In Kuala Lumpur, Encountering Rainbows and Faith
2024 is about to come to an end. I flew solo from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for a short three-day, two-night trip.
This was a trip without many expectations. I just wanted my footsteps to land in a city I had never been to, to see different skies, breathe different air, and then—quietly get a little closer to this world.
Day 1|City Steps and Night Lights
After arriving in Kuala Lumpur, I checked into Eaton Residences KLCC, located in the city center. The biggest selling point of this residence is the rooftop infinity pool with a distant view of the Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower.
The moment I walked into the room, the window revealed a vast cityscape. Quietly looking down, it felt as if I had already drawn closer to this city.
After a short rest, I headed alone to the famous Batu Caves.
To be honest, Batu Caves wasn’t as “sacred” as I had imagined. The colorful stairs look dreamlike in photos, but on-site it was noisy, messy, with quite a bit of trash, and the monkeys were rampant, stealing food.
Still, following the traveler’s habit, I climbed the 272-step rainbow staircase step by step. Although sweat was sticky, I felt a small sense of satisfaction. Since I was here, not leaving with regrets is the most basic sincerity of travel.
In the evening, back in the city, I took night shots of the Twin Towers, then had dinner at ALVA Sky Dining on the 99th floor. Sitting alone by the window, looking at the city lights. I like moments like this—somewhat lonely, but freer.
Back at Eaton Residences, I went up to the rooftop pool. There weren’t many people at night. I soaked in the water while the distant Twin Towers twinkled in the hazy night. The city seemed to whisper, and I quietly listened.
Day 2|A Dual Baptism of Faith and Appetite
On the second day, I arranged a mosque tour. The first stop was the Pink Mosque (Putra Mosque) in Putrajaya, which looks like a dreamy palace floating on the lake. The pink dome and the morning blue sky reflected on the lake, so soft it took your breath away.
Not far away, the Moroccan Mosque was small but exquisite. The arches, tiles, fountains—every inch was filled with exotic poetry. I stayed there for a long time, doing nothing but sitting quietly.
In the afternoon, I went to the Blue Mosque (Sultan Salahuddin Mosque). This is my favorite. It is solemn yet gentle. The huge blue and white dome brings peace of mind. Wearing a robe, I entered the main hall, surrounded only by the sound of wind and low chanting, as if the whole person was enveloped in holiness.
In the evening, back in the city, I tried the legendary durian platter in Bukit Bintang. Musang King, D24, XO—each bite felt like a challenge to the taste buds.
For dinner, I chose Pin Qian Ba Sheng Bak Kut Teh, drank a bowl of richly stewed, dark herbal soup, and ordered fried dough sticks and flaky pancakes. On the noisy street at night, I sat alone among the crowd eating, yet I didn’t feel lonely at all.
Conclusion|On the flight back to Taiwan, I quietly said goodbye to myself
Leaving Kuala Lumpur, I flew back to Taiwan for a short stop before returning to the United States. This trip was like a microcosm of my 2024—ups and downs, occasional chaos, but also full of surprises.