Malaysia: Land of Smiles, Shrines and Poison Blow Pipes

Madam Sumi and Family 

Malaysia remains one of my favoured Asian destinations and having travelled there about four times already, I never tire of it. A land as diverse as it's people, a holiday there will certainly add to your adventures.

On my career break I opted for something different and that was to stay in a Homestay program where you stay with local people and experience their way of life. Malaysians are incredibly hospitable people and my host Madam Sumi was no different teaching me her cooking tips and about her extended family.

After waving goodbye to my kind hosts, I decided to visit an indigenous tribe deep in the heart of the rain forest.  Most people travelling to Malaysia don't realize that the Orang Asili  people are the indigenous people of the land. I was keen to visit them and learn more about their culture. They live in the Taman Negara rain forest which is situated in Peninsular Malaysia.

Orang Asili Mother with Child

The Batek tribe whom I visited have beliefs in animism and hunt using poison blow pipes. The poison is derived from some leaves and they put it in their blowpipes and hunt animals such as monkeys. They try to shoot the poison dart so that it hits the monkey's wrist and this makes it fall to the ground. In order to stop the poison from spreading, they immediately cut the hands off the monkeys or other small animals.

I tried my hand at using a blowpipe, but narrowly missed hitting another tourist - oops! The guide told me that I had failed the wife test. Pardon? He told me that when the men are looking for a wife, the potential female candidate has to have accurate hunting powers. Well, I am glad that's one test I failed in my life.

Batu Caves

On my way back to Kuala Lumpur, which is the capital of Malaysia, I stopped off at a very famous Hindu religious shrine called the Batu Caves.

The tourists flock in their thousands to see this famous temple, especially during the festival of Thaipussum. Getting to the caves can be an exercise in itself as you have to climb a lot of steps.

However, there are some entertaining monkeys that are ever watchful of the tourists hoping and waiting for a tasty tidbit. I saw one monkey snatch a bottle of water, dash it open on the ground and drink from it. Who says monkeys are not intelligent.

Whilst in Kuala Lumpur be sure to check out the famous Petronas twin towers. The shopping is fabulous and with eateries from around the globe, it's not hard to imagine why people come back time and time again to visit Malaysia.