Malaysia was a very interesting country, different than Singapore, but just as culturally significant. We stayed in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and explored the city more than the countryside and suburbs. Just like Singapore, their public transport was very efficient and easy to use and they had many green spaces. It was less pristine, but it made it feel like a genuine city and added to the atmosphere.
I loved visiting all of the places of worship, my favorite being the Batu Caves. It was a stunning example of all of the history surrounding religion in Malaysia. Originally, it was not used as a space for temples, but as a shelter for an indigenous tribe and it became a temple in the early 1890’s. The caves are made up of limestone and also house many different species, making it a very biodiverse area. We climbed up 272 stairs to the top for a stunning view and temples inside. It was very impactful to the special places where people worship, and also how these spaces are protected and preserved.
Additionally, during the field study, we visited a lot of malls, mostly for lunch because of how prevalent they are. Not only do they prevent suburban sprawl, but they provide a third space for the locals. Most malls included a grocery store, an unbelievable amount of restaurants, pharmacies, and shopping, but some included movie theaters and libraries. It was interesting to talk to the students at the local universities and to hear how they spent their time at the malls. Many of them enjoyed karaoke with their friends, which can also be housed in the malls.
Overall, visiting Malaysia and Singapore was amazing experience and I would love to return in the future.