Not only Candles melting during two Special Events

Today we're celebrating Jeff's birthday in the sweltering heat of Kuala Lumpus and melting in temperature of 103 degrees (with humidity of 87%). How do people live here? And, how in the world do they survive in clothes covering them from head to toe?

We began the day with a trip from the port into the city where we explored Little India in Brickfields, known for its colorful shops and cafes. Then we boarded the Light Rail Transit that took us into the heart of the city.

For those of our friends that know Jeff well, it may come as no surprise that he mistook this building for a "Menards" Shell station.

Speaking of Shell, I'd like to put our visit here in perspective. When I first heard about Malaysia, my initial impression was of a country similar to the Philippines or Indonesia – a tropical region with a hot, humid climate, lush vegetation, and without the towering skyscrapers typically associated with major cities like New York or Tokyo. However, I was surprised to learn that Malaysia is one of the world's largest exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a significant producer of crude oil and petroleum products. This thriving petroleum industry has attracted numerous major oil and gas companies, such as the national oil company Petronas, ExxonMobil, Shell, and others, to establish their regional headquarters or significant operations in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. This presence has generated numerous employment opportunities and has fostered the growth of related industries like engineering, construction, and logistics. Furthermore, the petroleum industry's influence has contributed to the development of a robust financial services sector within Kuala Lumpur, with banks, insurance companies, and investment firms specializing in catering to the needs of the oil and gas industry setting up operations throughout the city.

While in the city we strolled past a Budhist shrine and a unique Sri Mahamariamman Temple, featuring the typical South Indian Dravidian style of architecture. And, of course, Jeff was once again able to find a horse!

With its intricately carved gopuram (gateway tower) soaring towards the sky, it stood in stark contrast to the modern high-rises that surrounded it.

But the most amazing by far was the Petronas Towers, standing 1,483 feet tall. They were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004 when they were surpassed by Taipei 101. They remain the tallest twin towers in the world. Each tower has 88 floors with a skybridge on the 41st and 42nd floors between the two towers.

The 192 foot long skybridge connecting the two Petronas Towers is a remarkable engineering feat in itself. It's double-decker skybridge is suspended from the towers, not anchored to them!! It was designed to slide in and out of the towers to prevent it from breaking apart during high winds. Even though it weighs a staggering 750 tons, it can resist hurricane-force wind of up to 123 mph thanks to its sophisticated system of heavy-duty steel cables, backed by hydraulic dampers that prevent it from swaying excessively. However they do allow it to move laterally up to two feet! Building the skybridge was a massive challenge. It was constructed on the ground and then lifted into position using a specialized jack system and secured to the towers with temporary cables. [Jeff would have loved to have witnessed that feat.] As part of Petronas' involvement in motorsports sponsorship, its no surprise that there was an impressive Formula 1 car was on display in the lobby of the twin towers.

The Petronas Towers are a remarkable engineering and architectural achievement, standing as a testament to Malaysia's modernity and aspirations on the global stage.

After an eventful day exploring Kuala Lumpur, we were relieved to return to the ship and bask in the cool embrace of air conditioning! Whoever invented that was a miracle worker as far we're concerned! The evening was a delightful gathering with friends for a world-class Japanese dining experience at Izumi, featuring Sushi dishes and green tea ice cream. [Chocolate cake with Vanilla Ice cream for Jeff ]

It was a double celebration – Jeff's birthday and an extraordinary milestone in our Ultimate World Cruise. We have officially reached the halfway mark of this incredible adventure, and if you've been following our journey through this blog, you know it has been a remarkable odyssey thus far. Coincidentally, Jeff's birth date this year, 4-25-24, reads the same backwards and forwards, making it a unique year to commemorate. Despite melting in the intense heat in Kuala Lumpur, it was an intriguing experience that allowed us to delve deeper into the culture and history of Malaysia's capital, further enriching our global perspective during this extraordinary voyage.