Day 256 – Travel is fine, but will eventually tie the knot

Last night my travel agents group arrived, and today the hectic sight-seeing / hotel inspecting life has begun anew for me. In this kaleidoscope, 5-star hotels dissolved into royal palaces, Chinese temples panned and zoomed on turtles, batik silk got wiped by fate sticks, and all of the above eventually time lapsed into a pollution-gorgeous sunset.

So here are some random facts of the day:

1. Roughly 20% of Malaysian population are Buddhists, hence the numerous rich in rooftop colors Chinese temples all over Kuala Lumpur.

2. Sometimes on the grounds surrounding a Chinese temple there will be a zodiac garden representing all the years in full-size figures. You can make a wish by touching your year's sign. Inside a Chinese temple there is usually a spot where you can learn your fate using techniques that vary from one temple to another. For example, in our case it was a box with "fate sticks": you have to shake all the sticks to make only one stand by (you have to do it as many times as it is necessary for only one stick to come out of the whole bunch - often times there are 2 or 3 sticks on the top - that is no good); on this stick there's a number (mine was 12); the box with those sticks rests on another rotating box with lots of drawers, so once you figure out your number, you take a "fate note" from the corresponding drawer.

My fate: Peace and Calm. The Yangtze River is growing calm, hence safe for boats to sail forth. Have no worries, you are often blessed with benefactors who will come to your aid in the time of need. (not bad at all...)

Guidelines:
Honor and Merit - Blessed to achieve your goal. (how wonderful it is to know that I'm already blessed to achieve a goal that I haven't even defined yet!)
Matrimony - Will eventually tie the knot. (hmmm)
Litigation - Nothing to worry about. (phew)
Change of Abode or Travel - Fine. (I knew it!!!)

3. Turtle is the symbol of wisdom and longevity. Here's a pretty interesting article on how turtles are depicted in mythology, legends and folklore of different cultures.

4. Batik textile painting and dying technique comes from the Javanese people of Indonesia and utilizes only natural ingredients. The most popular motifs of the Malaysian batik version are leaves and flowers. Men are allowed not to wear ties for formal functions if they choose to wear a batik-printed shirt for their outfit.

5. KL 5-star hotels are abundant in number, amenities, and food spread, but lacking free internet. Only in one hotel - Shangri-La - out of the 6 we inspected today, was there free wi-fi on the premises.

That's it for today. Good night...