Nonetheless, Sunday morning I woke with a mission to accomplish - I decided I wanted to get to a church and had done some internet research and found one that looked promising. We headed off in a taxi and ended up in an industrial/commercial building looking area, but found the right place. No signs anywhere, not even at the door of the building, but several people making their way inside, so we confirmed that we had found the right place. The service was all in English, and I think it was a 'Church of Christ' denomination.
We were welcomed by a lovely young woman who got talking with us and introduced us to the Pastor and various other people. Once she knew we lived in Korea, she was really excited and said she was coming (with others) to Seoul in September, so she might just be able to catch up with us! She took us to the train station after the service and told us how to go about getting back into the centre of town, so - off we went!
We've been happily using the public transport system here, conveniently nearby the hotel is the train station, and we've managed to get ourselves a 'myrapid' card - similar system to Seoul where you use a credit card type of thing, and scan your way on and off the trains, buses, or monorails.
We've had a wander around the twin towers area (impressive, but expensive to go up there, and you have to book ahead...)the central markets, the KL Lakes park, the butterfly park, and today (26th) we decided to venture further and head to a Forest Reserve that I'd read about as it looked lovely, and had a 'Canopy Walk', intending to firstly visit the famous 'Batu Caves'.
We've been sleeping in a bit here, not so quick out of bed in the mornings, so we didn't leave the room till about 10.30am. The rail system maps that we've been following made it look like we had to go back 2 stations to connect with the train heading to Batu Caves - where we were planning on going. We headed off, got tickets, and hopped on the train only to discover it went right past our hotel, just over behind a building opposite us - and yes, there was a station there too. Hmmm.
Oh, well, onwards we went - only to discover we'd got on the wrong train, as it took off to the left, when we should have been on one that went right. Undeterred, we got off, crossed over to the other side and waited half an hour or so to get the train back and try again. We arrived back to Putra station (yes, the one just beside the hotel....) and sat down to wait for the next train.
This time it was the signs that fooled us. The time for the next train was displayed, and that train was going to Segambut where we had just been, so we knew NOT to get on that one. Trouble is - no train appeared at that time, and it was about 8 minutes later, and with a new sign flashing saying 'Batu Caves' - so we got on it. Mike was having doubts at this stage, but I couldn't understand why the sign would be flashing,and the time was correct, if it wasn't the train for the caves. It wasn't. We went to Segambut again. *Sigh*
So, change of plans!! I had hoped to go to this Forestry area AFTER exploring Batu Caves, but I was starting to wonder whether that visit was just 'not meant to be'. (if you have ever heard of Batu Caves, some pretty weird stuff goes on there as part of a Hindu celebration annually.) So, we worked out where to get off, and headed towards a taxi stand. We showed the driver the booklet, and he quoted 30 Ringget (about $10) so we thought 'fine' and off we went.
The area we visited was stunning - a much better choice I'm sure!! The Canopy walk turned out to be amazing, and while there we heard a storm brewing - thunder rumbling, wind whipping up - so we were lucky as I think the walk would have been closed up once the rain started - which it did! Lucky for me I still had my cheapo adjima umbrella that I picked up in Vietnam, so we didn't get completely drenched.
We took a bit of a wander around looking for a place to have some food, then found a cafe that looked a bit like the workers' one, and for 16 ringget (about $5.30) we had some delicious spicy Malaysian food, and a couple of drinks. We had been given a business card from the taxi driver, so we figured we'd have to head out to the entrance area as you have to pay to get in, so we set off. We decided that we'd just wait and see if any taxis were going past and give it a couple of minutes before ringing, and as it turned out, a taxi went past, free. He turned his meter on, and took us back to the train station. This taxi ride cost us 5.20 ringget!! The realisation that the other taxi driver had ripped us off quite considerably was the cause of much laughter, as we still appreciated getting there safely anyway, and $10 is ok...but taxi drivers!!! Honestly, they see you coming when you are not a local..!
One impression of this area that has surprised me is the crime rate - we had a Sunday paper at the door that had about a 4 page article all about bag snatching, robbery, rape, and crimes against women. In the hotel information folder there was a laminated 2-page document giving you safety tips, and warning you about wearing jewelry, not carrying all your stuff in a bag, not wearing your bag on the shoulder that faces the road - as some snatchers come past on motorbikes!!! The trains even have some carriages that are labelled 'only for women'!!! It has really been the only place so far where we have had to be really conscious of personal safety.
Tonight we plan on heading to Chinatown to eat, so hoping to find some delicious and cheap eating places over there. Tomorrow is our last day in KL, and then we head to Singapore for 4 nights. I am excited about meeting my cousin, Graeme Baumgart, who I haven't seen since I was about 3 or 4 years old, but who now teaches in Singapore. While we feel ready to head home, and have loved exploring Asia, and we know we will come back this way again someday!
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