Hello everyone! We are Cat and Harold from Kuala Lumpur. Welcome to our vlog, created to catalogue our memories, life’s events and travels.
Why “Have Perut Will Travel”? It’s a play on words from an old Western TV show called “Have Gun - Will Travel”, but we let our tummies lead the way ❣️
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We woke up at a quarter past seven and began to pack up. We got ready and were out the door an hour later, but not before a quick sweep of the homestay to make sure nothing was left behind. We then rode an elevator down to Level 5 to load our bags into BiBi and drove down to the lobby.
We deposited the unit access cards and keys into the designated mailbox at half past eight. We recommend this homestay managed by GA Homes Homestay to everyone, and this is the link to their Booking.com page.
We then drove a short distance to Jalan Panglima in the vicinity of Concubine Lane. We settled on the first coffee shop we saw, Two Six Restaurant and promptly ordered:
2 sets of Roti Goyang (toast with hard boiled egg)
Iced Milo
hot White Coffee
for a total of RM17.00 (approximately USD4/EUR3). We also took away some steamed buns for RM26.20 (approximately USD6/EUR5).
Breakfast out of the way we hopped back into BiBi at 9:10am to begin our drive back to Kuala Lumpur.
The drive was uneventful that only took a little over two hours. As soon as we arrived back we headed to Kampung Baru so that BiBi could have a shower, and after that we headed back home.
Stay tuned for the next series of videos of our trip back to my home town of Kuala Terengganu!
We were knackered from the walkabout this morning and took a nap after coming back. By the time we woke up it was past lunchtime, and we were feeling a little hungry.
We left the homestay at a quarter to three and headed down to see what was available. We noticed that RNC Food Court right beside The Majestic Condo was finally open, and so we walked in to look around.
Not many stalls were open so from the few that were we ordered:
Seaweed Soup Noodles
Minced Meat Noodles
Rojak Buah (Fruit Salad)
2 Kumquat Juice
for a grand total of RM30.00 (approximately USD7/EUR6). We then headed back to the homestay.
At seven in the evening we went out again headed north along Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar. We walked across Jalan Sultan Iskandar and had arrived at Gerbang Malam!
Touted as the Night Gate Market of Ipoh Gerbang Malam is located at Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar in Taman Jubilee. It is a vibrant marketplace that comes alive every evening with the cacophonous exchanges of buyers and sellers. Shops sell all kinds of goods here, ranging from clothes, accessories, jewelry, electronics, and beauty products, to fruits, flowers, and delectable snack items.
Our first port-of-call was Restoran Tauke Ayam Ong Kee for dinner. We ordered the customary steamed chicken with bean sprouts. Together with rice, soup and a round of Longan drink our authentic Ipoh meal came to RM39.00 (approximately USD9/EUR8).
Just across from Ong Kee was Lou Wong, another bean sprout chicken shop that we purposefully avoid. During the pandemic we wanted to give Lou Wong a try and as luck would have it, we found an empty table outside but was told that we were not allowed to sit there since it was meant for four persons. Mind you it wasn't a busy night and we were not depriving anyone of a seat.
We were then asked to sit indoors and knowing that there would be inadequate ventilation we left Lou Wong, and have never been back since. Guess what? Their loss will always be Ong Kee's gain!
By the time we were done with dinner the sun had set, and with it a much cooler temperature for us to explore the night market in earnest.
We walked the length of the night market to its end then doubled back but did not find anything that caught our fancy. We then stopped by Yee Hup Biscuits and made away with two bagful of assorted biscuits for a grand total of RM101.20 (approximately USD24/EUR20).
We also got three small bottles of various balms for Cat's good friend Kak Ita for RM7.00 each (approximately USD5/EUR4). All done with Gerbang Malam we walked across Jalan Sultan Iskandar and continued south along Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar.
We reached The Majestic condo then rode an elevator up to Level 21 where the rooftop garden was. Here we captured footage of Ipoh's urban landscape illuminated by its lights and the night sky before making our way back to the homestay.
Be sure to catch our next video as we make the return drive back to Kuala Lumpur!
The heavy downpour from the night before reduced the temperature of the weather this morning. We arose at half past seven and were out the door an hour later. Our first port-of-call was Ming Court Dim Sum, a kilometer's walk away.
