Metro rail system and Petronas Towers - Kuala Lumpur

People know me as a passionate cycling commuter but I’m more than happy to use a well-planned city metro transit system that ensures everyday commuters or visitors get to those iconic spaces of interest with some degree of ease. I’m a strong advocate of these public systems for obvious benefits such as potentially reduced cost, reduced stress, hopefully less pollution and not wasting your life in the car.

Above ground light metro rail

Like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia has done this very well with its metro rail system using a combination of underground and light monorail above ground. I remember quite vividly travelling on the old ‘red hens’ in 60’s and 70’s Melbourne, Australia which would arrive at my inner northwest station of Ascot Vale with reasonable timeliness. I also remember the colours of the stiff little paper tickets that were collected by the ticket officers at the end of the journey. How things have changed in 50 years to accomodate more commuters and improve efficiency of the systems.

Petronas Towers views from another ‘Tower of Babel’

I’m a passionate follower of cycling sports like the Tour de France, Giro Italia and have attended several of our own Tour Down Under events in January in South Australia as a spectator including participating as a road cyclist in the public stage of 2008 and 2010. I’ve also long been a passionate follower of car racing sports such as Formula One and the World Rally Championships, especially when Subarus are competing in the rally events. I plan to attend some of these during my next bicycling trip to Europe 2019. I can’t stand our local bogun/redneck US dominated motor sport in Australia but prefer the more culturally refined European style events as mentioned.

I recall the Petronas Towers being used in a number of scenes for the film Entrapment starring Katherine Zeta Jones and Sean Connery. Some of the best scenes were shot at night. Not that long ago the Towers were the tallest man-made structures in the world but they’re still the tallest twin towers.

I have a strong science/technology background so it’s no surprise that I follow the European season. Well anyone that’s a follower of Formula One know how much one team can dominate the series for a number of seasons. The Mercedes Petronas team has been doing just that for the last four years breaking records such as having 12 1-2 finishes in one season. That takes driver and team talent and a lot of funds to keep the consistency and develop the technology. Petronas is a Kuala Lumpur-based Petro/gas company wholly owned by the Malaysian Government and is a major sponsor of the racing team. It’s quite interesting as I’m not aware of any other Government that essentially sponsors a car racing team.

View from my rich and shameless Hilton Hotel room

I remember my early childhood years living in one of Melbourne’s Italian/Greek communities, attending the local Catholic primary school and being invited to my Italian friend’s house for lunch on the weekend. This was my first introduction to good food and I can still remember her mother mama-Gina preparing home made pasta with home grown basil, oregano, garlic and tomatoes with the strong smell of olives in oil containers. I was in cuisine heaven as I hated and still dislike stoggy English food. Her warmth and generosity will always stay with me.
An interesting cultural practice I remember was after the passing of mama-Gina’s husband she only wore black clothes for about two years as part of her mourning respects. It must take some discipline not to wear something in fashion. I respect a Muslim women’s rights to protect her modesty as defined by her religion and did you know that hijab actually refers to a dress code or rules for men as well. Muslim women may dress according to their religion but at least they appear to have have some opportunities to express them in a fashion sense.

Who said Muslim women weren’t fashionistas - what colour would you like madam?