Is blood thicker than water?

To all who think that blood is thicker than water, think again! When I came out into the capital city at the age of 22 to start over after a broken marriage, none of my elder brothers offered me anything. It was a compassionate employer who saw potential in a young woman who had known nothing but family life in all her 22 short years.

Later when this same young woman made another wrong choice and had to leave her husband again, it was still not her brothers who offered her comfort. All they could say were, ‘I told you so.’ It was a friend who had not even been asked but who had overheard my story that went out silently to have the keys to his house duplicated. He then handed them to me and told me that I could stay for as long as I needed to.

When I needed a hand up or even a hand out, it was never blood who gave them to me, it was always gentle, caring friends. I may sound like a bad, useless and needy person but I am not in the least like that, I am a proud and sensitive individual. Friends understand me and look out for me in so many ways. They make sure that I am doing all right even when I put up a brave show with smiles and all the works.

My best friend comes in the form of a very simple young woman who is about the same age as I am. She got to know me at a temple affair and there was just an instant affinity between us. Within weeks of knowing her, I had taken her entire family as my own. I loved her children the way I would have loved my own if they had been at my side and I loved her and her husband’s many siblings and relatives.

She made sure I ate and she worried when I didn’t answer my phone. She saw through my front and knew the lonely woman in me, so I was included in all her family plans and even when I tried to refuse for fear of intrusion, she would get either her husband or son to come and pick me up. Her whole family remembered my birthday, included me in mothers’ day dinner and every one of the many festivals that we Malaysians celebrate.

When I left Malaysia on a crazy notion of travelling in North America by meeting up with online friends who could offer accommodation, it was my best friend who fretted and called every so often to make sure I was doing okay. Even until today when I am happily married, it is her and her children who call to include me in any of the important family gatherings like weddings, birthdays, etc.

As for my own family, my brother did not even have the courtesy to tell me when my mother passed away. His friend contacted me and when I wrote to him (my brother) to ask about funeral arrangements; he did not even bother to answer. My children could not attend the wake or the funeral because they did not even have an address to go to.

All that I have left now are my own children, my many nieces and nephews who attempt to keep in touch to make up for their fathers and of course the wonderful members of my best friend’s immediate and extended family.

In my case and also in the case of my present husband who is also estranged from his family, blood is only thicker than water in the literal sense.

Where Beauty and Color Just Flutters by

 

Located just a few minutes away from the stretch of hotels and resorts in Batu Ferringhi the Penang Butterfly Farm is the first of its kind in the world. First established in the year 1986 the farm now features over 150 species. The Butterfly Farm also has incorporated a nature park into its complex which means it also has a reptile enclosure where these no legged animals can be seen in their natural environment.

Visitors can walk around the lush tropical environment of the farm, where they will encounter numerous species of butterfly. The well designed garden is lined with several pathways visitors can chose which one they want to take and plan their excursion in to the park. Apart from the butterflies a number of other attractions can also be found here, the Mini Zoo has a collection of live insects such as lizards, toads and beetles. The Insect Museum also displays various species of butterfly, lizard and other reptile and amphibian creatures.

Of special importance is the collection of Asian artifacts that are housed at a museum called the Art and Artifact Museum., the museum claims to display the largest collection of south east Asian art and other regional tribal artifacts. The Caterpillar Club is targeted at younger visitors and serves as an introduction to etymology for children. The well stocked gift shop is a great place to pick up something for friends and relatives back home. It has a collection of gift items such as butterfly key chains and crystal paperweights that have various butterfly specimens inside.

When the Penang Butterfly Farm was founded the creators of the project wanted it to be more than just another tourist attraction in Malaysia. The purpose behind its establishment was to build a live museum that would educate the public about the importance different species in the eco system and also to serve as a regional research centre on insects and etymology. Since it is located in a reputed tourist belt there would be no difficulty in finding a Penang hotel for accommodation.

101 Things to Do in Singapore

 

Singapore is a metropolis with a multicultural touch.

