here for half an hour.
The drive into town is a little scary as it is 65 km. to the city and we are in a taxi hurtling down the highway at 120 to 130 km/hr., moving left to right and back as the space in traffic allows. Just as we come off the highway, a scooter goes past with a Dad in front, a wife on the back both wearing helmets, but squeezed in between with her arms tightly around her Dad’s waist is a girl of about six - hair flying.
We arrive safely at the Pacific Regency. What a step up from what we are used to. Even the luxurious places in South America don’t compare to the service and the spaciousness at this hotel. Also, we are beside the Menara (KL) Tower, a 10 minute walk from the PETRONAS Twin towers, and a 20 minute walk (in the other direction) from China Town.
Our room is not ready - it is only 9:30 am - but our bags are checked and we are directed to the roof-top pool where we are welcome to take a shower, swim, or just relax.
There are comfortable bed-sized mattresses on raised platforms surrounded by glass walls on which you can stretch out and view the city. After a stroll around to check the place out and to take some touristy pictures, I roll-up my jacket for a pillow and within minutes I am fast asleep. The call comes at 11:30 and, once I am fully awake, I feel totally refreshed.
We get settled in our “palace” and then take the free shuttle up to the Menara Tower. It is very smoggy today, so we leave the ride to the top for, maybe, a clearer day. I am hungry, so we search-out a restaurant (there are so many it is hard to make a choice!) where I can have a nice soup. I settle for a ginger - carrot soup and, with a glass of crushed fresh fruit, it is a perfect lunch. With my tummy full, I am ready to explore. I’m amazed that we don’t get lost, as it would be easy to do in the maze of shops in the central area. We amuse ourselves just people watching.
It is quite overcast and muggy and does sprinkle a little as we return to the hotel. We arrange for two tours tomorrow, and then take to the water. We use the robes provided in the room to wear over our suits. Peter even uses their flip-flops - I think this is the first time I have ever seen him in them. It’s sort of like Peter wearing jeans. Never!
The water is lovely and we immerge refreshed. We read as we dry-off. I look over and see that Peter has finally hi the wall. He sleeps for about half an hour and, thankfully, doesn‘t snore.
We look at the various restaurants in the hotel, but decide to get some groceries before we eat. Once we have shopped, we return to the Secret Recipe restaurant from lunch-time. The servings are moderate, but everything is delicious. Our first impression of K.L. - NICE PLACE.
The Menara (K.L.) Tower.
The PEDRONUS Twin Towers.
Entrance to a Craft Market.
One example of the fabulous architecture in K.L.
One example of the fabulous architecture in K.L.
Thursday, Feb. 10
Today we are doing our unlikely thing and are taking a guided tour. We have so little time here, we bite the bullet and sign-up for a small-group tour.
The Batu Cave Temple.
Today we are doing our unlikely thing and are taking a guided tour. We have so little time here, we bite the bullet and sign-up for a small-group tour.
The Batu Cave Temple.
Much the same picture, but closer.
One of the resident monkeys. A well-fed thief.
Inside the limestone, Batu, cave.
One of the resident monkeys. A well-fed thief.
Inside the limestone, Batu, cave.Our tour begins at a craft shop, but I resist the need to buy. Sam is our tour guide and turns out to be most informative as well as friendly. Well, he turns out to be a little annoyed with the Singapore tourist family who are with us, but extremely nice to us. I think it has to do with the fact we actually show an interest in the various cultural things, not just the shopping!
The highlights:
- the Royal Selanger Pewter factory - founded over a hundred years ago by a Chinese worker who came here to work in the tin mining. The family still own the business and, recently, have acquired the Canadian Seagull company. We actually see the factory workers as they go about their work. The company hire mostly women as they are more patient, therefore, more suitable for the time-consuming tasks in the production. The women they use as demonstrators have worked in the factory between thirty and forty years.
