Reach for the Sky !

An inspiration ? For :

On the stroke of midnight on August 31 , 1957 , The federal states of Malaya were granted their independence from the British Empire , over which the sun was setting very quickly ! The iconic photos of the new Prime Minister Tunuk Abdul Raman , was used by his son ( Najib )  , the then  prime minister, as the inspiration for the design of KL’s latest tallest building ; Merdeka 118 ( Well that’s according to the PR blurb   ) . The 150 m spire on the top representing the “Tunuk ‘s “ hand pointing skywards ? The cynic would say that 150 metres was necessary to ensure that the building could claim to be the tallest in Asia . It would seem that in Malaysia , each PM needs his own tallest tower . 

To pay for this latest piece of personal aggrandisement ,  Nagib , the PM launched an investment fund for the declared intent of raising monies to invest in Malaysia . The financials of the fund were managed by its’ chairman, the PM and the Finance Minister ; who were conveniently all  the same  person …..Najib . This was clearly too much of a temptation , which culminated in the transfer of USD 600 into his personal bank account . Having lost an election , Najib ended in jail, but Malaysia with a debt of USD 10 billion . This fraud was partly facilitated by the bank Goldman Sacks ; who agreed to pay USD 3.9 billion to avoid prosecution ( and their US executives from going to jail ? ). 

Well back to these towers , which was the purpose of our visit to town . The latest tower is not yet open , and the second  highest doesn’t allow the public in ; so that left the twin towers . This first viewing platform is the sky bridge that connects the two towers , that at the 54 floor . What they don’t tell you is that it is only loosely connected , as it has to cater for the towers moving independently . Two more lift rides and we are at the 82 floor , only two from the top .  There they tell you that the towers have been designed for a wind speed of 130 km per hour ; one third of that of hurricane Katrina !!!!! Our solar panels are designed for more than that . It was miraculously a clear day ,given that this is the rainy season,  and KL could be seen spread around us …; and (  the towers were still standing ) ! The view : towers and further construction , as far as the eye could see. I wonder as the world,s population growth ceases , then deconstruction will follow ? 

Twin towers …as viewed from above 

Towers , and more towers

Strange , the biggest tower now looks smaller

Firmly back on the ground , I couldn’t but marvel at the local pets , and their ability to clear up their own mess . 

And just in case one resident had his own stainless steel pooper scoopers 

An Ultimate Experience

Mmmmmm?

 This is exciting , a black envelope with the intriguing words ‘ an ultimate experience’. A present; excitement rises as I carefully open it : it demands respect . 

A quarter of a century ago, oh it really was that long ago ; a hot air ballon ride was a surprise birthday gift . On a calm cloudless day ( in Devon that was something special in itself ) we gently lifted skywards . It was a strange experience,  in that above about 100 m , I had no sensation , and thus fear, of height . I could have cheerfully jumped out , with a parachute , without any qualms . Onwards and upwards we drifted, another burst of flame from the propane burner maintaining momentum. We were now well above a small plane on its final approach into Exeter airport . It felt , and probably ‘ was a mile up . I looked at my fellow passengers , and decided I wouldn’t attempt to join ‘ the mile high ‘ club !

The next year , and still in one piece, I could be found on my birthday in the cockpit of a glider . Devon has a ridge of hills called the Blackdowns which provide a near perfect updraft for gliders . A giant pulley and long cable provide the necessary momentum for launching , from which the glider releases itself when climbing at 45 degrees . That’s a bit scary , but then it is absolute quiet . With no engine  , and flying along with the air current there is no wind noise . Perfect tranquility . Taking the joy stick with just two fingers I became  the pilot. With the reassuring words from  the professional that the no matter what , if I just let go , the glider would return to horizontal flight ; and that the right way up . 

Another year finds me skyward again , this time over Essex and in a small engined plane . After take off the real pilot handed over control to me , and I actually flew for the next hour . A great elevation from which to view all those features previously seen from  just 2 metres . Flying into cloud , I confirmed that we didn’t radar ; relying on just an infinitesimal  chance of hitting another plane . Emerging from  the cloud , there was another plane a short distance away. Thus proving the point , we didn’t hit it . 

