DAILY PHOTO: KL in Miniature

Taken in December 2013 in Kuala Lumpur

Taken in December 2013 in Kuala Lumpur

In Kuala Lumpur’s City Gallery there’s a model of the city that is part of a video presentation on the city. They darken the hall, play a film, and there are lights to highlight certain buildings or roadways as mentioned in the video.

It’s nifty and it’s free. The City Gallery is adjacent the famous “I♥KL” sign, near Independence Square and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building (Offices of the Ministry of Information, Communications, and Culture.)

DAILY PHOTO: Modern Art For The Sitting

Taken in December of 2013 in Kuala Lumpur.

Taken in December of 2013 in Kuala Lumpur.

In Kuala Lumpur we came across this little wooded area to the side of an office tower. Planted among the trees were these curvy, ornately painted benches.

As I’ve mentioned before, being a weary traveler on occasion, I’m frequently dismayed by artists who take up valuable and precious bench space with their bronze creations. This on the other hand, was a magnificent find, art that one could sit down on and rest one’s feet. As you can see, the benches were quite popular.

DAILY PHOTO: Central Market in Kuala Lumpur

Taken December 2013 in Kuala Lumpur

Taken December 2013 in Kuala Lumpur.

IMG_1296In 1888 this wasn’t a tourist market, but a run-of-the-mill city market. Now it’s a crafts market selling gee-gaws, tchotchkes, knick-knacks, as well as expensive artworks to foreign visitors.

DAILY PHOTO: Confluence of Gombak and Klang

Taken in December of 2013

Taken in December of 2013 in Kuala Lumpur.

The Gombak and Klang rivers join together right in the middle of Malaysia’s capital city. The Jamek Mosque is located just North of where they meet.

DAILY PHOTO: Perfuming the God of War

Taken in December of 2013 in Kuala Lumpur

Taken in December of 2013 in Kuala Lumpur

Guan Di Temple is a shrine to the Chinese God of War. Long strings of spiral incense cones hang from the lintel to perfume the air.

One can see Guan Di in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown near Petaling Street.

DAILY PHOTO: Little India Fountain in KL

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DAILY PHOTO / FUN FACT: Malaysia’s Flag

Taken December 21, 2013 in Kuala Lumpur.

Taken December 21, 2013 in Kuala Lumpur.

The Malaysian and U.S. flags have a common ancestor in the East India Company (specifically the British EIC) flag which flew from 1707 to 1801. Hence, their similar design scheme. The Malaysian flag has one more bar, but started off with two fewer than the US flag. (On the US flag the 13 bars represent the original colonies, but in the Malaysian flag they represent the number of states–which has grown.)

A Brief Hiatus

IMG_3925I’ll be traveling in Southeast Asia for the better part of a month. During this time my posts will be sporadic at best.

However, upon my return I should have plenty of photos and a few stories from my visit to Malaysia and southern Thailand. In addition to hanging out on the beach and visiting temples, shrines, and restaurants, I’ll spend a couple of weeks training muay thai and bjj in Phuket.

Best wishes,