Today is Malaysia Day. Let me commemorate this day by posting few and selected photos I shot while I was in Malaysia last week (and were enhanced using Instagram and Photo360 apps). This is my second venture into the world of photography…
title: malaysian-chinese temple
title: merdeka
title: petronas
Maleysha, Truli Eysha…
Resorts World Casino at Genting Highlands in Malaysia refused to accept fashionably dressed people in their establishment. I was in my premium Japanese-branded spring/summer ensemble – three-fourths cut sleeved plaid shirt matched with rust-colored twill shorts, trendy almond-toed gray loafers and of course premium branded underwear – all in extra fine cotton fabric when I was refused entry.
The security at the entrance door refused me entry because according to him I was in shorts cut above the knee. While being reprimanded, I wanted to answer back the uncouth obsolescent security officer that shorts cut below the knee are sooo ‘90s! The security officer and the Genting Highlands management in itself do not realize that the cost of my chic and trendy shorts would probably be more expensive than the gown worn by the lady who entered before me at their starting-to-dilapidate entrance hall.
Too bad, Genting Casino refused me entry simply because of my chichi-looking shorts when in fact I was all ready to splurge millions of ringgits in their establishment which in a way can help rehabilitate their somewhat old and outmoded facilities. Instead, me and my colleagues settled for the nearby Starbucks.
inside the church in kuala lumpur
Later in the afternoon, I joined my colleagues’ plan to hear the Holy Mass celebrated in one of the few Catholic churches in Kuala Lumpur. I was hesitant to join at first because I might also be refused entry because I was still in my chic fashionable shorts. I thought that if hell (the casino) can refuse me entry it is by all means that heaven (church) would definitely not allow me in.
But while making my way under the roof of heaven here on earth no one frisked or stopped me. And when I was regenerated by prayers and while stepping out of the church, I realized that heaven is truly more fashionable than hell.
Kaya mag-shorts kung plano mo ng mamatay.
bird poop
I’ve been living in the concrete jungle of Metro Manila for the past four decades and never in my life that I have encountered such destiny of being pooped-on by a flying bird. I only stayed for four short days in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia but it was the first time ever that a bird’s poop landed on my body.
One most likely explanation is because there are more birds in Malaysia as compared to Metro Manila. This is because birds in the wild in Metro Manila usually end up either as an adobo (Filipino-style stew) on the dining table of ordinary Pinoy household or hepatitis-inclined inihaw (grilled) for sale by street hawkers.
There is a foolish irrational belief that a person getting crapped on by a bird will result to good luck. My two cents on this is maybe because there is a very small statistics of mortals being pooped-on by these feathered creatures similar to the statistics of individuals winning the lottery. Or maybe this horrible circumstance that is hypothesized to lead to impending godsend providence could be correlated to life’s general law of balance, harmony and equilibrium. That one cannot have successes without failures or gains without hardships.
Now on my part, I am just but excited on what lies ahead…
Magpapasalamat akong tiyak sa tatcheng yon!
I didn’t like Nasi Lemak Daging Rendang the first time I tasted it. The taste was something unusual – mixture of cardamom, karisik, tamarind pulp, turmeric, chili, galangal, lemongrass, ginger, cinnamon, star anise, whole peanuts, shallots, garlic and kaffir lime. It was a spice filled experience! But while digging into the food, adjustments and fine-tuning of my taste buds took 180 degrees turn so as to appreciate this Malaysian dish. Until, I am left astounded that I have actually finished the whole dish and was craving for more. It was a mind-boggling flavor that you would not like at first but learns to appreciate it later. The palatal encounter would surprisingly grow in you.
This experience is basically similar to what I felt when I, Nengkoy and my sisters went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Because of a busy schedule, I never got the chance to check out the internet on where to go and what to do prior to staying for a long weekend in Kuala Lumpur. I basically did not expect anything spectacular about Kuala Lumpur. I just wanted to go there, spend a relaxing weekend and know what this bustling city has to offer.
True enough when we arrived and rode a cab at midnight going to our hotel, the feeling was not as thrilling. It was unlike the electrifying feeling when I would usually arrive in other parts of the world. I actually said to myself, “Okay, so this city is a little better than Metro Manila. How I wish we went to another part of Asia.”
But as the days passed, I am astonished to learn the cosmopolitan ascendancy, cultural grace and inhabitant’s charm of KL. Civilized eco-friendly urban planning is definitely evident. My fondness about the city seems to grow! It’s like the longer you stay, the more mesmerized you will be.
On our last day, I admitted to have the wrong notion and impression about Kuala Lumpur. There really are a lot of surprising things to see and do in KL. Also, I acknowledge that it is very much ahead and better than Metro Manila (which is actually a poignant thought for my land of birth).
My stay in Kuala Lumpur is like eating Nasi Lemak Daging Rendang. It’s full of spice, there are multitude of stuffs to offer and “it grows in you”. I don’t just like it, I loved it!
Walang kuliglig sa KL!
Nengkoy 