Malaysia - Blend of traditionalism and modernity

Visiting another country was never in my list of journeys till 6 years back when I visited Dubai for the first time. Following this, I have visited three more countries including Malaysia. For this reason, planning, preparing for the journey and updating knowledge about the places being visited never happened. The experiences remained raw and crude, yet refined just for the cause that I have become organised again. The preparations were of booking tickets, getting documents ready such as the Malaysian visiting identity card, packing the required clothes and accessories. The travel started from Cochin, so the train booking and managing the one day travel from Trivandrum to Cochin without missing the routine activities and without delaying the arrival at airport to join the group was another difficult task. 

One of the unique part of the trip was the all ladies group travelling from India to Malaysia. The group was diverse with all age group ladies but all were from Kerala who speak Malayalam. This uniqueness was never experienced by me before. But, after the tour, I could sense more organised and flexible arrangement with more space and inclusion of our ideas too. Mostly the group resonated well with each of its members' needs and thoughts. Adjustments, compromises and ability to convey the thoughts of the group were felt throughout the tour. 

After the train journey and short stay for refreshing, I joined the group at the airport departure. All were having different vibes and emotions as they part their house, families, friends and work place for their solo journey. Some of the persons in the groups were duet who are either relatives or friends.

Even though, the schedule of visits and arrangements were informed to us, I never gave an eye to them. If ever,  I concentrate on the itinerary, I become hastened in actions, time bound and forget to enjoy the places visited. But some quick glancing through the schedule will aid in wearing the matching or right attire with accessories, getting camera or video ready for photos or vlogs and also avoiding the "not to do" part of the visits.

Day 1

There are 3 hours difference between the Indian time and the Malaysian time. We started our journey late night close to midnight from Cochin and reached the airport after 5 hours losing three hours but gaining those hours back when we return. It is almost like keeping some of our precious time as pledge or security deposit and getting them back after our journey ends.

We were welcomed by our tour guide who was half Indian- Malaysian and the bus driver with the bus for our transits. We passed the city of cyberJaya which is  comparable to the electronic cities in India, while simultaneous instructions and guidance were provided by the tour guide. I was mostly concentrating on the modern structures and the beauty of the place which were well arranged with unique buildings, gardens and other supporting structures. By the time we reached Putrajaya, the tour guide had explained most of the tour rules and also detailed on the places viewed in our transit. 

Putrajaya was the official township of Malaysia where official buildings with its attached residences are located. We had our Indian-Malaysian breakfast before we set out to explore the places. The counsellate and prime minister's building are also located here and our time to be spend in the place was limited. The greatest attraction of the place is the pink mosque, the name derived from the pink colour of the structure made of pink marble. Another uniqueness of the mosque is the permitted entry for ladies, but attired in the gown provided at the place or head covering scarf or shawl worn by us. The whole area is neat, well organised with gardens of flowers and located in the midst of the forest which is seen as a background. It was an auspicious day on the day of our visit, so we hurried up our activities of roaming around, entering the mosque and also clicking few photographs.

Our next destination was the nearby Thean hou temple, the temple of sea goddess. The beautiful scenery, serene ambience and the peaceful divinity are the most captivating aspects of this temple. The astrology point where anyone can find out what the future holds for you became crowded after one of us explored and explained the process of astrological assessment. The rotating cylindrical structure contains numbered boxes with messages. We pray with some wooden sticks of various lengths provided on the top of the box. Then, the sticks are dropped. The stick which juts out as the longest is taken out and the number on it read. The corresponding number box is opened with many messages inside it. We take out one of the message and read. Most of us received predictions expected by us. It was almost the year end with two months to complete the year. So, the predictions for the year had almost ended and many of us could relate with the previous months of the year. Those who received good messages took them positively with expectations unended. And, those who had bad predictions left their expectations of good hope with a positive note that it was just for two more months of the year. There were three deities of sea goddesses and we made offerings of prayer and incence sticks. Photos were clicked and we enjoyed the calmness and stillness blended with the cool breeze and green view around us. 

We were hurried for check-in to the hotel. I got a roommate with the same vibe as mine, maybe a little more than mine. Our talks and sharing of emotions kept moving the inertia inside me, on hold for the whole trip. After the quick procedures at the front desk, we reached our rooms, unpacked and took rest. Me and my roommate (roomy), went out for lunch and to our surprise we could eat a South Indian fish meals which was satiating as well as tasty.

There was no time for a nap. We stretched ourselves on the bed, sank in with our excitement and expectations of the tour. The attire and accessories for each itinerary and place were already arranged. I dressed up for the walk in Bukit to explore the stall, walkway and malls. 

The area was near our stay place. We took a walk from the square below the metro rail. Food Street was the first place visited. Even though, when the idea of variety food increased my appetite, the actual process of watching it prepared and served, sometimes reduces my appetite. It was surprising that this phenomenon did not happen here. I ate some of the tastiest preparations of fruits and for the second time, I tried a crab snack delicacy. The first time trial being a failure to increase my interest to try further. I thought this trial would end up the same. But it turned out to be the best food preparation of the tour I ever ate. The spices were right, the cooking or heating was right and also the sauce provided along was good. All the "right cooking-preparation-serving" matches made my aversion for crab dishes vanish.