There is a big Chinese Community with all its energy, there is a big Indian community whit there fantastic food and the Malay culture in all its glory.

Shopping is one of the greatest pleasures in Singapore and it’s the main reason why people come to Singapore.

Singapore is definitely for shoppers and Singaporeans favorite slogan is “Shop till you Drop”.

Orchard Road is the place to be, with a dozen Shopping malls you will definitely find what you are looking for.

If you are shopping for electronics, you can try your luck at Sim Ling or the Funan Centre. These places give great discounts on all electronics.

Geylang Serai, Arab Street, Little India and Chinatown are more for traditional ethnic shopping areas. A good stop to get your Singapore souvenir for your family at home.

Singapore has a huge Array of culinary offers thanks to the city’s ethnic mix.

Food from China, India, Malaysia and even Australia are all available and all the food got its typical Singaporean twist. Have a meal at one of the many hawker places or have a superb dinner in one of the top restaurants.

The Newton Hawker centre is the most famous hawker centre in Singapore, If you like seafood, it’s the place to be. The food centre offers a wide variety of fresh, delicious seafood.

Fill your days with daytrips to the Zoo, Singapore Underwater World, Jurong Bird Park or chill out at one of the beaches at Sentosa.

Public transportation is very good in Singapore. With a big MRT(subway) network and busses going to every corner, you hardly need to take any of the many taxi’s.

Just buy your top-up card at any of the MRT stations.

If you want to put on your dancing shoes, there are plenty of clubs around the city that stay open until the early hours.

Accommodation is not hard to find in Singapore. In the centre you find a hotel at every corner. The hotel industry caters to every budget. Little India is a great place for backpackers, with it’s many Guesthouses.

If you like Formula 1 racing, then Singapore is the place to be. The first night race in the history of Formula 1 will be hold in Singapore on the 28th September 2008.

There are definitely enough things to do in Singapore to fill up your holiday.

But most important: Do what the Singaporeans do: Eating and Shopping!

 

Dive Sites at Sipadan Island

Reputably one of the best diving spots in the world, the uniqueness of Sipadan Island lies in its geographic makeup. Lying on top of a volcanic seamount, Sipadan Island is the only oceanic island in Malaysia. As this volcano rises steeply over 1600 feet from the seabed, many of the dive sites here consist of steep walls or drop-offs. In addition, the entire reef area of 513 acres functions as the habitat for soft and hard corals, as well as home to over 3000 species of fish. Hawksbill and green turtles are common in Sipadan. In fact, it is not surprising for divers meet to 70 turtles on each dive!

Due to the size of the island, dive sites around Sipadan are close to one another. Altogether, there are 11 marked dive sites around Sipadan:

The Drop-Off is the most popular dive site here and has won the island the Best Beach Dive Award in the world. Located just 20 feet from the beach, the sea water turns indigo blue as the depth of the sea drops steeply to a staggering 2800 feet. The circling tornado of barracuda or jacks typically found in brochures, books or magazines are easily visible overhead when a diver enters the water. Corals and sponges growing at the side of the wall attract small reef fishes. White tip sharks and green turtles are also amongst the creatures living along the cliff. This is also a popular location for night dives, as shrimps and crabs can be seen peering out from the crevices along the wall at night.

Next up is the Turtle Cavern, with the entrance located about 65 feet below the surface. Within these chambers lie the remains of hawksbill and green turtles that have lost their way in the caves and subsequently drowned. Visibility is low in the far reaches of the caves, which is why only advanced divers should enter the cavern. Accompaniment of a local diving master is necessary when venturing into this maze of interconnecting tunnels.

As one of Sipadan’s most treasured sites, Barracuda Point is where schools of barracudas and jacks swirl around as the strong currents here bring food to their midst. Of course, the large volume of fish also attracts the presence of Grey Reef Sharks and the Hammerheads. Here, it is common for divers to drop down lower along the wall. However, the northern point of this site should be avoided as strong currents here may bring divers further away from the island.

