Have Perut Will Travel...: March 2022

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Saturday 19 March 2022

Weekend @ WALDORF

нello everyone! we are caт and нarold. welcoмe тo oυr blog, creaтed ιn нonoυr oғ oυr devoтιon тo тнe everyday ғood ғor тнe everyday perѕon, aѕ well aѕ тo caтalogυe oυr мeмorιeѕ, lιғe'ѕ evenтѕ, and тravelѕ wнere oυr 'perυт' (тυммy) leadѕ тнe way!

Bright and early this fine Saturday morning we drove to Waldorf Tower to check up on an apartment that my sister left in our care. It has been many months since our last visit, and we were hoping that the apartment would be holding up fine.

Turned out the bulb in the bathroom blew, and it gave us an excuse to make a trip to the local Mr DIY at the ground floor of Hartamas Shopping Centre. Apart from a bulb we also bought a can of Dettol disinfectant spray for the apartment.

We then walked to the other end of Hartamas Shopping Centre to get a couple bottles of drinking water and a few other items. We then took the escalators up to the second floor, and out toward Plaza Damas. We had a very lunch at Warung Soho, featured in a previous video. We headed back to the apartment where Cat busied herself with the small chore of cleaning it up while I began the arduous but rewarding task of editing our videos.

Before sunset we set the DJI Pocket 2 up to capture the scenery from the apartment balcony for half an hour before and after sunset. This latest attempt at time-lapse is featured in a previous video, so be sure to check it out.

We then headed down in search of dinner and meant to have dinner at Restoran Bestari, which unbeknownst to us had closed down. Still in the mood for Mamak (Malaysian Indian Muslim) cuisine we opted for dinner at Banana instead. We made a video on this as well, so be sure to check it out too.

Dinner out of the way we went to Family Mart across the lane to quench our craving for some munchies. We then headed back up to the apartment, and I continued editing the voluminous amounts of video throughout the day.

That will be all for now, catch you soon in another blog/vlog!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Plaza Damas (Main Lobby) - https://goo.gl/maps/Sxe7iE3hGg1hKP2D9

MR.DIY @ Plaza Damas - https://goo.gl/maps/e9eKkXk3Jc4h1oEy8

Mercato Sri Hartamas - https://goo.gl/maps/puBxBM6fdqcMEjH16

Waldorf Tower - https://goo.gl/maps/XjUPBmFXWijxAEcf9

We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.

BANANA Plaza Damas (Re-opened!)

I spent the whole afternoon editing our videos while Cat busied herself cleaning up the apartment. Before dusk I set the DJI Pocket 2 up to capture some time-lapse footage of the sunset here from the balcony of my sister's Waldorf Tower apartment.

Soon as the DJI Pocket 2 was set up we went down in search of dinner. We usually head to Restoran Bestari for some Mamak (Malaysian Indian Muslim) cuisine but to our utter dismay it had closed down. As we mentioned in the previous video Restoran Bestari could not avoid going down the unfortunate route of so many other eateries in the vicinity. Oh well, it is what it is.

We then headed to the next available Mamak restaurant (so much for loyalty!) and found ourselves at Banana. It had taken over the restaurant formerly known as Mari Canai (another unfortunate victim of the times) and was doing reasonably good business.

I had the Fried Yellow Noodles while Cat had the Fried Rice Vermicelli, both done in the typical Mamak style. Together with drinks our dinner cost us RM23.40 (approximately USD6/EUR5), which in our minds epitomises the everyday food for the everyday man.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Banana - https://goo.gl/maps/WoSUwfuGnC1a6YuL9

We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.

*barely a month after posting this Banana closed, apparently for good. Then a few months later it re-opened!)

DJI Pocket 2: Timelapse Take 3

It has been a long while since we last did a time-lapse video. Again much like the previous time-lapse videos this blog post will be short and sweet as well.

It is our third attempt at time-lapse photography, this time we'll be focusing on the Kuala Lumpur skyline from a different perspective as the sun sets.

This time we set the DJI Pocket 2 to capture a frame every three seconds, for an hour capturing the scenery half an hour before and after sunset. We also experimented with an ND32 filter, just to see how things turn out.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Waldorf Tower - https://goo.gl/maps/XjUPBmFXWijxAEcf9

WARUNG SOHO Plaza Damas

We ran some errands at Hartamas Shopping Centre and before making our way back to the apartment we decided to have an early lunch at Warung Soho. We have always enjoyed the Nasi Soho served here, a simple meal of rice served with turmeric fried chicken and gravy.

