MALAYSIA

There were, as is always the case, numerous tours from which to choose. I have discovered over time that booking on line prior to sailing is cheaper than booking on board which many choose to do. If you can organise the same tour privately it is very often half the price. The tour we had chosen was a city tour.

The tour guide, a local lady, was excellent offering all manner of information about KL and Malaysia in general; it was this lady who explained to me the difference in local ***** and that of the terrorist middle east version. ***** in Asia is a gentle religion where the people accept all person no matter what faith they are from. In the tours of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand we saw only two black letter boxes walking the streets.
Our first stop was at the local botanical gardens, and as is the case with most capital cities around the globe a popular place for locals and tourists alike. From there onto the Blue Mosque, one of the biggest and most significant in the city. Though we were not allowed in we could take photographs and walk around the exterior. A most impressive building, with the blue colouring giving a feeling of contentment and serenity.

Then onto the grounds of the local Cathedral, where a choir practice was in session with many of the locals attending to watch. It was to this place that Queen Elizabeth made a visit at the time of Malaysia’s independence. A small but significant building with gardens and lawns close by.

Our next stop was the highlight of the tour, to the city centre and the Petronias Towers. To most this is the twin towers well known around the globe. Many photographs of this building have been seen by many, it has featured in a number of movies and is renowned for being the highest of its’ kind on the planet. There was a time when it was the world’s tallest building, but now only the tallest twin building.
Looking at photos, or seeing it in a movie means nothing when seen in real life. It is one of the most amazing structures I have ever seen. Most stood in awe of this amazing building reaching out like two giant arms into the heavens, a building that takes the breath away whilst leaving the onlooker to ponder on how such a marvellous structure came to be.

It is a structure of steel and glass, the brain- child of the third Prime minister after Malaysian independence and is based on the shape of two corncobs taking 5 years to complete. Sadly other tall buildings surround the building, so one is not able to fully stand back and take in the sight but only gaze skywards to take in the amazing view. Having seen it from a distance on the way in I had no concept of just what to expect, this is indeed a tribute to the builder’s skills and the imagination of one man. Inside there is a shopping mall on four levels with all manner of international stores, HM, Body Shop, Zara and even Marks and Spencer.

From K.L. to Penang a port to which many of us would have sailed in the 60’s, P&O had many a ship call in there. At one time a major port but since the development of Singapore is now very small. A peaceful port and from which we ventured to see the sights. Some excellent gardens and a visit to a spice farm Interesting in the way the guide explained the use of spices and how their use came about. From there to a butterfly house where we were covered in them.

On then to Leam Chabang, which is the port for Bangkok, and now the major port for Thailand. Two large car transporters are being loaded, some, 5,000cars sit on the quayside awaiting their turn to be swallowed up in the bowels of the ship. They disappear much as the prey of a Giant Anteater would.

Our first part of the shore tour here was a visit to a cultural show, very well done, not one of the ‘put on’ shows for the tourists as this is one the locals visit on a regular basis. An excellent show that showcased much of Thai culture and life style.

From there to the ‘animal’ section. The amount of logging in Thailand has decreased dramatically over the past few years, resulting in a number of Elephants used to move loge now being redundant. The Thai government has now provided a sanctuary for them, some of them now being at the culture show grounds. Sadly it is not the best for them, yes they are well cared for by their handlers each having their own personal one. But they are frustrated by the lack of work and the manner in which they are now being used. They have become playthings for the tourists. For a few dollars you can have your photo taken by one of these proud animals as he holds you aloft in his trunk. Further on a Tiger sits on a dais, chained by the neck and again there you may for a few dollars have your photo taken whilst sitting with the Tiger.

Such events I find abhorrent, this is no way to treat proud animals locked up and chained as if a criminal, such beautiful creature should be left to roam wild in their natural habitat, not used as photographic props. The people who delight in such activities be they the patrons or the owners have little respect for wild life, shrieking with delight should the Tiger even attempt a roar, or the Elephants trumpet in sheer frustration at their situation.

The only saving grace for this complex is the gardens, some two hectares of the finest gardens you will see anywhere. Manicured to the point of abstraction, set out in themes with giant statues of animals and birds. A section of pottery which is so unusual in design, one wonders how the creator ever imagined such a show? Beauty of its’ own that in some way made up for the animal section.

On leaving we observed the Elephants, now completed of their daily photo shoot being washed and fed. Our tour was almost over and as we travelled I reflected on the things we had seen over the two weeks. Asia is vastly different from the west in so many ways, it has a beauty of its’ own, but at the same time often a place of rough justice. There is little or no disregard for law and order by the locals, the laws and their implementation is strict. Singapore executed 60 persons in 2014 for a number of crimes, murder, rape, drug offences whilst in Malaysia and Thailand the level of punishment is just as strong. But such laws see countries where the tourist can travel in safety, a region we will visit again before too long.