The Last Two Months

We went to KLCC Park with our friend and had a great time! She also helps us with language.

Since our camera died we've been using our phones. One of the settings has panoramic. However, can you see what's wrong with this picture? It gave us all a good laugh!

Don't worry Alayna does have a head and WOW, what a head it can be! She's a cutie!

When Alyvia sees a camera, she will often strike a pose!

Last year we shared with you about Qurban and the sacrifice of a cow. Well the cows were back and the girls were excited to see them.

No this is not a picture of a fire at our apartment complex but smoking out the mosquitoes!

The BBQ business has added a few more things to it's menu, such as pulled, smoked Brisket Sandwiches, Cowboy Chili, Corn Bread, and ... wait for it ... Hickory Smoked Chicken Banana Pancakes! These are seriously amazing!

The Last 3 Months

July

 Went on a boat to Crab Island, the boat looked more like a plane that lost its wings and was turned into a boat.

 Some of the food: Fish head has some of the tastiest meat and yes you can eat the eye-ball! We didn't of course, but someone else did.

Went to a Rock'n'Roll Birthday Party!

The night market we worked at for the month of Ramadan (fasting month).

August

We worked a lot, but once Ramadan was over we got to relax a bit and enjoy Hari Raya. Everyone dresses up in the traditional baju melayu (for men) and baju kurung (for women).

We went to visit a place along a river with our neighbor friends. Its similar to a campground.

The kids and the dads enjoyed playing in the water.

September

Went on another boat ride at night to see fireflies.

Visiting some friends!

 We recently had a big sale day for Andy's BBQ. Almost sold out!

 Yes the girls are wearing their jackets in 80* weather. Quote from Alayna, "It's cold in Malaysia."

Andy's BBQ

The Brand

UDS (ugly drum smoker)

 Prices in Malaysian Ringgit

Faithful and Confidant Staff 

Sweet Potato Fries on their way to perfection 

Malaysians will brave any queue for good food 

Finished product. Hickory smoked, pulled BBQ chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries, coleslaw and a Mama B's Bakery treat

Thaipusam @ Batu Caves

 In Malaysia there are 4 dominant groups of people that make up the almost 29 million Malaysians. Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7 %, indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1% (and others 7.8%). All of the above are Malaysian citizens though many of them have emigrated from China, India and other countries. In February my friend invited me to go with him to the Hindu festival, Thaipusam celebrated by the majority of Indians around the world. He is a photographer and goes to many cultural events and festivals around the country to take pictures. In Kuala Lumpur the location of the festival is Batu Caves.

Foreground: a pilgrim with his offering of milk.

Background: statue of Lord Murugan next the 272 steps up to the cave.

Some have offerings of milk while others carry burdens and participate in "mortification of the flesh". Razors in the mouth, piercing of the tongue or cheeks and hooks in the back are all common.

Wikipedia reports over 1 million in attendance for this 1 day event.

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The following photos were taken by my friend and neighbor, Jack, who invited me along that day. Check out his website for more of his work and professional advice on photography: http://abzahri.com/

We arrived around 4am and had to park over a kilometer away because there was no parking. 

Thanks for showing me more of Malaysia, Jack!

See What We See

Sunrise from our front window

Nasi Lamak (rice fat) -coconut rice, spicy sambal, peanuts, 

salted anchovies, cucumber and an egg (hard boiled or fried.

Banana tree near our apartment. The girls are

monitoring the growth of the baby bananas.

A lovely bunch of coconuts

Roof ornament on the community surau. A surau is like a

small mosque - a chapel compared to a church.

Dusk is a strange time of day in KL. Depending on the clouds and the pollution there are sometimes some weird colors in the sky. Many people believe this is when the spirits are most active. Parks and public places will empty for an hour or so as the sun goes down, then everyone comes back out again at night. 

Fogging for mosquitoes sometimes looks like the city is on fire.

Mosquitoes here can carry dengue fever and are responsible

for a lot of sickness and hospitalization.

Business FM - Love their slogans!