I spent a few days in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital and the fastest growing city in the region.

Architecturally, KL (as it’s often called) is best known for the sparkling Petronas Oil Company’s Twin Towers. The towers were the tallest in the world until being surpassed in 2004 by Taipei 101.

This metropolis boasts 66 shopping malls, plus an Ikea.  Retail sales bring in twenty percent of the county’s tourism revenue and cash registers are ringing. (more…)

As the the temperature continues to drop well below freezing and the snow falls in New York here are a few of my favorites images from warm Bali.

Flowers in Ubud

Balinese dancers prepare for the traditional Barong & Kris Dance. (more…)

Bali is an island of extremes. Whether heat drenched beaches or cool lush mountains, I loved the island’s diversity.

There is no mass transportation in Bali, so a car, motorbike or guided tour is the only way to discover the island’s beauty.  Just 95 miles wide – it is worth venturing off the pristine beaches to take in the island’s culture and deep rooted traditions.

Here is a small glimpse of some of the sites I was very lucky to see.

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It’s no secret I enjoy food and Indonesians are serious eaters.  Like Europeans they are highly concerned with quality and taste.

Nasi (Rice) is their daily bread.  It’s eaten at every meal, including breakfast. From mild to scorching hot, spicy flavoring is also an integral part of the local fare. Served in the form of a sauce or integrated with peppers into a dish, these sweat producing flavors help maintain an appetite in the melting climate.

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Other than the melting sun the most consistent site in Bali are the Balinese offerings called “canang sari”.  You can’t miss them.  They line sidewalks, doorways of stores, homes, and hotels, sit on top of shrines and are clipped onto cars and scooters.

Offerings are made by locals several times a day.  They are small baskets filled with flowers, rice, crackers, money or an occasional candy bar.  A fragrant stick of inscense is often burning next to them.

These carefully arranged baskets are a ritual of giving back what has been given to you by the Gods, a demonstration of gratitude to the richness of life.  Offerings appease the spirits and bring prosperity and good health.

For the Balinese this ritual, a duty and an honor, helps ensure a balanced life is maintained through harmonious relationships between people, spirits and nature.

How beautiful!

Enjoy!

Leslie