18 September – Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

Having arrived in Kuala Lumpur late afternoon of 17 September there was no time to do anything constructive that day. I did not want to stay in a bunk room with three others so paid extra for a separate room, not huge, in-fact it was smaller than a prison cell (and I do know what one looks like as when I was working I did visit prisons as part of the job). We stayed in the Classic Inn where the staff made up for the shortcomings of the room by being very helpful and cheerful with there being free tea or coffee all day. For once there was a seating area that could be used and no rats about the place.

The following morning it was out early with Seamus and Derrick to the Kuala Lumpur Tower which has a viewing deck that is actually higher than the viewing bridge of Petronas Tower, the highest tower in Asia. I did not go up the tower as I do not like heights but gave my camera to Seamus to take photographs. The view was not very good due to pollution and this was so for all the mornings that we were in Kuala Lumpur.

Views of the city

From the KL Tower we walked all over the place, not quite lost but kind of lost at times. We agreed that the city was one for cars as where we were walking there were no facilities for pedestrians (no pavements). Also the signposting of sites of interest was very poor as one had to be just about on-top of them to find the signs for the sites. Needing a rest we went into the Police Museum which was more than interesting and a good place to visit. There were plenty of exhibits of the past police function in the country and the police that were in there looking round as well all made us feel welcome. No photographs were allowed to be taken inside the museum.

Armoured Wickham Trolley used from 1953-60 for patrolling and guarding the railway track

GMC Armoured Personnel Carrier BB8724

The butterfly park was just across the way so we looked in there as well. There did not seem to be many pretty coloured butterflies there but perhaps they were hiding from me.

Various Butterflies

Deciding to be adventurous we took the train to the Batu Caves. The train was very clean, had no rubbish lying around and no graffiti anywhere. Some carriages were for 'ladies only' and the railway staff patrolled them and made the men move, even if they were with their wives. There were also signs indicating what was not to be carried on the train. One sign indicated that 'improper behaviour' was not allowed with the picture of a couple kissing being crossed out. Some on this trip should take notice of this and behave properly as they are in a Muslim country .  

The inside of the train

The caves are in a limestone hill which is a series of caves and cave temples and takes its name from the Batu river which flows past the caves. The caves are the most popular Hindu shrine outside India and are dedicated to Lord Murugan.

Views of the Batu Caves

The Monkey God

A statue at the entrance to the caves

The steps up to the caves

Inside the caves

Inside the caves

A shrine inside the caves

A shrine inside the caves

The face on one of the carvings

A shrine inside the caves

Monkeys at the temple

                        

The Petronas Towers, or Twin Towers, were the tallest buildings in the world until surpassed by the Taipei 101 Tower in 2004. The Petronas Towers are still the highest twin towers in the world and I went to see them in the evening. Nearby was the Public Bank Building and the KL Tower so photographs of these were taken that evening as well.

The reflection of the Petronas Twin towers and the Public bank building in another building across the street

The Petronas Twin towers

                                                                           

The Public Bank Building

The KL Tower in the daylight

The KL Tower at night

The KL Tower taken through a tree with coloured lights hanging from the tree