Palace of The Golden Horses

Be it in full polish or totally tarnished, one of my favorite statues in Selangor, Malaysia is the horse driven bronze cart placed in front of the luxury resort, Palace of the Golden Horses. 

Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to get the detailed story behind this legendary looking beauty.

While I was trying to get a perfect shot, a Ferrari quickly entered my frame...

First I thought of deleting this imperfect shot, on second thoughts, it looked as if modern and ancient vehicles are in for a race!

Brunch @ Top of the World - KL Tower Revolving Restaurant

We planned to dine at Seri Angkasa Di Menara Kuala Lumpur (the revolving restaurant @ KL tower), several times, but we couldn't make it until recently because of several reasons! As it was a Sunday, we booked a table for their brunch buffet.

Just to get to the observation deck and enjoy the panoramic view you need to pay RM 38. Contrarily, to dine at the revolving restaurant, which is one level above the observation deck, the rate was surprisingly priced at just RM 70 per person. Since I have been to the observation deck a couple of times, I think opting to eat at the top is a much better deal for the kind of experience and the food they provide.

There was a good choice of vegetarian salads, but to be on the safe side I had requested for a vegetarian main course when we made our bookings, so I was given a plate of vegetarian Nasi Goreng (fried rice).

Though there was live music, nobody seemed to enjoy it...instead the diners were either busy watching the ever changing, breathtaking views or refilling their plates. Compared to my first experience on a revolving restaurant at Carnival Heights in Chennai (almost a decade ago), KL Tower was simply fabulous. Another bonus was that, the day was blessed with a clear blue sky and I had a chance to capture awesome shots using my cousins Canon EOS Rebel T1i!

It took about 2 hours to complete a circle, by then we were finishing our desserts.

Overall, it was memorable and I'd love to repeat it:)

Different Angle

On our umpteenth trip to Batu Caves, I was too tired to climb the steps, so I opted to stay down and do some tourist stuff. I sat down at a coffee shop for tender coconut drink, and was absently gazing at the towering Golden Muruga. My mind was racing with a lot of "if only this or that" and accidentally I raised my hands to shoo away a fly and by that angle I noticed that Mrga was just fitting in the curve of my hands!

Now, ratillator in me woke up and here is the shot...

There are many ways to look at things and our woes would become small in size when we look at things in wide angle!

Parking - A Nightmare in KL

Recently, we went to Amoda building in KL to apply for Singapore visa. Though I was used to horizontal movable platforms, this parking lot had vertical double-decker lots. After circling 3 levels, I couldn't get even a single top level lot. Warily I pressed one of the shafts so that I could park in the lower level. Now, looking at the car that stood above and the dark slanting lower level, I was scared and wanted to chicken out. But, then after lot of hesitation, I did a reverse parking successfully after 15 minutes!

After filing for our visas, we didn't want to take our car from this building as we thought that it would be easier to go to the nearby Low Yat Plaza as well. After 3 and half hours, we realized our blunder of not checking the parking charges earlier. We had to pay RM21.50!!!

Rattling to Unwind...

After a Day's Sightseeing, am itching to share my experiences, but before that I wanna unwind, and rest so that I can carry on for the next couple of days...so here goes my rattles...

Well, I have not yet downloaded 260+ photos that I took today in Kensington Palace, Thames Cruise and Trafalgar Square. In St Paul's Cathedral, there is a display that requests not take photos. I wanted to respect that request, but with much regrets. However, I saw few tourists snapping fervently, so I too followed suite and took very few pictures, that too using my hand-phone.

Here in UK, we are entirely relying on public transport. Even after buying car, I don't think I would like to take my car to Central London, because of excessive Congestion Tax and heavy parking rates. Besides, The Transport For London is quite good and mostly reliable. 

Whenever, I go to Central London, I have been watching a couple of things. Every time, I go to Overground railway stations in London and its suburbs, am reminded of Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore, Madurai and Kuala Lumpur Railway Stations. Yes, I agree that these places had British influence in the past. But, what irks me the most is the poor lighting facilities in all these stations.

The, the Underground or Tube stations in Central London is similar to Singapore Underground network. Here, the minute you enter the underground level, you can see people always moving in a great hurry, as if their whole life depended of catching that train. Today, at one of the stations, I was suddenly reminded of rats scurrying! Now, I realize what has made me to think like this:)

Especially in the tubes, always I can see young adults necking. Here, I can't understand what motivates them to behave like this.

Then, comes the basic necessity. In Malaysia & Singapore, washrooms in shopping malls and railway stations are maintained with acceptable quality and in most places, it is free of charge. As for Chennai & Madurai, there are both unpaid and paid restrooms, but you cannot expect decent maintenance. But, as for as London is considered most of the railway stations and tube stations do not have washrooms. Even the ones that has this facility, they charge, yet not in good condition!

Home Sick

I miss my friends, the hustle, heat, crazy road signs and tall buildings, the la slang, makan and everything in Kuala Lumpur. Not even a month yet, I miss my second home.

I long...

to sit in the open-air balcony at Endha Villa and sip hot tea!

I long...

to speed in my car. 

I crave...

for that yummy Chinese Veggie food, especially the butter lotus root fry...

I Yearn...

to drive through the tall buildings and beautiful landmarks...

