6]
IN KUALA LUMPUR
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"साभजि यहाँ मलेसियामे हम सारे बिलकुल तालमेलसे और आपसमे मधुर संभंधसे रहते है। मलया लोग, भारतीय , चाईनीज और सारे। ये मलेशियन बहुत स्नेहशील, शिथिल और तनाव मुक्त स्वाभावके लोग है। मलेशिया के ११ प्रांत - स्टेटस ओर २ संघीय यानि केंद्रशासित जैसे कुआलालंपुर और पुत्राजया। भिन्ता देखो - गगनचुमी स्काय स्केपर्स और सुन्दर छोटे माकन - ऊँचे ऊँचे पर्वत और घाटी और जंजाल बस्ती। "
[“Sabji,
here in Malaysia, we all live together in peace and harmony- Malaya, Indians,
Chinese and many others. Sabji, you will find these Malasian very relaxed, warm
and friendly. Malaysia, is also diverse as its culture, with 11 states and 2
federal territories, Kuala Lumpur Putrajaya. There are towering skyscrapers looking
down upon wooden houses. Rugged mountains reaching for the skies and rainforest
clad slopes sweep down the valleys teaming with forest life.” (It may not be the exact translation of what he said but gist of it.)]
In hour and half hour's drive we have come straight to Jaipur Mahel Hotel, Rajasthani hotel, for nice buffet lunch. Whether it is tasty food, our hunger or the interiors and the décor of the hotel, I do not know, but eat well.
It is for the last time we meet Jasbir Singh. We
thank him for taking good care of us, doing our checking in at First World Genting,
being good guide and finally driving us safely and bringing us to Jaipur Mahel.
After lunch Sherry, who had left at the foot of Genting Highlands, is back
again. He takes us to our hotel Grand Seasons. He informs us that someone else
would come to pick us for our scheduled Putrajaya Tour at 4.00 pm. We check in.
It’s almost 2 pm. We have two hours on our hand. We go straight to our room on the 14th
floor. I take these shots:
While I am it… my wife has a better idea… hits the
deck and fast asleep!
We wait in the lobby for the pick- up for Putrajaya
tour. It’s 5…now it’s 6pm. We wait .wait and wait. I try to call the tour
co-ordinators. Mr. Vikas Sharma doesn’t respond. Someone answers on Mr. Sandeep’s phone and
informs me that Sandeep has gone to India and Vikas is out. Putrajaya is
shifted for the morrow. No one will come for dinner. I inform my daughter, who
takes the matter with Mr. Prakash of Get Out Holidays. He sent me this msg: I have already raised this issues strongly and they apologised and
promised to take corrective measures. I always value my
guests so I also apologise for this in incident🙏🏽
Now the
things are rescheduled. There was nothing for the day except the pick up for dinner. Whole day wasted. We go out and have a stroll in the vicinity of the hotel.
[ I have decided to write an email to Mr. Prakash regarding the callous attitude of the Tour Coordinators in Singapore as well as Malaysia. They never meet the guests, who are left to the whims of the drivers, some of whom were very good and knowledgeable while some being extremely rude and arrogant.]
Aman, the driver comes at 8.30 pm to take us for dinner and takes to the same Rajasthani Hotel - Jaipur Mahel.[ For that matter, we were taken for all the lunches and dinners to the same place. In Singapore we had choices, six to seven to choose from. May be they (drivers in Malaysia) had struck some deal with the restaurants, for I have seen on occasions the drivers with their families, girl friends in the same restaurants where we ate. This is another issue I am going to raise Mr. Prakash.]
After dinner he drives us back to the hotel. We like the décor in the lift lobby.
It's our third day in Malaysia and the second in Kuala Lumpur. In the morning we have a nice, tasty buffet breakfast.
Our half- day city tour with KL Tower entry is rescheduled from 10 am to 2.00 pm. As the luck would have it, we have this driver Aman again. He takes us to Jaipur Mahel again.
