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2020 Travels
Malaysia

February 5 - 8, 2020

Below: Kuala Lumpur is home to the tallest twin towers in the world. From Tower One, you can see the beautiful detail of Tower Two up close and get great views of the city. It was pouring rain when we were on the observation deck.







Below: At the Royal Selangor Pewter Factory, Jamie got a lesson in the art of hand-made pewter chalices.



Below: Talented artists hand-painting silk garments at the Jadi Batek Design Studio



Below: We visited Batu Caves during the annual festival of Thaipusam. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees marched nine miles barefoot (in 95-degree heat) from Kuala Lumpur to the temple in Batu Caves. Many of the marchers carried kudams (milk pots) on their heads to make milk offerings at the temple. Others carried giant, ornate headresses.







Below: This man celebrated by impaling his back with thirty-six fish hooks and dangling small kudams from the hooks. People were bowing at his feet as he blessed them.



Below: This man pulled a large alter with ropes and twelve large hooks pierced into his back. It is said that these marchers are in a trance, do not bleed, and feel no pain.





Below: At the end of the march, everyone climbs the steep staircase - past the huge statue of Lord Murugan - to the entrance of the caves. The Batu Caves themselves are beautiful. There are several colorful temples in the caves with chickens, lots of monkeys (long-tailed macaques) and the fragrance from incense offerings.









We enjoy seeing different cultures and traditions and Malaysia offers a lot. Next stop: Vietnam.