We walked out onto Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar headed north before walking across Jalan Sultan Iskandar and continuing north until we reached Jalan Sultan Idris.
Here we walked across and continued north before turning right onto Jalan Leong Sin Nam, and in no time at all had arrived at our breakfast destination.
We were thankfully able to get a seat and immediately ordered an assortment of dim sum dishes for a grand total of RM54.15 (approximately USD13/EUR11).
Breakfast out of the way we then began our morning walkabout in earnest. We walked onto Jalan Raja Ekram headed north before turning right onto Jalan Sultan Idris Shah headed west.
We continued for about a kilometer before walking across and continuing onto Jalan Bandar Timah. Here we explored the area especially Panglima and Market Lanes, notably known as Concubine and Second Concubine Lanes.
We were not able to locate Hale Lane, known as Wife Lane. Once done with the area we continued to the Birch Memorial Clock Tower before continuing along then across Jalan Sultan Iskandar onto Jalan Market, eventually ending up along Jalan Bandar Timah for drinks at Sin Yoon Loong coffee shop. Here we ordered:
a large glass of Ipoh White Coffee
Iced Lemon Tea
Egg Custard
for a total of RM12.60 (approximately USD/EUR3).
We then made our way back to the homestay heading back onto Jalan Sultan Iskandar headed east and across the Kinta River. We then turned right onto Jalan Masjid before continuing onto Jalan Onn Jaafar headed south.
We were soon back at the Imperial Tower of The Majestic and headed up to the homestay to shower and rest.
Be sure to catch our next video as we finally explore Gerbang Malam!
The afternoon heat was unbearable so we spent our time indoors till evening.
We had intended to go on a walkabout to Gerbang Malam less than a kilometer away.
Alas a heavy downpour at half past seven put paid our plans. We waited for about two hours for the rain to subside to a drizzle, and in that time most if not all of the eateries at Gerbang Malam had closed for the night.
Our immediate options for dinner were a couple of coffee shops across The Majestic along Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar but they were also in the midst of closing up.
We then continue to Jalan Yang Kalsom and eventually ended up at Haji Gany Nasi Kandar, an Indian Muslim restaurant that was open around the clock.
We took our seats and ordered a simple meal of:
Maggi Mee Goreng
Roti Canai Sardin
2 Coca-Cola
for a grand total of only RM14.50 (approximately USD/EUR3). We then made our way back to The Majestic.
Stay tuned for our next video as we have breakfast at Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum!
We arrived at The Majestic Condo, home for the next two nights approximately three hours after leaving Kuala Lumpur.
Professionally hosted by GA Homes Homestay, The Majestic offers a stylish apartment with an infinity swimming pool, lush garden, and indoor pool. Guests enjoy free WiFi throughout the property. Comfortable Amenities: The apartment features air-conditioning, a kitchenette, balcony, private bathroom, and a dining area. Additional amenities include a washing machine, microwave, and electric kettle.
We'd like to list the top 3 things we love about this Airbnb:
Location
Location
Location!
Within walking distance to most attractions The Majestic was conveniently located to all our favourite sites including Padang Ipoh, Concubine Land and Gerbang Malam. At RM182.00 a night (approximately USD43/EUR37) this apartment represented value for money for sure!
We hope the footage shared will do justice to this cosy apartment, as we immediately headed out again in search of lunch. We had an excellent lunch at Nasi Ganja Ipoh (be sure to catch our previous video) and came back to the homestay, but not before touring the swimming pool and gym at Level 7 and the rooftop garden at Level 21.
We then settled in and spent the afternoon indoors. Stay tuned for our next video as we take an evening stroll headed to a night market nearby!
It was a quiet Saturday morning and we actually planned to stay home the entire home. However we suffered from option paralysis as we scrolled the innumerable choices available on the Grab food app and we decided to drive out to lunch instead.
We rode an elevator down to BiBi at the fourth floor and made our way to the general area of Chow Kit. With provisions needing replenishment and BiBi in need of a shower this would be an excellent launch pad.
We parked in front of Wan Lee Heng Cash & Carry situated along Lengkok Raja Laut and began our shopping there. We made away with tidbits and other provisions for a grand total of RM142.10 (approximately USD33/EUR29) that was stowed away in BiBi.
