Ramadhan
Trip Start
Sep 03, 2004
1
26
44
Trip End
Dec 22, 2004
Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
Wednesday, November 3, 2004
After reaching the bus station in KL, we went across the road and checked into the first hostel we came to, after looking at the rooms of course. That first night we just took it easy, watching the film Dodgeball, the funniest film we've seen in ages. Then after a lie-on we headed off into the manic city of KL. Our destination was the very impressive Batu Caves, on the outskirts of the city, which we reached by bus. What I've said about inter-city coaches doesn't apply to buses within the city, for example, air-conditioning seems to mean the doors being left open on the bus while it's moving.
The Batu Caves are a Hindu shrine, and they're visited every year by thousands of Hindu pilgrims from all over Southeast Asia for a festival when they pay tribute to their gods, repenting and giving thanks for thepast year. Some pilgrims do this by putting hooks through their backs or spears through their cheeks, I'm sure some of you have seen this on the Discovery Channel. Thankfully self-mutilation was not on the day's itinerary when we arrived. There were actually very few people about, which meant we were able to have a proper look around the caves, once we'd made our way up the 273 steps and past the not-so-shy monkeys. We'd stupidly bought peanuts to feed the monkeys, but that resulted in about thirty monkeys following us, and once the peanuts ran out, some of them tried grabbing our bags in search of more food.
"Dance For Me!"
Before we'd actually made our way onto the steps, Jillian was nearly attacked by one of the monkeys when she tried to get too close, which showed her its full set of teeth and ran at her! So, obviously she didn't enjoy a load of monkeys at our heels all the way up the 273 steps!Once inside the caves, it was like we'd entered another world. The caves were so high and dimly lit, and there were beautiful Hindu statues everywhere and chanting from small temples. It was like something from the film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Jillian even got annointed by a Hindu priest, straight to Confession for her when we get home.
When we returned to the city centre, we were starving, and instead of searching around for food we'd both like, we took the lazy option of McDonalds - the first time we have done so on our whole trip, may we add! What a strange experience we had there. We sat down and started eating at about 6.50pm, then realised upon looking around us that we were two of only a few people eating their meals in the packed restaurant. Everyone else had their meals infront of them but werent touching them, we then remembered that it was Ramadhan, when Muslims fast from food and liquids during the daylight hours. Once it hit 7pm though, the pop music in McDonalds was turned off, and the Arabic wailing from the nearby mosque could be heard, obviously signalling sunset and the end of the fasting period, then everyone tucked in, drinking first, then slowly eating their meals.
Archway at Batu Caves
And we Christians think we have it tough giving up chocolate or whatever for forty days during Lent. I dont agree with Islams teachings, but you have to respect the devotion Muslims have to their faith.When we'd finished our meal, we decided to find the Petronas Twin Towers, which wasnt difficult as they're the tallest buildings in the world. We reached them after a 45 minute walk across the city, and what an amazing feat of architecture they are, two big lumps of steel and glass, but beautiful. Jillian has been to New York before and seen the World Trade Centre and the Empire State Building, but it was the first time Andy had seen anything like this before, and was absolutely amazed at the height of these buildings. Standing directly underneath them and trying to crane my neck back far enough to see their top was nearly impossible.
We stayed around the towers for about half an hour just gazing at them, and taking photos. Afterwards we headed back to our hostel for a well earned rest after all that walking, and of course we were up earlyish again the next morning for another long coach journey. The theme tune to the 80s TV show The Littlest Hobo is ours for this trip, but were having such an amazing time and wouldnt have it any other way, well when you're a backpacker on a budget you've no choice :-)
