Challenge Met

Trip Start Dec 26, 2005

285

Trip End Jan 25, 2009

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Flag of Malaysia Kualar Lumpur, Malaysia
Monday, January 9, 2006

This morning, my major challenge was to attempt to reduce my pack by 3kg. And I did it! After confirming my self-doubts, as well as talking to many other travellers about whether or not I should keep my sleeping bag, I have posted this and several other clothing items back to Australia. I have already noticed the difference... so much, that my pack (at 13kg) is very manageable. It's amazing as to how much 3kg makes a difference. Given Asia's climate, I will never use a sleeping bag. I may need extra warmth for my tour through Vietnam's north next month, but overall, I am happy to sleep in my Mummy Silk Groundsheet. For $10, I tapped into Malaysia's sea postal service which will take 3 months for my things to get back to Australia. I feel really glad that I have got my pack down to 13kg but getting it down to 10kg would be even better. Travelling light is probably going to be critical to my overall happiness in getting from place to place.

271 Steps to Batu Cave

Finding the post office was damn hard... but I found it after asking about 10 people. The major shops here are not as good as that in Singapore. They are pretty run down actually (except Petronas Tower).

After mission accomplished, I attempted to use public transport to get to Batu Caves but to no avail. After trying for about an hour, I succombed to the ease of a taxi driver. After negotiating a RM60 personalised return tour ($25), I visited Batu Cave with my new Chinese taxi friend. He was a very interesting chap with a very distinct chinese accent. He was very interested in comparing cost of things between Australia and Malaysia, and once again, he thought of me as being a very rich tourist... gees, if only he knew!

Batu Caves wasn't anything special compared to other caves I've seen in Western Australia and New Zealand. I saw monkeys, bats, a few temples and a high ceiling. Whilst in KL, I could of probably done without seeing this tourist site. Nevertheless, I had a very refreshing drink of coconut milk. The coconut was very delicious and a bargain at $1.

After saying goodbye to my Chinese taxi friend, I toured the basement of Petronas Twin Towers

A very nice monkey!

. The shopping complex was out of this world with all of the expensive brands. I was tempted to buy a Rolex watch that a tout showed me... no doubt it was a duplicate but it looked good. I also came across some very friendly people from Sabah (Malaysia Borneo), who quickly identified me as Australian. I couldn't figure it out... I asked them what it was (the clothing or shoes etc.) but no, they said it was my complexion. I still can't figure it out but they were VERY friendly and VERY interested. One of the women said how much she liked my personality without talking to me. You figure that one out!

The internet is pretty reliable here in KL... and a fair price at RM4 an hour. However, I'm writing this in Kota Kinabulu (Borneo) and the internet does not allow me to download photos... I will try to add photos as soon as possible.