I admit it. This picture was taken a few years ago, but I think I still look vaguely like that. Depends on the day (and the time of day). And today, just before I uploaded this picture, an Indonesian English student told me how much she liked my nose. I heard that a lot in Indonesia. Apparently, a large nose like mine is a good …
Read the full story »Kampung Bharu & the 5-Snack Challenge – Traditional Malaysia
I’d been hearing about Kampung Bharu (or Kampong Baru) for a long time. I heard stories of this traditional Malay village right in the heart of downtown Kuala Lupur – right across the Klang River from KLCC and the Petronas Towers. I didn’t even realize it, but on my trips to Chow Kit Market and to the National Art Gallery, I was right beside Kampung …
Chan She Shu Yuen Ancestral Hall and the 5-Snack Challenge
I had a simple mission for the day – errands, and a visit the 120-year-old Chan She Shu Yuen Temple/Ancestral Hall in Chinatown (that’s Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, of course). I had seen this temple while riding the Monorail, but I didn’t have a clear sense of its location. When I learned it was just at the end of Petaling Street and I could …
Street Art and Sculpture at the National Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur
I know less about art than I do about food, so it made sense to head to the National Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur for a Culture Vulture Sunday experience. And I got lucky. The main exhibit on display consisted of installation pieces (sculpture, found object, etc) from the gallery’s permanent collection. I enjoy that kind of art quite a bit.
The other exhibit on the …
Staying Dry at the Chow Kit Wet Market (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Most of my small Kuala Lumpur adventures come with surprises and detours, and my trip to Chow Kit Market was no exception. The biggest surprise was the discovery of a Malaysian pop star named Sudirman. He performed his hit song called “Chow Kit Road” in an open-air concert to over 100,000 people right on Chow Kit Road itself. I had never heard of Sudirman before, …
Yap Ah Loy Temple & the 5-Snack Challenge (Featuring Durian Ice Cream!)
I enjoyed my first 5-Snack Challenge so much that I decided to do another one. My main mission for the day was to continue on my quest for the perfect (yet low to medium budget) camera and laptop. But to make it interesting, I set my sights on tasting, drinking, eating, and sampling the 5 local drinks or foods that catch my eye whether they …
KTM Komuter & 5-Snack Challenge! (Ramly Burger, Tealive, Mangga Susu, and More!)
The KTM Komuter was the last part of the transportation system in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that I hadn’t explored with my camera. But the time had come, and I took the KTM Komuter train on a shopping expedition to look for the Panasonic G85 mirrorless micro four thirds camera. Along the way, I set myself a 5-snack challenge. The idea is that I had to …
Good Food & Camera Shopping in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur
My Kuala Lumpur adventures continue with a shopping expedition to Pudu. I’m interested in buying a new camera, and I wanted to visit a “pro” camera shop I knew in the Pudu district. Things did not go so well at the camera shop, but I made up for that with a delicious lunch of chicken, duck, barbecued pork, and crispy pork plus rice and iced …
Chap Goh Mei! Firecrackers, Temple Offerings, Lion Dances – Celebrating the End of CNY in Malaysia
Chinese New Year is a long and elaborate holiday. In fact, it lasts for 15 days, and the final day has lots of names. It’s known as Chap Goh Mei. It’s also the Lantern Festival. AND it’s Chinese Valentine’s Day. There are super-loud firecrackers, exciting lion dances, extensive temple offerings and rituals, PLUS Mandarin Oranges to find your one true love. What is a traveler …