We then walked a short distance to an Indonesian restaurant called Sido Mampir as we missed our time in Jakarta. Here we ordered the:
Rawon Daging for the both of us
Plain Omelette
2 plates of White Rice
Iced Nescafe
Iced Lemon Tea
Our excellent and nostalgic Javanese lunch came to RM32.55 (approximately USD8/EUR7).
As we left Sido Mampir we stopped by the biscuit shop In Hua Bee and got several varieties of Mung Bean biscuits for RM15.00 (approximately USD4/EUR3).
We then made our way back to BiBi and made a loop around Chow Kit before ending up at Qimi Car Wash. A wash and vacuum session cost RM20.00 (approximately USD5/EUR4), and we were impressed that they took they time to care for BiBi.
Before leaving Qimi Car Wash I placed an order to pick up two regular-sized pizzas from Domino's for an irresistible price of RM38.90 (approximately USD9/EUR8). We then drove a short distance then collected the pizzas. As I sat and waited while Cat went to pick up the pizzas a man came up to the window with an vague request for money. Fearing an attempt at 'pukau' (inducing a trance) we quickly left the place and headed home.
We will be headed north to an old tin mining town next week, so please stay tuned!
Cat's favourite beadstress was in town and we made plans to see her today. The Curve was holding a Discover Borneo https://thecurve.com.my/discover-borneo/ exhibition from the 4th of July until tomorrow at its Centre Court. Caroline will be returning to Kuching tomorrow as well, so it was imperative that we see her today.
We arrived at the Mutiara Damansara MRT station and made our way to The Curve. At the Centre Court where the Discover Borneo https://thecurve.com.my/discover-borneo/ exhibition was held we met up with Caroline and handed her my string of Lava beads bracelet as well as a couple of Cat's necklaces for restringing.
Cat then browsed Caroline's depleted collection of necklaces (it's been a week since she set up her booth) and eventually selected five necklaces to add to her every growing collection. Since we needed to have lunch Caroline suggested we go eat while she worked on restringing our necklaces and bracelet.
Do watch our previous video to find out what we had to eat. By the time we were done with lunch it was a quarter past two, so we walked back to the Centre Court of The Curve. We were just in time to catch a traditional dance performance.
Caroline was still working on restringing Cat's second necklace, while my Lava beads bracelet was worked on by a friend. We elected to wait and in that time were fortunate to catch a blow dart exhibition.
Our necklaces and bracelet were finally restrung and together with a free woven bag for Cat and a free beads bracelet our haul from Caroline came to RM940.00 (approximately USD220/EUR190) which may seem little pricey but well worth it for her exquisite handwork.
By the time we were done it was just past three, so we bade Caroline a fond farewell. Do watch our previous video on where we headed next after The Curve.
With nothing planned in the upcoming weeks we will share vlogs of our weekend excursions here and there, so please stay tuned!
Cat's favourite beadstress was in town and we made plans to see her today. The Curve was holding a Discover Borneo exhibition from the 4th of July until tomorrow at its Centre Court. Caroline will be returning to Kuching tomorrow as well, so it was imperative that we see her today.
We left our home at ten past eleven, and seeing as we were running a little late we hailed a Grab car for a fare of RM21.00 (approximately USD5/EUR4) to The Curve. Alas the Grab car cancelled on us. Fearing the ongoing ASEAN summit was wreaking havoc on traffic we then decided to walk to the Bandaraya LRT station.
Here we caught a train bound for Sentul at a quarter to twelve and disembarked at the Titiwangsa station. We then walked over to the MRT station and caught another train bound for Putrajaya. We disembarked at the Tun Razak Exchange MRT station and switched to the train bound for Kwasa Damansara.
We eventually arrived at Mutiara Damansara MRT station at a quarter to one for a total fare of RM3.20 (approximately USD0.80/EUR0.60). After some time spent taking photos at the station we headed into The Curve.
Please catch our upcoming video on the exhibition and our time spent with Caroline.
Since we needed to have lunch Caroline suggested we go eat while she worked on restringing our necklaces and bracelet. We wandered around and eventually settled on Soup Based Kitchen where we had the:
Omelette with Minced Chicken & Rice set
Smoked Duck with Rice set
for a total of RM39.80 (approximately USD9/EUR8). This was a truly value for money meal since each set came with a bowl of soup and a glass of Iced Chinese Tea.
