Our first day in Kuala Lumpur.

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Well, we just made it through out second night in Kuala Lumpur which was not difficult considering the hostel we are at is called Back Home. I would not consider it like back home but they do think of everything. The beds are really comfortable and everyone is genuinely nice. No wonder it was rated the number one hostel in Malaysia. However, we wanted to stay another night but there is no room; they are booked up. We are now trying to decide if we should move on or try finding another place to stay.

Yesterday, we went to the Batu Cave and Cave Villa. We were awed by the Murugan statue that greeted us at the front which happens to be the tallest in the world. Apparently, the faithful make a pilgrimage to the Batu Cave in January/February and push wooden sticks and other items into their skin to show their devotion. There were photos of this event inside the cave. The challenge for us was climbing the 200 plus steps to the cave. We were up for the challenge and very motivated at first but had to stop and catch our breaths after a third of the way up. Very steep! Adding to the excitement were the monkeys hanging out there. I was particularly awed by them until they started running toward me while chasing eachother. I started running the other way in fear. It was humorous but scary all in one. The Cave Villa was unlike any other cave I have been in with psychedelic lighting and a plethora of reptiles. For some reason, they have made the Cave Villa into a sort of reptile zoo with tank of after tank of different species to view. The odor was putrid and some of the animals were in cages too small for them. It was a bit sad and I was upset with myself for spending the money to go in there.

After returning to the hostel for a much needed break, we ventured out for a bite to eat and a look around Chinatown. Chinatown is festive at night with many overhead lanterns, food carts, and hawker stations. They were selling knock-off purses, watches, shoes, etc. Macayla was interested in a Louis Vuitton bag, but they were poorly made. I understand they were not real but the stiching was terrible and some of them had been glued together in sections where the glue was coming undone. We ended the night with some delicious Chinese food and headed back to the hostel.

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Photos

Murugan Statue
Macayla and the statue. To the left of the statue are the steps leading to the cave.

Monkey on steps.
The monkey was trying to get water from a water bottle that had been dropped on the steps.

Steep steps.
Man carrying boxes on his head while climbing the steps.

Fish massage.
Fish feeding on Macayla's feet.

Comments

[Jeff Mendoza]

Great pictures. i think it is great yous go on these trips every year. looking foward to reading more of the blogs and the great pictures.

[Darby]

Flying Monkeys
as I read your post I was LOL seeing you running from the monkeys! love you ya'll be careful

[Suzanne Bergstol]

Love your blog
Love reading your travel blog. You always make me feel like I am right there. Monkeys scare me. They are so damn smart. I would have ran too. Love to you both. Be careful