We walked together and got inside the Time Square Mall where there are multiple walkways with diversions to reach different destinations. We took the straight path without any diversions and reached at the end of the walkway. To our surprise, we had reached the Petronas twin tower, the second tallest building and also the official building of the country. The area is adorned with fountains, gardens and pedestrian paths. We spent time clicking photos single, group and also capturing the night beauty of the place.

After few minutes, we moved on to the last destination before the night fall. We reached the Saloma bridge built in remembrance of an actress. At night the roof and sides are lit in different colours which change every second. Apart from the visual treat of the changing colours, the bridge connects a four-line highway with a small brook in between. It is an aid for the pedestrians to cross to the other side where the space is full of high-rise buildings which are probably residential.

By the end of the day, everyone was tired and grabbed on to eat the dinner provided to us. Some of the group members did not have lessened energy level and were ready to explore the night life and the fountain of life ( the blue lights reflecting on the river and fountain with light music at midnight). Me and my roomy were tired and hit the bed as soon as we reached the hotel room.

Day 2

The second day was energy-filled too, with preparations of bag for the day as instructed and according to our needs. The first destination was Genting highlands. We travelled in a cable car around 1000 ft above the sea level. There were many levels, like an elevator to get down. We got out at the second level. The journey uphill was exciting as it was my first experience in a cable car. We could view the green mountains with trees, the sky, the roads below and also few buildings nearby as we moved. The anti-gravity journey was adventurous and defied the notions we had about heights.

We took an escalator to move down from the level we got out from the cable car. The architectural design and the Cheen swee temple were midway between the first and second level. We reached the scenic point after walking over a bridge made of traditional wooden design. Here, the attractions were the temple with buddha statue and the prayer bell, a prayer hall, the statue of Genting, the photo point in traditional Malaysian royal attire and also a small path called "way to Nirvana" which led to a quiet place of emotional release and meditation.

Usually, I do not concentrate or do the rituals advised at a place and is rather caught by the arrangement, the descriptions written, other tourists' gestures and the beauty around. But in this place, my mind whispered to me to light an incence stick and ring the prayer bell, the sound of which echoed around the mountainous valley. I did vlogs and everyone posed for group photos. We tried some snacks available at the point and enjoyed the serene ambience for a while before we started off to the escalator which took us to the second level. We boarded the cable car once again and reached the highest level which was around 2500 ft above the sea level.

The highest level which the cable car took us was a township at the top of the mountains with a mall, residential apartments , restaurants and other survival activities. When I usually see human-made buildings and structures, I usually regret the fact that humans are encroaching other living beings' space and human activities are destroying nature. But, the blend of human made and natural structures and movements at this height was an example of the inclusive existence and sustenance and the scope and possibilities around them. The minimal wastes, segregation of wastes and their disposal, neatness, organised activities, eco-friendliness, maintaining the natural beauty along with moderate human activities were solely due to the natives' attitude and behaviour followed by the responsibke actions of the tourists visiting this place. We clicked some photos in front of the largest residencial building and other natural beauty spaces. 

Durian, a fruit special of this country was available in stalls here. It looks like jackfruit but had more fruity and sour taste. The pungent smell of the fruit makes it notorious among the fruits and creates aversion in humans and some animals. We got one and a half fruit for a reasonable price and shared among ourselves. We were provided with gloves and plate for eating it. I couldn't resist eating and had two and a half pieces of it.

Next, we went inside the sky Avenue Mall , a huge structure in the highest zone of the mountains. I am never attracted to malls and the same feeling built inside me on entering this one. The uppermost floor had restaurants providing food of different countries and each one of us ordered alone and on a sharing basis, the recipes of their choices. I had a soupy dish to satisfy my hunger as well as thirst. Few of us had plans to see around the place. But I resorted myself with two accompaniments and the tour guide to a corner place called "souled out". We had a drink and reached our cable car to reach the ground floor in half an hour. 

One of us had a hypersensitivity reaction to a food item consumed which was probably due to prawns as she identified. For this event, I could aid in detailing the requirement of medicine to the guide. He got a traditional medicine with the content description as told and the purpose for which it was used had matching symptom complex The symptoms of swelling and itching stopped after consumption of the medicine by her. The doctor in me never stops thinking, till I know and arrive at the intended medical outcome. By the time we reached Batu caves, her symptoms had reduced completely.

Batu caves were situated in a peculiar place inside the old, natives' habitat with the opposite side having all the modern outlook with high-rise buildings and structures. The caves are covered by creepers, climbers and canopies of old trees. The ecological blend is not limitted to the plants but also animals. Monkeys, tree civets, squirrels, dogs, cats, pigeons, crows and parrots were all in harmony with the human activities and the nature around them. I started climbing up the steps hesitantly, unsure about whether I can reach the top of the slope which flattened out to two temples in which one of the deity was Murugan-the eldest son of lord Siva and the other under construction for the Devi. But my wavering mind became calm after I reached the temples, had darsan and the payasam with green gram to eat. I took vlog, bought some souvenirs and took photos before descending. Downhill, the group was waiting for everyone to assemble for group photos and board the bus which was ready to take us for dinner and then the hotel. We spent some time in front of the prayer hall, down the hill. The second tallest statue of Muruga was covered up with sheet due to refurbishment process. Even though, the place was moderately crowded, something made everyone hang around there for some more time. I presume it could be the temple vibes with natural ambience which was different from our usual divine place experience.

