We’re in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, right now – just a quick trip. We’ll be back in Indonesia on Tuesday.
Immediately after I published last week’s collection of pictures, we went to Prambanan. Here’s the post with most of the shots, if you haven’t already seen it – Candi Prambanan.
On Monday we experienced our first earthquake – a 4.2, apparently. I found it quite exciting until I turned around to look at Rachel, whose face was as white as a sheet. 20 minutes later she was investigating earthquake survival methods. I thought it was a little bit extreme but she assured me it was necessary.
We also went apartment hunting again. The place we’re staying in is fine, but we realised we could find a better one for cheaper.
The problem with apartment hunting is that we have to walk from place to place. Anyone who’s been to Yogyakarta will understand the problem here. The pedestrian paths are, quite frankly, non-existent. Everyone either drives or rides a scooter. Why on earth would they develop paths?
We take our life in our own hands every time we walk anywhere. The roads are intensely busy. Obviously walking any distance in 32C heat and 100% humidity also brings its own challenges, like a massive sweat-fest.
We found a nice little place in the end.
On Friday we travelled to Semarang before flying out of there on Saturday morning. The bus driver had a death wish. After 4 hours on a wooden seat, with no air-con, and where smoking was permitted (even the driver was smoking away), I was ready to throw myself off the bus.
Eventually we arrived at our hostel – the freakiest place I’ve ever been to. A man who looked like he’d be called Igor was working there. His vacant stare, constant sweat-on, saliva running down his mouth and lurking tendency made us feel…uneasy.
The fact that the hostel turned out to be some sort of empty warehouse led us to believe we might not make it through the night. When Igor’s mother turned up, I was convinced we’d walked into some sort of Norman Bates, Psycho scene.
Again, we survived, and finally made it to the fantastic city of Kuala Lumpur. We’ve done the usual tourist things, went to the park, visited the Petronas Towers, and went to the shopping areas. We also visited the worst tourist trap ever, Kuala Lumpur Tower. 45 RM each to go up a lift, look at the city through glass while jostling with Chinese tourists, and then wait 15 minutes for the lift back down.
Lake Gardens park in Kuala Lumpur is fantastic. We saw some monkeys. I love monkeys, I’ll get one as a butler in a few years. You can read about it here: Monkey butler. I will not be hiring these primates, however, as they chased after me for getting too close – can’t blame them, really.
I looked over to Rachel and she’d already hauled-arse half way down the path when they turned on me. Thanks for the back-up, darling.
An almighty thunderstorm is upon us right now. Our plans to visit the Traders hotel and take some sunset shots of the city will have to be put on hold until tomorrow.
Petronas Towers
Petronas Towers at sunset
Tall builings Kuala Lumpur
The view from KL Tower
A park in Kuala Lumpur
Primates not fit for butler job
Cute deer
Haunted Hostel
We're a couple who have been on the road for several years, as teachers, travellers and house sitters. Jimmy is a writer, photographer, trainer and language learner. Rachel is a lover of fitness and cooking. Join more than 10,000 others who follow their journey across strange lands. 
