Melaka is a historic port city, Kuala Lumpur is a modern metropolis, and Tanah Rata is a mountain town. Despite the different settings, we were surprised to find that each place lived up to the country's nickname as being the crossroads of Asia. The people were Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Arab. Mosques, Hindu and Buddhist temples, and Christian churches were on the same block. Food stalls offering naan, nasi goreng, sweet & sour chicken, and hummus were lined up next to each other (and yes, we ate at them all!).
Two weeks is nowhere near enough time to peel back the layers of a country like Malaysia, but our visit did highlight the cultural, religious, ethnic, political, historical, and economic complexities of Asia. Yet again we find ourselves marveling at what a big world this is and how little we know about it.
Two weeks is nowhere near enough time to peel back the layers of a country like Malaysia, but our visit did highlight the cultural, religious, ethnic, political, historical, and economic complexities of Asia. Yet again we find ourselves marveling at what a big world this is and how little we know about it.
MELAKA
Datum Wira Gan Boon Leong, a body builder and now a politician, held the titles of Mr. Melaka, Mr. Malaysia, Mr. Asia, and Mr. Universe. Brian's working on his titles...
Those aren't baby shoes -- they're bound feet shoes. Once we get back to the states, feel free to come see our museum where you can check these out and read the story behind them.
The streets were all decorated for Chinese New Year. The building in the front right is a Chinese Temple. The tall white building in the back right corner is a mosque.
Brian at the maritime museum. Melaka was once the busiest port city in the east.
Bukit Cina ("Chinese Hill"), reportedly the oldest traditional Chinese burial grounds and the largest outside of China, dating back to 1685.
A restored building. Melaka was colonized by the Portugese, the Dutch, and the British (at different times), so influences from these countries circa 1500-1800 abound.
KUALA LUMPUR
The Petronas Towers, the 7th tallest buildings in the world and the tallest twin structure.
Exploring the Contemporary Muslim Calligraphy exhibition at the Islamic Art Museum.
Outside the national mosque.
Only 272 steps to get up to the Batu Caves. The caves, which house countless shrines, are one of the most popular Hindu sites outside of India. The statue is of Murugan. It's 140 ft tall, making it the second tallest Hindu deity in the world.
One of the many food stalls along Petaling Street, a market street in Kuala Lumpur.
TANAH RATA, CAMERON HIGHLANDS
On our way to find the world's biggest flower, the rafflesia.
Here's what it looks like before it opens (it's about the size of a basketball).
...and here's a rafflesia in bloom. They only bloom for 3-7 days so we were quite lucky to get to see two of these big beauties.
The inside of a rafflesia looks kinda scary!
Jungle Walk #3 here we come!
It was very jungle-y.
Nature's way of protecting itself. Those things hurt if you accidentally grabbed them!
Best way to end a four and a half hour jungle trek -- lots of food!!
No comments:
Post a Comment