Malacca, Malaysia

Taman Negara and Petronas

Arrived in the middle of the night at the big Kuala Lumpur airport; when, after completing the quick customs formalities, we reach our accommodation by taxi, we have only a couple of hours left before the excursion begins. We settle our luggage in the small, simple room; from the window you can see the terminal part of the Petronas Towers, but there's a strong smell of smoke. We booked the tour to Taman Negara National Park from Italy via the internet. Right on time, the minibus comes to pick us up, along with two American guys. I have so much sleep debt that I sleep for the whole journey, except for the short stop along the way at a café where we have breakfast, included in the price of the excursion.

Once we arrive at Taman Negara National Park, we get on a motorboat that takes us to the other bank of a river, where we continue on foot along a partly equipped trail inside the rainforest. The sky is leaden; our guide explains some of the plants we encounter along the way. We arrive in an area where tall canopy walkways have been set up, allowing a view of the forest from above. During the itinerary I lose track of my travel companion, who, not feeling up to doing all the canopy walkways, was supposed to wait for me in one spot but instead went back alone to the park entrance. After searching for him in vain, we manage to spot him on the other bank of the river, where we also go for lunch. We eat at the restaurant overlooking the river while a downpour comes down. When the rain stops, we set off in a motor launch towards a tribal village. To get there we even shoot some rapids.

The Orang Asli live in huts and receive us by showing us how to light a fire and how to make a poisoned arrow. Then they have us try shooting the arrow with a blowpipe. We then take the launch again and return to the entrance, from where, having got on the minibus, we head towards the capital. I take the opportunity to go back to sleep. We arrive at the hotel in the evening and ask at reception for a deodorant for the room. In the evening, with a walk, we go to the very tall Petronas Towers, two twin skyscrapers joined halfway up by a bridge that were once the tallest buildings in the world. They are well illuminated and represent the symbol of the city. We walk back to our accommodation, buying something to eat at a little shop that was closing its doors.

Kuala Lumpur and Batu Caves

This morning, after leaving the hotel, we reach the nearest Metro station and arrive at the Batu Cave stop to see the caves. The Batu Caves are natural caves in which the Hindu community of Malacca have placed a temple. To get there you have to climb a crowded staircase preceded by the tall golden statue of a Hindu idol. The cave is large and open at the top by a crack through which the sun enters. Inside, in the half-darkness, the faithful pray and light votive lamps. Having come back down, we take the metro again, getting off near the centre, where, after passing through a convent area, we go to Merdeka Square. This is Kuala Lumpur's main square, overlooked by colonial buildings including a small tower. In the background stands the outline of the Petronas Towers. The large square is almost completely occupied by a broad lawn.

We return to our hotel to collect the luggage that this morning we left in the care of the Albanian receptionist, then, by taxi, we reach the airport about an hour from the city. In fact, we have our return flight to Italy via Istanbul.