|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 23 November 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Magazine |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
In Muddy Convergence A Winged Bird - Part II Selmat Datang! Welcome to
Kuala Lumpur. Having finished Bird's Season in Kuching, she's back at the
ever famous KLIA (Kuala Lumpur Niluki de Silva - The tallest of the lot (girls and boys) with long curly hair, from whom in the night you hear these "Ssth" "Ssth" sounds, is a shopping crazy, washroom addict, make up expert, and lover of the KLIA of which she's extremely familiar, having had rather an over long stay in it. Anuradhi Vidyalankara-Anu or rather Anura is the medium-short of the girls with curly hair and the biggest mouth (just kidding). Another shopping fanatic, and night time Snorer. Daruni Ravindraraja - Our very own Ravi-Daruni all the way from Jaffna, is medium-tall with straight long hair. The early bird of the gals, her fav words are "Hurry up, hurry up". Is a quick dresser, constant tripper and Friday, Tuesday Vegetarian. Indika Fernando - The first of the Martians, our leader and "Thatha" whom most Malaysians refer to as "Indikaa" is constantly on the patrol, keeping the gals from over-shopping and the guys from getting lost. Is electronics crazy, eats anything and has a thing for Thaiwanian... Reza Shah-The Shah, as he's called by everyone, with the supposed multi million dollar smile, loves Durian (had one all by himself during the trip) and beef (which he missed a lot). Is a v. good luggage carrier and mobile phone looser. Lalinda Karunaratne - "May Moratuwa Vishva Vidyalayen Evith Kolla", can be described in a simple phrase-The guy with the familiar face. Lumindra Perera and Nilanka Attapattu - Perera and Attapattu are a pair, regularly disappearing from sight and turning up out of the blues. Perera with his aching soar throat and Attapattu with his high achievements and photogenic nature are both fun and lighten things up. Having arrived in KLIA we're supposed to meet Joanna Ong, a Rotaractor of KL. From one complex to another, up and down lifts, walking here and there pushing our luggage loaded trolleys, it is having toured what seemed like the whole of KLIA before we finally find her. Hands out, Smiles, "Hello"s and Names exchanged, luggage loaded up in vehicles, we're off to KL City, which is about an hour's drive away. In KL, it's to the YMCA-Bird and Her Gang's official residence of stay. Once there we discover that our nests are located three storeys up! Talk about relaxation. The trip's been more about exercisation. Pulling, lifting and dragging our ever so light luggage, huffing and puffing up three flights of steps we go, Bird supervising her bag's well being, which due to being too big and heavy for her light self, has to be carried about by Mr. Incredible Hulk. Bird Bag brought up safely in one piece, stepping into the five bedded girl's room, it's a race to grab the extra pillow. Guess being a bird gives you agility and speed. It's two pillows at night for me. A quick bird bath, change of feathers and for some of the gals, polishing and painting of their furry faces, we are off for our evening out in the city. The honour of our first visit goes to the KL Old Market, which though antique in appearance, has nothing of a market look. Instead, it is a huge shopping mall, with an out of a fairy tale appearance, with its wooden and cemented looks, dark corners and craftily lit goods. It's like stepping into a dark enchanted castle, filled up with intricate delicacies and treasures. Clothes of silk in shades of colours, delicate shoes, beaded jewellery, oriental scarves, shawls and umbrellas, golden ornamental statues, etc. etc. etc, the gals catching the magic of the place are off in a rush, deaf to the cries of Team Leader's "Meet here in an hour". Two hours later we're off to see Petronas and KL Tower (a telecommunications centre) in front of which Miss Tally, who's involved in the telecommunication biz at home, snaps a pix. Next to P's Towers is another huge Mall, this time a more modern version with glassy windows, bright lights, music and shops, shops and shops. The girls go crazy once again, to the by now exasperated Mr.Indika. Shopping done, it's off for Ding Dong to a Chinese roadside food stall. There we are given a peck of noodle soup, rice, bean curd, spinach, some chickeny chicken and fishy fish. Hot Milo, Cold Milo and Iced Tea glugged to wash things down, we, especially the girls are given a lesson and warning on Chinatown Shopping (our next destination), by the KL Rotaractors. Here's what I learnt from it. Rule No 1 - Chinatown is densely populated. I can get trampled, squashed or lost. So stick with the others. Rule No 2 - Among the population are herds of skilled thieves and pickpockets. So, hold on to handbag, and don't show money, even when purchasing something. Rule No 3 - Bring passport and hold on to it. Make sure it is not pinched. Could get in serious trouble with the police otherwise, who at times patrol the streets. Rule No 4 - The vendors and their crowd will escort me down the street if I bargain for something and don't buy it. So make sure I really want the particular item before bargaining and once bargained, buy it. Rule No 5 - When seeing I'm a foreigner, prices will automatically be raised. So if want something, don't point or ask its price. Tell one of the KL Rotaractors and they will get the price down for me. Lesson drilled into heads, divided into groups of three (Niluki and Anuradhi separated for fear of combined shopping craze), a KL Rotaractor heading each group, by now thoroughly fearful to Chinatown we go. Chinatown turns out to be a melange of signs, shops, activity and noise. It is a combination of street stalls, food, haggling and bright lights. Basically, something of a night time version of daytime Pettah, filled with people jostling here and there. You need eyes behind your back as well as front, for it's nothing for people carrying huge crates to just walk into you (a V.Pettahish occurrence). Getting gifts for our Mamas, Dadas and everyone else at home, Chinatown finished, it's to the YMCA, up three flights of steps, to bed. After all, tomorrow's Genting Highlands-Adventure Theme Park. It's gonna be one roller coster of a day. Catch ya next week. PS-Wandering about the title? It's Kuala Lumpur in English. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
International Airport). In last week's reel
on Bird's experiences she forgot a most important part of it. Details on
Bird's Gang who had the privilege of being with her for ten days. Okay
names were mentioned but what about the juicy essential essentials? Better
now than never, here it comes...Venetians first.
