Real KL?

Got to see more of the human side to KL today. Jon borrowed his mum's car and drove us around. Went to see a couple of buddhist temples (one Chinese, one Indian). Went to see an Indian temple but it had been demolished (like the old one standing where Mid Valley Megamall now stands). No wonder the Indian community in Malaysia is agrieved (Indians rioted earlier this year against government policy prefering ethnic Malays). Wanted to see Batu Caves but traffic has been clogged up. To avoid the jam, I hope to take the LRT to Putra station and either walk to the temple area or take a taxi.

After the temples, we went and ate an Indian meal served on banana leaves instead of plates. Eight little courses. Had fried squid as one of them. Goood! Then we went to the Thursday night market with Jon's mum. Bought all sorts of tropical fruit (dragon fruit, jackfruit, tiny golden bananas, etc) but no durian! Tried camomile tea (I'm loving the Chinese herbal teas) and real soy milk. Also bought my two-year-old sister a couple of Disney DVDs. The DVDs are supposedly genuine but when you open the sliding paper cover, the disk holder is a tacky plain black one with no printing on it. Not sure what will happen if I get stopped at customs in London.

Jon's mum picked up some braised duck, which we had for lunch at Jon's grandparents' place. It was only the second time I've had duck (the first time, when I was a kid, had put me off) but it wasn't all that bad. Thicker meat than chicken. Then we went to listen to live music (disappointing) and played some pool. Plans tomorrow are to go to Batu Caves, come back to KL for Friday prayers in Masjid Negara (National Mosque) and meet up with with a couple of friends. I intend to drop by Kuala Selangor and Klang over the weekend before heading North to Penang on Monday.