 This year ‘s experience set off my imagination . As a cowboy in the Wild West returning to town in need of freshening up. Sitting in the chair , the barber lathers me up , and then approaches with a cut throat razor . Yes , this is a man’s barber shop , which looks as though it had been transported , not from the `Wild West ‘ , but the ‘West End “ ;and  offers the ‘Ultimate Shaving Experience “ . That with a real cut throat razor ; no safety features here! So I sat very still and just enjoyed . The final act was a facial massage . Just that . After a hair cut in Singapore , I had to stop the masseuse  from descending further than my hands ! Life is full of unexpected experiences . 

    

A city experience 

Tempus Fugit

I don’t think this one of KL’s residents will be seeing in the new year !

Was it really exactly one year ago when we admired the view of KL, and waited for 2023 to arrive ; and now it’s waiting for 2024. That sound rather depressing . A better phrase would be what can we usefully  do with these hours . It’s not just sitting waiting for that final curtain ; but packing the unknown available time with wondrous things that our time on earth potentially offers . So getting off that butt ; what did we do last year ? 

Wow ! we completed our global circumnavigation. OK generally others did the hard work .  We are not of the Jessica Watson ilk . Who, on May 15, 2010, at just sixteen,  became the the youngest person to have ever sailed solo, unassisted and non-stop around the globe.( great Netflix drama ). Two of our children live exactly geographically diametrically opposite each other ( to be precise KL is 101 degree E , and Quito is 78 degree W , both close to the equator .) That is useful at a pub quiz level , but it is airline routes , and costs,  that matter . Hence our navigation which in 22/23 went all the way round , but this time ( 23/24 ) arriving via the UK, we reverse direction travelling back to Quito via Europe .

So that is a lot of travelling ; but it is good to be 6 months back in France, to maintain residency status and ease travel insurance . ; .. and of course it is our home, which is nice to inhabit once in a while . Summer in the south of France is delightful and the garden demands our attention . Our input is rewarding , this year with raspberries and tomatoes proliferating in  the potage . All need watering in the hot dry summer ; using recycled water . That of course, in itself , needs sufficient bodies in the house to produce the raw stuff . So we entertained Home exchange guests and our family for two months .  This keeps us busy; and we have something other than the plants to talk to ! 

The highlight , if that is the word , of last summer was the drought and accompanying fires . It is probable that most of those were started deliberately . There are some really sick people around . The largest was enough to prompt our evacuation ; and then on return the elimination of 10 pine trees now deemed , by me , as too close to the house . The accompanying blog did swell my readership to a giddy 67 , up from low teens . I shall have to establish how to entice interest without a risk to life ( mine ) . 

We discovered Wordle this year , so each day starts with a family competition on who can discover the word in the lowest attempts . Coupled with Sudoku and a simple crossword , it keeps the brain active . Longevity  is assisted by regular physical effort , mine now  being a 3 mile walk each morning . The last 12 months feature has , however , been marked by frequenting a seemingly endless series of great restaurants. This has, very recently,  prompted an attempt at dietary control.  This I will not refer to as a new year’s resolution in case it follows previous failures . 

I am hoping that Jamie Oliver can help through the coming year , his menus always look so healthy and easy to recreate. We recently  discovered Sous Vide , and thus will add that to next years activities . Other major projects will include increasing the houses’ fire containment and adding extra AC . Our response to global warming , that and praying for rain ; our stream ceased to run virtually the entire year . Then we will look again at an Electric car , our diesel BMW is now 10 years old and will be banned in an increasing  list of conurbations . Will evaluate the practicality of integrating with the house solar panels  to provide on site electrical storage . Plenty to keep mind and body active during the coming year . 

So all that is left for the passing year is too wish all my readers a happy and prosperous New year ; and trust  we join in the festivities for ‘25 : 

Christmas in KL

 

Christmas started big with a bang ; or rather 3 hours of jazzed up Christmas classics belted out this larger than life local singer and three piece band . 

Still bopping , we retired next door to an equally funky Mexican restaurant . Not sure what this artist had been on !

