A Quick Visit To Kuala Lumpur's Old Little India Neighborhood

Kuala Lumpur was founded at the confluence of two rivers, the Klang and the Gombak. Near there are still situated the historical Indian and Chinese ethnic neighborhoods. It's confusing as politicians recently deemed another, more modern neighborhood as Little India. No matter, the original neighborhood is still full of Indian shops and activity.

Serving the majority Muslim population is a priority, especially for clothing.

Textile merchant. Shy mannequin.

Sidewalk fortune teller.

Sai Baba center. He's one of India's biggest historical spiritual leaders. Menswear shop merchant.

Chettinad style house.

The Old Courthouse In Kuala Lumpur

A block away from central Merdeka Square are additional Moorish buildings of historical significance to Kuala Lumpur. One complex is the courthouse buildings, imposing, block-long buildings that are currently half abandoned, half in the process of being patched. Someday they'll shine again. Here's what one of the buildings looks like now.

Main lobby, straight out of 1,001 nights.

Outside corridor and another entrance. Such great, exotic details.

A typical courtroom, minus the ceiling.

Gallery. Fan.

Surreal men's room.

Beautiful window design. Down to the jail.

Back outside, the moorish design dominates.

Around Merdeka Square In Kuala Lumpur

The historical center of Kuala Lumpur is Merdeka (Independence) Square. It's a nice, green pitch, used by the British when they ruled old Malaya, for parades, matches of cricket, video game-a-thons. OK, maybe not the last activity.

Handover happened in the square. Malaysia added a flagpole that reaches halfway to the moon and the area is still surrounded with a handful of historic buildings.

The space.

In the Northwest corner of the square, humble Saint Mary Cathedral and the Royal Selangor Club, looking Tudor.

The impressive, Moorish influenced Sultan Abdul Samad building, housing government offices. It was designed by A.C. Norman, completed in 1897. Norman designed several municipal buildings in the same Moorish style.

Back in the square by the flagpole, learning and looking back at independence and looking forward to a giant video board that plays highlights of modern Malaysia.

There's a tourist center at the South end of the square that features a huge, elaborate model of the city. Track the changes! See the future! Find your apartment building! We did!

Seeing Formula One Racing At Sepang International Circuit

The Formula One road rockets roared into Kuala Lumpur recently and James went to check out the noisy scene. Get all your motors running.

Sepang's track, the view toward the pit area and finish line.

Practice run in the rain.  Your choice, watch it live or on jumbo TV. Lots of motorheads there with jumbo camera systems, collecting thier favorite drivers.

Landscaping.

One of many people on various safety crews. Not much clearance between racing free and sparking it up.

Off the track, plenty of auto-related distractions. The Honda tent.

Unwrapping the classic car display area. Some Petronas (Malaysia's national oil company) spokeswomen.

You know you've arrived when you can somehow create cuddly creatures out of an oil can and gas pump.

Portraits At Deepavali

Going to a Hindu temple over Deepavali is a special experience, one to share with the family, one to get you to put on your best traditional dress.

Temple priest.

Families. On the right, a good grandson.

Sister and brother.

More fine folks.

Celebrating Deepavali At Sri Maha Mariamman Temple In Kuala Lumpur

For witnessing a big, traditional Indian holiday like Deepavali, it makes sense to head toward the big, traditional temple in town. For Kuala Lumpur, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is the perfect spot. Put on your fancy sari and let's go.

The grand temple, gopuram proud.

First step, get your pretty puja thali set.

The scene. The next step, line up to say prayers in the most religious section of the temple, the inner sanctum.

More steps, making your rounds to other shrines throughout the temple complex. If you need a little help with your puja, temple priests are there to assist.

All these steps, time for a little lunch break. Hi bird.

It's an intense experience, just ask the girls.

Portrait of a woman in her best celebration makeup.

"I was there!" Plenty of cell phone snaps being taken.

Exit through the gift shop, a branded bag for you to transport your puja items.