Showing Jared around KL

My older son, Jared, came to visit us a few weeks ago.  A little behind on my blogging.  I already posted about our trip to Borneo.  Here are some of the things we did with him around KL.

As soon as Jared bought his plane ticket, I started shopping!  The boy gets two suitcases, and he doesn't need that many clothes.  That frees up a whole suitcase for things we can't buy easily in KL.  I sure love Amazon Prime free shipping!  It was a bit like Christmas when he came. He brought Savannah some Airhead candy, converse tennis shoes, and paper for her Polaroid camera.  Austin got his much awaited sword and t-shirts.  I got beach towels, clothes, and ingredients to make Arroz con Gandules.

I asked Jared what he wanted to do on Monday.  We didn't do much, since we all just wanted to hang out together and still had to pack for Borneo.  He said he wanted some 'Asian' food, but not particular about what kind.  So I picked a great dumpling restaurant I had been wanting to try.  It was called Din Tai Fung, which has locations all over Asia and even some in the US!  This location was in the Pavilion Mall.

We ordered several different things to try.  Most were amazing.  A couple, not so much.  :)

This was after our trip to the beach.  Austin needed some fabric for a Halloween costume.  He chose to be a gladiator, to go along with his new sword.  We went to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, or Jalan TAR for short.  Jalan means 'street' in Malay.   Anyways, Jalan TAR has fabric store after fabric store.   Austin couldn't resist posing with some of the mannequins.  

Jared blends in well with all the bright colors.

A couple of other stores on Jalan TAR.

Austin and Savannah just loved having their brother come for  visit!

On Saturday, we wanted to get out and about in KL.  I had heard about a bird park. I was not expecting that much.  It was much bigger than I thought!  It cost $16 to get in, per person, but I guess that is the going rate for the world's largest enclosed aviary.  There were several peacocks roaming the park.  I had forgotten how truly beautiful peacocks are.  I have not been too fond of them lately.  In Oman, the house down the street had several peacocks roaming their grounds.  During mating season (April-August), they make the most awful, loud, noises that would wake us up at night.  But on this day, they were just beautiful and quiet.  :)

Holding these birds was my favorite part!!!

So cool!

I was looking for some interesting things to do in KL.  I had been told about this restaurant, Dining in the Dark.  As the name implies, you are served a complete four course meal in total darkness.  The waiters are all blind.  You have no idea what you are eating.  I have to admit, the first few minutes of darkness felt claustrophobic to me.  And I was a little nervous about what I was going to eat.  But it was all good.   The meal was around $35 a person, and a unique experience.

After a week of 'Asian' food, we were ready for some good old Chili's!  I had no idea Chili's was so global.  There were three in Muscat, Oman, and several here in KL.

Monday again.  Joe was back at work and the kids back at school after their fall break.  I took Jared to Batu Caves, which is always interesting.

The Batu Caves is one of the most important Hindu shrines outside of India.  At certain times, this place will be filled with thousands and thousands of worshippers.

We also went to the National Monument.  This statue honors all those killed in the Japanese occupation during WWII and the Malayan Emergency.

There was a beautiful area surrounding the monument, with great views of the city.  This will be very hard for you to see, but to the right of this picture you will see some red.  That is a street light in this area.  It is shaped like a hibiscus.  So I got this picture of the beautiful lamp post and the real thing.  

National Mosque

This is one of my favorite buildings in KL, the old railroad station.

Jared and I ended our long morning with a visit to Central Market.  The inside of the building has many small stores and stalls.  It reminds me of the souk in Muscat.  Jared did some souvenir shopping and we had Thai food for lunch.  Then back to finish packing and head to airport for 20+ hour flight back to Philadelphia!

I just heard from Jared.  It is cold in Philadelphia and it gets dark early.  He is ready to come back to Malaysia!!