Christmas Day demanded some recompense : exercise to make bodily amends . This was our local view ; unfortunately from a video advert

So the next best thing ; “ a walk on the wild side “ ; well in our little bit of forgotten tropical forest …complete with lianas from which to pretend to be Tarzan 

But no ! The local residents required tranquility . Those monkeys are sensitive creatures . 

To get to the forest I first had to scale the “ local hill” complet with security guard. 

The roads were equally deserted , apart from some energetic types ( the dog that is ) , and a passing runner who must have been wearing all her Christmas present ; I could still smell her perfume from 50 metres away 

Oh , then there is always the local cops having a nap at the end of their Night Shift 

Of course , I can’t escape the city entirely ; its impossible to hide the highest building in Asia : I suppose that’s not its objective . 
 

..Nor is futuristic architecture 

It is sad to see what little jungle there is fall to the developers construction . Another private megalith . 

The local residents are striking back . This van is advertising “plant a tree to save the planet”

And this house is adding its own bit of greenery

And so is this office block 

But back to Christmas Day ; it looks like the shoppers are all shopped out !

However our local coffee shop was still in the festive mood giving away free cake 

…and brandy. ! with our coffee

Christmas is also about giving and receiving . My book was about this guy who is as fearsome as he looks . I am glad I never worked for him !

A deep breath

‘ Just take a deep breath ( it won’t cause pain?) ‘ . Now where have I heard that before , and do I believe it ?; especially when uttered by a nurse . I was somewhat perplexed as she was taking the needle out !  I suppose to part with some of my precious red stuff there has to be some discomfort . The reason for this , was the results from an earlier blood screening offered at a discounted price at our local pharmacy ; well actually one of three in our local shopping centre , so I suppose this was competition ‘  in practice’ …This had come back with slightly elevated CA 19 -9 , a cancer screening test . Following an internet search of the Mayo’s clinic , with their opening phrase   “Healing starts here ... Effective treatment depends on getting the right diagnosis. Our experts diagnose and treat the toughest medical challenges.  “ …it was off to see a proper doctor; although not at this point to the USA.

I should explain that this is Kuala Lumpur and not the UK . The 20 minute taxi ride ( Grab , their Uber) cost 3 euro , and at the hospital the taxi door was opened by a concierge . The receptionist was instantly available , and apologised that that hospital’s cancer expert was not also instantly available . It must be the looks that count , as I was offered a geriatric expert instead . (  Cheek ! )  . So straight to see him , though not without registration ; a compute number is indispensable ; and confirmation on the method of payment : you don't get this level of response free!  Having recounted my myriad of supplements , my understanding doctor suggested that these be ceased for a week , and the blood test repeated . 

 So back to that deep breath , a blood sample and a discussion 1.5 hours later with my very nice Doctor . The result was still elevated , so for safety , he recommended a CT scan . That would have taken place straight away , but for the fact that I had just eaten ; so now I had to wait 4 hours. After payment , the  preparation for the scan first involved redressing in a hospital gown .This must have been one of those millions rejected by the NHS, as even with printed instructions , re robing  was almost impossible …for me . It must be that geriatric bit ! After all sorts of dubious looking fluids were passed into my various orifices and blood stream ; the scan passed without incident . They apologised that as they were very busy , could I wait for the results until the next morning ; no problem , I would prefer that they not do a  rush  job , especially as this was a Friday afternoon , and that in a Muslim country .

On my early morning walk , the air was crystal clear ; and the only sound being bird song . Taking a deep breath , I just enjoyed the moment . Both my parents had lived to their mid 90’s ; so if I can follow them I had about 7000 more days left . Reflecting on that , I ascend a (Steep?) incline with a fair bit of puffing and panting . Well you have inflict a bit of discomfort for proper exercise so that  this ageing body gets through all those days . A near miss from  an on coming car got me thinking of the wider picture . 

 In January we are currently planning to fly by Dubai on route to Madrid and Quito. But perhaps that will depend on what is yet another war zone ; although instead of calling it a «  special military operation »; this one is ‘ allowable self defence ‘ . At some point even the Arabs will say that’s enough collateral damage ; a convenient  euphemism for dead women and children . Perhaps for health reasons we will have have to take an alternative route .

