I used to remember that I would start an article with an interesting observation. But nowadays I would start an article with a complaint. How times have changed. Never thought settling in Singapore would be this boring. Ok, maybe the increase in work load has something to do with it. Maybe I miss the American culture such as the OJ trial, Late Night with David Letterman and Star Trek series. [And how I hate those people in the Straits Times review movies that are not even showing in S'pore. And Joe of Class 95 radio saying all these things about movies that he has seen but no one in S'pore has.] Or maybe getting attached and stopping going to those SDU activities has something to do with it. Or those expensive beers are really starting to get on my nerves. But in any case, now the honeymoon period is over, it's time to consider other alternatives.
Enough of my complaints, let me introduce you to Kuala Lumpar or "Muddy estuary". By now, you must be wondering about the title. Well, if you ask any S'poreans, they will tell you that the foods are better and cheaper up north in Malaysia. I just happened to have the opportunity of having a few "working lunches" up in KL. By all means, it's not a easy task. First, hop on the cab to the airport and clear the immigration takes at least an hour. It takes another 40 minute flight into KL. Then of course, 2 hours for lunch. After a few chops and returning to S'pore, the whole day is shot. And this is excluding the horrendous KL traffic. But tasting the food makes everything seem worthwhile 8-)
KL is not a particular exciting place to visit. Unlike Japan and Taiwan, the after work ethic doesn't include dinner and drinking. But they do have a long lunch break on Friday. Well, at least for the Muslims. And most people do not drink because of the Muslim religion. In S'pore, Muslims are allowed to have 4 wives. Someone once told me jokingly that each extra wife represents one prohibition - no pork, no alcohol, and no eating during fasting months. I guess that everything evens out and there is really no free lunch 8-)
There are quite a few interesting sites around KL. Batu Cave is a one of the famous limestone caves located east of KL. It's one of the largest and it's famous for the Hindu temple that is built at the very top of stairway. The legend has it that each step climbed can repent for each sin. This meant that I have built up my "sin allowances" for the next few years 8-) To me, Batu Cave was disappointing since I had so much expectation. A group of people from my previous company gave a presentation on KL a while back. I always had this "mystical" view of KL until I experience it for myself. Maybe I should have gone up to Genting to do some gambling like most S'poreans do just to get the entire experience. Since I have never won at Atlantic City, maybe being at the other side of the world will give me some good fortune 8-)
There is the National Museum with the traditional Malay architecture. Too bad we missed the skull of the elephant that derailed a train and the "contraption" for a man run amok because of the recent renovation. The exhibit on different cultural marriage customs in M'sia was pretty interesting. There are also several nice photo opportunities around KL. Locations such as the Rail Road Station, the Supreme Court, the National Mosque and the Planetarium are all great for capturing some nice memories. Also at the Planetarium, it was a learning experience to find out there were lots of Muslim astronomers that I have never heard about. It's so different to look things from another culture's point of view.
Central Market and Chinatown areas are great for food and shopping. It's the only place I know that I can get Hard Rock Cafe T-shirts of every Asian cities. Talk about one stop shopping 8-) Counterfeit tapes and watches are also prevalent here. A copy of the "Outbreak" only costs about a few Riggits. The other thing that astounded me was the twin towers that are going to be the tallest buildings in the world by next year. It bothers me that these cities in Southeast Asia such as Jakarta and Bangkok are building these glorious and magnificent buildings while other things such as their transportation and utility infrastructures are in shambles. Maybe privatization is the answer to all the problems. Money is omnipotent in these regions 8-)
Well, not everything in this trip was blissful. Received a really bad cold while I was there. It also felt funny checking in to one of the cheapest hotels in town while wearing business attire and carrying a labtop. Attacked by troops of mosquitos while watching tapping of rubber trees. Actually, I was too busy keeping the mosquitos away to see how the rubber tree was tapped. In any event, the city of KL has the potential to become a bright spot in Southeast Asia region. I just hope the infrastructure will keep up with it.
06/02/95
