Day 58 – Kuala Lumpur

Oct 25th

Batu Caves
I got everyone out of bed at 9:30AM by means of the water hose in the shower. After grabbing a quick “American” breakfast of green tea lattes and banana chip muffins at Starbucks, we headed to the Batu Caves, which are about 13km north of the city. We pulled up to this large, expansive square with smaller temples, shops, shrines and restaurants along the borders. Looking over it all, a huge, gold-covered statue stood in front of the entrance of the caves. Since the holiday of Deepvali (called Dewali in India) was approaching, the area was very festive with blaring music, flowers strewn everywhere and people preparing the temples. We climbed the 272 steps to the cave entrance, although it took Sara and I longer than intended since we were asked to stop and take pictures with about 10 different Chinese tourists. Inside the caverns had huge vaulted ceilings with the small, glowing shrines of the Sri Subramaniar Swami Temple buried in the limestone walls. Monkeys gathered on the walls and shrines and climbed on tourists who looked like they had food.

Dhivaya’s Cafe
We retreated from the blistering sun to Dhivaya’s café for some vegetarian Indian, including white rice, dahl stew, cucumbers, other spicy chutneys all on a large green banana leaf. I made the mistake of ordering a durian and seacoconut smoothie. As Goldie said it “Tastes like throw up on ice.” The fruit, which distinctly tastes like garlic, is absolutely disgusting and even banned from certain hotels. Hotel Malaysia had a “No Durian” sign in the lobby for fear of making the place smell. Afterward, we headed back to the KL Central Station courtesy of a cordial Indian lawyer who had seen us getting ripped off by taxi drivers and decided to help. It was a very interesting car ride, seeing as he explained the ethnic tensions among communities, poverty and education system in Malaysia.

Train to Butterworth
Once we got into the station, we grabbed to-go sandwiches and boarded the 8-hour train back to Penang. Just outside our windows, we saw the golden-green paddy fields, swaying coconut trees, canopies of rubber trees and oil palm fronds. Otherwise, we passed the time fooling around and chatting. I did Goldie’s hair in a number of ways for fashion show that she put on for our train compartment. I offered to feed the toddler behind us sugar, but the group didn’t think that was a good idea. So, for about three hours I borrowed Becca’s Lonely Planet guide to Japan and planned a whole, week-long adventure! Eventually, at midnight our train pulled into Butterworth Station and we raced to get a taxi back to the pier, since the last tender left for the ship at 1AM. Fortunately, we met Sandori Clause (driver who looked like Santa!) and he made sure we got back on time! Falyn sat in the front and discussed education with him, while Goldie and I passed out in back seat. All I heard from the conversation was that Santa learned to write by drawing in sand with his finger.

Highs and Lows
My “high: was being driven home by Santa Clause! My “low” was thinking I could handle a Durian smoothie.