Malaysia - Arrival in KL, Nov 5 2010.

It's Nov 5, 2010 and it's Deepawali, the Festival of Lights (biggest festival for the world's 1 billion Hindus that also marks the Hindu New Year). This also happened to be the 1st time when I was all alone in my celebrations ( and I mean - less any family members). This simple fact alone had transpired that it was going to be a very unique celebration.
So I departed from Singapore to Malaysia in the afternoon at around 1300 hrs in an ultra-comfy 'Transtar' Coach which boasted of 'Massage Seat Recliners', and only 16 of them, with Widescreens for each seat and cable channels for each screen.

I know, I know, I thought that too, that this has gone against the very spirit of backpacking which I so highly speak of, that backpacking must be synonymous to "budget travels" and "living rough" and I have betrayed that ideology - but hey I didn't took a flight did I!! 


That these bus companies are now able to provide an entire "in-flight entertainment" inside a coach for less than 60 SGD is a totally different thing. Anways, the trip took a good 5-6 hrs and by the time I had reached KL, it was almost 7 pm. 
Was it bcoz it was late evening on a Friday or for the fact that it was a public holiday, but the bus-stop in KL was completely deserted. I was also promised that upon arrival, I 'll get the chance to convert my money, but to my mild shock & surprise the only shop I could find there was already closed. There were also 2 taxis standing, but none of them looked even mildly interested in picking up any passengers.
So, with backpack tugged on, I start walking on this road which I could only guess would lead me to some form of public transport, when one of the taxis catches up to me. Fortunately I had 15 Malaysian Ringgit (AUD$ 5) in my wallet (thanks to an Airport transit via KL nearly 7 years back), which he reluctantly accepted (his initial offer was RM 25) and dropped me in Chinatown or as the Malays call it "Petaling Street".

I had finally reached "Backpacker's Travellers Inn" where only a night before I had booked a room for 2 nights at RM 54 (AUD $18) per night. Located smack-down in the middle of Chinatown in KL, with their own travel center and a roof top terrace and bar seemed like the perfect place to be.

With my backpack stacked away, I head to the rooftop bar and met this lovely couple from Ireland who had been travelling for a good 6 months across all of Asia. I remember them bcoz they were lots of fun and we chatted until midnight (although I am guessing our drinks would have something to do with it), until the barman called out his last. AND THEN, not a second may have passed after 12, when a horde of firecrackers went up in the air, all together, and I knew that some people had indeed gotten scared.


It was left unto me to explain that this formed an integral part of Diwali and that this in essence is a reckoning for the same. Alas, the atmosphere was all festive and here I was in the middle of KL, underneath a clear starry sky, on my very first day celebrating a Diwali which I knew all too well.