Yeah, yeah...cheesy title. I know.

I came to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for one reason and one reason only. The Petronas Towers. I first laid eyes on them more than ten years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday. Movie theater in London, England. The movie was Entrapment and part of the film takes place in Kuala Lumpur at, you guessed it, the Petronas Towers. I was awed. I knew right then and there that I would see them for myself one day. So when I was planning to head to SE Asia, I knew that I had to make a stop in Kuala Lumpur. I'm not sure why I was so taken with them, but they absolutely fascinate me. I'm sure lots of people have never heard of the Petronas Towers (or Kuala Lumpur, for that matter). For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, the Petronas Towers were the world's tallest building until 2004 and remain the tallest twin buildings in the world. They currently rank 4th in the tallest building competition. The pictures should help.

Anyway, goal numero uno after landing in KL and getting to my hotel (a proper hotel this time...a splurge for my last two nights) was getting to the towers. Not overly difficult to do, as KL has a lovely sky train system and most people here understand some English. I was extremely grateful to the sky train, as it is nearly 100 degrees in the shade here and walking around just seemed a bit unbearable. So I made it to the towers. And they were everything I wanted and more. I could have sat there just staring at them for hours. I found a seat and, as the sun went down, they came alive with light. It was a bit surreal for me. Something I've dreamt of seeing since I was 20 years old, and now I'm here. I will never forget it.

Attached to the towers is a huge, upmarket shopping mall called Suria KLCC. When I say upmarket, think Tiffany, Cartier, Gucci, Chanel, etc. Way over my price range. But, after sitting outside in the sweltering heat watching the towers, I decided to wander around in the a/c, get ice cream, and go to a movie. After the movie, I went off in search of the toilet. I assumed that the toilets would be fairly nice, given the high end nature of all of the stores. The problem that I was about to encounter was one of slightly too high expectation versus reality. So I walk in...looks like a regular bathroom. I walk into the stall. And there is a squat toilet. You have got to be kidding me. Squat. Toilet. Now...listen...I'm not going to pretend to be a toilet snob. I don't have anything, per se, against squat toilets (other than the obvious). I've used bunches of them in SE Asia, as well as last year in Peru. But, c'mon. A richy rich, fancy-schmansy, I-can't-afford-to-shop-here mall has squat toilets. Really? I think I just stood there for a minute with a dumbfounded look on my face.

Despite said squat toilet, KL is awesome. Great shopping (although there is literally not an ounce of space left in my pack), amazing food, nice people, and Petronas. Nothing more I could ask for in a city. Perfect place to bring the journey to a close.

Well good people, we have made it to five countries. My plane destined for the good old USA leaves in just under 24 hours. One last post after this one to wrap it all up. See you soon.