Page 61 - LIN April 2023 Web File. reduce

FOUNDATION

AIMS HIGH

TO SUSTAIN PUBLIC SERVICES Monkeys in the temples The Batu Temple Caves,
The Batu Temple Caves,
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Monkeys in the temples

Cruising Asia

Climbing the 272 steps to
Climbing the 272 steps to
the Temple Caves
the Temple Caves
in Malaysia in the Wake of Covid
in Malaysia
by Lisa Spiller
aigon, Vietnam was a surprising adventure. We techniques to turn coconut jelly into taffy candy and rice into rice wine.
were impressed by the preservation of the French At Cai Be - Hoa Khanh, we were served an impressive family-style lunch
Sarchitecture, modern high-rises and luxury brand featuring fried Elephant Fish, a delicacy, which was carved tableside and
storefronts. We explored the museum of Vietnamese rolled into rice paper.
Herbal Medicine and learned about herbal remedies Kuala Lumpur surprised us with the density of high rises, modern
for regaining Chi, fighting cancer, and detoxing the highways, European cars, international banks and luxury brand hotels.
liver. I bought a load of these herbal teas. We saluted Like Bangkok, the cruise port is about 90 minutes from the city proper.
the rooftop where the final helicopter lifted the last of our American We took an elevator up to the Sky Deck of the world’s 7th tallest tower,
Troops following the Vietnam war and intently listened as our guide the KL Tower, for a view of the city from the top down and visited the
explained current socialism politics under communist rule. Petronas Twin Towers, the world’s tallest twin towers. The highlight was
New Year’s Eve in Saigon was exciting: The Opera House was the Batu Caves, one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside of India.
showing a Cirque performance and rooftop bars were hosting New Here, an imposing 140-foot-tall gold Hindu statue guarded 272 brightly
Year’s Eve parties where multi-generational Vietnamese families filled painted stairs. We climbed the stairs to the temple caves with hundreds
the tables. We decided to stick to the main pedestrian boulevard at the of resident monkeys who playfully hopscotched around us, snatched
base of the historic Rex Hotel where loud Asian pop music and Cyndi treasures from our backpacks and posed for our cameras.
Lauper oldies blared from the official New Year’s Eve DJ booth. In Penang, Malaysia has a British Colonial heritage, is known for
Vietnam, 79% of the population is under 45, which quickly became outstanding cafes, food markets and restaurants, and is best explored by
apparent as a moving sea of young people wearing lighted bunny ears Trishaw, a tricycle with a passenger seat in front. We wheeled through
and swallowing fire sticks spilled into the pedestrian streets at night the charming and gritty neighborhoods of Chinatown, Little India and
and made us feel old and crowded. the Chew Jetty where houses were built on over water stilts by 19th
While we felt quite safe walking the boulevards and waterfront century Chinese immigrants, we stopped for local tea and sticky buns in
promenade in Saigon, the scooter traffic is fearfully amazing. There are an outdoor café and we shopped for souvenirs in Little India.
7.6 million scooters in the city and at any given time, the streets are a In Cambodia, our guide UK was a schoolteacher by profession and a
rushing river of fast-moving scooters carrying men, women, babies and passionate advocate of Cambodia tourism. He was married with children,
dogs. There are no streetlights or crosswalks, so crossing a street on foot articulate in the English language and engaging. Cambodia, as one would
is intimidating. We trailed on the heels of a pack of teenagers who anticipate, is a very poor country and even the temples were crumbling.
knew how to do it Ho Chi Minh style – wave their hand in the air and The highlight was a visit to a Cambodian elementary school. We were
just start walking across with a smile. Scooters slowed just enough to invited into the classroom of young, giggling children who were excited
allow us to slither past as we held our breath and brushed up against to be the center of our attention. They were as fascinated by us as we were
handlebars and tires. enchanted by them. On teacher’s cue, they stood and performed their
The Saigon skyline transformed at night into something exotic national anthem for us and with the help of their teacher as translator
and lovely. LED lights in rainbow colors flickered on building facades, and support of their parents, answered questions about their education
French paddlewheel riverboats glowing with Christmas lights, and and family life. It was an authentic moment in time that stole my heart.
party yachts decorated with disco balls motored in slow circles on the Following our school visit, we were treated to Cambodia’s finest
Saigon river. Our ship held a fancy New Year’s Eve dance party on the seaside resort where I had broth soup spiced with red chilis, shrimp,
open deck and we watched spectacular Saigon fireworks light up the calamari, red bell pepper, scallions and cilantro. I’d go back to Cambodia
skyline and river. for this soup and an anthem sung by a child.
New Year’s Day, we joined a guided adventure up the Mekong Our finale was our return to Singapore and a day at Marina Bay
Delta to experience village life outside of the city. Along the way, we Sands Hotel, where we spent the day at the rooftop infinity pool
saw acres of rice fields and farmers in coolie hats working the land. overlooking the city. As dusk fell, we watched the Gardens by the Bay
Dozens of stilted wooden houses leaned over the river and villagers light show from our balcony and the Marina Bay laser light show from
in a canoe paddled out to meet us with coconuts, a straw and a smile. the Observation Deck. Both light shows are a must-do in the evening,
We walked the dirt roads of Cai Be, waved at locals riding their bikes, and from the unique vantage point offered by the Marina Bay Sands, it
gaped at caged roosters and stray dogs, and learned ancient milling was the perfect climactic finish to our exotic holiday.
Lisa is a Luxury Travel Advisor with Preferred Travel of Naples.
CONTACT LISA Lisa@PreferredNaples.com 239-450-1746 www.PreferredNaples.com

61
Life in Naples | April 2023 61