We leave richer country travel experiences for when our pockets will be slightly fuller. So we cross the country quickly with some brief stop in Kuala Lumpur.
We are back to Muslim country, which we tend to appreciate a lot. Even though hitchhiking is unpopular here as people say, we risk.
We surely had to wait couple hours at the border when Thai crew finally collected us. Familiar warm and relaxed atmosphere. After a hundred kilometers or so we again on the highway. Before we raise the hands, a massive minibus stops to us. Drivers – excellent English speakers. Another advantage of hitchhiking – you might get a decent intro to a country.
Malaysia is one of Asia giants, and even the richest Arab countries sneakily observed how previous prime minister Mahatir bin Mohamed managed to rapidly raise economical growth. Petroleum and palm oil are one of the biggest elements in the economic game. It also a producer of 3 main car models, so in the streets you mainly see protons, naza or perodua. Only those who can pay 300% tax for the posh image of owning foreign cars. Petrol costs only half a dollar, so no wonder why families own not a single car. Anwar, our new courchsurfing friend laughs ‘my dad has got a car. My mom owns one too. and so my brother. I need one too’
Proton - viena iš kelių mašinas gaminančių kompanijų. | Proton - one of the few car makers here.
Our spontaneous guides are still excited what a good idea was randomly stop and collect us over a cup of Malaysian coffe and pau (white bun with the coconut filling) continue to talk. Malaysia – a constitutional monarchy, but sultan (the chief ruler) is being elected from 9 sultanates for a period of 5 years. The last one Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah regained the throne after 45 year period and became one of the oldest sultans in Malaysian history.
Kuala Lumpur
Our helpful friends could only drop us at the suburbs of the capital. We haven’t had a chance to exchange money. ‘This money won’t make us rich’ told they and we already have train tickets in our hands.
We are in the main train station. People are in a hurry. It certainly a capital-rush-mood. Only few Muslim women enjoy bargaining over some colourful clothes. Already here you can already observe the people ethnicity proportions in this country. The majority Muslim Malayan, but there are lots of Chinese and Hindu people too. It seems that Arab merchants brought Islam into this previously hindu country, and lots of Chinese were invited for construction works.
Langas pro mūsų buto langą. | The view from our flat's window.
The station uproar has to end – we need to reach our couch-surfing friend Anwar. After some random detours we finally waiting to be picked up. Meanwhile we are observing local restaurant behind-the-scene episodes. Rats are freely strolling around whilst the cat lazily waiting some food to be dropped by cheering customers.
Soon we arrive to his apartment compound. There is a blue swimming pool near the local cafe. ‘You can have a swim if you want too’. No second invitation was needed – the following evening we’ve been floating there till our lips got blue.
We had a lovely dinner. Through his apartment window you can see Petronas twin towers. They are the highest twins in the world. Tomorrow we got to visit them.
The wonder in the capital
Poros valandų ėjimas pro Kuala Lumpūro rajonus centro link. Net ir painiausiuose kampeliuose turėjome savo švyturius - centro dangoraižius. | A few hour walk through Kuala Lumpur suburbs towards the centre. Even in the trickiest corners we had our guides - city center skyscrapers.
Even if the civilization is clear and comfy, we manage to somehow complicate our matters. But we love it too. Instead of using public transport to get to the twins, we decided to walk there. If you see them, it means you can get there. The road was not without some obstacles. The suburban districts with unclear little roads. We crossed the Chinese quarters and bought a yellow watermelon which we soon consumed in the neighbourhood. Strange nostalgia returned to us – things were familiar here. Chinese type houses, incense smells, tiny Buddhist temples.
After playing hide and seek with the twin towers, we finally got there. Have to admit, the height is impressive. Nothing higher we have had experienced before. You lift your head until it becomes hard to breath. Camera can hardly embrace the view.
Team LT.
We visit the neighbouring shopping mall with some posh boutiques. We wonder around there with our sandals and shorts, and bottles of water in our hands. We certainly didn’t match the glossiness of shop windows or elegant customers. We discuss about simplicity and quality.
In the evening Anwar wants certainly to show us Petronas twins in their night attire. It actually looks more impressive than in the daytime.
On the way to Indonesia
Trains are cheap here, so we get one and head towards the port. Unfortunately no hitching here been involved. We need to get to Dumai – a specific port in order to get visas. The ferry is going to be only tomorrow. Our vague dream to stay in quite a comfy waiting room with some locals collapsed. The building is going to be locked. ‘Maybe we can crash on those wooden benches nearby?’ we bargain. The security guys sound helpful. We only cannot exit the area if we agree to stay here. Deal.
In the morning together with an ocean of locals, their suitcases and packets we stream to the ferry. Around 4 hours to reach Sumatra island.
