The conference days are now over. HiveFest Day 3 marked a change of pace.
Today was about a bit of well-earned relaxation after two intense but rewarding days. Of course, calling it “relaxing” might be a bit misleading, because the day started with an early adventure: a visit to the famous Batu Caves!
I woke up early, grabbed breakfast, and jumped on the bus heading just outside Kuala Lumpur. The sight was breathtaking: the massive golden statue of Lord Murugan guarding the entrance, the vivid colors of the staircase in the already hot morning air.
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The 272 rainbow-colored steps looked so nice… until I started climbing them in the tropical heat! It was a test of endurance. Along the way, cheeky monkeys watched me(sometimes trying to steal snacks)
The cave temples themselves were grand, mysterious, and full of symbolism I could not understand, but admired.
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One of the most striking sights at the Batu Caves is the massive green statue of Hanuman, the monkey god and companion of Lord Rama (that's what someone explained to me). His chest is torn open to reveal the image of Rama and Sita within his heart.
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After the morning climb, the return to the hotel felt like a blessing. Finally, a bit of downtime and a chance to cool off.
After a quick shower, I went out to have a light lunch and to stop by a nearby mall for some last-minute gift shopping. To my surprise, I was greeted by a beautiful and artistic procession of elephants displayed throughout the halls. Each one was uniquely decorated.
I later learned that this initiative aims to raise awareness and support the protection of Asian elephants.
But my day didn’t end there. I was once again invited by my Malaysian friends to join them for dinner, and to my great surprise, the restaurant they chose was Italian! It felt like fate for someone like me who has a deep love for Italy and even family connections there.
And the food… oh, the food! Every bite tasted authentic, perfectly cooked with ingredients clearly imported from Italy.
I ended up chatting in Italian with Giuseppe, the chef, and Ricardo, the owner. Both were passionate and kind, thrilled to share their culinary vision with me. They even offered us a round of Limoncello to finish the meal. Watching my Malaysian friends take their first sip was priceless! Their faces clearly weren’t expecting that lemony burst of flavor!
Tomorrow marks the final day, with the much-anticipated Closing Dinner. It feels bittersweet. This HiveFest has gone by far too fast. All part of me wishes it could last just a little longer.
See you tomorrow.