The above picture shows the bronze statue, Palace of the Golden Horses...

Here in UK, as Spring has started, the flowers have started to bloom, I guess they would help me to chase my blues.

Eye on Malaysia

Until I went to Melaka a last week, I was not aware that Eye on Malaysia is in Melaka! We saw a signboard indicating directions for Eye on Malaysia, somewhere near Melaka Sentral (Central). First, I thought that it is one of those crazy signboards that can even show directions for International destinations from PJ!

After digging online, now I understand that Eye on Malaysia is relocated from Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur to Melaka! When my parents visited us last year, we went for a ride in that giant wheel, which was painfully slow. Well, that ride was not meant for thrill, but only for viewing the modern skyline of Kuala Lumpur.

I don't think I will get a chance to see Melaka skyline, as there is too much to do before leaving Malaysia.

Taman Tasik Perdana - Tram Ride

Several times, we have tried to locate Taman Tasik Perdana, which is in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, but the crazy signboard used to lead us in circles.

Well, no complaints. This beautiful haven hosts many other attractions as shown in the above signboard. Every time we have visited one.

This time around, only my kid and I went for a drive in that area hoping to find our way. We saw a tram ahead of us and my kid wanted to take a ride in it. So, I cut in front of the tram and asked the driver, about the starting point of the tram ride.

We got lucky. He said that the ride starts from Taman Tasik Perdana, so we just followed the driver and found our destination finally...

Taman Tasik Perdana means Lake Gardens. Even around 2.00 PM, it was cool because it is covered with canopy of trees. Now, our main aim was to take the ride. 

The fare is just 50 sen for a ride!

And it passes through all the gardens that can be accessed only by this tram or by walk.

As it was a weekday, the road ahead was deserted and we were the only passengers for the first 10 minutes.

The tram was moving at a leisurely pace, and both of us were having fun and giggling at silly things. Later a family stopped the tram near this place...they must have been picnicking here.

We crossed the lake where there were pedal boats, but again there was no sign of life there. Next, we saw this...but not sure, what kind of ride is available.

After completing the trip, we wanted to explore the place and just walked for about 5 minutes and ended up here...

We wanted to go to the Dinosaur park as well, but it was too lonely and I was not comfortable to take my daughter all by myself. May be, next time we would tag my husband along with us so that we can dare to explore more...

Solar Eclipse - Watched Live from Kuala Lumpur Planetarium

Solar Eclipse has always been a fascinating occurrence since childhood because of the mythological stories heard from grandpop and also the curiosity to watch the crescent shaped sun shadows in our backyard.

In my community, there is a wide spread belief that pregnant women should lie down in a dark room during eclipse. Further, they would be advised to cover themselves with white cloth and make sure not to toss and turn, in fact I had experienced this. They say that the solar radiation is harmful to the womb and it could leave birthmarks on the baby^^

This time, on 26 Jan 2009 morning, we checked if there are any arrangements in Kuala Lumpur Planetarium, and luckily, there were quiz programs and other workshops for kids, and of course, they had made extensive arrangements for the public to watch the eclipse. The partial eclipse is supposed to be like this:

We arrived there around 4PM and collected the solar eclipse glasses that were provided free of cost!

Naturally, I was attracted to the signboard Webcasting and Astrophotography and as usual started to chat with professionals and learned how they were doing the live webcast of solar eclipse. 

Professionals getting ready for the live webcast...

The videographer setting the angle...

When the eclipse started, generally the crowd was so excited including us. First, we watched with solar eclipse glasses, and then we took turns to view at the solarscopes and other astronomical devices. The live webcast display was good...the orange crescent was so beautiful.

At first, I tried hold the dark films provided by Angkaska in front of my camera lens to take pictures of the eclipse, but couldn't succeed. Then a gentleman helped me to set to ISO 800 manual mode in my puny Canon A540, and after that I managed to take a shot.

But, dissatisfied with this picture, I started taking pictures of eclipse that reflected in various devices!

Eclipse as seen in pinhole projector:

Reflection seen from a hand-held device that looks like a mirror...

Multiple crescent shadows, trapped through circular holes in a white sheet...

In short it was an awesome experience and had a memorable Chinese New Year and Indian Republic day!

Enchanting Peacocks

Peacocks, especially their feathers are fascinating! When in school, we used to think that the feathers bring luck and keep a plume in our books so that we could score good marks, at least with good charm^^. Another bizarre belief was that the feathers kept in the books will double up!!!

Peacock is also the National bird of India. Further, according to Hindu belief peacock is the Vahana (transport) of lord Muruga and seen in Temples in front of the deity!

When someone looks down on others they say "he is as proud as a peacock...", may be look at this shot where he gives a haughty look with this head high, whereas other birds are busy with their tasks!

Generally they are all shy and never dare to date in front of human beings. But, at KL Birds Park, we saw this shameless fellow trying to show-off publicly and woo his girl friend by displaying his asset to his lady love in front of a crowd!

Yeah, in their world "beauty" is manly heheh. He is desperate in attracting his mate and keeps moving his feathers in a fan like movement and at the same time turns around and shows his back pose as well, like an experienced dancer!

Later we learned that the plain looking peahen falls for this kinda dance! Then, what next... romance AND here only the "man" is shy...

They roam all over the park (even outside the park) freely in groups but relax in solitude...