By the time we were done with lunch it was a quarter past two, so we headed back to Caroline's booth. We were all done with our splurge on beads and such at half past three, so we bade Caroline a fond farewell. In the interest of time hailed a Grab car for a fare of RM19.00 (approximately USD5/EUR4) to NU Sentral.
We arrived at twenty to four and made our way to the Malaysia Airlines office. Here we enquired about rescheduling a future trip. Natasha attended to us and was an absolute darling!
We then walked to the Monorail station where we caught a train at half past four bound for Titiwangsa and disembarked at the Medan Tuanku station for a total fare of RM3.20 (approximately USD0.80/EUR0.70).
We made a detour at Syed Bistro to take away each a Naan bread and a serving of Tandoori Chicken, and together with a round of drinks came to RM21.65 (approximately USD5/EUR4). It was then a ten-minute walk back to our home.
With nothing planned in the upcoming weeks we will share vlogs of our weekend excursions here and there, so please stay tuned!
We woke up at half past nine this morning and began to pack up in earnest. We managed to pack away most of the goodies from CYSY Teluk Intan yesterday into the white luggage bag, while all gadget related items were safely stored in the carry-on bag.
We checked out of East Sun Hotel an hour later and had intended to make our way to Hai Seng Huat to take a look at what they had to offer in terms of fresh fish. However we were both feeling under the weather and decided against it.
We then set course for D'Masri Restaurant but found it closed. We doubled back to Sekinchan town and after a bit of wandering eventually found ourselves at Mamawe Cafe along Jalan Menteri Besar. We were here once before and was the place felt familiar. After some time spent perusing their menu we settled on:
Cantonese Seafood Ee Mee
American Style Breakfast
Ginger Tea (for my sore throat)
Coca-Cola
Grilled Herb Chicken (for Brendan)
for a grand total of RM54.40 (approximately USD13/EUR11).
We then hopped back into BiBi and set course for home. The Waze app took us along several backstreets before eventually directing us to The Kuala Lumpur–Kuala Selangor (LATAR) Expressway. We quite enjoyed this stretch of the journey, and after some time we found ourselves driving onto the New Klang Valley (NKVE) Expressway.
As soon as we reached Kuala Lumpur we made our way to our usual car wash along Jalan Raja Abdullah in Kampung Baru. We then made our way back to our home.
We did not have any travel plans for the next couple of months, and our next video will most probably be of a gallivant somewhere close by, but please stay tuned!
After our visit to the leaning tower we hopped back into BiBi and drove the short distance to our lunch destination: Anson Hainan Kopitiam.
Excerpts from UAK Travel's website that provided an apt description:
"For those living in or visiting the vibrant town of Teluk Intan in Perak, a truly local culinary experience awaits at Anson Hainan Kopitiam. This popular spot has gained considerable attention among locals and travellers alike, offering a taste of authentic Malaysian kopitiam culture. While some may find the experience simply adequate, many praise its unique charm and specific standout dishes that keep patrons coming back for more.
Anson Hainan Kopitiam isn't just a place to eat; it's a place to soak in the local atmosphere. Kopitiams, or traditional coffee shops, are integral to Malaysian daily life, serving as communal hubs for breakfast, brunch, and casual meals. Anson Hainan Kopitiam embodies this spirit, providing a setting that, while unique, invites you to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of good food and company. It's a spot where you can easily imagine locals catching up over a cup of traditional coffee and a hearty meal.
What truly sets Anson Hainan Kopitiam apart for many is its dedication to certain beloved local dishes. While individual experiences may vary, the kopitiam has clearly made a mark with specific menu items that have garnered significant praise. From its highly recommended Mee Udang to the increasingly popular viral milk toast, there are certainly highlights that make a visit worthwhile. The aim here is to provide a comfortable and accessible dining option that offers familiar flavours at an affordable price, appealing especially to those who appreciate a no-frills, authentic local eatery.
Ultimately, Anson Hainan Kopitiam offers a distinct slice of Teluk Intan’s culinary scene. It's a place that resonates with the everyday rhythm of local life, where good value and certain celebrated dishes contribute to its popularity. If you're in Perak and looking to explore the genuine kopitiam experience, Anson Hainan Kopitiam is certainly a place to consider for a taste of local favourites."