We were glad that it managed to ride out the storm of the pandemic, relying mostly on take-outs during the most troubling of times to emerge relatively unscathed. It would have been a tragedy to see them go down the unfortunate route of so many other eateries in the vicinity.

Together with a round of beverages the entire meal came to RM24 (approximately USD6/EUR5) and Warung Soho definitely serves everyday food for the everyday man. A diminutive restaurant that punches above its weight, and highly recommended to everyone seeking a taste of Kelantanese cuisine at very reasonable prices.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Warung Soho Hartamas - https://g.page/warungsoho?share

We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.

Wednesday 16 March 2022

Flying ✈ from KUCHING

Six chaotic days later and it was time for us to leave Kuching and leave Brendan to his studies. We checked out of our lovely Airbnb and took a final drive to UNIMAS to drop Brendan off at his college. After spending a little time there we bade our farewell and headed to Kuching International Airport about half an hour away.

At the airport we handed our rental car back to Awang Amirul https://bit.ly/3tgkglM and went inside. We had bought our return tickets Kuching ✈ Kuala Lumpur from Malaysia Airlines and checked in our luggage at their counter. We eventually boarded the flight MH 2529 which would also take approximately an hour and a half. The captain was Cpt Yap, and the lead cabin crew was Syaiful.

Our second time on an airplane since the pandemic two years ago, and the jitters had since not gone away. Thankfully, the airplane had inflight entertainment so I did the best I could to take my mind off the flight. The flight took off at 2:00PM.

I have never enjoyed air travel, preferring land anytime, but under the expert hands of Capt. Yap the flight was exceptionally smooth and almost turbulence free. Both take-off and landings were drama-free, and this flight again will go a long way to getting us used to air travel again.

The flight landed in KLIA at 3:22PM, and after collecting our luggage we headed down to Level 1 to buy our ELT train tickets to KL Sentral. It was a pleasant half an hour train ride, and at KL Sentral we caught a Grab home.

Thus ends this instalment of videos on Kuching, and we hope to bring you more in December!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Kuching International Airport - https://goo.gl/maps/BHTYCsLM5S1JXuBp7

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)

- https://goo.gl/maps/8baSawAxGVmgdH6n6

ERL KLIA Transit - https://goo.gl/maps/MZ3yGvdMpNhyhWuG6

We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.

Tuesday 15 March 2022

Rumah Asap Dayak SAMARAHAN

WARNING: Video shared below contains footage of pork. My Muslim friends may want to skip this video.

Our last night in Kuching and we decided to end our culinary adventures the way we started it. Rumah Asap literally translates to "Smoke House” and refers to the copious amounts of meat barbecued here.

We ordered the 'pansuh' again, a dish prepared by cooking all varieties of meat in a bamboo stalk, filled with water, seasonings and covered with tapioca leaves from the cassava plant.

Apart from the pansuh we ordered cuts of ribs as well as belly known as the 'three-layered pork' that refers to the rind, fat and meat. We also ordered cuts of the grilled head of the swine.

The damage together with several rounds of beverages came to about RM72.50 (approximately USD17/EUR16). Although a little pricier than the first smoke house we visited it was nonetheless a delightful meal that paid homage to the local cuisine, and we could not recommend this place more!

Tomorrow we leave Kuching, and leave Brendan to his studies!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Rumah Asap Dayak Samarahan - https://goo.gl/maps/tztC3d5ZPDSuyNbZA

We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.

KANTIN at The Granary

As a birthday treat to moi (and them too), we decided to have lunch, as well as rest our feet after that long walk to the Cat Statue at this rather upmarket eatery. Offering Sarawakian fusion food we just knew we have to give this place a try.

Located within a unique warehouse event space in the heart of Kuching, part of The Marian Boutique Lodging House, KANTIN offered an atmosphere and ambiance that was both refreshing and nostalgic.

We chose to be seated outdoors for better ventilation (you can never be too careful), scanned the short but appetising menu and:

• I had the Nanasi, pineapple fried rice for RM20

• Cat had the aromatic Rainforest Fried Rice for RM19

• Brendan who was still full had the Fried Chicken Wing for RM15

• We also had an assortment of beverages

What was the damage? We were incredibly happy that the entire meal was devoid of service charge, but a little uneasy since it came up to RM93.00 (approximately USD22/EUR20) which in our minds was a little steep. However it being my birthday and all, and it being a novelty fusion cuisine, we didn’t mind paying a little more.