We go to KL Tower, The Kuala Lumpur (Menara Kuala Lumpur, Abbreviated as KL Tower) is a tall tower having a total height of 421 metres (1381 feet). Its construction, they say, took some four years and completed in 1995. It is used for communication purposes and for which there is an antenna reaching the top. The roof of the pod is at 335 metres and the rest of the tower below has a stairwell and an elevator. At the top there is a revolving restaurant, which is not open for general public. It is without doubt the most famous monument in Kuala Lumpur and 7 tallest tower in the world. It reflects the country's Islamic Heritage. The tiles are decorated with typical Islamic flower motifs.
Then we proceed for the city tour.
Here we come to Tugu Peringatan Negara Malaysia (National Monument of Malaysia). In front of the National Monument is the cenotaph. Cenotaph, as we all know, is a monument erected in honour of a dead person whose remains lie somewhere else. It is a sculpture that commemorates those who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom, principally against the Japanese occupation during WorldWar II and the MalayanEmergency, which lasted from 1948 until 1960. It is located in the Federal capital, KualaLumpur. The idea for the construction of the National Monument of Malaysia (Tugu Peringatan Negara) (Tugu Peringatan Negara) was mooted by the then Prime Minister of Malaysia, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj in 1963 to commemorate the warriors who died defending the sovereignty of the country. An Area measuring 48,562 square metres facing the Lake Gardens was set aside for its construction. The monument complex encompasses five main components; the National Monument, fountains, pavilion, a war memorial and the surrounding gardens. The monument embodying seven bronze statues also represents the triumph of the forces of democracy over the forces of evil. The monument was designed by an American sculptor, Felix De Weldon and was completed in early 1966. It was unveiled on 8th February of the same year and from then on a ceremony to commemorate the passing of the warriors is held here annually, on 31st July on Warrior’s Day, when the Prime Minister, heads of military, and the police pay their respects to the fallen heroes by laying garlands at the monument.
Originally built by the British administration, it is dedicated to honor their fallen soldiers in war from 1914-1945, there are the inscription of the names of those fallen soldiers as a tribute to their sacrifices.
Let's sit for some time.
" I want to have a selfie with you," she says. She even seeks my wife permission, also shares her email details with me. May be I remind her of her brother ... Cheers to universal brotherhood!
"And your photos for our keepsake," says my wife.
This is not a tour.
This is a driver with a vehicle who in our case is hours late! He drives us
from one point to another, giving little to none information and takes to
places, we don’t want to go, like this Chocolate (he calls it factory, when it
is just shop)... bullshit ...it's just a shop. [Again I shall take this matter with Mr. Prakash. I feel there some cuts for the drivers. I see the in charge of this outfit giving a huge packet to our driver. Our chocolate factory are much worth visiting, (I have been during my schooling days and I have taken children from our NGO) and our Tourism department make a show case of industries.
Let's go to the car.
What's next? Straight to.....
Aman drives us our next stop,which is the Istana Negara (National Palace), the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the monarch of Malaysia and which was The palace complex has an area of 97.65 hectares, 22 domes, and is split into three main portions: the Formal Component, Royal Component and Administration Component. It was built in 1928 and was originally the residence of a Chinese millionaire. During the Japanese occupation from 1942-1945, it was used as the Japanese officers’ mess. After the surrender of the Japanese, the building was bought by the Selangor State Government. It was then renovated to become the palace of His Majesty the Sultan of Selangor until 1957. Subsequently it was bought by the Federal Government to be turned into the Istana Negara for the Yang di Pertuan Agong, the Malaysian King. The area is fenced up and at the front of the gate are two guard posts where members of the Royal Calvary guard the entrance. The palace is not open to the public and the main entrance with the mounted royal guard at the gate is one of the main attractions for visitors to the Istana.
Aman drops us at the hotel, without telling us who would pick us for dinner. After taking the issue with Mr. Prakash, he comes again at 8.30 pm and needless to say again that we dine at Jaipur Mahel. After dinner he drops us in China Town, reluctantly.
We see some ladies crowding around a stall selling gowns. Likewise they too are using calculators, converting cost in ringgets to rouble and then bargaining with the shopkeeker. " They are Russians," I tell my my boastfully. What an educated guess!
