FRIM, Batu Caves, Orang Asli Museum and dinner at Central Market (07.09.08)

As usual, we got up early. Enough said. We got picked up by the bus, also as usual. We were heading to FRIM, the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia. After some waiting, George of the Jungle came to guide us through the jungle. He was very excited about the jungle. I was not. Not to whine or anything, but I felt really sick that day, and had trouble breathing just by standing upright. Being greedy, I did not want to miss anything, so I just pushed through. We went into some sort of tiny museum with a security guard outside, and we looked at some pieces of wood. We went outside and started making our way into the jungle. There were some really cool roots around on the ground, and we looked at a plant with some giant leafs. After we had gotten into the jungle, I felt completely fine. I could breathe normally, and I did not feel sick at all. I felt well for many hours, even some time after we left the jungle. It was quite cool; it kinda proves that the jungle is a good thing. On our way through the jungle, we saw a tiny iguana, a giant ant (around 4cm), a very long caterpillar, and leeches in people’s shoes. We were very amused (you could tell from all the screaming). We also got to see a spot (the spot) in the jungle where a photographer from National Geographic took a picture. We also saw a tree which is used in Malaysian lipsticks and chocolate, so that they will not melt. After the one and a half hour trek, we were taken to McDonalds and given a 10RM voucher. It covered the expense of my Quarter Pounder meal, so the cost was 17 NOK. I am so fascinated over the fact that ordinary McDonalds burgers do not taste ordinary, but Malaysian. Hanne did not want to eat at McDonalds because they couldn’t understand her complex order (plain burger, only bread + meat), so she disappeared into a local shop and returned with a cup of jelly.

After having tasted the local cuisine, we set out for Batu Caves. Once arrived, we were given t-shirts from Limkokwing Uni by two students who were accompanying us, and we were forced into a happy PR group picture. Back to the caves: Batu Caves are a series of caves that are 400m long and up to 100m high. The caves are filled with hindu shrines as it is a holy place to the hindus. You have to walk up 272 steps to get up there, and next to it is a giant golden statue of some important guy.



We suffered a casualty at the top of the stairs, as Hanne, who had blatantly refused to eat or drink anything that day except half a cup of weird jell-o, had a fit of dehydration and was rescued by Samad who acquired a bottle of water for her. The task of photo taking was now resting on my shoulders, and I embarked on my lonely quest through the caves. It was kind of creepy, being dark and water dripping from the ceiling, and you could never know where the friggin monkeys were. Because the caves were swarming with monkeys. We had been warned not to bring any plastic bags with us, as the smart monkeys have discovered that those usually contain food. In the last cave, I met up with a large group of classmates who were standing in the middle, surrounded by monkeys. The walls of the cave had lots of monkeys on them, and also minimonkeys. One of the monkeys triumphantly showed off his treasure, a plastic bag containing flowers and a banana. He was ecstatic. A girl from our class started feeding one monkey with Marie-kjeks. Smart move. No further comment. I headed back out and down again, carefully avoiding the monkeys.

After a short wait, we headed for the Orang Asli Museum (Orang=people, asli=original), which is the museum for the original people of Malaysia. It was interesting, but would have been nicer if they would actually write something in English as well. Basically, we just walked around looking at wooden tools which we had no idea what were used for. We travelled back to the hotel, and I had a 1h spa treatment: massage!

Later, me and Hanne went to Central Market to have dinner with Lesley, Sylvi, Marieke and Samad. We were introduced to Peter and Greg, two Americans who were also joining us for dinner. Peter was an architect who had actually designed the annexe we were having dinner in. Greg was with the American Embassy, and was apparently suffering from jetlag as he had only arrived 14 days earlier. I was sitting with a guy who I can’t remember the name of, but who was managing the business in the annexe, including an art gallery. We also met Hisham, who runs the place we ate at. He was very funny. Hisham cooked the food, which we were told was an honour. We had no idea why. We were served a lot of good food, and got to try many specialities. He even made Hanne eat tofu, and she did not hate it. I love that guy. We were served “teh sarai” (lemongrass tea), tofu, three types of jungle nuts (which were apparently named green stuff, less green stuff and more green stuff (according to Samad)), shrimp, fish (which was totally delicious), langsat (fruit) and something we think was called pulasan (also fruit). We also had a dessert with green coconut looking like marzipan, and filled with cinnamon and brown sugar. It was very yummy. Hanne and Hisham were talking about the French language, and he said something in French and Greg asked Hanne if Hisham’s accent was any good. Hanne said that his French was better than his English. We were all laughing :D We later discovered why it was an honour to be cooked for and served by Hisham. Google Hishamuddin Rais. Fascinating. You could also google the Bau Bau Café, which is where we ate.