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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Sitting down to our last breakfast banquet I took my fill of various delights, mainly Indian and tried to exercise some moderation. Once we were groaning full we headed up to our room to pack and I got that feeling that all was not well. I will spare the details but my breakfast came up and out and I felt quite unwell for the rest of the day. Constant nausea in a place where the oppressive heat intensifies smells as well as escalating the feeling of sickness is not a nice state to be in! I would have loved to curl up in bed but we had to check out and had all day to spend before our flight out at midnight.

Our plan was to head to the central markets and I was determined to grin and bear it as much as possible and not let a set back spoil our holiday or ruin Vern’s day. I kept sipping water, sweating, and trying not to hurl, all along feeling somewhat weak due to the heat and lack of food. I began to dread the upcoming long flight and didn’t even have the luxury of laying in an air conditioned hotel till I recovered equilibrium.

Anyway, now that I have hopefully gained some sympathy and can say I got ‘d and v’ in Asia (what a badge to earn) we got the connector train to the markets. On the train we met an interesting Aussie couple a few years older than us who love travelling in Asia and had just been to Thailand and Laos and were here before heading back to Brisbane. Obviously warm weather does not phase them! They were off to stay near china town close by for $13 per night. She also gave me tips for my delicate condition having been there several times before herself. I kind of envied their energy, enthusiasm, and passion for doing it budget/rough. But then again resigned myself to the fact that intrepid travel in the tropics either jingles your bell or not; for me it’s a resolute no!

The markets were interesting and I got a pashmina for $10 and then we experienced our Kuala Lumpur highlight which was feeding fish our dry dead skin. Yep, an experience that I would do again in an instant. It cost 5MR which is about $2 for 10 minutes to sit with your feet in a pool of hungry skin eating fish who meticulously clean you off. It tickles like mad at first but then its an awesome feeling. Both Vern and I loved it and came away from our foot spa feeling deliciously relaxed with baby soft feet and calves.

We tried to find a chemist in the area to get something for my nausea which was easier said than done. The first chemist didn’t have anything and directed us further into the suburbs in search of another.

As you venture away from a tourist spot you quickly feel very foreign and a bit vulnerable in such a big place where Europeans are a small minority. Dark and questioning faces assess you amongst a backdrop of poverty, litter, business and noise all under an umbrella of relentless heat. Smells of dried fish, curries, sewers and car pollution hang thickly and penetrate your lungs even though you try not to inhale too deeply. I would have liked to take a photo street shot style but felt it rude to observe the observers, and in those areas I do not have my camera out of my bag for security reasons. Also the energy of wiping sweat off hands and face for a quick shot was just too much effort in my diminished state.

The second pharmacist also had no anti-nausea medication so we quickly made our way back to the market and got a Chinese herbal remedy in desperation. It was a sachet of little black pills the size of apple seeds, totalling about 1 tablespoon to be taken in one go with water. They actually took the edge off, so I bought some more at the airport as I felt sick again then. I now have a box for the rest of my trip – just in case.

After the markets we headed back to the hotel, and sat in the air-conditioned foyer for the remaining 4 hours until our transfer to the airport arrived. At that point I managed to keep down my first food for the day – a banana. Our flight departed at midnight, so it was a very long day!

Thoughts on Kuala Lumpur? Always glad to have seen a new place, probably 4 days was too long in the city,and it would have been nice to see a coastal area like Penang. You cannot judge a country by the cities, but I can’t say we liked it a lot. Why? Too hot, dirty, crowded and poor, and I do not think I relate/connect or understand the Asian cultures (including Indian) that well. It does have some nice spots, was incredibly lush and we met some lovely local people.

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