Malaysia
(Click on photos (not map!) for slide shows)

December 20, 2017 - March 19, 2018 — All I knew about Malaysia before I came here was a rough idea where it is, (Asia,) and that its airliners were getting shot down and disappearing. But, I have since learned that it is a beautiful country. Mostly Muslim with massive Chinese immigration, the country is very progressive, with strong capitalism. I enjoy it so much here that I find myself settling down for weeks in places. Only a few degrees north of the equator, it is very warm year round, but a mountain range in the center provides areas, (specifically the Cameron Highlands,) that are cool and comfortable. 

Slideshows and videos are below, in this order:
(Click on photos for slide shows)

​Lunar, (Chinese,) New Year
​Artsy photos
Working
Religion
Food
Transportation
Fun photos
Thaipusam Festival photos
Thaipusam Festival videos
Kite Contest Langkawi Video

Lunar, ("Chinese,") New Year
​(Click on photo for slide show)

"Artsy" Malaysia
​(Click on photo for slide show)

Working in Malaysia
​​(Click on photo for slide show)

Religion in Malaysia
​​(Click on photo for slide show)

Food in Malaysia
​​(Click on photo for slide show)

Transportation in Malaysia
​​(Click on photo for slide show)

"Fun" (& Interesting,) Malaysia
​​(Click on photo for slide show)

Thaipusam Tamil Religious Festival
​​(Click on photo for slide show)

VIDEOS

RINGLET, MALAYSIA,  January 31, 2018 (2:57)  -- The Tamil religion has a fascinating set of rituals during the full-moon day in their important time of year in January and February. Thaipusam calls for fasting, carrying burdens and other signs of devotion. More explanation is narrated in the second video, while the top one covers a procession on the big day.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA,  January 21, 2018 (2:04) -- During the month leading up to Thaipusam, devotees engage in rituals preparing for the big processions. This one, near Batu Caves in north Kuala Lumpur gave attendees a taste of what would attract an estimated million people 10 days later.

LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA,  March 17, 2018  (2:19) -- During a ride around the beautiful island of Langkawi, I saw hundreds of people standing in a rice field, looking up, so I stopped and watched a kite contest held during the community's annual harvest festival. In it's tenth year, the contest attracts about 350 adult competitors who try to fly their kites the highest and with greatest control for prizes, trophies and glory.