We spent three weeks exploring Malaysia and Singapore during the early summer of 1999.
What was our most memorable experience?
Downing the freshest food possible at the night market in conservative Moslem Kota Bharu? Sharing a walkway with an orangutan at the Semenggok rehabilitation center outside of Kuching? Alternating between feelings of ecstasy and pain during a foot massage in Singapore? Sharing tuak (rice wine drink) with Iban longhouse members in the depths of the Borneo jungle? Or maybe, simply the joy of spying on a giant sea turtle idling on the ocean floor just a few feet off the shore on the Perhentian Islands?
Hard to choose, right?
Date(s): June/July 1999. Album by David Kohl. Photos by David Kohl & Ross Rosenberg. 1 - 16 of 36 Total. 5223 Visits.
Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur At the time, they were considered to be the tallest buildings in the world (if you include their antenna-like masts). Completed in 1998, these 88-story buildings are the symbol of the "new Malaysia".
Kuala Lumpur train station Built in 1911, this British-constructed train station is a Moorish-inspired melange of spires, towers and arches.
Batu Caves The Batu Caves are the site of a yearly masochistic ritual where hundreds of Hindu devotees pierce their skin with hooks (that attach to small pots of milk!) and trek up this 272-step entry. A Hindu shrine awaits inside.
Bako National Park, Borneo On the way to Sarawak's oldest national park - Baku. Over 50 miles of trail wind through Baku's dense jungle. Long-tailed macaque monkeys can be seen in abundance. But be warned that they are aggressive theives -slyly snatching bags and cameras away from the unaware.
Kuching, Borneo Early morning view taken from our hotel room window (through glass).
Orangutans Orangutans heeding the feeding call at the Semenggok Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, located a few miles outside the city of Kuching. It is only one of three orangutan rehabilitation centers in the world.
Close encounter Visitors are not permitted to feed or touch the orangutans. But that doesn't stop you from getting close to them. As in this photo, sometimes you'll even share a walkway with one.
Photo Op The Centre seeks to rehabilitate orangutans, monkeys and other animals that have been orphaned or injured by poachers.
Ready for a close up Mother and baby orangutan just hanging out. Orangutans can weigh up to 220lbs and have an armspan of 8 feet. They are the only species of 'great ape' to be found outside of Africa.
Batang Ai Reservoir In motorized boats we head out to visit nearby Iban longhouses in Batang Ai National Park. The longhouses are a half hour journey by boat from the only hotel in the park.
Welcome to the longhouse Gifts are a must for any longhouse visit. Cigarettes and alcohol are preferred but any food item is appreciated.
Iban longhouse greeter The Ibans are the single largest ethnic group in Sarawak (one of the two Malaysian states on Borneo). The Iban tribespeople used to be headhunters. Emphasize "used".
Inside the longhouse The longhouses are traditionally constructed of ironwood. Shoes must be removed once inside. Each family occupies a separate apartment that opens to a central common room which runs the length of the house.
Longhouse traditional dance
Ceremonial dress
Pepper drying on longhouse deck Pepper is one of Sarawak's main export.