The highlight of the Sipadan Midreef Dive would probably be the strong currents that drift divers north or south from their start points. As they scale along the wall, throngs of marine life such as triggerfish, unicorn fish, hawk fish and gobies are visible here. At times, divers may even be pushed upwards by the current, only to be stopped by hard flat corals at the top of the reef.

Other dive sites in Sipadan include the Coral Garden, the Hanging Gardens and the Staghorn Crest, perfect locations for underwater photography due the unique topography and the abundance of colorful marine life. On the other hand, the South Point and Whitetip Avenue dive sites are great locations to observe the rarer shark species such as the Whitetip Reef Sharks and the Hammerheads.

The most beautiful places youve traveled to

I find it difficult to pick the best place I’ve even been to because all the different countries and cities have something special about them. But there are some memories which just stick in my mind because for me, they have a real significance.

BORNEO

My wife and I didn’t know what to expect when we flew half way around the world to Borneo, but hoped it would be worth the long flight. A lot of people we knew didn’t even know where Borneo is and then wondered why we’d decided to stop there on another one of our exotic holidays, but the chance to watch orang-utans in the jungle was too much to pass up.

We knew we’d had our hotel room upgraded, but nothing prepared us for what we encountered: a lovely room overlooking the harbour and swimming pool, with a balcony where we could watch the most amazing sunsets over the distant dotted islands.

I’ve got a colleague who coincidentally is on her way out to the same hotel in a week’s time and showing her our photographs recently brought it all flooding back. The orangey, purpley, yellowy sky as the sun set; watching the small boats going backwards and forwards to the harbour; the warmth and the relaxing holiday. It’s unbeatable; and all from our own balcony.

Add to this the trip to turtle island and the jungle and our holiday turned into a once in a lifetime’s experience. We flew out to a different part of the country and then boarded a small boat to an island which was real golden sand and so small you could walk right across it in about 10 minutes, if you wanted to brave the heat of the sun. Here, under the watchful eye of the staff, we were able to see turtles laying eggs on the beaches at night, view the incubators and even hold baby turtles before releasing them into the sea.

The following day we were back on the mainland and walking through the jungle to the orang-utans where we watched them being fed and took pictures of them showing off for the cameras.

This was one of the best holidays we’ve been on.

EPHESUS

After reading about Ephesus in the Bible and hearing about missionaries and the letters of Paul to the Corinthians, the chance to go and see the real place was something we didn’t want to miss during a trip to Turkey.

It was a burning hot day but the tourists didn’t seem to mind as we all braved the heat and walked through the partial ruins of the uncovered ancient city.

I’ve got a real interest in history and I found it amazing to think that this wasn’t some model but a real place where real people walked, lived, conducted their business and spread the word of God.

There are the amphitheatres, the communal toilets, even the stories of the ancient cooling systems they used in the streets which were the forerunners of our modern air conditioning. Everything was fascinating.

There are many other places we’ve been to which have brought a feeling of awe and wonder or left us speechless, such as Niagara Falls, the Giant Redwood Trees of California or some of the tallest towers in the world such as the CN Tower in Toronto, the Petronas Tower in Kuala Lumpur or the history of somewhere like Cuba.

To me, whether it’s the culture of Thailand or the landscape and history of my own country, everywhere is beautiful for its own reasons. There are just some memories which don’t fade as easily.

20 Tips On Presenting Corporate & Office Areas

1. If you operate an office that receives visiting clients you probably have a reception area. Such an area can be used to great advantage. While your client is waiting to see you why not give them the opportunity to learn about you and the company? Large photographs of the factory or the products / services you provide help to make it clear what your company does or stands for. It also gives an insight into areas your visitor may not be able to access under normal circumstances. You may be surprised at how interested people are in you and what you do behind the scenes.

2. Alternatively you could take the opportunity to feature pictures of the key workers in your team. A head and shoulders photo and a name plate will enable first time visitors to recognise the person they are to meet and to determine their position within the management team. This is considerably comforting when you are about to meet someone for the first time. It also helps to make the staff feel valued and a real part of the organisation.

