Chapter 3: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur (translates to muddy city) is the capital and largest city in Malaysia.
KL Population: 1.6 million.
The greater KL region population: 7.2 million
Languages spoken: Malay. English.
60% are Islam, 19% Buddhist, 9% Christian, 6% Hindu and 3% Confucianism/Taoism.

3.43 Ringgit to $1 U.S. Dollar

I loved our HOSTEL: Paradiso Bed&Breakfast (2 days $10/night)
These are some of the employees at our hostel having dinner together in the lobby. Pretty obvious it's a great environment. They were so helpful and although we were only there 2 days, they called me by name.

Coconut Drinks are everywhere.
























Merdika (Independence) Square.



















It was smoking hot in Malaysia but on top of that we got stuck in a big rainstorm. We decided to stop running around the city and go to a movie.



















The Masjid Negara is the Malaysian National Mosque in KL, Malaysia. I took a picture of the dress code that was posted.
























Masjid Negara
























Masjid Negara
























Climbing the steps to the Batu Caves with FATTY ankles.
























Tanier and I tried to do a jump shot in every country, but due to my medical condition (water weight) I don't have one in Malaysia. Here's T in all her glory!
























The Batu Caves is a limestone hill, which has a series of caves and cave temples. The cave is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is the focal point of Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia. At the Hindu shrine inside, they performed a ceremony with us. Notice the red, white and yellow paint on our faces.
























Cynomolgus Monkeys are all around the Batu Caves. This particular monkey made eye contact with me and then shook the lamp post like crazy. These are not cute monkeys, they bite and they were mean!
























Stop sign outside the Batu Caves.
























We're not in Singapore anymore. What's with the garbage pile?



















Beautiful, fresh flower necklaces sold everywhere on the streets.



















City Street sign written in Malay.
























An Indian girl that sat next to me on a long bus ride. I couldn't stop watching her, her eyes are so beautiful!
























Street performer. Can you imagine putting that gold glitter all over your face and hands?
























Adorable girl and mother that we bought snacks from.
























When we left the Batu Caves, school was just getting done so kids were everywhere. These girls were so cute, laughing and teasing each other in Malay. I didn't understand a word, obviously, but kids are cute everywhere you go!
























Walking down from the Hindu Temple, I saw this father and son. I'm pretty inconspicuous when taking pictures, I can't help but snap photos of locals. Does anyone understand the paint symbolism?
























Locals using a typewriter on the sidewalk. Classic.



















The Petronas Towers are magnificent, especially at night. The Petronas Twin Towers were the tallest buildings in the world until Taipei 101 was completed in 2004. The tallest building is now Burj Dubai which was completed January 2010.















































I never expected to travel to Malaysia, but was excited for the chance. However, this is the ONLY thing I'm likely to remember about Malaysia: SWOLLEN ANKLES hiking up to the Batu Caves. (See the bottle of water I'm carrying? I was nervous to drink it, for fear it'd all land on my ankles)
























Second Favorite Photo of all: Swollen Ankles walking around town...




















Elevated Swollen Ankles on the bus...



















Having a hard time walking on Swollen Ankles around the Petronas Towers.



















Taking a taxi back to the hostel early because my FATTY ankles were holding back the group. After 4 days of swollen ankles, I was starting to think they were permanent.



















I didn't get a picture of a door in Malaysia, but I started taking shots of phones.

























Hole in KL.



















Heading to the airport to catch our early flight to Phuket, Thailand. Good Bye Malaysia, I might not miss you...or the fat ankles I experienced here.



















We spent a few uncomfortable nights in airports. How else can you guarantee to make a 6AM international flight? T, I love the Taipei Marathon Towel made Blanket you got there!