Foot and Fire

Because some of the girls were able to go to Genting Highlands, a popular go-to place in Malaysia, we all opted for Colmar Tropicale of Berjaya Hills located in Bukit Tinggi, a 45-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur. According to the resort's website , opened in year 2000, Colmar Tropicale was modelled after 16th century Colmar town, north east of Alsace, France, also incorporating architectural designs and elements from ancient surrounding villages of Riquewihr, Turckheim and Kaysersberg. The realization of this French themed village derived from the wish list of the Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, who upon his visit to the region of Alsace were so impressed, that it inspired Tan Sri Vincent Tan, the founder of Berjaya Corporation Berhad to replicate the actual Colmar town in Malaysia. The resort comprised of 235 rooms and suites, offers 8 food & beverage outlets / lounges with food variety ranging from local & international cuisine ...

Evidently, Philippines and Malaysia are neighbors because of some of the common flowers that are showcased in the Berjaya Hills Botanical Garden. Given the high altitude, the coolness of the forest is enticing and it feels good to be lost in the lush green environment. *** *** *** This is the plant used as tea. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** The world's first Japanese Tea House in the Tropical Forest. *** *** ***

*** Not exactly as picturesque as old churches in the Philippines, St. Anthony Church is a modern church painted in cool pastel pink said to be established after many Indians in Kuala Lumpur started to be converted as Roman Catholics in the late 19th century. They have sermons in English and Tamil. This Church has a pretty updated website too.  *** *** *** *** *** *** Since we stayed at  Jalan Pudu Street, my solemate and dedicated churchgoer Arlene and I traced the street only to realize that our hotel is on one end and this street called Jalan Robertson is on the opposite end of Jalan Pudu. This Jalan Robertson is a short street with the Church as dead end. There are many constructions around the church when we were there this April 2014, which might keep the church out of sight by the time you are looking for this church. Well, my tip is, just look for Jalan Pudu which has a train station... ***

A touchdown to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia will always keep one's busy eyes to sprouting palm trees, a view one cannot often expect from a busy capital city. A roam around the city will give one an impression that nature can thrive in a bustling city too. Outside our hotel, birds are chirping. I can say, this must only be in Kuala Lumpur. While my friends are just here for a quick stop en route to Myanmar, we enjoyed KL. It is a timely visit because 2014 is their tourism year. But mind you, the taxi drivers are not that tourist-friendly. *** The Petronas Twin Towers is the tallest twin building in the world. Fun fact is that they are 1,483 feet high and with 88 floors. Constructed in late 1990s, they symbolised Malaysia's importance in the world economic arena. *** Although I cannot quite grasp the import of these two giant things I photographed in Berjaya Times Square, I still find it interesting to include them here. One is a giant capsule dispense...