Halfway through breakfast , my nice Doctor rang me ! …. Now that’s enough by itself to change the breathing pattern . …and the results from  the Scan :  I still have potentially what is now 6999 days to go .  

PS . The total hospital bill was only € 380 !

Taking care

My bit of jungle

I suppose the first duty is to take care of oneself. It’s a sad truth that with an ageing body at least a modicum of exercise is essential to keep rapidly ossifying joints mobile. Fortunately the tropics is an ideal location, as the heat and humidity somehow miraculously loosens previously inflexible joints . So before the sun becomes unbearably hot,  I set off on a  a four mile walk in the jungle, well those bits left behind after KL’s  mad dash to join the cities of the ‘ first world ‘ . 

I suppose that means those cities that have covered their bit of our world with far more of their fair share of concrete, and emit the greatest levels of CO2 . Anyway , back to my route along country lanes which happen to be in the centre of this city . Needless to say they have become something of a ‘ rat run’ , but with these rats mainly of Germanic origin . The Chinese do like to exhibit their wealth. So I take care , walking against the on coming traffic ready to flee into the ditch . Fortunately these morning commuters have, to date , shown courtesy. 

I am in a tropical jungle , and despite its unban location , it comes with tropical inhabitants . The monkeys of which the babies look so cute , but dad gets a wide berth; Cockerels that inhabit the trees , a jungle fowl that have retained their flight capability. Squirrels scamper though the trees , looking sweet , but doing as much damage to the profusion of cables as the trees  . The biggest risk is however from a potential python curled,  waiting for its’ next meal to arrive. The other week one was in the tree above our grand daughter’s  bus stop. The fire brigade removed that one with a hessian bag and fire hose ( they don't like water apparently ) . 

As well as checking up in the trees , for wild life and falling coconuts , and then  forward,  for traffic ; I also have to check down , for the normal trip hazards of broken pavement ; but also for  exposed electricity cables . Despite the near  perpetual rain , there is a fairly relaxed approach to these , a bit of insulating tape seems to suffice. Hopefully there is a bit more attention paid to the many  127,000 volt cable connection boxes. Then today was a larger hole , a road collapse , probably the result of a broken drainage pipe, exposing those very high voltage cables . With all this rain , erosion happens very quickly .  This reminded me of my time with ‘ the Water Board ‘, when a high pressure jet from the water main bored into the adjacent gas main causing surprised customers to receive two utilities at the same time! The gas board had to replace a lot of ruined domestic appliances. 

So back to the trigger for this blog , nearing the end of my perambulations , a police car approached , blue light flashing . It stopped and out jumped four boys and one girl in blue. Oh dear ; during my walk I had photographed the very posh town house of one of the country’s Sultans . More exactly , as an  ex-water engineer , I was interested in the lack of water meter; I guess the exalted do not stoop themselves with payment for mere utilities. It did however have a radio monitored pressure gauge to ensure he got the stuff!. 

But no….They were smiling , and unarmed . The girl , still smiling , explained that they were from the local police station ( actually the main one in KL ) and were stopping joggers to check if they were happy with the environment around their exercise.. My son and his daughter had also been recently stopped to ask if they minded to take a selfie of them with these clearly looking foreigners. There must be virtually no crime around here; a good place to be for the law abiding , if not the lawless.

On the return I passed an elderly gentleman , that is someone looking in worse shape than the author. He was accompanied by his youthful looking female carer, ensuring that as he doddered along , he remained upright . He was wearing a broad smile , and a back brace ; perhaps his back was suffering from  a surfeit of ‘ care ‘. 

Posh house

Less water meter

They were leaving without me 

Electrical safety?

Collapsed road , and 127,000 volt cables

Colours

 

This is all coloured rice, for Diwali

A last wistful look back  towards Les Albères , and it was that Mediterranean hue ; of misty warm summer evenings; calm descending with the setting sun. A hint of the vermillion,  made famous by visiting painters. A memory in colour to take with us as we set off again on a six month journey , to see family and friends worldwide; ah , and to escape winter’s chill.

