Kuala Lumpur

On our way to Vietnam we decided to stopover in Kuala Lumpur to visit the world famous Petronas Towers as well as a few other sites. But before we made our way to the towers we had to check out the first annual Malaysia Chocolate Fair. It was a small fair of a few dozen exhibitors, but we found some interesting selections including durian and strawberry covered in chocolate. Afterwards we found some exotic fruit stands and tried some sweet mangosteem and rambutan.
By recommendation from a friend we day tripped to visit the synchronized fireflies of Kuala Selangor. Before the firefly park we made a stop at Bukit Melawati, also known as Monkey Hill, to feed the Silver-Leafed Monkeys and Long-Tailed Macaques. Though we felt these guys seemed more like the Wizard of Oz monkeys in manners and appearance, minus the wings and spiffy vest. After demanding their sweet rolls and veggie sticks from the tourist they scattered off into their respectable groups to sleep it off. The sun began to set and it was our turn for dinner before the firefly show. Just after dusk we make our way down the dock to see thousands of twinkling lights flash in the mangroves along the river. It looks like Christmas as the trees blink in unison. Nobody is quite sure why this rare activity happens but some believe it’s related to diet, social interaction, and altitude.


Next day we head up to Batu Caves, where the Hindu deity of war is worshipped and the bizarre festival of Thaipusam occurs. As an act of devotion to god, worshipers are to carry some kind of burden and many will pierce their skin, tongue, and backs in order to carry the weight. Supposedly the more pain one endures the greater merit he will earn with the Gods. While no mutilation was going on while we were there, we noticed some Hindus had shaved their hair off and painted it will a yellow paste.



For our last day in Malaysia it’s off to the country’s most symbolic building that has appeared in several feature films. No longer the tallest buildings in the world after 2004, they are however, the tallest twin buildings at a staggering 1,482.6 ft and 88 floors. While we didn’t get to ride up all 88 floors we did make it the 41st for a walk on the skybridge. Later, we walked around the park below and watched the stainless steel ribbons light up in the night.