I had a light dinner and prepared myself for the next day before sleeping. The emotions were still bland externally even though the excitement to see all these places which were never in my plans, was present internally. The let out of these emotional raise was expected after returning from the tour as a renewed energy and purpose.

Day 3

This day was more educational rather than adventurous. We first visited the observation deck of KLCC where many telescopes were stationed to observe the movements around the city. I explored few views from some of the telescopes and could see the buildings, the forest cleared spaces and the thick forests. Souvenirs which reminded us of this tour were available for buying. I clicked few photographs myself even though photographers were available for providing formal and beautiful pictures. The next destination was the Independent square ( Dateran madreka) where the old official structures and service buildings are retained for historical purpose. On the way, some of the buildings passed by, were of the old railway station, the printing and news press, cricket field and the National club. The detailed history and explanation to our questions were narrated by the tour guide. The other historical attractions were the brick building, flag pole and many more official structures which functioned during British and pre- British era. The oldest railway station and the rail lines which connected three neighbouring countries and England was an insightful view. Apart from those, the mud and the history of mud derived articles and structures native to the origins of the country were striking sights. It started drizzling while we were engrossed in history and that gave another beautiful experience. We, next moved to the chocolate factory, which was earlier a royal and official building. I bought chocolates weighing around 3kg. The never chocolate lover me, buying these much of them was completely self-unexpected. But somehow, the taste and aroma were different from regular chocolates. It was a tiresome morning with all the itinerary activities completed and I took some rest under a well arranged seating with umbrella near the exit of the factory. The drizzling had become slightly heavier. Rather than clicking photos, I sat still and imbibed the moments' feeling in its fullest, when my roomy, patched the deficiency of not clicking photos, by taking some candid pictures of me and everyone.

Hunger had struck me while we walked and reached the place where we were provided lunch. I ordered for a Malaysian recipe " Naseemak" a dish similar to porridge but prepared with herbs and savored by spices. The quantity was too much for me to finish and I finished my lunch with a fruit juice to waiver the forthcoming heat after the rain.

We walked past the 'River of Life' which is the confluence of two rivers Gombak and Klang. It was cleaned and rejuvenated, after it had almost died due to contamination and pollution. We could see it fresh, clean and clearly flowing nourishing the the nearby banks as well as being the source of water for the city. The shopping at central market and China market were the activities in the afternoon. I went into the central market and did a small shopping, sent a post card to my house in India and took photos with some girls in traditional dance attire. I captured a vlog too but by 1 hour, I felt sick and my body started aching badly with all the trauma associated symptoms reappearing. After enquiring the way back to the hotel which was walking distance away, I ended up walking the wrong direction. Finally, the tour guide rerouted me to where the hotel was situated. I reached the hotel room and had an analgesic before sleeping for an hour. By the time I woke up, the group members had explored the China market and few other places on the way. We all discussed our experiences over the dinner and retired to our rooms to rest well before an energy required final day.

The group, with its members were united and coordinated with its inherent diversity of needs and activities. We had our space to explore, opine and suggest apart from discussing the options for ourselves and in wholeness. There were no hassles or confusion for the entire tour. Minor concerns and medical issues were self-managed. There was time for sharing our experiences and small entertainments. Each one got an opportunity to express themselves about the purpose and expectations of the tour.

Day 4

This was the day of our return journey. After preparing our luggages, which had by now become heavier, I had a heavy breakfast as the events of the day were unsure except for those in the itinerary. We visited the aquarium, a unique and interesting one with many sea and marine creatures previously unknown and unfamiliar to me. The tunnel experience of observing the fishes around the water around us, we being in a glass tunnel was different since the types of fishes like ray fish were not the same like in other aquarium. There were also mangrove conservation and sapling promotion alongside harvesting of fish eggs and young ones of rare and endangered marine species.

This was followed by the monorail ride to the KL tower and back to Times square (Bukit). It was a varied experience with the view of the city outside. We passed the buildings, petronas tower, houses, malls, markets, streets and river of Life to reach the KL tower station. We had our lunch, the preparation similar to our South Indian dish and returned to Bukit boarding the monorail again. The kiosk for the monorail tickets and the boarding process were interesting to understand. Monorail is a transportation mode in between the train and metro which connects short distances by a rail above the ground.

Wholistically, it was a calm and peaceful journey with minimal confusions and well organised. The attitude and behaviour of the group members alongwith related and shared emotional thoughts are the reasons for a detailed but concise tour experience. The beauty of the region was another captivating aspect. But, apart from the natural beauty the adaptation of the modern ways and design with their blend with the nature were the most attractive aspects of the visual treats.