Day 2

Day two in Kuala Lumpur ... or KL as the pros say. And we're pros ourselves now, because we know the way to get to the Batu Caves very well (we remember: yesterday we were already on our way to the caves, but it wasn't meant to be).

During multiple transfers, Michi takes stock: she said there are hardly any solo female travelers like us. That's true. But you see veiled women much more often, because the multicultural state consists of 65 percent of people who belong to Islam.

Thankfully, we don't feel the need to kiss anyone on our way to the caves, because as we learn, it's prohibited on the trains. Just like smoking, which can mean 2 years in prison.

Wow... we've arrived at the pilgrimage city... and we're impressed. There's already a colorful temple on the way to the caves. The rest can be found in the caves - after climbing the stairs. Speaking of stairs: there are 272 colorful stairs leading up to the caves, and the ascent is worth it. But before that, I have to rent clothing for my legs... like many people before me. And from now on my legs itch... whatever is in that cloth, it likes my lower body.

In front of the stairs is the largest golden Murugan statue of 47.7 m height. Murugan is the deity of war and victory of the Tamil ethnic group. Once we reached the top, we could admire the temples, which are well-visited by the Hindus, and talked to some people who explained to us, for example, why some children have a gold-white paste on their heads. To make a long story short: it's supposed to bring luck on all life paths.

And of course... there are also many pigeons and monkeys living in the rock formations, who (don't) appreciate the visit.

Already in Bali, I developed a great disgust for a certain smell that you constantly encounter on the streets. My assumption back then was that it must be something rotting.

Quickly, I understood back then that it is a fruit: Durian.

I never dared to try it. Today, Michi got an ice cream with the flavor of the fruit. And she convinced me to try it with the words: maybe it doesn't taste as bad as it smells. But what can I say!? It tasted even worse than it smelled🤢🤢🤢 I was done, and had to eat something sweet to overpower the taste.

Afterwards, we decide to visit the Petronas Towers. What are they?! The towers were the tallest towers in the world from 1998-2004. Nowadays, they are only the tallest twin towers in the world. We enjoy their view from the park opposite. But then our stomachs start growling, the Indian restaurant (https://www.tripadvisor.com.my/Restaurant_Review-g298570-d15771194-Reviews-Malabar_Palace_Bukit_Bintang-Kuala_Lumpur_Wilayah_Persekutuan.html) yesterday was too good and the heli-lounge (a rooftop bar) only opens at 5 p.m., so we decide to have a spicy Indian meal first... even if that makes our backs sweat even more...

Otherwise, the dice have been rolled... I'll be driving us out of the city tomorrow with the rental car we'll have from tomorrow. Left-hand traffic, Malaysia, big city, heat - it's going well... that also applies to my sweaty fear, which I'm already developing today. But we'll read up on the traffic rules in the evening!