Malaysia Diaries - Batu Caves and the city of Kuala Lumpur

     After a successful Day 1 in the Kuala Lumpur city, we woke up determined to explore the rest of the city. I dressed up in a red top inspired by the city that donned the color red - be it in the Chinese temples, the Chinese lanterns, the mall decorations, restaurants, kebayas and the list goes on.

6. Batu Caves

How to get there:
Train is best option if you do not have a car to drive around the city. We took a taxi to the KL Sentral Railway Station to board the KTM Komuter train to Batu Caves. There are trains to and fro Batu Caves every 15 minutes between 6 AM till 11:30 PM. You could buy a ticket online or pick it up at the station itself for as cheap as 4 RM.

Batu Caves is one of the most distinctive site to visit in Kuala Lumpur - easily accessible by trains. You need to climb 272 steps to get to the awe-inspiring natural caves! 272 steps!! Yes, It almost gave me cardiac stress!! Needless to say the climbing of steps was worth the effort as the mesmerizing beauty of the natural caverns blew me away. The cave houses the world's tallest Murugan statue - the 140ft high statue took almost 3 years to construct and was unveiled in the year 2006.

Lord Murugan and the 272 Steps

Inside the Caves

7. Masjid Negara - The National Mosque of Malaysia

Our next destination was Masjid Negara (at a walkable distance from the KL Sentral Station). We were given purple colored wardrobes - abaya - as we entered the mosque. A walk inside the mosque is a feeling out of this world - it almost felt like I was on my Haj pilgrimage. The mosque has a capacity of accommodating 15000 people. The minaret is about 70 mtrs high and has 16 pointed star shaped roof opening up like an umbrella. The mosque is painted in blue/turquoise blue and white - some respite from the 'red' color.

Masjid Negara

Interiors of the mosque

Tourists clad in purple abaya

8. Islamic Arts Museum

Located adjacent to the Masjid Negara is the Islamic Arts Museum,  a source centre for Islamic studies and beautiful showpiece for the best artisanship with Islamic books, replicas of Islamic architectural collections, traveling exhibitions and a gift shop for those who would love to adore their home with Islamic art and crafts. What struck me were the many unique inverted domes built inside the museum and the lovely roof carvings - like the one you will see in the photos below.

A replica

Inverted Dome

The holy Quran

Inverted Dome

9. Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower

Menara KL Tower I am told is the 6th tallest communication tower in the world - with a base for experiences including bungee jumping, Adventure, Culture, Food and Nature. Most importantly, I loved the breath-taking view of the Kuala Lumpur Skyline at about 270 mtrs above the ground from its observatory deck - an experience I will cherish all my life.

Menara KL Tower

KL Skyline view from the Menara Tower

10. Putrajaya

Putrajaya is the administrative capital of Malaysia taking over from the city of Kuala Lumpur and comes across as a modern city with progressive infrastructure and is also a hub for Technology companies. The streets are elegantly designed with a European feel, and the government buildings are a blend of modern cum Islamic architecture.

Malaysia Diaries - The city of Kuala Lumpur

    

     As the all-girls vacation beckoned, my excitement had no limits. It was a dream come true - a holiday with the Amigos for a week in Malaysia!! I still cannot believe how we dreamt about turning a fantasy vacation into a reality which almost became an item in our bucket list - especially after watching a hindi flick 'Zindagi na milegi dobara' which means you will not get to live your life twice. Whew - bollywood sure does inspire you :-)

Su and her hubby picked me up from my humble abode to drive us to the BIA. As we bid him goodbye, Su and I landed in KL at midnight to be greeted by humidity and of course our best friend S and her hubby at the airport. We couldn't stop giggling, laughing, chatting as we met and drove down to Puchong where S lives with her cute little family. Puchong is one of the most peaceful residential locality I have ever seen. We have traveled back and forth to Puchong a zillion times since then that I know the address by-heart and can even say it out in my sleep :D

A quick chai before we hit the sack that night as we had an exciting itinerary awaiting us the next day. Woke up to meet the cutest Junior S the next morning. He is simply adorable - the ever smiling gorgeous baby I have ever met. S is the first one among us to have got married and to have a baby. Junior S sure is precious to all of us. Leaving him in the safest hands of his papa, we headed out to explore the KL city. Kuala Lumpur was an experience to cherish -  and not to mention, it was total fun and frolic with the two best friends for company.

How to get there:
Keep a tab on the AirAsia.com for some really excellent deals - especially the popular Friday night deals that last only for a few hours before getting sold out. We booked return tickets from Bangalore to Kuala Lumpur on Air Asia for just $185.