- the Batu (Temple) Caves - the Hindu temples are built in a natural limestone cave, up 272 steps. We do not see any of the bats that use the ceiling as their home, but we do see a roaster and multitudes of monkeys. We were warned to be careful with our bags as the monkeys will steal them assuming that they contain food. We do see them snatch pop cans and food right from visitor’s hands with such speed that the unsuspecting victim has not the time to react! At the base of the staircase, the temple has erected a huge golden statue. It is all very impressive.
- between the two tours, Sam recommends that we go to the cafeteria to buy lunch. What a bargain! We each have a tasty and filling lunch for under $5 each. I would love to know you can make mushroom soup spicy.
The work-room at the pewter factory.
Peter's dream mug of beer.
Many taxis have this sign on the door.
The highlights:
- the Royal Selanger Pewter factory - founded over a hundred years ago by a Chinese worker who came here to work in the tin mining. The family still own the business and, recently, have acquired the Canadian Seagull company. We actually see the factory workers as they go about their work. The company hire mostly women as they are more patient, therefore, more suitable for the time-consuming tasks in the production. The women they use as demonstrators have worked in the factory between thirty and forty years.
- the Batu (Temple) Caves - the Hindu temples are built in a natural limestone cave, up 272 steps. We do not see any of the bats that use the ceiling as their home, but we do see a roaster and multitudes of monkeys. We were warned to be careful with our bags as the monkeys will steal them assuming that they contain food. We do see them snatch pop cans and food right from visitor’s hands with such speed that the unsuspecting victim has not the time to react! At the base of the staircase, the temple has erected a huge golden statue. It is all very impressive.
- between the two tours, Sam recommends that we go to the cafeteria to buy lunch. What a bargain! We each have a tasty and filling lunch for under $5 each. I would love to know you can make mushroom soup spicy.
The work-room at the pewter factory.
Peter's dream mug of beer.
Many taxis have this sign on the door.- a Batik company where we see the process in various stages. We are permitted to speak with the artists. It is difficult to leave behind a silk wrap.
- the National Museum has been moved into a lovely new facility. As usual with a tour, we have only one hour and could have used three. Sam tells us about how the Sultan/King/elected-government works. Obviously, it works well as Malaysia has been an independent county only since 1957, yet it is a peaceful and flourishing multi-cultural nation.
- the King’s Palace (from outside the gate), the Independence Square, and the War memorial are all presented by Sam with obvious pride.
When I ask Sam about the education system, he says that it is very good. In order to graduate from high school, you must pass both Malay and English.
It is a long - 9 until 7 - day, so we head to the lounge for a quiet meal. I have Malaysian Grilled Satay. The gingery, peanut sauce is scrumptious.
This girl is a painter. Another artist does the wax design.
The King's Palace. Each of the seven Sultans gets a five-year term as King. The Sultan position is hereditary. (click to make big)
The War Memorial. The top guy is victory, the middle two are the fighters, the center two are compasssion - helping a wounded soldier, and the bottom two are the dead (Chinese) enemy.
- the National Museum has been moved into a lovely new facility. As usual with a tour, we have only one hour and could have used three. Sam tells us about how the Sultan/King/elected-government works. Obviously, it works well as Malaysia has been an independent county only since 1957, yet it is a peaceful and flourishing multi-cultural nation.
- the King’s Palace (from outside the gate), the Independence Square, and the War memorial are all presented by Sam with obvious pride.
When I ask Sam about the education system, he says that it is very good. In order to graduate from high school, you must pass both Malay and English.
It is a long - 9 until 7 - day, so we head to the lounge for a quiet meal. I have Malaysian Grilled Satay. The gingery, peanut sauce is scrumptious.
This girl is a painter. Another artist does the wax design.
The King's Palace. Each of the seven Sultans gets a five-year term as King. The Sultan position is hereditary. (click to make big)
The War Memorial. The top guy is victory, the middle two are the fighters, the center two are compasssion - helping a wounded soldier, and the bottom two are the dead (Chinese) enemy.
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