Saturday 15th March
The British
colonials left amazing buildings in farflung places. In the middle of KL is this beautiful, magical
building, which used to be the central railway station. Here it is, barely visible through the smog:
It is so very
appropriate, with its Moorish turrets, its white paintwork. It still is a railway station, but it has
been downgraded because there is a big modern transport hub to take its
place. The Eastern & Orient Express
leaves from here…oh the romance!
When we looked out
the hotel window at dusk last night it was just like being in the middle of
Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. First they were wheeling through the sky;
then they all sat there…expectantly…
Our first task
yesterday was to go to the big transport hub to find out about bus tickets to
the Cameron Highliands. We had a lot of
trouble finding the tourist info place but when we did, it was so worth the
hunt, this way that way forwards and
backwards over the Irish sea.
Two kindly women
gently and patiently went through al of our options so that we could make an
informed choice: catch a bus for 40 ringgits*…or go in a car for 400
ringgits**… Mmm, difficult decision!
Next we went to
the ticket counter to find out about the Jungle Railway. A serious young man came and asked if he
could help. He spent ages gazing at maps
with Pete on the benches, both of them concentrating, brows furrowed. So kind, and he didn’t want any sort of
acknowledgment or recompense, he just melted off into the crowd.
We walked from the
railways station past the big mosque. It
was Friday, so there were MANY worshipers.
Thousands of them! (All men; the
women aren’t allowed into the mosque for worship, they have to kneel on the
outskirts.)
Not far from the
mosque is the Islamic Arts Centre. It is
just FABULOUS. Full of beauty and
wonder.
We were very lucky
because there was a special calligraphy exhibition, which we just loved.
I took lots of
photos…so there will be lots of calligraphy coming this way…
We also especially
loved the old books
and the porcelain
 |
| 10th Century!! |
We walked back
down the hill, past some of the old colonial bungalows, still intact.
And on the way,
off to the Hibiscus Garden. This was
very much on my list; I had been inspired by various enthusiastic people. We had loved the orchid garden in Singapore;
this would be similar, but hibiscusy instead of orchidy.
Well there were
some lovely hibiscuses. But maybe not
very many… What they did have was some very fabulous orchids!
Including a BLUE
one, how special is that!
Oh and a very naff
waterfeature…
*$13.50
**$134.00
Thanks for the calligraphy - I loved that museum too, so cool and quiet and such beautiful things. Polly and I started a collection of the very ornate street lamps and fountains - yes, naff is the word.
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