The GO KL City Bus: The air-conditioned pink-colored GO KL City buses ply at every 5-15 mins interval cruise two circular routes covering many of the main sight-seeing attractions in the heart of the Kuala Lumpur city operating between 6:00 AM till 11 PM. Click here for the routes

Here's my list of 10 things to do/must-visit places in the KL City:

1. Suria KLCC and the Petronas Twin Towers

Our first destination - Suria KLCC -  a premier shopping centre at the base of the Petronas Twin Towers. The mall hosts one of the trendiest shopping outlets and given we traveled during the Chinese New Year holidays, the mall was fully decked up with the traditional red Chinese lanterns to floor the visitors. We quickly strolled the mall before heading out to witness the world's tallest twin buildings - the Petronas Towers. I just could not get enough of the twin towers. You could just sit at the lawn gawking at this majestic gigantic architectural beauty the whole day and night. Alas, if my camera could do justice to the beauty that the naked eye witnessed.

SURIA KLCC MALL

SURIA KLCC MALL INTERIORS

Traditional Chinese Lanterns adorning the SURIA KLCC MALL

PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS

2. Bukit Bintang

We boarded one of the Go KL City buses to our next destination Bukit Bintang - one of the most acclaimed must visit destination in the city that is centrally located and easily accessible by public transportation. Bukit Bintang is the ultimate one-stop place which boasts for all sorts of dining, entertainment, shopping, attractions, nightlife, glamour, premium malls, specialty outlets with young bustling crowd thronging the place. Bukit Bintang has plenty of places to eat which caters to a whole range of budgets. We explored almost everything here including the night life.

Monorail

Foot Massage Parlour

Chatime Galleria

Chatime Galleria

Pavilion Mall

A Bukit Bintang Restaurant

Manhattan Sea Food

This was yummm ;-)

Malaysia is truly a food paradise

And more seafood

Bukit Bintang at night

The Pavilion Mall

BUKIT BINTANG

3. ChinaTown

Our third destination for the day - China Town symbolizing the rich history and culture of China. Accessible by the Go KL City buses, China Town is apparently known as the area that never sleeps and is far more colorful, crowded and bustling than KLCC or Bukit Bintang. It's main market area, the Petaling street is undoubtedly a place where you can find all sorts of stuff and more importantly imitation goods at bargainable prices. You should not miss the Chinese Temple located in this area for an extremely different divine experience.

Petaling Street

Petaling Street

Chinese Temple in Kuala Lumpur

Chinese Temple

Candles at the Chinese Temple

Joss Sticks at the Chinese Temple

  

Spiral Incense sticks

A devotee at the Chinese Temple

4. Central Market

Our fourth destination - Central Market - a centre for Malaysian Culture, Heritage, Art and Craft.  Established in 1888 as a wet market, Central Market continues to be a prominent landmark even today. Kasturi Walk an outdoor pedestrianised lane running alongside the main Central Market building is lined with kiosks and stalls, adding a vibrant ambience to the Central Market Kuala Lumpur shopping experience. I went berserk hunting for souvenirs and Chinese dresses for my little niece.

Central Market - Kuala Lumpur

Kasturi Walk - Central Market - Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian Kebaya

Souvenirs at Central Market - Kuala Lumpur

Central Market - Kuala Lumpur

Masks at the Central Market - Kuala Lumpur

5. Dataran Merdeka in central Kuala Lumpur

Our final destination for the day - Merdeka square (walkable distance from Central Market) - It was here the Union Flag was lowered and the Malayan flag hoisted for the first time and has been the usual venue for the National Day parade. The Merdeka square is surrounded by mesmerizing architecture, Islamic architecture to be specific. You will be amazed at the unique architectural style of the Masjid Jamek, Sultan Abdul Samad building, Royal Selangor Club, St. Mary's Cathedral, Textile Museum, Wisma ekran and the KL Railway Station to mention a few. What caught my attention were the cute street lights decorated with red flowers as you can see in one of the images below.

You will find the remaining 5 must visit places in the KL City in my Malaysia Diaries-2 in the following post.

Until then, Selamat Tinggal..!

Work work work work work and more work!!

Are you alive? A question my friends/colleagues have been asking me these days. I have no time to eat, not enough time to sleep, I have forgotten what weekends are, I have not spoken to my friends in the last few weeks, I have no time for water-cooler moments at work, I do not know what the world has been upto in the last few days, no time for news articles, blogs, facebook, twitter, I had not read newspaper until this morning, I am always rushing - rushing from home to work - work to home for calls/meetings/deadlines, I do not have time for my green tea, I am lost, exhausted, frustrated, irritated, bogged down, boy - I am in a mess!!

So what changed my world you would ask? WORK WAS NEVER THIS CRAZY!! I got a new demanding job and a difficult boss at that.

Can I complain enough?!

