Malaysia!

---

Hi everybody,

Well, Leslie and I are sitting on a plane right now headed for Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. I guess this is our day off, although we had to get up at 4:15 AM to go to the airport and get on the plane at 7:45AM. /Anyway, we’re not running our asses off for a day!

Yesterday was another hectic one. We walked all along this street that was closed to traffic and lined with stores and shopping malls. When we got to the end, we took this ‘cab’ that was basically a box stuck on that back of a motorcycle. From the sound of it, I think the motor cycle needed a tune up and the driver was coughing his lungs out from the pollution and fumes. We didn’t get killed though!!

We checked out the Confucius Temple and the Buddhist Monestary down the block. The monestary was really nice. When you entered there was this avenue of trees leading to the temples. The temples all had Buddha went one after the other until the last one, which held the biggest Buddha of them all. It was 18 meters high above ground and 8 meters deep into the ground.

When we got done, we wandered down the street for a while. It was an interesting neighbourhood because it was more a shopping district where the locals shopped and not just a tourist trap. Finally, we got a cab and went to this park next to the Forbidden City, climbed a hill, then went through the city. Can’t say I was overly impressed with it. The place is enormous, but a real rabbit warren of streets and temples. By the time Leslie and I got to the Forbidden City, we were tired and worn out. The temples pretty much looked like all the other ones we had seen, but were a little shabbier and worn out looking.

So, although we really enjoyed our stay in Beijing, we’re kind of glad to be moving on now. Don’t know much about Malaysia other than it’s hot and tropical. It will be a adventure though and we’ll keep you posted on how we make out.

/Sandy


Having said all of that...we have our list of scavenges and are rested from our plane rides and ready to go!

However, before we were given our list of scavenges, we were given the placings for the teams based on our scavenges from the Beijing leg of the race. Mom and I are in thrid place! I have no idea how we managed to do so well, but we are very happy with ourselves.

So, what sort of exciting things do we have planned here in Malaysia? We are going to ride and bathe elephants tomorrow! Yippee! That is the biggest attraction for us, plus we have a few other things that we have to do.

This leg of the race is a little different from the last one because there are scavenges that we have to perform. In Beijing, everything was optional. An couple of examples of scavenges that we have to perform this time are:

- Visit Pasar Seni and find some wayang kuilt, batik and a wan bulan. What are they?
I have figured out where Pasar Seni is (a short subway ride away) and when we are there I am going to ask some people what the other things are.

- While in KL try the following:
ikan kukus nonya-style
nasi goreing
afternoon roti jala

These are the food scavenges. We have already tried the nasi goreing for dinner tonight. It was really good! It is a rice dish that is made with a samal chili and cooked with vegetables and shrimp or chicken. It is really tasty...and we found out exactly how to cook it and are going to bring home some of the spices.

So we are planning on spending two nights in Kuala Lumpur and then we are heading to Singapore for a night. We have a number of different scavenges that we can do. After looking at the scavenges, the best bang for our buck is super exciting...swimming with sharks! Mom won't do it, but I already told her before we left that I would totally swim with sharks if the opporunity arose. It is only a bull shark though and I am pumped to do it.

We have to hand in this leg of the hunt on Friday afternoon at the Long Bar, Raffles Hotel in Singapore. I have heard that it is a very famous bar and hotel and think that will be neat in itself. We will then find out what lays in store for us next. (By the way, we are 15 hours ahead of you)

Hopefully we can give you a couple of updates before Friday

We really enjoy your comments

Take care

Leslie and Sandy

---

Comments

[krista]

Hi!! Sounds like the two of you are having a blast! I felt tired reading some of the things you have accomplished in a short time lol I drive by the house everyday and everything seems fine. Horses were basking in the sun :) Have fun...can't wait to read more Krista

[Mary]

Go Voodoo!!
Hiya Leslie (and mom) that's a good start - big buddhas and elepant bathing.... I have you book marked and will stayed tuned in to the hunt! Beerfest tonight, hic! god bless~