Thaipusam!!! Part 2: The Main Event

Hello all! Sorry for the late post, internet in Sabah, Borneo has been unreliable.

Quick update on our trip. We are in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia right now. The last couple of nights we had in Kuala Lumpur, we spent meeting local people through CouchSurfing.com.This website has completely changed our trip into an experience unlike any other. Every night since January 21st, Ami and I have been going out and making friends in the cities we are visiting. We surfed our first couch last night, which was AWESOME. Everyone we meet has been soooo lovely and accommodating. They have been showing us the most unique, least touristy parts of their hometowns. It has been an incredible experience so far. But enough chitchat. I'll give more updates later in the entry. Onto to......

THAIPUSAM!!!!!

Here are some photos of the carnival we went to the night after we were part of the procession.

This is where the fun and games took place

This was the foot of the steps where the devotees climbed barefoot

Boy were they steep steps

The huge large feathery things on the left are call khavadis. Huge altars that some carry on their shoulders.

A view from the top.

Once we got inside the cave.

We followed the crowd.

And that's where the action was.

The burning of offerings

the dismounting of a huge khavadi

A devotee standing their entranced...

With a hundred fishhooks in his back!

And that's where the big bright altar from the night before ended up.

Just like any other day at a carnival.

Okay, so I'm doing the blog entry in a rush. Things are so busy. This event actually took place a week. The real highlights of our trip have only just taken place. They are the poeple that we have been meeting and hanging out with. Everyone is has been so lovely and friendly. Wonderful nights just hanging out on Wong's patio, playing music, chess, cards and laughing A LOT. More next time. But in the meantime, here's my Thaipusam video: Part 2! ENJOY!