Let the packing begin

Travel Docs  ü

Address list  ü

Cash/Credit  ü

Itinerary  ü

Maps  ü

Backpack  ü

Camera  ü

Smartphone  ü

Toiletries  ü

Jeans  ü

Shorts  ü

Tops/T-Shirts  ü

Sunglasses  ü

Accessories  ü

Jacket  ü

Scarves  ü

Shoes  ü

Socks  ü

Flip-Flops  ü

Wet wipes  ü

Bath Towel ü
Innerwear  ü

Earplugs  ü

Water Bottle  ü
LOADS OF EXCITEMENT ü

A picture has spoken!!

     Very recently a certain someone happened to read between the lines of a caption on one of my images captured in  California a couple of years ago. I was very pleased as the message intended to be conveyed through the picture was comprehended, serving it's purpose.

A picture speaks a thousand words they say and I am glad this image did just that. However, I was pleasantly surprised as that certain someone has hardly known me and yet got it right, BAM! I couldn't but smile with glee. It is amazing how little things like these can put a smile on your face, and a sheepish one at that :P

Oh bloggie! If curiosity is killing you, here's the image. Go figure!!

Peace - where art thou?!

I went on my year’s first photowalk yesterday after months and I must say it was so refreshing. It was scheduled in the evening at the Lalbagh in Bangalore. Lalbagh is a garden spread over 200 acres of land that also houses a lake and the very popular glasshouse where flower shows are held bi-annually drawing crowds in millions. Bangalore is hailed as the garden city and Lalbagh is one of the reasons for it.

Away from the polluted air and the noisy traffic, I joined my fellow-walkers at the hillock to embark on the journey. As we walked, I met a few new joiners buzzing with great enthusiasm as well as caught up with some old friends too. The theme of the walk was to tell a story with the help of a collage of images captured from the walk. I still I am to create the collage but for now, sharing an image from yesterday that symbolizes peace that I am in search of these days.

New Year Resolutions

Dear Bloggie, 

     Do you believe in keeping New Year resolutions? Or are you one among those who resolve to forget what they had resolved? Don’t you worry; I used to be one among those whose resolutions did not even last a week.

2011 and 2012 were actually the years when I almost fulfilled all of my resolutions. You see, I am only growing as an individual with time. I have come to believe it is important to maintain some sort of discipline in pursuing your personal interests/goals; so much so that the resolutions almost became a bucket list of things to do in my smartphone diary that I review every month and record my accomplishments against each one of them. Yeah I am much more organized these days, thanks to the technology.

     My secret of keeping resolutions is really simple. Take one step at a time. Move gradually, and once you’ve established some consistency, it is time to revise your goals.

You have no idea what it feels like when you take a stock of your performance against your resolutions to find you have met your expectations, almost. I am happier today than I probably was.

So what does your bucket list look like?

The Oscar Winning Moment

     I would like to thank God, my parents, my siblings, my friends, my cat, my camera, my laptop, my smartphone, facebook and finally the Bangalore Photowalk group from the bottom of my heart and blah blah blah. As cliched as it sounds, I cannot in my wildest of imaginations dream of reciting this.

But yes, the moment did arrive. Not once but twice in a year. Compelling enough to share with you dear bloggie. Not being modest, but I sincerely believe I have just begun and have a long way to. And this sure is highly encouraging. I am but only humbled.

How would you as an amateur react to winning a photography contest you had participated just for the fun of it. I bagged the second prize of $500 cash for a picture of a woman shot in the middle of a busy commercial street in Bangalore on a bright afternoon last year. This street houses some henna artists from the state of Rajasthan who've made the street their homes. They make a living by carving intricate henna designs on the palms of women & children shopping there. While all the artists were busy at work, this particular woman caught my attention as she seemed deeply lost in her thoughts, despaired and yet had not lost hopes. They say he who has never hoped will never despair. So dream on and one day you will get there. This clearly became the theme of my entry in the contest too. This image will now be used for advertising & promotion campaigns by a multi-national IT company. I feel so proud.

My second claim to fame arrived at the end of the same year when I was informed one of my images got selected by the Bangalore Photowalk group to be featured in their Desk Calendar for 2013 in the category of Street photography.The image is an abstract of a collection of the then made pots placed under the sun for drying. 

I still remember this was my first ever photowalk with the group in February last year and I was happy, excited, nervous and apprehensive of walking with a bunch of total strangers in the pottery town. And today, I have proudly placed the calendar at my workstation intending to draw my colleagues’ attention just so I can brag about my achievement. Purely kidding. But who does not like a wee bit of attention?!

I hope to pursue photography this year too with an additional focus on DIY subjects. Oh and did I say increased participation in events/contests? 

Enough said, see you at the Oscars next year.