Where had I been to so far?
Penang Island.
Malaysia.
Yes, that's where I had been to.
Penang is a beautiful island in Malaysia. More so, the quieter, culture-filled and overwhelmingly beautiful part of the country. Penang is to Malaysia (to me) just like Malaysia is to The Twin Towers, as to most tourists. A recent conversation with a friend took shape something like this-
Friend- So, how was your tour? When are you going to disclose the place?
Me- It wasn't a tour. Rather, a travel.
Friend- What is the difference? One and the same.
No, not one and the same. The reason I chose to keep the name of the country inconspicuous is because most of us think Malaysia is similar to our country, in terms of climate and people. And anything special? Could be the Twin Towers. By 'us', I do include myself. At least, that is what I was told. But when I traveled, when I stayed with the locals, when I learnt a few local words, when I was lost, when I landed in the interior part of the country, was when I relished the true essence of this incredible country. Maybe, to a tourist, the plan would be to visit the main attractions, capture a couple of pictures and move to and fro from the hotel room. And that was it. But to a traveler, it is something more than just the typical locations. It is more of the culture, the people, the quieter side, the infamous marvels, the raw wonders. And, that was exactly what I craved for and was endowed with.
Penang gave me a glimpse of many countries. The love-lock up-hill gave me a quick view of Paris, the photographs with live animals gave a glimpse of Australia, the Wax Museum in I-city a glimpse of London, the incredibly fierce waves in the beach sent a shiver down my spine to imagine the same place tormented by Tsunami a couple of years ago. There is indeed a village called, 'The Tsunami Village.' Humour or a deep story? Could be anything. More likely to be humour since the people are always chilled out. Their archetypal dialogue being- Nevermind, la. How wonderfully easy-going. I will forever remember the real importance of using and meaning the word. :)
What could I return to this alluring country which has taught me so much? Well, the water seemed to like my shoes. As I wandered off in the beach, uncovering sea-shells, star-fishes and twigs half buried, bearing all that the water seemed to do to it, the sea grabbed my shoe. Meanwhile I return back to find, one lonely shoe, smirking at me to find the other one or sail this one as well. After a lazy search session, I projected the lonely shoe into the sea. Probably I would find it in yet another country, the odds were obvious, but magic was all I expected out of life after this travel. On my way back, I notice yet another lonely slipper. Green, lush green, not sure if it's the dye or the magic of the water, it had been used for long, the scars gave clues, the creases had a story to tell. Probably it has sailed miles, probably somebody lost it like me and this little naughty wonder was hiding in the water only to stay back in this beautiful country. I hope my shoe finds its way to some traveler too. I hope it says a story. A story of its first trip overseas.
Next was the trip to the so-called main attractions. The Twin Towers, Batu Caves, The Dark cave, Putra Jaya( the administrative capital of the country). Do you sense how mundane I've turned these places into? Forgive me, I genuinely develop little interest towards the hype.
Architectural beauty, a full moon day with Venus and Jupiter meeting in the star studded sky, Putra Jaya was a wonder. Kuala Lumpur, easily the city of lights. The Dark Cave introduced me to the Darkest place and Quietest place on earth. One could hear the little birds chirping, the sleek water drops playing little music and heading towards the light from above the cave, gave me quick experience of a trek. And alas! The night view of the Twin Towers, such a glory!
"This is your Captain, Hari Krishna. We will be landing shortly. Please fasten your seat belts. Thank you.", interrupted an astoundingly prodigious voice as I closed my travel journal. Thus, ended my travel to Malaysia. :) And so did your virtual tour.
Hope it was revealing.
Wait, don't you want to know what was Dish-1? Dish one is called 'Muah-chi.' Now Goggle and drool over it. If you're wondering what I'm talking about, revert back to Part-2.
Happy reading! :)
©Deekshita Srinivas. 6th July, 2015.
Penang Island.
Malaysia.
Yes, that's where I had been to.
