Selamat Datang to Kuala Lumpur

Today, we hit our KL groove and had a blast! We visited a Hindu temple in Batu Caves, explored Lake Gardens, visited the National Mosque, and got "in the know" about Malaysian food. See the pictures from Batu Caves!

Kuala Lumpur literally means "muddy bank" as it was founded at the confluence of two rivers. Most of the originals Chinese prospectors succumbed to malaria and the like, but the city is alive and well. It is home to around 2 million people in about 240 square kilometers (150 miles). It has come a long way since it was ceded by the sultan of Selangor in 1974.

Again, we've been extremely impressed with the diversity and peaceful melding of so may different religions and ethnicities. The residents of Malaysia are typically at LEAST trilingual, if not more. We stopped at an Indian restaurant by the temple for a drink (there were a lot of steps!) and a group of Chinese tourists came in. The servers all starting conversing like crazy with them--it was really neat. The Malay people are notoriously warm and friendly. We had a blast sining John Denver songs with our cab driver, Haji. There has been a lot to see. Morgan's stellar navigational skills have seen us through as we took in some of the sights.

Only 13 KM north of the city is Batu Caves, discovered only 120 years ago by an American naturalist. 272 steps scale the monkey-ridden cliffs up to Temple Cave and are adorned with a humongous statue of Muruga, or Lord Subramaniam, to whom the caves are dedicated.

Then we trekked through Lake Gardens to take a peek at the National Mosque. On our way was the old bus station, another great example of Islamic influence on architecture old and new.

Our cab driver took us to a dynamite Malay place for lunch and let us in on how to order vegetarian food. We topped off the day with a final jaunt through Chinatown and back to our hotel. Not without a stop to try the shisha, or sultan's pipe after supper. The cooled and flavored tobacco isn't so bad. You only live once!
-Marie