Kuala Lumpur

As our overly air-conditioned train approached Kuala Lumpur we could see the two majestic Petronas towers illuminated, rising from the skyline. We wouldn't see them up close until the following day, but we caught tantalizing glimpses of them everywhere we went.

Kuala Lumpur is a beautiful capital city, with all the glitz and splendour of Singapore, but with a rawness and a grittiness that makes it feel more real, and less surreal. Shiny metal and glass condo towers rise above pinnacles and domes from mosques featuring keyhole-shaped windows with intricate lattice-work screens, in a very interesting harmony.

We visited Batu Caves, just north of the city, and climbed the 272 steps beside the massive statue of Lord Murugan to the massive cavern and the Hindu temples inside. Naughty macaques stole snacks from tourists and brought them up to their monkey lair at the end of the cave. We watched them clamber up the rocky walls and squeal at each other. Now that the Cat Sanctuary is closed down, I think Parliament Hill could use some macaque antics. Thoughts?

Back in KL, we availed ourselves of the delectable Malay cuisine while seeking shelter from the daily afternoon deluge. Then, after being teased by glimpses of it all day, we finally got to a good vantage point to take in the full grandeur of the Petronas Towers. I've been wanting to see them for a very long time. And then after night fell, we circled around to get another look of it all lit up. I have to say, I think I like it better at night! (Though I cringe at the amount of energy it takes to illuminate it...)