My husband wanted to take some photos of the Petronas Towers. Which meant heading to the 'Sky Bar' at the Traders hotel.
They have great views of the Towers
And do a mean cocktail
But I would worry about having too many as there's a swimming pool right in the middle of the bar.
We also stumbled on a fab resturant The Apartment in the Ground of the KLCC park right next to the amazing dancing fountains.
I had a gorgeous Fresh Seafood Jambalaya it was, as per the norm by now, incredibly spicy. I had it accompanied by a lovely tiger beer to wash it down.
I had a gorgeous Fresh Seafood Jambalaya it was, as per the norm by now, incredibly spicy. I had it accompanied by a lovely tiger beer to wash it down.
The other half had a Steak Salad, I didn't get to try the salad part but he gave me a bit of the steak and it was cooked to perfection
The rest of the day was a lazy blur, well after a couple of cocktails and a beer in the hot sun it was hard to get enthusiastic about anything more than a dip in the pool :)
This has got to be one of the most amazing days of the trip.
We booked a tour to visit the elephant sanctuary located about 1 and a half outside of KL.
There was four of us on the trip myself and my husband and a lovely German Couple Thomas and Sandra. The baby stayed with the mother in law for a day of being spoilt and general mischief-making.
On the way to the Elephants we stopped again at the Batu Caves as the other half of our group had never been. So I donned my hired skirt and climbed the steps for a second time. This time was actually a lot better as it was so early the steps were still in Shadow which made it easier going and I was also prepared for the wildlife (i.e. the Crazy Monkeys).
The caves themselves where a lot more livelier as the week before none of the shrines where manned and it looked like they were clearing up after a big festival. This time there were Hindu religious monks (That probably the wrong analogy so apologies) around and one of them blessed me.
I think it really important to experience other religions as that is the way to get a better understanding between everyone.
The caves were still as beautiful and the Monkeys still running around like the own the place which I suspect they probably do.
Then a short trip down the 200 steps back to the van and off to the Sanctuary.
We arrived just in time for a spot of lunch which they provided on site.
It was a basic mean of Chicken, Rice and Egg which seems to be the staple of Malaysian cooking. Even though it isn't anything too fancy I really like it and plan to replicate it on many occasion back in the UK.
During lunch our tour guide told us a bit about Malaysia and the make up of its people. Its 3 Main group Muslim Malays the biggest group, followed by the Chinese Malays then the Indian Malays. There are also a few tribal group scattered through the rain forests.
He also talked about the countries biggest export which is now Palm Oil and that is why the Sanctuary is there. As they plant more Palm Oil plantations they are cutting down the Elephant's natural habitat. Then because they have not habitat the go on to the plantation causing damage. So the team at the sanctuary help relocate elephants to the Malaysian National Park. (This was explain further in a video we had to watch).
It one of those tough decision, Trade and industry vs. nature and environment. As palm oil can now be used as a fuel substitute, it is cleaner that Oil/Gas so in one way helping the environment. But to get the Oil you need to destroy the elephants home in turn hurting the environment. At least they have a relocation plan and are not just killing them off which is a good thing I suppose.
Although they kept pointing out how underfunded they were which was making the task difficult, I think is the worst part as I know they palm oil industry is making a lot of money so it would be nice to see more of that money go to help these beautiful creatures.
Any who, after the video explain what they do - Relocating Animal when they can and when they can't as they are orphaned or injured they train them up to help them with the relocating. Elephants can help with the heavy lifting they also provide comfort to the wild Elephants as being captured and chain can prove very stressful for them. It was so sweet in the video seeing the working elephants help calm down a captured one with a couple of reassuring trunk strokes.
We got to visit and feed the baby elephants. This is a lovely experience and I highly recommend it. On site you can by Peanuts, Sugar Cane and Banana to give to them.
We got some Sugar Cane and Peanut and went to see them.
They are so gentle and at the end of their trunk is their finger that scoops up the food and deposits it, in their mouths.
It seems the big they are the rougher their skin is when getting food. As the baby were a lot softer than the older ones.
After feeding the little one. It was a short walk down to the lake to watch the older working Elephants get their daily bath.
They looked like they were having tonnes of fun and probably much needed as it was another very hot day.
After they had their daily scrubbing by their handlers we were taking to a show area to see how they help the rescue team out. I though this was a bit unnecessary and slightly to staged. I suppose it help to explain more what they do but I found it a bit crass.
After they'd finished with their show we got to feed the bigger elephant with fruit. They are really majestic and stunningly beautiful creatures. You can just see it in their eyes. I think they are far more intelligent that we give them credit for.
After the big ones had gone back to their forestry habitat, out the back, it was time for the little ones to take a bath and we got to join in.
OMG I cannot state how amazing that was. It is one of those experiences I will remember for the rest of my life.
I even stole a cheeky Kiss with Daryl (The name of the Elephant)
We then proceed to wash him but I think in the end it was us that got more of a wash.
It was fantastic, brilliant, amazing, uplifting, education and over too soon. If I go back I am definitely doing this again.
Though on the way back to KL I did notice more the plantations as they seem to cover most of the landscape near the highway. Hopefully soon a balance can be struck as I really want the people and the country to do well but I also want the elephants to be okay too.
Back at base camp we packed for the following day as we where off to Singapore.
Thursday - 2nd April
As many of you know I am a member of the train gang so it seem only fitting to get the train to Singapore.
Considering how clean and lovely all the other trains I'd been on I was expecting some of the same. So the Husband, The In-laws, the Baby and myself all with first class tickets and an optimistic look in our eye boarded the train.
It was not what we expected..
There were gaps in the floor between carriages and the doors didn't shut on the train.
The canteen was not a lot better thank goodness we brought snacks. Although I have to say it really felt like we were travellers on this train. It was a bit of grit and adventure which is always fun.
Also the little one seemed to enjoy the experience, well we did have Disney Junior downloaded to our Iphones an Ipad which helped.
So Seven plus hours later under the cover of darkness and going through Customs and Passport control at Johor (meaning all the cases of and back on the train) we crossed the small stretch of water and arrived at Woodlands Station Singapore.
After filling out an visa card and passing again through customs we hopped in a taxi and mad our way to the Carlton Hotel to find our beds and get some rest before exploring another city in another land.....
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