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Published: March 27th 2016
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While we were in the Kuala Lumpur area we had planned to go and visit the fireflies at Selangor an hour's drive away. We had planned to get the local bus ( local as in ' hot and uncomfy') to Selangor and stay one night as it would be difficult to get back the same day as the trip involved a boat trip along river after dark.
By chance we were invited to a B B Q at a backpacker hostel, Travel Hub, one night in China Town. While we were there we discovered they had a trip organised the next day to see the fireflies and also visit an elephant sanctuary. Noor, the organiser insisted it would be very difficult to arrange it ourselves and we should join them. At a reasonable price too. We agreed and went off to cancel the hotel we'd booked at Selangor.
Next day after a free breakfast at Travel Hub, nine of us set off. First stop was to see the house of the Prime Minister. A bit more grand than 10 Downing Street.
Then onto the elephant sanctuary, after watching a video about how the elephants are losing their habitat to
palm oil plantations we went to feed the one's they had rescued with sugar cane then had to watch as the elephants performed tricks for us!
After that it was bath time. We all stood on a platform at the side of the river and the elephants were led into the water and began rolling around. They really loved it and their keepers were very gentle. Noor, our leader exclaimed " oh oh! Bombs away!" As one elephant put up its tail and excreted huge common balls that floated off in the water. Unperturbed, the keepers ducked and dived completely under the murky water. Then it was time for the tourists to bath the baby elephant. Naturally I declined!! The four American girls on our tour went in however, fully clothed! Luckily there was a shower room to clean off in after! I had wondered how the mini bus would smell if they'd had to keep their clothes on!
After a late lunch we went to a hot spring for a dip before travelling to Selangor to see the fireflies. It was already getting dark as we hit the main road then... Stop. Terrible traffic. It was the last
day of the school holidays. We began to worry we may not get to see the fireflies, Noor reassured us we would. If she made a promise she always kept it. She phoned through and asked the boatmen to wait.
We eventually arrived around 10 pm and were loaded in fours onto tiny boats on a dark, very fast flowing river. The boat was then rowed quietly along and we all remained silent in order not to disturb the fireflies. Very soon we came to trees alight with hundreds of them. They were flashing on and off in unison looking more like a Christmas Tree twinkling in a dark sky. The boat man was very considerate and took us very close to the trees with most in and stopped a while so we could gaze in awe.
All too soon it was time to return. We arrived back at the hostal in KL around 11.30 pm. promising to meet Noor in the bar the following evening. Shed been a great laugh on the trip. The Americans had a 9 am flight to Borneo the next day meaning they'd have to be up around 4am. Rather them than me, it had
been a long, tiring day but we'd all had a great time.
Oh just one thing. No photos of the fireflies, it wasn't allowed but we sneaked one without flash but it didn't come out.
I think we just about covered everything here in Kuala Lumpur so will be moving on shortly back to a bit of laid back island time.
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