Slept very well and woke refreshed. Breakfasted on eggs (kindly left by the last tenants) and toasted bread (which was better than I expected).
Did some dithering and electronic time-wasting before setting out for a morning trip to Batu Caves. Just missed a train from Putra, so had to wait another 40 minutes for the next one to arrive. The fare was RM2 this time. Train was pretty full (and of course we had to avoid the women's coach). Batu Caves was the 5th and last station on the line which pased the old British cantonment site, and the outer suburbs of KL on the way. The limestone hill containing the caves rears up from the flat lands around, and just outside the station, a giant green Hanuman leers at arriving patrons.
The sun was bright and hot as we took a small diversion into this temple dedicated to the monkey god where the local hindu population were partaking of their temple visiting rituals. Behind the temple, a grumpy man was selling tickets to the 'Ramayana cave', burrowed into the foot of the cliffs. We decided to skip this attraction.
Temples, an art gallery and a performance space divide the wide pathway from the cliffs. We followed the crowd along the path. Indians in their temple visiting best, tourists taking selfies and a gaggle of children following their respective parents made up the throng.
The giant gold statue of Lord Murugan greets us, standing to the right of the daunting triplicate flight of 272 steps leading to the 'Temple' or 'Cathedral' cave. A chap at the base of the steps told us we must remove our shoes to climb the stairs. I guess we must have been specially chosen, because many other fold were indeed still shod. The climb was hot and sweaty work, even when the cliffs shaded us from the sun. During rest stops we observed the numerous macaques chowing down on the largesse of visitors. Some of the food no doubt stolen by the sometimes aggressive monkeys. One grabbed a woman's scarf as she walked past, and hissed and bore its teeth when denied. I also spotted one enterprising individual cradling a drink bottle. And yes, he was drinking from a hole bitten in the base!
At the top of the stairs we walk beneath a colonnade, surmounted by a pantheon of gods to a huge cleft, an inverted V which punctures the hilltop. Polychrome temples are scattered among the rugged walls. Water drips through the limestone, making puddles on the path. Minuk decided to put her shoes on.
After the long walk down we stopped for a well earned coconut drink. No requirement for sweetener. We watched the vendor risk defingeration as we swiped bottom and top off the coconut, opening it with a viciously sharp hatchet.
We took the train back to Putra, En route we were afflicted with a very lout English gent in the seat just in front of us. He just went on, and on, and on and on, talking at the top of his voice to his travelling companions opposite. As is always the case, it was not a very interesting conversation either.
Finally were released from purgatory, and walked down past the Putra World Mall which is currently being renovated, to the Chow Kit district, where we went in search of lunch. We'd given the Hyderabad Restaurant a miss when it began to rain, On the corner of Jalan Putra and
Jalan .... we lucked upon a mini food court. Half a dozen small stalls shared a seating area under spinning ceiling fans. The offerings looked good and cheap, and a crowd was eating there. So we took a table and ordered. My curry laksa and Minuk's choice of dry noodles cost less than RM15 with drinks. The cooking was so good we bought takeaway char kuey tow from another vendor for breakfast.
Rested through the afternoon, then set out to see the Petronas Towers close up. Took the train from Putra to the grand old Kuala Lumpur station, and after the odd wrong turn, found our way via a covered walkway to the elevated Pasar Seni LRT station. Along the banks of the Klang River the graffiti artists of town have set up an extensive gallery of their works. Tickets to KLCC were RM2.60 each. The train runs underground most of the way.
Exited at KLCC inside a mall. Out into the street to see the twin towers virtually right before our eyes. Plaza in front of the towers rather too small to encompass them.
Lots of folk taking pictures depicting them holding u the towers, dangling one from each hand. Also many selfies
Dewan Philharmonic Hall between the towers. Foyer's floor design makes one dizzy.
Suria KLCC mall like all the others we have seen. Nice views of the towers across the lake in ?? Park. Tried to find the elevated walkway to Pavilion Mall, but took the long way around out of the park.
Lots of western outlets in the central food hall of Pavilion. We chose a Chinese restaurant away from the bustle. Had a very fine meal of Chilli Tea Chicken, Golden Honey BBQ pork and kangkung belacan. We thought we'd never finish it, but managed to prevail. Cost was RM81 - probably equal to what we have paid for all other meals on the trip to date!