Although renowned for its Mee Udang (Shrimp Noodles) and Milk Toast after perusing the menu we instead ordered the:
Hainan Chicken Chop
Nasi Lemak Otak Ikan
their traditional Iced Coffee
Iced Herbal Tea
for a grand total of RM47.50 (approximately USD11/EUR10).
We then hopped back into BiBi and made the return drive back to Sekinchan. Stay tuned as we emerge in the evening headed to the same general area but a different seafood joint!
It's been years since we last visited. With the leaning tower in mind we awoke at half past eight and got ready. I dashed down to the laundromat to deposit our clothes from the day before as Cat got ready.
We then walked over to Sri Kassim Restaurant to have a simple breakfast of Roti Canai and drinks that came to RM9.40 (approximately USD/EUR2). Our laundry was done by a quarter to ten and we hopped into BiBi bound for Teluk Intan fifteen minutes later.
The drive was uneventful and we arrived at Teluk Intan an hour later. It was also our first time in many years since we were in the state of Perak. Our first destination was of course the leaning tower in the centre of town. We circled around and eventually found parking nearby.
We walked the short distance to the tower and took a bucket load of photos. We then walked over to CYSY Biscuit Shop and got two bagful of snacks and goodies that included:
2 x CYSY Tambun Biscuits
1 x Chicken Biscuits
1 x Laurel Flower Tea
1 x Nyonya Sesame Crisps
2 x Tau Sa Piah (Mung Bean Past Biscuits)
2 x Instant Cappucino White Coffee
1 x Sesame Biscuits
2 x Teluk Intan Fridge Magnets
which eventually came to RM138.90 (approximately USD30/EUR26). We also added a couple of fridge magnets for RM12.00 (approximately USD EUR).
We hopped back into BiBi and drove the short distance to our lunch destination: Anson Hainan Kopitiam. Be sure to catch our upcoming video on this legendary Hainanese coffee shop.
After lunch we made the return drive back to Sekinchan, where we made a pitstop at the local Maybank branch to replenish the federal reserves. We then headed back to the hotel and spent the rest of the afternoon indoors, out of the searing heat.
Stay tuned as we have lunch at Anson Hainan Kopitiam!
We left the hotel at six in the evening and hopped into BiBi, making the five-minute drive to our dinner destination. Barely a kilometer away we contemplated taking a walk there but the lack of proper sidewalks dissuaded us.
Located within Sekinchan's fishing village Loong Hua Seafood Restaurant was familiar to us, having previously been here in August 2020. We knew that parking was limited so we made sure to be here early.
It is known to be the oldest seafood restaurant in Sekinchan, and we liked its location next to the fishing boat jetty. We sat and watched fishermen busy with their work, fishing boats passed by the restaurant. Loong Hua is also known for maintaining the traditional Sekinchan fishing village cooking style.
We carefully perused their menu before ordering the:
Signature Fried Bee Hoon with Crab
Deep Fried Cuttlefish
A jug of Chinese Tea
Our riveting riverside dinner came to RM125.00 (approximately USD30/EUR25). IN all honesty it was a bit pricey considering the seafood feasts that we've been having in Kuching and Kuala Terengganu before this.
We then hopped back into BiBi and drove back to the hotel, parked then walked over to Sri Kassim Supermart to get some cold drinks and tidbits.
Stay tuned for the next video as we have breakfast while sorting out laundry!
Today is Awal Muharram, also known as Maal Hijrah, which marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year. It is also a public holiday, and taking advantage of the extended weekend we booked a hotel room in Sekinchan, a two-hour drive away.
We last went in August 2020 in the midst of the pandemic, and before the creation of our Youtube channel.
Brendan was busy with his course work and did not join us, so we hopped into BiBi at twelve noon setting a course for a restaurant called Chef Danial Halal. Its Facebook page advised us to make reservations before coming, so we did so for 2:00pm today.
Taking the North South Expressway for the first leg of the journey we turned off onto the Kuala Lumpur-Kuala Selangor Expressway (LATAR) continuing on for the next hour or so until we reached the restaurant.