Penang is a beautiful island in Malaysia. More so, the quieter, culture-filled and overwhelmingly beautiful part of the country. Penang is to Malaysia (to me) just like Malaysia is to The Twin Towers, as to most tourists. A recent conversation with a friend took shape something like this-
Friend- So, how was your tour? When are you going to disclose the place?
Me- It wasn't a tour. Rather, a travel.
Friend- What is the difference? One and the same.
No, not one and the same. The reason I chose to keep the name of the country inconspicuous is because most of us think Malaysia is similar to our country, in terms of climate and people. And anything special? Could be the Twin Towers. By 'us', I do include myself. At least, that is what I was told. But when I traveled, when I stayed with the locals, when I learnt a few local words, when I was lost, when I landed in the interior part of the country, was when I relished the true essence of this incredible country. Maybe, to a tourist, the plan would be to visit the main attractions, capture a couple of pictures and move to and fro from the hotel room. And that was it. But to a traveler, it is something more than just the typical locations. It is more of the culture, the people, the quieter side, the infamous marvels, the raw wonders. And, that was exactly what I craved for and was endowed with.
Penang gave me a glimpse of many countries. The love-lock up-hill gave me a quick view of Paris, the photographs with live animals gave a glimpse of Australia, the Wax Museum in I-city a glimpse of London, the incredibly fierce waves in the beach sent a shiver down my spine to imagine the same place tormented by Tsunami a couple of years ago. There is indeed a village called, 'The Tsunami Village.' Humour or a deep story? Could be anything. More likely to be humour since the people are always chilled out. Their archetypal dialogue being- Nevermind, la. How wonderfully easy-going. I will forever remember the real importance of using and meaning the word. :)
 |
| Putra Jaya |
 |
| Love lock |
 |
| Wax Museum |
 |
| The beach |
 |
| Twin Towers |
 |
| Sky view from the caves |
What could I return to this alluring country which has taught me so much? Well, the water seemed to like my shoes. As I wandered off in the beach, uncovering sea-shells, star-fishes and twigs half buried, bearing all that the water seemed to do to it, the sea grabbed my shoe. Meanwhile I return back to find, one lonely shoe, smirking at me to find the other one or sail this one as well. After a lazy search session, I projected the lonely shoe into the sea. Probably I would find it in yet another country, the odds were obvious, but magic was all I expected out of life after this travel. On my way back, I notice yet another lonely slipper. Green, lush green, not sure if it's the dye or the magic of the water, it had been used for long, the scars gave clues, the creases had a story to tell. Probably it has sailed miles, probably somebody lost it like me and this little naughty wonder was hiding in the water only to stay back in this beautiful country. I hope my shoe finds its way to some traveler too. I hope it says a story. A story of its first trip overseas.
 |
| A million stories hidden. |
Next was the trip to the so-called main attractions. The Twin Towers, Batu Caves, The Dark cave, Putra Jaya( the administrative capital of the country). Do you sense how mundane I've turned these places into? Forgive me, I genuinely develop little interest towards the hype.
Architectural beauty, a full moon day with Venus and Jupiter meeting in the star studded sky, Putra Jaya was a wonder. Kuala Lumpur, easily the city of lights. The Dark Cave introduced me to the Darkest place and Quietest place on earth. One could hear the little birds chirping, the sleek water drops playing little music and heading towards the light from above the cave, gave me quick experience of a trek. And alas! The night view of the Twin Towers, such a glory!
"This is your Captain, Hari Krishna. We will be landing shortly. Please fasten your seat belts. Thank you.", interrupted an astoundingly prodigious voice as I closed my travel journal. Thus, ended my travel to Malaysia. :) And so did your virtual tour.
Hope it was revealing.
Wait, don't you want to know what was Dish-1? Dish one is called 'Muah-chi.' Now Goggle and drool over it. If you're wondering what I'm talking about, revert back to Part-2.
Happy reading! :)
©Deekshita Srinivas. 6th July, 2015.