3. If you think that you need to be a little more creative why not feature your staff in poses that display their favourite pastime. If the M.D. is a keen angler, or the Sales Manager takes part in amateur dramatics, feature them in suitable attire. This makes the person appear “human” and not an office automaton thus making them easier to relate to.

4. If customers are to be required to wait a while, or even if waiting to make a complaint, consider carefully how you can entertain them while they are waiting. You need the area to be calming and friendly so avoid aggressive colours such as bright reds or solid blacks and consider featuring pastel colours in abstract designs of a gentle nature. You may even consider some humorous cartoons or caricatures of the senior management as a way to present yourselves as people of a good humour and friendly nature. Try to be general in subject so as to appeal to everyone. For example, avoid pictures of football clubs etc even if the M.D. is a big fan. If customers are entertained and relaxed by your choice of images and you come out to meet them with a big helpful smile on your face, they will find it harder to be angry with you when you first meet.

5. Similar rules apply when decorating the general admin areas of the office. It is likely that the work is constant and repetitive so make the staff comfortable by displaying bright and positive images they can enjoy. But avoid scenes of Far Eastern Beaches and Palm Trees, you might just find them drifting off on a mental holiday.

6. In your Marketing or Sales Area try and avoid the cliché pictures of Lions stating “The Customer is King” etc. While true, such messages are tired and lack impact these days. Instead, why not feature nicely framed letters from happy customers, certificates of achievement, employee of the month awards, pictures of staff outings that were earned as rewards against results. These will make it quite clear why everyone is there and reminders of the rewards they get for effort will spur them on to win future acknowledgements.

7. Make sure your art is modern, popular and right up to date. Framed calendar prints of Monet’s Water Lillie’s in tired frames against decrepit wall paper or wood wall panelling just will not do. They give out signals of being slow, old fashioned and behind the times. If you happen to like the classics it okay to hang them, just make sure you do so in a celebratory way. Big positive prints and good frames will make much more of a statement than something old and tired.

8. As with flowers and fish tanks it may be possible to hire art for your workplace. This has the advantage of regular refreshment as the supplier visits at allocated times to change the displays. It may also just give you the chance to see what you want to keep on a more permanent basis once you have a had a chance to live with them for a while.

9. If you would rather put your money to a good cause why not sponsor a local School or Hospital to provide paintings by pupils or patients. These are fun and different and show a caring side to your business. Framed well, even the poorest of efforts can look very interesting considering the source.

10. Whatever you choose, make an effort to frame it well. Cheap tatty frames do nothing for your image or your perceived attitude to quality. A tatty attitude to your décor could suggest to a client that you have a sloppy attitude to your business or the service you will give them. The presentation you make in your place of work says a great deal about you and what you stand for.

11. Try to discourage staff from littering the walls of their work area with personal effects such as pictures of Pop Stars, bawdy calendars, humorous verses about working here being made easier by being crazy etc. If these areas are encountered by your clients they will give the impression of a loosely run ship. By all means allow staff to personalise their area to an extent, pictures of the family can remind clients that after 5pm this person returns to being human again. If possible, keep the other trends exclusively for the staff room.

12. Try not to make the work environment too sterile. Make good use of plants, preferably synthetic as these do not take the oxygen out of the air, maybe a fish tank, theses done well can look very impressive and encourage tranquillity. Good use of lighting can make an enormous difference to the atmosphere of the place as can a TV screen permanently tuned to a news channel. Again, announcing to all who visit that you are in touch with the World beyond your own doors.

13. Strongly discourage staff from holding personal conversations within earshot of waiting clients. Not only is this immensely embarrassing for the person waiting, it suggests lack of discipline and attention to the job at hand. What Molly did with her boyfriend last night should remain the exclusive interest of – Molly and her boyfriend.

14. Make sure reception staff speak well and convey elegance. Make sure they know your clients name and use it each time they address them to offer coffee or update on your availability. Only select individuals with a good spoken voice to greet clients in person or by phone or make announcements on the P.A. system. This is very important when aiming to establish the quality of your company to clients and staff alike.