But first , a thermal detour northwards; but only back to the UK, where it can’t be that cold ? It was dark by the time we landed, blanking out any though of colours, and warmth. Still Birmingham airport provided the antidote with strenuous exercise demanded by an absence of trolleys and the car hire pickup a route march away .  We drove off into the blackness of the night in search of that welcoming ,but disappearing  British institution , the country pub.

Nothing warms the heart more than a friendly welcome,  a log fire and ‘ a pint of best ‘. The Bell, Alderminster, provide all that , plus recently refurbished comfortable accommodation. The staff were mainly Polish, left behind after the Brexit exodus, and couldn’t be more helpful,  and the owner / manager a cheerful ,thirty year old local girl , making good use of the family investment. She ensured these guests were impressed by our free upgrade to an empty suite . 

At home ,breakfast is a small bowl of muesli ; but when away nothing short of a ‘full English ‘ plus toast and marmalade, will suffice .Well it is raining out there, and we will need internal warmth.  Departing our cosy hostelry, we headed off into the gloom in search of our ‘Home exchange , country cottage ‘. 

At this point I should mention that we were in the Cotswolds , a decidedly affluent corner of England .  The  countryside resembled a  series of manicured and very green lawns. I suppose with all the rain and plenty of expensive machinery there is no excuse to spoil the vistas ; a keeping up with the ( farmer ) Jones’s.  A farm shop was to be found in the neatest , cleanest farm I have ever seen . Even the mud had been eliminated. 

The affluence spread into Stratford upon Avon ; where the guard, outside one of the many jewellers , was stylishly dressed in a blue blazer topped out with a white  Fedora . A visual antidote to the grey sky , although making no accommodation to the ceaseless rain showers. The economy of the town is heavily dependent on its famous playwright. The theatre now has two stages, which need a full time supporting cast of 600 :  of carpenters , dress makers etc , etc . Actors form a very small minority. Declining an evening performance of some modern show, we opted instead for the backstage tour . This was infinitely more memorable; this theatre is a seemingly endless  complexity of the  latest electronics plus engineering which soared skywards and into the bowels. A logistical nightmare,  where planning for a new performance starts some three years ahead.

Oh ,…that cottage was a five bedroom picture set in acres of manicured gardens , complete with swimming pool, tennis court and giant chess board. In a wet British autumn the latter facilities were useless , but it did all look magnificent. So it was quite a shock to find they seemed to have run out of money on the inside ; comfort and warmth were an illusive quality. I can’t imagine what their heating oil bill should have been !  I suspect they were on an economy drive.  We moved on four days early , seeking contentment  with friends . 

But we weren’t finished with the Cotswolds, and returned for another week,  to this time a barn conversation complete with underfloor heating. Our feet welcomed the heat, changing in colour from white to pink . All over the region are villages of quaint cottages of the famous honey coloured stone , interspersed with mansions of increasing size , topped off by Blenheim Palace . In British history you were endowed with infinite largess by beating one of those pesky Europeans in a decisive land battle : Louis XIV et al, This Palace was a  reward to the Duke of Marlborough. Churchill, his great..something grandson was not so generously remunerated,  having to rely on benefactors to keep him in cigars and brandy. 

Landing in the UAE , any colour has been baked away under the sun’s unremitting heat . This is accentuated by the bland uniformity of the dress code : stunning white for the men  with ladies obscured by dense black . Travelling to friends in Al Ain was a pleasant surprise. In this city of 800,000 there is no high rise . Wide boulevards of irrigated green , separate an endless expanse of modern and opulent housing . An oil bounty tightly managed morphed into an oasis of wealth in this stark dry wildness.

Another visual shock awaits as we travel on to KL ( Kuala Lumpur), to arrive in time for Diwali, the Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of light over dark . It is a riot of colour and lights which stretch well into the night , celebrations accompanied  by endless fireworks . No alternative but to join in. 

A scene from the UAE …. It can’t be real …..it wasn’t!!

Blenheim’s magnificence 

It’s that man again

England’s green and pleasant land , as seen from atop Shakespeare’s theatre 

Our country cottage , best appreciated from the outside!

Stylish security

Shakespearean art , an illusion created from silver stars individually suspended.  

Black and white , never the twain shall meet !