PHOTO: Historic Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, Grande Dame of Malaysia’s Capital City

The historic Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

I rounded a corner and stopped in my tracks. The old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station stretched before me in all her glory. Her lacy white skirts were tatted with horseshoe, ogee, and keyhole arches, while her chhatri-topped towers were held aloft like frilly parasols, providing protection from the brutal Malaysian sun. This spectacular example of … Read more

There’s More to Kuala Lumpur than Petronas Towers and Shopping

Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Mosque, which stands on the spot where the city was founded, is one of the top tourist attractions of Kuala Lumpur and the focal point for the River of Life Project

Kuala Lumpur, capital of the Southeast Asian country of Malaysia, has always been a “pass-through” destination for me. Either I never made it out of the airport during long layovers, or my time was limited to an overnight stay. I’d made the obligatory trek to see famous twin Petronas Towers, once the tallest skyscrapers in … Read more

The Origins of Thailand’s Loy Krathong Festival are Shrouded in Mystery

Holding lighted candles, Thai dancers perform the graceful candle dance at the opening ceremonies of Loy Krathong Festival

The full moon’s reflection splintered into bronze ripples on the surface of the Mae Ping River. On the shore, worshipers lit tea candles and launched them into the river on handmade boats known as krathong. Like thousands of glittering sparks cast off from the moon itself, they floated down the gently undulating river. On this … Read more