15. The smart appearance of staff is essential to maintain standards. Clean shaven, well tied ties, smart haircut etc go a long way to making a great impression. In these days of increased casual attitudes it is not difficult to stand above the competition. You don’t have to go over the top but rolled up shirt sleeves still look much better than a Tee Shirt.

16. Washrooms for use by you and your clients are often over looked when it comes to setting standards. Simple things like making sure soap, tissue, toilet seats (believe it or not) are all there, along with a working extractor fan, hot water and hand dryers are the simple things that can be allowed to let slip. Cleanliness is paramount too of course. Why not go and check your facilities right now and see how much you can improve them.

17. If welcoming foreign visitors make the effort to ensure you are familiar with their customs when greeting. For example if greeting a guest from Malaysia it is customary not to shake hands (although they will as they are also aware of your culture) but to greet them by placing the palm of your right hand against your own left shoulder as you make a subtle bow towards them. It is also good manners for the majority of far eastern countries to intently study their business card for a few seconds when it is offered to you and to avoid pointing with your finger, instead gesturing direction with a gentle upturned hand.

18. When clients are leaving you after a meeting, make the effort to at least see them to the door of your building or, if appropriate, walk them to their vehicle. So many times I have been given excellent treatment by my host only to feel hurriedly ejected at the end of the meeting. Though this was never intentional, it is often the last few minutes of your meeting that you remember after leaving.

19. Go the extra mile to impress. Always send a short note or Email to thank your guest for coming and to suggest the next steps of your trading relationship. Any deal you are after is not in the bag until the contracts are concluded.

20. Constantly appraise your working environment and create a check list of points to maintain at all times. It’s easy to forget these important details but they can make all the difference to your image both within and outside the office walls.

Discover Bangkok

The Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia. To its east lie Laos and Cambodia; to its south, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia; and to its west, the Andaman Sea and Myanmar. Its capital and largest city is Bangkok.

Outlook of a tourist destination is as important as its image in a tourism department. It is the duty of tourism department to make the place more attracting to the tourists. Authority must ensure that they give the tourists, both international visitors and Thai residents, a general outlook on Thailand as a tourist destination. This helps the tourists to have a better idea about the culture and places of Thailand. For some visitors cultural sights, cuisines and friendly people are considerably important and some others will look for entertainment and nightlife of Thailand.

When tourists were asked about why they choose Thailand as their tourist destination, the reply will be “”hospitality of Thai people is really welcoming and touches our emotions moreover Thai has all modern facilities for tourists visiting Thailand”".

Each and every visitor has different picture in their mind about their holiday destination and the taste varies from person to person. Some like to spend their vacation in adventurous places and some others like to spend holidays in places with amazing scenery and good climate. Thailand is a place in which people love to keep in their hearts with the memories and good time they spend. Most of the people will refresh it quite often to remember the wonderful moments they spend in Thailand.

Thailand is one of countries whose major income source is tourism. Thailand is filled with hotels, resorts, bungalows and guesthouses for tourists. Standard of accommodation of Thailand is excellent with well-mannered hotels all around. Most of the hotels offer wide range of accommodation categories.

To add zest in Thailand destination, a lot more you can have rather than sea, sand and sun or temple visits. The southern part of Thailand and related islands are most famous for sea, fishing and canoeing where as the northern part of Thailand is well-known for adventures including trekking, river rafting, caving and mountain biking. Most of the tourists who choose Thailand destination as their holiday camp quite often enjoy adventure safari, leisure, nightlife, shopping, sightseeing and lot more.

One of the important factors which tie and call visitors to the land of Thailand is mouth watering cuisines. Rice is the major component of Thai cuisine and fragrant jasmine rice which is native to Thailand is mostly used. Cuisines of Thailand destination is well known all around the globe for distinctive combination of flavors which often stir up the images of hot, spicy, tasty flavors and exotic ingredients.

