World's Largest Hotel

We had to see what it was like to visit the Genting Highlands Resort and stay at the largest hotel in the world (7,351 rooms). Much like a visit to the dentist, or a rectal exam, it had to be endured. Needless to say it was not something we would do again, but it was fun walking around gawping at the other visitors. I don't want to cast any aspersions on the people of a whole nation (not Malaysians!), but let me just say that you don't want to get between one of the older persons and something they want or somewhere they want to go. You do not exist in their eyes and they will walk in front of you in line without batting an eye or so much as a how-do-ya-do. Or force their way off the elevator or bus no matter how far back they are. Once I realized what was what, I would sometimes move in their way just for fun.

Here is how it looked about 20 years ago. Jungle heat and humidity has aged it quite a bit. The theme park in the foreground was closed as they were building the first 20th Century theme park in the world. Apparently it is a gambling hot spot for the Chinese and those from Singapore. Lots of Indians as well, especially with their kids.

Says so right here. Sort of. The "s" and "t" are missing from the sign. As this is more than likely the most photographed place in the resort, one would think that they would be replaced asap.

 We took a bus from downtown KL up to the Genting Highlands. Once there, we took a 3.4km long cable car up to the resort. Longest cable car we have ever been on.

 This is the ABC dessert we had at the resort. It is a Malaysian national dessert. Shaved ice, beans, peanuts, condensed milk, agar cubes, some kind of syrup. Yummy! Well, Kirsty liked it.

 Saw this and don't quite know what to make of it.

 Bling-Tastic.

 The longest check-in counter I have ever seen.

 However, we didn't use it as it costs money to talk to a human. So we used the kiosk to check in.

One has to have one's passport ready when checking into a hotel in Malaysia. You even need your spouse's passport if you want them to have a key too.

 Chinese curry rice noodle for Kirsty.

Chinese prawn soup for me. They were both delicious!

 Viva Las Vegas!

 No towel stealing for us!

People sit on the ground here because there aren't very many chairs or benches for the thousands of people to rest on when not in a restaurant. The sign behind the women in the foreground asks guests not to sit on the carpet of the dry bag store.

 This is in the lobby. People wait here to check in, as it costs more money for early check-in (or late check-out). However, some people just take up seats because they can't find anyplace else to sit. We splurged on the extra $1 for early check-in, because that's how we roll.

 View from our room.

 Sunrise.

 Lots of American related themes here. Trademarks not strictly enforced at times.

 Like Superman, only different.

 Tour group lineup time.

Upstairs to the VIP Casino. There was some sort of mistake and our names were not on the list to get in.

 Some Asians have a thing for whitening their skin. And there are models with very light skin in a significant number of their ads. Also, most all of the text is in English in the malls and in the ads.

And then there is this. I have been reading up on the squat toilet that is prevalent here (about half of the stalls) and I have yet to use one, nor completely understand how to accomplish the deed and use the water hose and dry one's arse, without getting your clothes wet.
This device here is just a platform to get you in the correct position on a western style toilet.
Some folks here will lift the lid on a western toilet and stand on the bowl to do their business if a hole in a ground is not available. Go ahead, look it up!

Peace my friends.

Batu Caves

We headed a bit north of downtown Kuala Lumpur to see the glorious Batu Caves, dedicated to Lord Murugan, he of the Hindu faith. The pictures on various websites portray a beautiful well-lit 100 meter high system of limestone caves. In reality, it is a hot, humid, dimly-lit, monkey-infested, poop-stained system of caves. With pigeons and roosters too. Your mileage may vary.

 Hanuman, devotee of Rama.

 Ganesha.

 These macaque monkeys are all over the place. They are very bold and will try and take whatever is in your hands if they think it is food. It is not a good idea to feed them, but lots of eejits do anyway. We saw one jump on a lady's backpack on her back and try to take it off her. They are very attracted to plastic bags, believing them to be a source of food. There aren't monkey-proof garbage cans in the caves, so the trash is strewn all over the place from the monkeys who take the garbage out and eat it.

 His nibs, Lord Murugan. In case you were wondering, it is the tallest statute of him in the world: 140 ft high.

 Some temple you weren't allowed to wear shoes in.

 272 steps. Apparently no exposed shoulders or legs allowed by the tourists wishing to climb the steps.

 Too dim for good pictures, but since it felt like a steam room in there, I didn't really give a crap.

 Someone ruined a really cool limestone cave.

Sign on the monorail. No chewing gum or tonsil-hockey allowed.

Off to the Genting Highland and the largest hotel in the known universe!

Peace my friends!

Views From Above and Other Tidbits

We are settling into Malaysia a little at a time. Apparently it gets hot here. Fortunately, one can walk from air-conditioned mall to air-conditioned mall if one wants to avoid the heat. Not much high street shopping here as it is too hot for those with money. The common folk still have street stores to enjoy.
I wish I had a nickel (that's five cents American) for every time Kirsty got a look here by the locals, men and women. The women will glance and look away, the men are rude and stare, front and back. Kind of like walking around with royalty!

Lots of disparity in wealth here as the pictures below show.

Lots of squalor here amidst the high-rises. The gucci section is towards the twin towers, across a major road.

Tenements falling apart, more luxury apartments in the background.

 Some of the folks just throw there garbage out of the window. However, to be fair, they don't toss it on the street, just on the ledge outside the window.

Roof tops of the old shop houses. I am guessing that this is a protected area as some of them are being done up while the rest of the neighborhood is falling apart.

As I am writing this, our local mosque is doing it's call to prayer. Which, by the way, it does about 5 times a day. So we have a 5:30ish alarm clock to help us get up.

 The Mosque.

This sign on the ceiling of hotel rooms point towards Mecca, so one knows which direction to pray.

Saw this sign in a store.

Traffic is a hoot too. Drivers are always on the horn and traffic often resembles a free-for-all.

KL has a nice bus, monorail and elevated train system. There are elevated walkways as well.

 Even the locals know to stay on the traffic island until it is safe. We've had them shake their heads at us to stop and then tell us when it is safe! Speed limits are not followed here either. Lanes are merely a guide, as are one-way streets. I think the Malaysian drivers want to be like the Italian drivers!

The man in the silver van facing you (with the motorcycle behind him), has the green light. He has been snaking his way through, on the horn trying to get across. That big yellow box they are in is supposed to be kept clear unless you can make it all the way through. No one pays that any attention. The box soon clears and then...

The taxi in the foreground then proceeds to stop and leisurely let a fare out, forcing all the drivers coming at you, to careen around him at high speed, dodging traffic in the other lanes, with the horn blaring.

So there!

Peace my friends!

Out of Africa

Cape Town to Doha, then on to Kuala Lumpur. About a 20 hour trip, not soon to be repeated, if ever. To make up for it, we are hanging about at our rooftop pool enjoying the view of the Petronas Towers. As a bonus, the full moon is out too!

In case you were wondering...

Much more to follow my friends!

Peace