New Delhi Airport- the T3 T3 was a revelation in itself- for the first time in my life I can define the word swank-plush corridors with luxurious carpets in earthy colours laid out. Automated walkways that one sees in films or on visits to the developed countries. Beach recliners to rest in and truly international. The mind was dizzy -and the heart swells with pride- proud to be an Indian. Efficient smiling immigration- feet sink into the rich carpets- altogether a WOW experience.
Air Asia.com- the low cost airline redefines what low cost is all about. A single bottle of water costs 3 ringitt or 50 rupees. When cold in the night and i asked for a blanket- i was told 35 ringitts before anything else. Our local low cost carriers cabin crew could take a lesson or two in what detached, unsmiling, robotic efficiency is all about. The girls in the cabin crew looked like Malaysian barbies- silicone injected and so very plastic.
However the flight took off 20 minutes before the scheduled departure and landed 45 minutes ahead of ETA,both ways.
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| Rangoli in malaysia? |
The culture
We were scheduled to go to the brides house to give the wedding saree. Totally, unlike the conservative malayalee, I was thrilled to note that despite having to remove our footwear at the gate and walk barefoot, the proceedings for the day was a happy mix of different cultures- mehendi, sangeet, dancing to bhangra music, malay food, alcohol- you name it it was there.Culture curry in the fullest sense of the word and very very tasty.
We went to a place called Klang. The roads of KL are wide, like Delhi, but the traffic is extremely well regulated. One would not find people jumping in the middle of the road. The driving speed within the city limits is 80 Kmph and the cars are of different origins.Its fairly common to see BMWs or Mercs zipping across alongside the home grown models. We managed to see something called Icity- which is actually a large tract of land converted to something akin a carnival flooded with lights.
Kl by the night is very different from Kl by the day.Youngsters in brightly coloured two wheelers zip across the roads. We were told that there is a lot of illegal racing and betting happening and lot of youngsters lose their lives due to the recklessness and rash driving.
The Wedding
The Malaysian wedding left us a little stunned. It was an amalgamation of tamil, kerala wedding with a lot of vedic rites thrown in.
This was our first wedding where a wedding planner has been in action. The theme was autumn - the colours used were cream and gold. Lots of Chrysanthemums and gerberas dotted the flower pots placed strategically inside the hall like an aisle of a christian wedding.Like European weddings we all had our designated places to sit.
At the end of the wedding they had the food presentation ceremony where two men came with fire torches and then put them in a cris cross fashion.The maitre de then came with the rice plate and then under the fire arc presented it to the table where the groom and bride were seated.
Malaysian tailors are far superior to our desi counterparts. The blouses that that the Indian women were wearing were deliciously naughty and yet stitched to perfection. Low backed blouse- the word took an entirely different meaning.
Post wedding- we all trooped home and welcomed the bride.Like many contemporary urban weddings, the bride and the groom then left to stay at a pre designated destination as they wanted to be left undisturbed.
The City through the eyes of a tourist
Post breakfast the whole family left in two mini buses for the Batu caves- the locals warned us of the 200 plus steps that needed to be traversed to reach these limestone caves having stalactites.
The road leading to the caves reminded me of Chennai with bright flower garlands adorning flower stalls.
The elders decided not to take the risk, and were rather discouraging when the not so young gentry in their 40s took the decision to make the trip.At the end of the stairs- none of us were really worse the wear. The steps were easy and the weather was just right. Enough has been written about the caves on the net- but the limestone formations were impressive.
After Batu we stopped at the kings palace- where I learnt of democracy in monarchy. In Malaysia the king is changed every 5 years.
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| Change of guards at the royal palace |
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| Our smiling driver cum guide of the mercedes van. |
The selection happens from different Sultans spread across the country. Impressive idea- royalty with the ordinary ideas. At the palace gates we saw the change of guards. A legacy from the Britishers I guess.
Then we went to the freedom monument- something akin to our India gate in Delhi- its a memorial for people who laid down their lives in pursuit of peace.
Well manicured lawns, rock steps,shining marble and beautiful fountains made a pretty picture there.
From there we moved to the freedom square-Medeka square- something akin to our Redfort- but with major improvements in terms of technology and cleanliness.
Then it was China town time- all china towns are the same but this one was marked with a difference. There are Bangladeshi hawkers peddling their wares with the Chinese,Indonesian and Malays. We had an authentic Chinese meal comprising of Mee Goreng a type of fried noodles wrapped in egg, Keuwtheow goreng a tossed up chicken dish in Chinese sauces, boiled Chinese veggies, Udang-tiger prawns in sweet and sour sauce. the entire meal was washed down with chinese tea- hot and cold- take your pick.
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| China town in Kual Lumpur |
The shopping experience was a disaster- we were converting to rupees and finding the same stuff available in Delhi a cheaper option.
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| Dont miss the bengali food joint |
So off we went ot catch the Petronas towers where we shopped some at the KLCC- Kuala lumpur Convention Centre. All malls are same only brands are different. It was fun browing through Prada stores, Cartier, Gucci were just some of the stores i looked around- tested a lot of perfumes- JLo, Dior, Estee Lauder to name a few.
The mall boasts of a concert hall where performing artists of the world come in to play.
Finally it was home time and we all trooped in exhausted. the senior citizens were not too happy, but I had a blast.
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| Our local hero who showed us around |
Poshness redefined Cyberjeya and Putrajaya- the industrial and the administrative portions of the malaysian government was actually an exmple of what a city where the system works looks like.
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| University at Cyberjeya |
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| Prime Ministers residence at Putrajeya |
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| Medeka square |
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| Freedom fighters memorial |
The people of Malaysia are polite, the administration has managed to make sure that the poverty and ugliness that is typical of any asian country is hidden from the eyes of the traveller who brings in forex.I saw KL not just as a tourist but also as a local and there was none of the squallor, dirt or poverty that one usually associates with a developing economy.
I was a little unhappy because people dont walk - the roads are so beautiful that one gets a natural urge to walk, but no one walks. Apparently there is a lot of crime, and we were warned not to walk.
The traffic police are equipped with powerful motorbikes and they very happily posed for us
Drinking water is expensive and scarce- one can guzzle as much beer as possible. The malays love to eat and food is plentiful, tasty and affordable. Like us. Like us again they use water and not toilet paper. Must admit that this was a serious concern with us before we left for the journey.
We have come back with some lovely memories and happy thoughts. Next time around we intend to do Langkawi and Genting Highlands- but for a starter this trip more than whetted our appetites
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| The standard food fare |
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