Food of Thai is the indication of Thailand’s heritage which is a combined influence of western and eastern. Capital of Thailand – Bangkok, the 22nd most popular city in the world, is the largest city in Thailand situated near by bank of Chao Phraya River. Bangkok is one among the many to hit the fastest rates in constructions of high rising buildings. The cultural wealth of the city makes it the most admired tourist destination. The city Bangkok has a striking mix up of new and old- recent and ancient things to watch and enjoy.

When you select Thailand as your vacation destination, do not forget to visit Bangkok because it is home to Wat Phra Khao and the Grand Palace which are best for sight-seeing. Bangkok is showered with more and more attractions every square mile unlike any other cities. In spite of heavy crowds, architecture and attractions, the city is really appealing and worth to see and travel. One of the most unique attractions of Bangkok is the traditional life which is safe and sound from the modern civilization and thus would be an enthralling one to watch.

The kingdom of Thailand, the captivating land, is now a most preferred tourist destination. There is no wonder why each and every year tourist is increased at faster rates. New and frequent visitors have lots to watch in Thailand. Enjoy and keep in mind as most precious moments with Thai people. The heritage of the land doesn’t get swept away with the arc lights of trend and modernity. Renowned hospitality, magnificent natural beauty, inspirational temples, tastiest cuisines and also the tremendous appealing ancient kingdoms are the factors which makes Thailand the land of tourist. Now who wouldn’t love to visit Thailand on their vacations!

Six Top Reasons Why You Should Choose Asia as a Vacation Spot

Are you thinking of a great vacation? Asia could be the perfect destination. Asia vacation offers a great experience on knowing different cultures and attractions. In recent travel destination reviews, Asian vacation travel reservations were at their peak and still continue to make upward trends to most countries in Asia.

Beach vacations in Asia are more popular to many westerners. When you visit countries in Asia especially in the Southeast Asian region, your vacation would never be complete without surfing and Asian beach party. You will surely enjoy the natural beauty of the white sands which are rarely found in these parts of the world.

An Asia vacation trip would allow you to explore all of its natural beauty. If you are planning a vacation, the countries in Asia would be the perfect destination. You will discover new cultures and will be fascinated how hospitable and friendly Asians are. Here are some very good reasons why you should plan an Asian vacation.

1.It is a great way to spend a long vacation in Asia. You will have a great time in spending your budget. You will have the advantage of the dollar exchange rate. You will have the best time and all the time in the world spending all your money.

2.You will find tours and travel packages that are inexpensive. Travel agencies offer reasonable prices for your whole Asian experience. You will also find many vacation rentals that provide a relaxing experience that you would not forget in your entire life.

3.Asian countries like China and India have great scopes of landmarks that are considered as wonders of the world. Aside from seeing the Great Wall of China and the Taj Majal of India, you will also be educated with the diversity of the regions. You have the option of making your China and India vacation a scenic, cultural, religious or a historical travel.

4.The Southeast Asian region offers travelers with great beaches. Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and Malaysia have the best beaches in the world. Aside from the beaches, you will also be amazed with the tropical climate of the region. Tourists especially from western countries have experienced great treatment from friendly and hospitable people.

5.Hong Kong is great place to visit. The new Hong Kong Disneyland is a new attraction to the country especially for those who brought their families. You will also enjoy shopping on their markets situated near the Hong Kong River. Their restaurants serve a different taste of Cantonese cuisine that you will surely enjoy.

6.With the natural beauty of its mountains and rivers, Taiwan would be a perfect choice for Asian vacation. The tropical Asian climate is responsible for the beauty and diversity of the continent’s wondrous and abundant forests. Taiwan is also known as a great destination for bird watching especially in the months of September and May.

If you are planning for a vacation, Asia is the best place to go. You will surely have an unforgettable experience. You may search the Internet for reviews about your destination choice in Asia. Pack your baggage now and enjoy the Asian experience.

