Thursday, May 26, 2011

A little blog binge: Kuala Lumpur in all it's glory


TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2011

To start I guess I'll rewind to KL, which was an city for exploring, eating and indulging in western comforts.  I payed US prices for a few good cups of real coffee and a latte here or there, which here is exorbitant, but if you know me, you know how I feel about my coffee. That's an expense I'm willing to indulge in here every now and again.  We went to see two movies in the cinema, a cheese ball rom-com called Love and Other Drugs and the well crafted, action packed,Sucker Punch, which I really enjoyed and would recommend if you haven't already seen it.  The music in that film is just as epic battle scenes.

As I may have answered before, we are creatures of habit when it comes to our food.  If we find a place with good food and good prices, it's likely we'll eat there at least two meals a day.  In Koh Phangan it was My Friend, in Penang it was Yaya (I think that was what it's called), and in KL it was Bakti, all the way.  



Paneer, paneer, paneer, in whatever form.  Bakti, thank you for filing our bellies with so many delectable meals.



Then there was the day that we went on the quest to find the park, and let me tell you, it turned into nothing less than an epic quest for the ages.  We managed to walk an hour out of the way, getting the grand tour of the KL highway system.  After the spins set in from the exhaust fumes, we excepted defeat and set a new course for a 7/11 where we'd ask directions, get some big waters, and refuel with a Kinder Egg (mostly out of Katy's desire for the surprise inside).  With our new directions memorized, we set off, confident that we'd find our way this time.


The journey begins

We put far to much in that tiny Lonely Planet map and our skills of deciphering it.


Katy, always dodging the camera, can't escape the fastest draw in the west.  Also, note the Kinder Egg and our new little friend and his pimped out ride.


So eventually, we managed to get so lost that it was easier just to go back to our hostel when we saw familiar landmarks, and ask them directions.  As it turns out the directions are surprisingly simple. 


Architecture in KL was as diverse as the culture.










This beautiful building is, in fact, a train station



This shrine is extremely colorful and detailed, I'm a little sad a didn't get a shot of it during the day


And a few shots of the park...once we finally got there.



A funny photo from the colorful tunnel to the park

It was green, green, green

Happy and lounging in a little hut (shot by Katy)

Katy's skills again, look at those tootsies

Our little Kinder Egg friend and his pimp mobile

The coolest playground ever




There are lights hung all around KL, making the evening scenery just as beautiful as the daytime.

And then of course, there's a few shots from the night life.  We didn't explore too far into the clubs and bars of KL cause they were a bit pricey, but we found our comfort zone in the Reggae Bar which gave special discounts for ladies 5 days out of 7 and a dance floor that we initiated every night that we were there.  You know we know how to get down.


Kiernan attack!

A little Thai Whiskey never hurt anyone

Timer shot, the three musketeers readying ourselves for a night on the town

(for my Zooey) A short, sweet red bean curd Moshi affair.


THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

I walked into 7/11 (which btw are everywhere in Thailand and Malaysia) and what do I see but some packaged moshi snacks.  I have a weak spot for the chewy sweetness that is moshi and as I was trying to decide between chocolate, peanut butter, red bean curd or green tea the choice was obvious.  With a little flash of Señor Haaaaayes (said in a Jimenez fashion) I jumped at the red bean curd moshi and just enjoyed the last one, missing my bestie dearly. 

it's a bit dark, but you get the idea


I miss you boo boo!  Send my love to the whole Philly gang.

I'm in Malaysia bitch (what???)


SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2011

This place redefines shopping malls (epic mall in Penang)

So we spent three nights in Penang and then made the move to the coolest city yet, Kuala Lumpur.  Here we are, doing our thing.  One of the most surprising things about Malaysia had definitely been the extreme diversity of people here. 

A flag? Really?

Also, there's a really extensive monorail/train system that makes getting around really easy.  Interesting cultural tidbit, there are cars just for women.  It's not like you have to take these cars if you're a woman, it's just that they have the option and only women are allowed.












Monorail-ing

Koru, part two


SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2011


Found this bad girl in Railay on the way back from the beach 

Monkeying around in Railay


FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Get it?!?!?  Cause there's monkeys.

Sometimes I find myself waaaay to entertaining.  Anyway, I said it before and I'll say it again...Railay is jaw-droppingly beautiful.  If you don't believe me, you will after you see a few of these pictures.  Limestone rock faces and aquamarine waters draw sunbathers and rock climbers from near and far.  One afternoon we took to the seas on kayaks and did a bit of exploring in the caves and crevasses just out of sight from the shoreline.  I sadly was too fearful for my camera to take it onto the sea kayaks.  I'm sure those shots would have kicked these one's butts, but you'll just have to take my word from it and try and use your imagination with the images at hand.




The walk to the beach through the stalactites







The ever persistent colorful fabrics that find themselves tied to everything





A little stalagmite catching a droplet in the same spot over and over  (aha!  She know the difference between stalagmite and stalactite)



Limestone cliffs








Whatevs, this is our life




There's a funny story behind this one and it involves an old tale about a princess that was lost in this cave.  Apparently now people offer wooden phallices (and sometimes fanta) to the spirit of the princess, which is said to occupy the cave.








Food that floats


Katy and I went for the sweet corn








And then we took a little trek up a steep and rocky slope to a lookout point that overlooked Railay.  Now that was a sight to see. 




Shock and awe at how beautiful it is



Sunset at the lookout point





Taking in sunset at low tide (Railay had the most drastic difference in tide that I have ever seen)




They had tractors to take people out to the boats, that couldn't make it up to the sea wall at low tide.