Set within an oil palm estate the restaurant was calm and cosy. Chef Danial previously worked fifteen years in a five-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur before starting his own restaurant here in Sekinchan in 2011. We perused their menu for a while before ordering the:
Deep Fried Fish in Thai Chilli Sauce
Dry Butter Prawns
Pak Choy Oyster Sauce
Each a plate of White Rice
Together with a round of beverages our first meal in Sekinchan came to RM86.60 (approximately USD21/EUR18).
We then hopped back into BiBi and set course for East Sun Hotel. A budget hotel https://bit.ly/4eHuu53 we booked their 'suite' for RM241.85 a night (approximately USD57/EUR49). The room was well-appointed, clean and modern, and situated within a row of shoplots that housed a slew of convenience stores. Most importantly it was right beside a laundromat!
We settled in and rested till evening. Stay tuned for our next video as we have dinner by a riverside!
It was a lazy Sunday morning. Three weeks after coming back from Kuching I was knee deep in video editing and decided on an impromptu trip to the Exchange TRX Mall to visit the biggest UNIQLO store.
We left our home at eleven headed to them Bandaraya LRT station. I had RM4.30 (approximately USD/EUR1) left in my Touch 'n Go card and was denied entry at the station's turnstile.
I then topped up RM100.00 (approximately USD24/EUR20) and we continued on our merry way up to the platform. A train bound for Putra Heights and disembarked at Plaza Rakyat.
Here we switched to the Merdeka MRT station bound for Kajang. We disembarked at the TRX MRT station for a total fare of RM1.90 (approximately USD/EUR0.40) and walked into the Exchange TRX Mall.
An interesting note to everyone. You can catch the train to Putrajaya from this MRT station.
Feeling a little hungry we decided on an early lunch at the Food Exchange on the lowest floor, the Concourse floor. We browsed each stall before deciding on the Hokkaido Ramen stall and ordered the:
Saba Teriyaki Bento
Chicken Nanban Bento
for a total of RM50.90 (approximately USD12/EUR10).
Then from the beverage stall we got the:
Ribena with Lemon
Ribena with Lychee
for a total of RM14.00 (approximately USD/EUR3).
The total amount of RM64.90 (approximately USD15/EUR13) was a little steep considering we just came back from Kuching, but was about right considering we were in an upmarket mall.
Our meal was enjoyable and and we then began our exploration of this mall in earnest. We rode several flights of escalators up to the second floor and dropped by the Skechers store. There were no offers to be had so we continued browsing.
After browsing several stores we walked into the Levi's outlet here and eventually got:
a denim bucket hat for me
and a straw bucket hat for Cat
for a total of RM156.80 (approximately USD37/EUR32).
Done with the second floor we rode an escalator down and began browsing the stores here. We eventually walked into Cat's perennial favourite Bath & Body Work where she got several heavily discounted items including:
Gingham Body Lotion
Dahlia Body Lotion
Iced Lemon Poundcake Foam Soap
for a total of RM66.75 (approximately USD16/EUR14).
After seeing all there was to see on the first floor we walked into the Uniqlo outlet where I eventually got four AIRism T-shirts for a total of RM199.60 (approximately USD47/EUR41).
We then rode the escalator within Uniqlo back down to the concourse level and walked across to the LC Waikiki store where Cat got a printed summer dress for RM59.90 (approximately USD14/EUR12).
Right outside LC Waikiki store was the Arabica coffee stall, an "independent coffee brand from Kyoto for cosmopolitan souls." This coffee stall used to attract long lines, but today was relatively quiet.
Curious about what the hype was all about I got a hot cafe latte for RM18.87 (approximately USD/EUR4). Though not a coffee aficionado I thought their coffee was smoother than most. Would I endure endlessly long lines for their coffee? Probably not.
By this time we had walked in excess of seven thousand steps so we decided to head back to the TRX MRT station where we caught the train bound for Sungai Buloh. We disembarked at the Merdeka MRT station before walking over to the Plaza Rakyat LRT station.
Here we caught a train bound for Sentul and disembarked at the Bandaraya LRT station for the same total fare of RM1.90 (approximately USD/EUR0.40).
We then made our way back to our home.
Stay tuned in the coming week as we spent forty-eight hours in Sekinchan!
We woke up at half past seven and promptly walked to Kim Coffee Garden to have our white Kolo Mee. We also took away two red and two white Kolo Mee, and together with a round of drinks our breakfast came to RM41.00 (approximately USD10/ EUR9).