We go to KL Tower, The Kuala Lumpur (Menara Kuala Lumpur, Abbreviated as KL Tower) is a tall tower having a total height of 421 metres (1381 feet). Its construction, they say, took some four years and completed in 1995. It is used for communication purposes and for which there is an antenna reaching the top. The roof of the pod is at 335 metres and the rest of the tower below has a stairwell and an elevator. At the top there is a revolving restaurant, which is not open for general public. It is without doubt the most famous monument in Kuala Lumpur and 7 tallest tower in the world. It reflects the country's Islamic Heritage. The tiles are decorated with typical Islamic flower motifs.
Then we proceed for the city tour.
Aman isn’t much of a guide, he is more of a driver –
a driver full stop! He isn’t friendly either. Our first halt is the National
Museum. It’s 45 minutes affair – an interesting canter through the rich history
of the country from prehistoric times to independence. How Kaula Lumpur developed
from a small tin Miners Settlement to a growing modern city currently. It takes
you through a maze of interesting architecture of Oriental and colonial part,
Moorish, Mogul and Islamic styles. It tells you how in 1999 the seat of
government was shifted from Kuala Lumpur because of congestion and overcrowding
to Putrajaya (Federal Territory of Putrajaya). We learn that Putrajaya is named
after the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rehman Putra and also
from its meaning in Sanskrit –Victory of the Prince (पुत्र = Prince & जय = Victory ). It tells more about this planned city and how
it is the federal administrative centre of Malaysia, though Kuala Lumpur
remains the capital and the seat of the King and the Parliament. Kuala Lumpur
is the commercial and financial centre. About 92.8 % follow Islam, 7.8 %
Christianity, 2.1 % Buddhism and 1.0 % Hinduism with 0.3% being non religious
or follow some other religion.
How Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia,
boasting gleaming skyscrapers, colonial architecture, charming locals, and a
myriad of natural attractions. Divided into numerous districts, its main hub is
called the Golden Triangle which comprises Bukit Bintang, KLCC and Chinatown.
How it is widely recognised for numerous
landmarks, including Petronas Twin Towers (the world’s tallest twin
skyscrapers), Petaling Street flea market, and Batu Caves, which is over 400
million years old, with frequent sales events throughout the year, expansive
shopping malls like Pavilion KL and Suria KLCC, and with abundance of
gastronomic delights – with thousands of hawker stalls, cafes and restaurants
serving every imaginable type of delicacies.
https://www.facebook.com/vinay.trilokekar/videos/1476739985690078/
https://www.facebook.com/vinay.trilokekar/videos/1476739985690078/
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Please try these URL video links given above.
& https://www.facebook.com/vinay.trilokekar/videos/1476757162355027/
Please try these URL video links given above.
https://www.facebook.com/vinay.trilokekar/videos/1476757162355027/
Here we come to Tugu Peringatan Negara Malaysia (National Monument of Malaysia). In front of the National Monument is the cenotaph. Cenotaph, as we all know, is a monument erected in honour of a dead person whose remains lie somewhere else. It is a sculpture that commemorates those who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom, principally against the Japanese occupation during WorldWar II and the MalayanEmergency, which lasted from 1948 until 1960. It is located in the Federal capital, KualaLumpur. The idea for the construction of the National Monument of Malaysia (Tugu Peringatan Negara) (Tugu Peringatan Negara) was mooted by the then Prime Minister of Malaysia, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj in 1963 to commemorate the warriors who died defending the sovereignty of the country. An Area measuring 48,562 square metres facing the Lake Gardens was set aside for its construction. The monument complex encompasses five main components; the National Monument, fountains, pavilion, a war memorial and the surrounding gardens. The monument embodying seven bronze statues also represents the triumph of the forces of democracy over the forces of evil. The monument was designed by an American sculptor, Felix De Weldon and was completed in early 1966. It was unveiled on 8th February of the same year and from then on a ceremony to commemorate the passing of the warriors is held here annually, on 31st July on Warrior’s Day, when the Prime Minister, heads of military, and the police pay their respects to the fallen heroes by laying garlands at the monument.