We highly recommend this restaurant to anyone wishing to experience Sarawak Western fusion dishes!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

KANTIN at The Granary - https://goo.gl/maps/r13MfFdMGCiLYjMRA

We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.

MAIN BAZAAR Walkabout (Plaza Merdeka, Harmony Arch, Riverfront, Hornbill Fountain, Cat Statue)

The drive from Bako back to Kuching a little under an hour and a half. We parked at Plaza Merdeka, made a pitstop at the washroom and walked out.

We walked northeast for a little while along Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg before turning right past the Harmony Arch along Carpenter Street. We walked east then then turned right onto Upper China Street right to the end before turning right onto Jalan Wawasan. We continued walking east along a quiet part of the neighbourhood, and did not allow the rain to dampen our spirits.

We trudged on along and although were in an unfamiliar area we had faith in Google Maps. Sure enough, we made it to Wayang Street and was within sight of the Riverfront. We then walked across Wayang Street, and then across Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. We then walked past the Hornbill Fountain and continued along the Kuching Waterfront for a little while before heading generally east along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

Five minutes later we reached our destination, the Cat Statue of Kuching. It was only fitting that we spent a few minutes here at the statue in honour of Kuching's namesake (as in Cat, the feline, not my wife!).

From Wikitravel: "The name of the city, Kuching, is thought to derive from the Malay word kucing, meaning cat. Many of the locals refer to Kuching as the "Cat City" but it more likely comes from the Chinese word for port ("cochin") coupled with the Malay name mata kucing (cat's-eye) for the longan fruit, a popular trade item."

We then headed back from where we came along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman albeit on the opposite side of the street. We walked past the Tua Pek Kong Temple and headed southwest for a little while along Temple Street before walking across where we stopped by Asma Cake House.

We then headed back to Wayang Street, where we had my birthday lunch at KANTIN at The Granary, featured in our next video.

After lunch we walked out headed north along Wayang Street. we walked along Jalan Main Bazaar and stopped by Asma Cake House to get some Kuih Lapis, a traditional snack of steamed colourful layered soft rice flour pudding. "Lapis" means "layers". We then continued along the same direction due west right to the end of Jalan Main Bazaar where it intersected with Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg.

We arrived back Plaza Merdeka and ended our walkabout there. Tonight will be our last night in Kuching, and it promises to be another smoky affair!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Plaza Merdeka - https://goo.gl/maps/8MC4QcoRrGEyNeeX7

Harmony Arch - https://goo.gl/maps/RjZSAXhUpAQKzfxeA

Hiang Thian Siang Ti Temple - https://goo.gl/maps/6xRh9x2ps9TvcX7q7

Hornbill Fountain - https://goo.gl/maps/CMwimLgnE424upiu8

Kuching Waterfront - https://goo.gl/maps/DtrjWJdSxX63pqgs5

Cat Statue - https://goo.gl/maps/qwBTh3u3T5CggKWMA

Tua Pek Kong Temple - https://goo.gl/maps/e6E4FiehwiCNpfRC7

Asma Cake House - https://goo.gl/maps/SRJiDQurqf4xci6w6

Jalan Main Bazaar - https://goo.gl/maps/nziqMa7n62ErJdyP7

Kuching Old Courthouse - https://goo.gl/maps/e3H36ZMaZc7M8SqbA

We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.

Morning Drive to BAKO

It was my birthday and as a treated we thought of spending the day at the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV), touted as Sarawak only living museum, an hour's drive away from Kuching. Alas it was not to be since SCV was closed for sanitisation.

Still wanting to take a drive out of Kuching we then headed to Bako National Park where we hoped to experience Sarawakian wildlife. It rained all the way and did not abate, and so put paid our plans. We also decided against taking a river cruise, given the incessant rain.

Holding true to our belief that it is about the journey, not the destination that mattered we quite enjoyed our drive to and from Bako. We then headed back to Kuching where we hoped to see some giant Cats!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Bako National Park Carpark and Boat Jetty

- https://goo.gl/maps/wGTZbe3MduFEhN576

ORIENTAL PARK Kolo Mee

After four days of incessant running around, running errands, and generally not having any time to ourselves today we finally took a break. It was my birthday after all!

We decided to start our day off with breakfast here at Oriental Park, where some of the finest Kolo (or Kolok) Mee is served.

Taken from Wikipedia: "Mee kolo or kolok mee is Malaysian dish of dry noodles tossed in a savoury pork and shallot mixture, topped off with fragrant fried onions originated from the state of Sarawak, characteristically light and tossed in a transparent sauce. Mee kolo is a Sarawakian Chinese favourite and is served any time of the day for breakfast, lunch, and supper."

