Friday, November 18, 2005

christmas lights come alive!

Since Nobu, the Malaysianised Nihon-jin was kind enough to help with my translation and clarify some issues with the Jap uni, I thought it would be a nice gesture to repay him by being his tour guide for the day. Or night in this case.

During the long Deeparaya* break, KC and I took him to visit the famous Kuala Selangor fireflies. I haven't been there before myself, and despite nursing a flu, I thought it was a good opportunity to see the world famous fireflies before they go extinct for good.


christmas light
Single christmas light


After almost getting lost, we finally found our way to the Firefly Park Resort. While waiting at the jetty, we saw some fireflies at the branches of the berembang trees along the riverbank. There were only a handful, but it was really quite interesting coz they looked like they had flashing lightbulbs at their butts.


christmas light alive
The insect behind that light above


This park must attract its fair share of visitors from around the world because their signboards welcoming visitors are in hiragana as well. I think there were some Nihon-jin tourists that evening because I kinda understood some of the phrases they were speaking. Either that, or they spoke really politely and had that cute lilt in their expressions.


christmas light up close
The beetle of the family lampyridae up close and personal


It was truly an experience being on the river, slowly passing by the mangrove trees. The electric-powered boats whirred so softly in the dark that our senses heightened. We could smell the raw jungle around us, feel the many mosquitoes flying about our heads, listen to the gentle motion of the riverwater.


fruits of the tree
Fruits and leaves of the berembang tree


Slowly we came into view of a cluster of trees occupied by the fireflies. It was one of most awesome sights I've ever set my eyes on - the trees looked like they were alive with moving blinking christmas lights! Words can't describe how magical it was.

After that short but enchanting ride down the river, we went to a nearby chinese restaurant for a hot meal of seafood steamboat. Since they gave us so much noodles and Maggi mee as part of the set, we ended up feeling very full at the end of it.


steamboat dinner
Waiting for our seafood to be cooked in the steamboat


The night being still young at almost 12am, we decided to bring Nobu around Port Klang, Cyberjaya and Putrajaya. He was most impressed with the architecture and infrastructure of the planned city. The whole of Putrajaya were lit up even though there was hardly anyone around. We told him this was where our taxpayers' money went, even before anyone moved in, or any of the departments started work here. But ya, I gotta admit, it's quite a beautiful sight to behold.


chinese chess
Nobu and KC trying their hand at a game of chinese chess


Our last stop was the famous Putrajaya Shangri-La. I was so familiar with that place I brought them to the infinity pool, all the fancy restaurants and the indoor garden. I've never stayed there, but it's really a good place to unwind and relax. I had one of the most "nyenyak" sleep that night.


ceiling lights of the shang
Looking up the flower-shaped lights of the Putrajaya Shangri-La



*Deeparaya = Deepavali (Hindus) + Hari Raya (Muslims) double festive celebration

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