Something Fishy in KL

Heavy rain scuppers our plan for trip out of the City so we head for the Aquarium at KLCC.  Boasting the largest underwater glass tunnel the aquarium is huge.  We wander through all sorts of creatures, not all aquatic – I am pleased that I didn’t encounter some of the spiders and snakes on display when we walked through the jungle earlier in the week.

River rats the size of dogs and spiders that are hairier than very hairy things are part of the dispays together with a couple of engaging cotamundi which are known to be cheeky troublemakers. 

 

On to the fish on show in a number of well-presented tanks with lots of information in English enabling us to appreciate the finer points of the displays.  The highlight was the moving walkway which takes us under sharks and fantastic sting rays 

"Der ne der ne de de de de"

The rays glide effortlessly through the water and look like they are smiling at you as we pass.  There are plenty of other fish which I’d rather not swim with including large parrot fish and a shoal of malevolent piranhas with their fixed smiles and deadly teeth. 

A little ray of sunshine

A giant octopus kept us enthralled for about half an hour, what they can do with their legs is no-bodies business.  Interestingly, he appears to be a distant relative of the lamented Paul the World Cup octopus and John looks unsuccessfully for a prediction for Everton’s FA cup chances.

Occy says "Woy's on borrowed time"

After the fishy delights we walked around the KLCC water park. The grounds in the city centre are tranquil and we walk around the lakes although unfortunately the fountains are not working.  The rain returns so we head to Chinatown on the sky train. 

The sky train is rammed and we wonder how we will get through the crowd to alight at our station.  Luckily most people got off at our stop so we did not have to fight our way out. We walk back to the Petaling Street market area and managed to get a few more T-shirts before stopping for freshly squeezed juice. 

The market is bustling with activity so we don’t stay too long before heading back to have a tandoori in a local kopitar – as this is a Moslem café there is no alcohol – I know, an unusual concept of Indian food and no lager!  The waiters are obviously on commission as four different waiters tried to sell us more food even after we had ordered and whilst we were eating.  Our order however had lost something in translation and only half of the food arrived.  We wandered over the road for a few beers before bed.  

Up early and packed for our trip to Malaka.  Our trusty driver Manof arrives at 11 am and we set off on the highway as usual he drives safely and we snooze in the back. A two hour drive sees us at our hotel.  Malaka is instantly likeable with narrow streets and a relaxed atmosphere. There are lots of bars and strange little curiosity shops selling weird and wonderful items and as Friday night is party night in Jonkers we are in for a good time.

We’ve done our homework and already know we will eat at Pak Putra  The place is rough and ready but the reputation of the quality of food is well deserved with succulent chicken tandoori and spicy curry. 

Afterwards we head back to the town and it is worth remembering that Rule 1 applies - maps are not to scale. Consequently the walk takes longer than anticipated before we hit the chaos of Jonkers market and its street sellers all peddling their wares - some are rather odd and not particularly appealing - Radish cake, potatoes on sticks and strange coloured candies that seem to drive the kids wild. 

 

The usual tat is available but the market holders are not pushy. It is very humid and although we don’t need an excuse, we head for a bar and end up at a local drinking hole where most of the customers have clearly been there for some hours with bottles of scotch and Jim Bean half drunk on the tables.  We also see a blind piano player bashing (and I mean bashing) out a tune.  She has the head movement of Stevie Wonder and the finger dexterity of Les Dawson.

After a couple of refreshments we walk into the heart of Jonkers and come across a beauty competition. It’s hard to tell what’s going on as we watch a selection of largely middle aged women parading up and down the stage.  There’s a compere who hasn’t got a clue and a bossy young girl who keeps pushing the contestants into line. Horrendous music starts, women shuffle around, the bossy girl gets bossier.  Everyone goes back to their position and things start again.

We watch for ages (from a bar) trying to work out what is going on.  Although we’re confused most of the local men are focusing on the display of glamorous grannies parading on the stage. After an hour and a few more beers there’s still no sign of a conclusion and we move on. 

Miss Jonkers 2010!

The market is getting busier and busier with lots of groups of youngsters and families walking up and down. Everybody seems excited and there appears to be more locals than tourists. The market runs for the weekend so we stop for a few more beers at the Geographer bar before calling time and stumbling back to our hotel which is in the thick of the action.

I think we're going to like Malaka...