We had several different variations of Kolo Mee in the past, but this is hands down the best that we have tried so far.

Together with a round of beverages the entire meal came to about RM20 (approximately USD5/EUR4) and Oriental Park should definitely be on your bucket list if you are ever in Kuching.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Oriental Park Kolo Mee - https://goo.gl/maps/owPUNgkUBRUHPz7P9

We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.

Friday 11 March 2022

Rumah Asap TABUAN DAYAK

WARNING: Video shared below contains footage of pork. My Muslim friends may want to skip this video.

Our first night in Kuching and we decided to visit a local delicacy. Rumah Asap literally translates to "Smoke House” and refers to the copious amounts of meat barbecued here.

Brendan asked a local friend about what to get, and Terence recommended we try the 'pansuh' together with the barbequed meats. It is a dish prepared by cooking all varieties of meat in a bamboo stalk, filled with water, seasonings and covered with tapioca leaves from the cassava plant.

Apart from the pansuh we ordered cuts of ribs as well as belly known as the 'three-layered pork' that refers to the rind, fat and meat. We also ordered cuts of the grilled head of the swine.

The damage together with several rounds of beverages came to about RM50 (approximately USD12/EUR11). It was a delightful introduction to the local cuisine, and we could not recommend this place more!

For the next three days we did not take any videos, and I left our cameras at our Airbnb. We made several trips each day to Brendan's dorm each day as we had to take care of all his provisions as well as furnish his room. The next batch of videos will be taken on my birthday, on the 15th of March, so please stay tuned!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Rumah Asap Tabuan Dayak - https://goo.gl/maps/p3MAyiyHgYuVTzno9

We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.

AK 5212 KUL ✈ KCH

We bought tickets for the Kuala Lumpur ✈ Kuching flight from Air Asia. On the appointed day and time we boarded the flight AK 5212 which would take approximately an hour and a half. The captain was Cpt Hari Krishna, and the lead cabin crew was Mir. The flight took off promptly at 11:51PM.

This was our first time on an airplane since the pandemic two years ago. To be perfectly honest I do not enjoy air travel, preferring land anytime, but under the expert hands of Capt. Hari Krishna the flight was remarkably smooth and almost turbulent free. Both take-off and landings were also drama-free, and this flight will go a long way to getting us used to air travel again.

AK 5212 landed at 1:22PM without any drama, and we were in Kuching!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

KLIA 2 - https://goo.gl/maps/5ufiq6Gb1DuggFBUA

Kuching International Airport - https://goo.gl/maps/BHTYCsLM5S1JXuBp7

Flying ✈ to KUCHING

Brendan is pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in English for Global Communication (with Honours), a four-year eight-semester course at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, or UNIMAS for short. He enrolled in September 2019 and came back for his first end of semester break in March 2020.

It was then that the pandemic hit, and for the next four and a half semesters he was asked to stay home and attend his lectures online. In the meantime, barred from returning to his college his belongings were left idle in his dorm room.

However, with the help of some pretty cool and awesome friends Brendan's belonging were eventually packed and put in storage. Big shout-out to Prem, Amy, and Esther!

Then halfway into his sixth semester Brendan received an email from UNIMAS instructing him to report back to his college (Cempaka) on 12 March 2022. With the recent spike in Covid-19 cases we were not certain if this would hold true, and thus we put off making the necessary arrangements till the end of February 2022.

With no further instructions to the contrary from UNIMAS we then purchased our flight tickets, booked our accommodations in Kuching, and rented a car.

On the appointed time and day we boarded our flight to Kuching, and after an uneventful hour and a half we landed. After collecting our luggage we headed out to Pintu 3 where Awang Amirul (https://bit.ly/3tgkglM), our rental car guy was waiting to hand over the keys to the Toyota Avanza we had rented for the next six days.

We then drove to UNIMAS and collected Brendan's belongings from the storage room in Cempaka college and drove back to Kuching to check into our Airbnb where Cat and Brendan began the arduous task of sorting out his belongings, ending up disposing more than half of it.

We end our video here, stay tuned for a very smoky dinner amongst the videos to come!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

ERL KLIA Transit - https://goo.gl/maps/MZ3yGvdMpNhyhWuG6

KLIA 2 - https://goo.gl/maps/5ufiq6Gb1DuggFBUA

Kuching International Airport - https://goo.gl/maps/BHTYCsLM5S1JXuBp7