Taxi back home cost just RM7
Did some dithering and electronic time-wasting before setting out for a morning trip to Batu Caves. Just missed a train from Putra, so had to wait another 40 minutes for the next one to arrive. The fare was RM2 this time. Train was pretty full (and of course we had to avoid the women's coach). Batu Caves was the 5th and last station on the line which pased the old British cantonment site, and the outer suburbs of KL on the way. The limestone hill containing the caves rears up from the flat lands around, and just outside the station, a giant green Hanuman leers at arriving patrons.
The sun was bright and hot as we took a small diversion into this temple dedicated to the monkey god where the local hindu population were partaking of their temple visiting rituals. Behind the temple, a grumpy man was selling tickets to the 'Ramayana cave', burrowed into the foot of the cliffs. We decided to skip this attraction.
Temples, an art gallery and a performance space divide the wide pathway from the cliffs. We followed the crowd along the path. Indians in their temple visiting best, tourists taking selfies and a gaggle of children following their respective parents made up the throng.
The giant gold statue of Lord Murugan greets us, standing to the right of the daunting triplicate flight of 272 steps leading to the 'Temple' or 'Cathedral' cave. A chap at the base of the steps told us we must remove our shoes to climb the stairs. I guess we must have been specially chosen, because many other fold were indeed still shod. The climb was hot and sweaty work, even when the cliffs shaded us from the sun. During rest stops we observed the numerous macaques chowing down on the largesse of visitors. Some of the food no doubt stolen by the sometimes aggressive monkeys. One grabbed a woman's scarf as she walked past, and hissed and bore its teeth when denied. I also spotted one enterprising individual cradling a drink bottle. And yes, he was drinking from a hole bitten in the base!
At the top of the stairs we walk beneath a colonnade, surmounted by a pantheon of gods to a huge cleft, an inverted V which punctures the hilltop. Polychrome temples are scattered among the rugged walls. Water drips through the limestone, making puddles on the path. Minuk decided to put her shoes on.
After the long walk down we stopped for a well earned coconut drink. No requirement for sweetener. We watched the vendor risk defingeration as we swiped bottom and top off the coconut, opening it with a viciously sharp hatchet.
We took the train back to Putra, En route we were afflicted with a very lout English gent in the seat just in front of us. He just went on, and on, and on and on, talking at the top of his voice to his travelling companions opposite. As is always the case, it was not a very interesting conversation either.
Finally were released from purgatory, and walked down past the Putra World Mall which is currently being renovated, to the Chow Kit district, where we went in search of lunch. We'd given the Hyderabad Restaurant a miss when it began to rain, On the corner of Jalan Putra and
Jalan .... we lucked upon a mini food court. Half a dozen small stalls shared a seating area under spinning ceiling fans. The offerings looked good and cheap, and a crowd was eating there. So we took a table and ordered. My curry laksa and Minuk's choice of dry noodles cost less than RM15 with drinks. The cooking was so good we bought takeaway char kuey tow from another vendor for breakfast.
Rested through the afternoon, then set out to see the Petronas Towers close up. Took the train from Putra to the grand old Kuala Lumpur station, and after the odd wrong turn, found our way via a covered walkway to the elevated Pasar Seni LRT station. Along the banks of the Klang River the graffiti artists of town have set up an extensive gallery of their works. Tickets to KLCC were RM2.60 each. The train runs underground most of the way.
Exited at KLCC inside a mall. Out into the street to see the twin towers virtually right before our eyes. Plaza in front of the towers rather too small to encompass them.
Lots of folk taking pictures depicting them holding u the towers, dangling one from each hand. Also many selfies
Dewan Philharmonic Hall between the towers. Foyer's floor design makes one dizzy.
Suria KLCC mall like all the others we have seen. Nice views of the towers across the lake in ?? Park. Tried to find the elevated walkway to Pavilion Mall, but took the long way around out of the park.
Lots of western outlets in the central food hall of Pavilion. We chose a Chinese restaurant away from the bustle. Had a very fine meal of Chilli Tea Chicken, Golden Honey BBQ pork and kangkung belacan. We thought we'd never finish it, but managed to prevail. Cost was RM81 - probably equal to what we have paid for all other meals on the trip to date!
Taxi back home cost just RM7