Originally built by the British administration, it is dedicated to honor their fallen soldiers in war from 1914-1945, there are the inscription of the names of those fallen soldiers as a tribute to their sacrifices.
The bronze sculpture shows a group of soldiers
symbolizing leadership, suffering, unity, vigilance, strength, courage and
sacrifice.It has the Malayan Coat of Arms with inscriptions that says:
Dedicated to the heroic fighters in the cause of peace and freedom, May the
blessing of Allah be upon them.
War is usually the saddest moment and
the most tragic part the history of any nation. However, it's a good way to
imbibe the rich history of Malaysia in this manner, a nice gesture from the
government to acknowledge and honor those who perish during the wars. There are
some things that are worth remembering despite the tragic circumstances. The
lives sacrificed thus were not for nothing, something good has come out of
these wars.
This is the beautiful surrounding garden.
Let's go to the car.
Aman drives us our next stop,which is the Istana Negara (National Palace), the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the monarch of Malaysia and which was The palace complex has an area of 97.65 hectares, 22 domes, and is split into three main portions: the Formal Component, Royal Component and Administration Component. It was built in 1928 and was originally the residence of a Chinese millionaire. During the Japanese occupation from 1942-1945, it was used as the Japanese officers’ mess. After the surrender of the Japanese, the building was bought by the Selangor State Government. It was then renovated to become the palace of His Majesty the Sultan of Selangor until 1957. Subsequently it was bought by the Federal Government to be turned into the Istana Negara for the Yang di Pertuan Agong, the Malaysian King. The area is fenced up and at the front of the gate are two guard posts where members of the Royal Calvary guard the entrance. The palace is not open to the public and the main entrance with the mounted royal guard at the gate is one of the main attractions for visitors to the Istana.
Beside
each guard house for the mounted guards in their British-style uniforms there
is a smaller rectangular structure with an arch. Those two small shelters are
just big enough to protect the standing guards from the weather. Those standing
guards wear traditional white sarongs. A traditional sarong would be a length
of fabric wrapped around the waist, and Malay men would wear sarongs woven in a
check pattern. Those guards however wear white uniform (jacket and trousers),
and a so-called Songket wrapped around the waist. This Songket is a shorter
piece of precious brocade fabric which makes it – worn over a sarong or a Baju
Melayu - stand out of the background with its shimmering texture, due to the
use of gold and silver threads. A Baju Malayu normally consists of a shirt and
trousers.
We go past House of Parliament, National Mosque,
Independence Square, Petronas Twin Towers, Merdeka Square… just names!
This bag , one and half feet in height 6 to inches in diameter, costs 175 Ringgits ( Rs. 3000/-). My wife insists that buy the bag for our daughter. When I use the mobile calculator for converting the cost in Indian currency, my wife tells me that we should not calculate in our currency and still insist to buy. In the mean time I send WhatsApp msg with the picture of the bag to my daughter. Immediately I receive mobile call from her, "Daddy, have you already bought it . It's very costly."
As we are standing at the fruit stall a ruffian brushes past us, lifts a basket full of fruits, dashes across to his bike and off he goes. Poor vendor runs after him shouting," Thief, thief, #*@# !". It's all futile chase. Within no time the thief has vanished into thin air. We better be going. We take cab back to the hotel. The taxi driver, Sansui a Malaysian, is good and very talkative. " Sir, have you witnessed the robbery? It is a regular feature over here in China Town. That guy was a drug addict - good for nothing - he spoils our name. Did you see many Chinese vendors? No. There aren't many. Most of them are Bangla-deshis. The name should now be changed to Bangla Town from China Town, ha, ha !" He goes on to tell us about his children, a daughter and a son. How the government is taking care of their education. " Free education , you see. Government has provided me with free accommodation. What else do you want?"
We reach our hotel. Before retiring to the bed, I do some photo shoot from the window - a city tour from our window - the twin towers and dazzling neons - all from our window.
The concluding part of my travelogue is yet to come. So bye for now.
Vinay Trilokekar
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