Why is karaoke so popular

Karaoke is a popular pastime in many countries. Employees go to the karaoke after office hours. Young adults attend such function with their friends during the weekend. I remember being at the karaoke for the very first time with my former colleagues when I was working as a computer programmer for a life insurance company in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in the late 1990s. It was indeed a very exciting, and thrilling experience for me. For the first time, I could actually hold the microphone, and sing my favourite song to some people. During that time, I began to like karaoke, and to realize why it had become a popular pastime

Karaoke was first invented by Daisuke Inoue, a Japanese musician in the early 1970s. Since then, karaoke lounges can be found all over Japan, and around the world especially in other Asian countries. In some restaurants, there are also karaokes for guests at dinners to sing their favourite songs.

Now, here are some reasons why karaoke is so popular. Firstly, karaoke is an equipment that plays the accompaniment, and display the lyrics on a television screen. Each word on the lyrics changes colour one at a time to assist the singer to sing in time. The accompanying music is actually the same music used by the professional or celebrity singer of the song. By having the opportunity to sing to the same accompaniment, you can feel you have been given the special privilege of singing in place of your favourite singer or the person who originally sang your favourite tune. At the same time, singing can also be challenging as the original voice of the singer has been tuned down or removed, and in most cases the accompanists do not play the melody. And so, you also have the opportunity to show off your memory to your friends especially in terms of the melody, and the correct pitch. With the lyrics available, you don’t have to worry about forgetting your line.

When I was at my first karaoke, I had to chance to render a song by the Bee Gees who was also quite popular in Malaysia at that time. The only regret I had was I couldn’t sing anything in Mandarin to further impress my Mandarin-singing colleagues. Fortunately, they appreciated both English, and Mandarin songs. That was not the only time I attended karaoke sessions with my colleagues. For each session, I had been signing the same Bee Gee’s song. My colleagues might have gotten fed up of it. However, I believe, out of courtesy, they did not tell me to stop.

The second reason why karaoke

A Hindu Temple in a 400 Million Year Old Cave

 

The actual geographical structure of the Batu Caves in Malaysia is nothing to rave about, but its cultural significance lies in its Hindu Temple, which illustrates the sizeable contribution of the Indian community to the cultural traditions of Malaya. The caves are located about 12 km north of Kuala Lumpur in Gombak District. The oldest shrine is about 113 years old and sees about 1.5 million pilgrims annually, the temple is known as the most visited Hindu monument outside India.

 

The limestone caves are said to be over 400 million years old and is a system that encompasses about three main caves. The largest cave which is known as the Cathedral Cave has a ceiling which is about 100 meters high, this cave also holds a few ornate Hindu sculptures. It is believed that these temples were first inhabited by the indigenous Besisi and the caves were later discovered by an Indian trader called Pillai who also founded the Sri Mariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur. It is said that Pillai installed a sculpture of Sri Subramaniam Swami inside the cave which led to the formation of the Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Muruga.

 

Each an important Hindu festival known as Thaipusam is celebrated here during mid January. The festival is a celebration of the Hindu mythology where Lord Siva danced with his consort Uma and also signifies the movement of the moon through the star sign Cancer. The annual festival draws in millions of Hindu devotees from places as far away as Australia, India and Singapore.

 

The festival begins as a procession in the early hours of morning in Kuala Lumpur and ends at the Batu Caves, the devotees carry containers filled with milk and floral decorations known as Kavadi as offerings to the Lord Muruga. Devotees usually stop for a purifying bath at the Rocky River and resume their journey.

 

For tourists the Batu caves offer the dual attraction of being inhabited by the indigenous Besisi and being the home of Malaysia’s most important Hindu temple. The walkway up to the temple also offers scenic views of the surrounding lush rainforest and on clear days it is even possible to see beyond Kuala Lumpur’s suburbs towards the Bay.

 

Despite being located away from Kuala Lumpur’s city it is advisable for travelers to base themselves in a city hotel. A discount hotel in Kuala Lumpur that offers great access to the transportation network and shopping districts is Citrus Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

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