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It was a very long and cold winter (training in a snowboard half  
pipe)  I was anxious to retrieve my
summer cloths and travel to Melaka, Malaysia and ride the Malaysia  
International Endurance Event.
My Malaysia Air flight was not completely full, but still no place to  
stretch out and sleep.  Only fourteen
hours later was a stop in Taipai. Great, I'll check out the duty free  
area (can't go anywhere else as a
transit passenger).  It's a treat to check out all the chocolates,  
fruits, nuts and packaged legs of whatever.
I bought a safe can of macadamia nuts. Livin' Wild!
Back on the plane with the outbound view of the airport and aircraft;  
Dragon Air, China Air, Macau Air etc.
On to Kuala Lumpur. What a difference the the airline food is loaded  
from Taipai as opposed to LAX:
fresh watermelon, pineapple, papaya, Tai Chicken with vegetables and  
white wine (it's 10 am, oh but,
7pm in Utah) OK.
Early history of Kuala Lumpur is surrounded by the tin industry. Tin  
in the 1850's and was its own
Malaysian gold rush.  The tin mines were up the Gomback estuary,  
which established the early city and
crowned its fascinating name - Kuala Lumpur or "Muddy Estuary" in  
Malay.  Certainly, it had
its' own "Days of 47" Tin Rush.  Gun fights, brothels, gambling and  
opium dens flourished. Hey,
I like nostalgic history. Independence Day from British Rule came in  
1974.
The KL International airport is modern, beautiful, efficient and  
surrounded by Malaysian friendly hospitality.
The airport walkway floor to ceilings was a tropical rain forest. But  
where is baggage claim? The attendant pointed
to a train thru the glass window.  The "baggage claim" train was  
modern and sleek and seconds to
the main terminal.  And, with no lines or hassles I was greeted to  
Malaysia with a stamp of my visa
in my passport. And, my luggage was there!!! Bravo, luggage bar  
codes. ( I did work as a travel agent,
therefore my apprehension)
I was advised that I would be met at the airport.  The greeting area  
was filled with a swarm of floating
signs- this hotel, that hotel and the very polite "taxi madam?". Oh  
no ....not a sign for Madam Beverly Gray,
except with two uniformed police officers. Oh right, my escorts.
Steph, Bev two cappuchinos and Malaysia 50 squad flew down the  
freeway, mach speed with lights and
sirens to our lane whenever we needed to pass(we were either  
important, sure felt it, or some kind of emergency.)
The Everly Resort hotel is located on the beach.  Steph and I opened  
our door to the view. Whoa, shut
off the air-conditioner (I didn't bring my snow-mobile suit)
But, how long have I been up and going?
Let's go to town an find a restaurant. (Why does you appetite  
increase when you travel)
Off to old town Jonker Street- tiny shops decorated with lanterns,  
colorful lights and
smiling face of the Chinese Restaurant proprietor like she was  
expecting us.  The menu was so
diverse: chicken this and that, fish everything, beef unbelievable  
and,not to forget, chinese ostrich, squid,
ling long, ding dong and sponge bob. Our hostess reminded us not to  
order TOO much.  Well all right then; Tiger beer,
grilled butter shrimp, grilled vegetables and fish soup bowl. I  
devoured it. The only item we didn't eat was the
bowl of chopped seeded red peppers (not enough beer on the table for  
that!)
The warm, humid night air doesn't help with digesting food.  The  
beckoning sign across the cobblestone street
beckoned us......LA,La, La health center.  OK, a few hours here and I  
still can't pronounce (correctly) the Malaysian
words. But, I did recognized "foot massage".  Steph said "I've never  
done this" Hah, lets go!
The therapists names were "Number 6" and "Number 8" (Dr Suess) Fifty  
minutes in a big Lazy Boy recliner
and soaking feet in warm tea bag water, lotions, oils and the  
soothing foot massage. (Do feet have muscle knots?)
We thanked #6 and #8 and dragged ourselves outside with newly revived  
feet but the rest of the body
screamed for a taxi.
Already I know that I'm not staying long enough in the wonderful  
place!  The magic of Lost!


















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