*Malaysia, Truly Asia!

In the afternoon, I went to the shallow pool next to where the kids were swimming. Although there's a pool attendant watching, I did not want him to pull me out of the pool and give me a mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if something happened. I really enjoyed the swim. Mostly, I was swimming on my back and sometimes just floating my way from end to end by just paddling with my hands. I really got a good tan after 3 weeks. The Sauna facility was also great because I was the only one using it. Mixed Sauna is not allowed, thank goodness.

The Government of Malaysia has this 1 Malaysia Program to keep the 3 multi-cultures in unison with each other. When the Chinese people celebrate New Year sometime in February, Indians and Malaysians celebrate with them. The shops are closed because most of the shop owners in the city center are of Chinese origin. When Hare Raya, a Muslim Holiday, comes (celebrated after Fasting period), Chinese and Indians celebrate with them. When Thaipusam Holiday is celebrated by the Hindus, the Malaysians and Chinese enjoy the days-off. Thaipusam is a Hindu celebration whereby the people in trance would be pierced with sharp objects all over their bodies. It hurts to see them do that but them, they don't feel anything. The trance devoid them of the pain.

Have you been to any Food Court? It is a place where you will really be sated to the limits just by looking at the food. We took our dinner at the Food Court. It is open from 10:00 a.m. until 10: p.m. We can choose from Vegetarian, Halal, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, Thai, Indian, Malay, American (mostly Burgers and Donuts) but unfortunately, no Filipino food. Because the area is so vast, I got lost 2 times. Sometimes, we would go down and sneak out the back of the hotel. Outside the guarded gate, there are lines of food hawkers vending their fresh cooked food. The food was cheap but we tried them only twice. Some nights, we would just take a walk to see the nightlife in Kuala Lumpur. The bars along the avenue was bustling with people. Tourists were pouring in at the break of dusk. We found ourselves having dinner at the Pizza Hut or at the Kentucky Fried Chicken.

All of the buildings in Malaysia are air-conditioned, equipped with lifts (elevators) and guarded. The guards were friendly to us especially when we tell them that we are from Europe. They gave us thumbs up. Most of them went to Europe already and they spoke also a little bit of the language. Anyway, we were looking for an affordable condominium which we most probably buy when we finally decide to settle in Malaysia. There were lots of condominium buildings to choose from, one better than the other and for heaven's sake, the prices are mind-boggling but they are worth it. There is a condominium building in the hills outside Kuala Lumpur and I feel like I am home, in Europe. I think, we would buy one unit near the swimming pool, no need to use the lift and just walk out to the pool.

There are easy means of transportation. Taxis can be hailed from anywhere but make sure that the meter is on. A few bad apples are around but 99.99% are quite honest and trustworthy. LRTs (Light Rail Transit Trains) are taking passengers round about the city. Regular trains are also punctually coming in and out of the city. Regional train fees are very cheap because the government is giving subsidy. Women have their own wagon on the train. Ladies, husbands with wives and kids can board the Wagon for Women. Men and couples must take the regular wagon. We (as a couple) mistakenly took the Ladies wagon and the police was kind enough to let us stay there.

Women have a separate wagon at the regional train to avoid misunderstanding. A policeman at the station makes sure that this rule is being followed. Families and ladies can board the wagon but not single men. Single men and couples, I noticed, took the other wagons. When single men happen to be at women's wagon, they will be quietly escorted to the front or to the back wagon. I like this set-up.

There are lots of shopping malls around. Bukit Bintang area is the most popular. Stall owners offer you foot massages, while some free-lancers offer iPhones and what not on the streets. We bought 2 kilos of ripe mangoes instead. Chow Kit is a place in Malaysia which offer cheap stuff from shoes, clothes, electronics and jewelry. I did not buy the other three but I bought a pair of sandals for 2 Eur. I did not have the chance to wear it because I gave it to my girl friend. All I have is the photo of the sandals. There is also a place called Majid Indah. It is like Little India. There are lots of gold jewelry shops and !!heavily-guarded!! on the left side if you are heading for the avenue and lots of textile shops whose owners are all of Indian origin. I did not buy because Gold price was sky-rocketing those days.

I hope you enjoyed your trip to Malaysia while reading this Lens. See it personally and visit the beautiful Malaysia. Have some coffee at the Hard Rock Cafe.