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Today Becky, Mark and I went wandring in the Chinatown district of Kuala Lumpur. We met a few locals who showed us around and took us to this large and ornate South-China Hindu Shrine which houses a large silver chariot that is paraded to the Batu Caves during the Thaipusam festival held in January/February each year. Our new friends advised us that it was customary to leave our shoes at the door.
They also told us about the other local customs:

- Whenever you meet an older person or a woman, greet with a slender bow.
- Introduce the ladies first and then move on to introduce men.
- As you enter, leave a place or pass by someone, you should be giving a moderate bow,
which gives the expression of "excuse me."
- One should not touch other people’s top portion of the head.
- Malays do not appreciate display of affection in public places.
- Touching someone from the opposite sex is also avoidable.
- Always use your right hand while eating, passing things on or touching people.
- Avoid public display of anger. So try to take things easy.
- People in Malaysia are pretty relaxed, so avoid pushing them too much for services.
- Malay people like to eat with their hands, the greatest spoon-and-fork human beings have ever had.
The practice is also followed in the restaurants and saves you much time waiting for the cutlery. Our new Friends also taught us how to order our lunch in Malay

Saya mau bak kut teh silaka. Saya suka pedas lagi!
( I'd like pork-rib soup with hints of garlic and chinese 5-spice please. I like it hot and spicy!)
Now were off to check out the famous night market for some dinner and local entertainment!

Today we went to the Central Market which is housed in a cavernous art deco building, built in 1888(1) which was once a fresh produce market beside the river in Chinatown. We had no problem spending the entire day wandering the various craft outlets, and watching the programme of events, which included Malay, Indian, and Chinese dances as well as T'ai Chi performances!(2) We bought a few Kites, Batiks, handmade jewlery and clothing!
For lunch we had Coconut water which was such a good thirst quencher and Ais Kacang to beat the heat! It was there version of a snow cone but with a definate twist, it consisted of a colorful pile of shaved ice with syrup, red beans, jelly, sweet corn, and evaporated milk.