Malaysia Photo Diary: Petronas Twin Towers

Day and Night at the Petronas Tower
*with a throwback from 10 years ago on the bridge connecting the two towers

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Little by little one travels far.

~ JRR Tolkien

Malaysia Photo Diary: Genting Highlands and Chin Swee Temple

Genting Skyway - Resorts World Genting - Chin Swee Temple

 

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"Travel is better with friends."

Malaysia Photo Diary: Walking Around KL

So it was our first day to go around Malaysia and all was swell. We walked around the city and took the train and bus to reach different parts of the city. So after going to Batu Caves in the morning, we had lunch then headed to the Freedom Square where the big "I Love KL" can be found. Taking photos was very easy and organized. There was a line and each group was allowed a few minutes for picture taking. Adjacent to the "I Love KL" spot is a huge field (Dataran Merdeka) where people can have picnics. And across the field was the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which houses the Malaysian Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture. The architecture of the building was really impressive. I could just stare at it the whole day. At the other end of the field was the fountain and across the street was the Cathedral of Saint Mary (which we did not visit anymore). We then headed to some malls in the city and then to the Central Market to get some souvenirs. It was a very tiring day since it was also unbelievably hot but it was also a nice way to experience Kuala Lumpur.

And oh, we went to the Petronas Towers as well. Will have a different post for this one. :)

Sultan Abdul Samad Building

Dataran Merdeka

Empty train station

We were lucky this train was quite new

Malaysia Photo Diary: Thaipusam Festival

It was very timely that the Thaipusam Festival (last weekend of January but the actual holiday was February 3) of the Hindus coincided with our trip to Malaysia. Of course, one must visit the Batu Caves, which is about an hour away by train from Kuala Lumpur. Thaipusam is a Hindu holiday where the Indians pay homage to Lord Subramaniam (also known as Murugan). Some carry jars of milk on their heads and they climb over 200 steps to reach the temple in the caves.  They do this as a form of penance to cleanse away their sins. We didn't go up anymore as the line was extremely long and it was really crowded. The whole area were full of Hindus and tourists, several tents were erected on the sides that sell various Indian snacks, art works, accessories, clothes and other stuff.

On the square in front of their god, people just left their footwear everywhere since they have to climb the steps barefoot to keep the temple holy.

It was interesting that we were able to visit the place with all the hustle and bustle but I think it would also be nice to go back on a regular day where there's peace and quiet.

Hanuman, the monkey god

The tallest statue in Malaysia: Lord Muruguan 

The stairs behind the Lord Murugan has over 200 steps that will lead to the cave.

See all those slippers? And the ones in the plastic bags are not garbage, they're more footwear!

Some Hindus with jars of milk atop their heads.

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If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.

– James Michener

Somewhere new for 2014: Bangui and Pagudpud

I made it my goal in 2014 that I should go somewhere new every year. I thought that this should be an easy feat since I've been everywhere since after graduation. Come first week of December 2014 and I still haven't been anywhere new! Good thing we had an Ilocos trip scheduled before Christmas (I actually just tagged along). Now, I've been to both Vigan and Laoag before but I've never been up, up north. So hello Bangui Windmills and Pagudpud. 

I was really impressed with the windmills because they were GIGANTIC. And it's so amazing that they can generate power. The wind was so strong the waves were actually big and scary. Sand was also flying everywhere so taking photos was a challenge. I had to tie my hair because loose hair = chaos. 

Pagudpud was an ok beach for me. Coron still tops my list. Debris was along the beach although there were staff cleaning the shore from time to time. Didn't take a dip in the sea though as the water was very, very, very cold. According to the locals, it's the amihan season for November-December that's why it was so windy and extremely cold. I also got to try the zipline which really scared me (if you read my previous posts or if you know me well enough, you'll know that I'm TERRIFIED of heights). But it was really worth it. A portion of the zipline was above a forest on the side of the cliff and then the rest is above the ocean. It was marvelous and I really felt like flying (for a minute only since the experience was very fast).

Taken with an iPhone 6 plus. Love the colors.

This photo and all succeeding photos taken with a Samsung S5. 

Super windy. My hair was flying everywhere.

Pagudpud

Zipline which scared the bejesus out of me.

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"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."