We walked back to the homestay and began to pack our belongings away. All this happened off-camera.
We began filming as we bade farewell to Adelyn's Airbnb. After one final sweep of the home to make sure nothing was left behind we deposited the keys in the lockbox.
We sent Adelyn a message informing her that we left packets of keropok and serunding as souvenirs. We then left at ten past ten and arrived at Kuching International Airport (KIA) approximately twenty five minutes later.
Our good buddy Awang Amirul was again indisposed so I drove the rental car into the airport car park where it was securely parked. Due to the ongoing construction in and around the parking area it took some time before we could find parking.
I eventually shared a few photos of the car's location with Awang Amirul and then made our way to the Departure Hall. Here's a link to his Facebook page.
We then weighed our bags, and were relieved that the total weight came in at 37 kgs, within the allocated 40 kgs. We arrived last week with 25 kgs of belongings which means that we added 12 kgs worth of goodies!
We then checked our luggage in and after sorting out items in our carry-on bag we made our way the to Departure Hall. We navigated the Immigration counters and the security checkpoint at ten past eleven before heading to Gate 4. MH2513 was still on schedule to take off at 1:35pm so more than two hours to burn we walked to the Makan Makan food court.
We ordered drinks and a grilled cheese sandwich for a total of RM30.50 (approximately USD7/EUR6). We then settled down and for the next hour or so I worked on our videos while Cat roamed the Departure Hall, eventually getting two Kek Lapis for RM35.00 (approximately USD8/EUR7).
The boarding process began at 1:30pm, we got to our seats fifteen minutes later. We were seated along row 6, and since Brendan had cancelled his seat there was a lady seated in between our window and aisle seat. The lady was kind enough to swap with our aisle seat, and with that sorted we got settled in.
MH2513 pushed back at 1:55pm and took off fifteen minutes later. The flight was largely uneventful and we were soon served our inflight meals. Cat and I both opted for the opted for the Potato with Fish, which in hindsight was not something we cared for.
An hour into our flight MH2513 began its descent and we touched down at 3:30pm. We collected our luggage from Carousel L then headed down to the ERL train station. We caught a train at 4:20pm and arrived at KL Sentral approximately half an hour later.
We then waited a while for Brendan and Puteh to come get us, and we got back home at ten past five in the evening. Door-to-door our journey took about seven hours, which was not bad at all.
We picked you up again after coming back from our final spending spree at Mita Cake House then lunch at Peach Garden at Jalan Song. We spent the entire afternoon organising our belongings in the two yellow submarines. We are grateful to Marvin for repairing the zipper to one of the bags.
I then began work on our videos, while Cat busied herself with laundry and only emerged in the evening. Eager for more local cuisine on our last night in Kuching our interest was piqued by this Dayak food court called Remin Asuh Dayak https://bit.ly/4jntN17 so we left Adelyn's homestay with our rental car at 5:30pm and drove to Marbel Garden.
Remin Asuh (which is the Bidayuh Biatah translation for 'smoke house') opened its doors in 2019 and catered to the local community especially those into country and western music. It offers a variety of food stalls, including those serving Dayak cuisine, BBQ dishes, and other options like grilled Western food, sambal ikan (fish with sambal), and local specialties.
We arrived at 6:00pm and since it was our first time here we carefully surveilled the options before ordering from D'Satay & BBQ Station:
200gm of their 3-layer Pork
10 sticks of their Pork Satay
We then ordered a plate of Midin Sambal Belacan from D&C Juicy Barbeque. Together with a round of drinks our final dinner in Kuching came to RM50.40 (approximately USD12/EUR10) and again mindful of the fact that I was driving no alcohol was consumed.
Seeing as it was our last night we decided to take a leisurely drive to Kuching Waterfront before making our way back one last time to Adelyn's homestay.
Stay tuned for the next video as we leave Kuching on a jet plane!
After our stroll along Kuching Waterfront we got home where Cat got violently sick. Apparently the Dayak cuisine at Lepau did not agree with her and she threw up three times throughout the night!
Despite my protestations she refused to seek medical treatment, and she soon fell asleep. I then spent a few tense hours checking up on her, and fell asleep at two in the morning.
Which brings us to this morning. We naturally slept in and rose sometime after ten. We showered and got ready, hopping into the rental car at ten past eleven headed to Jalan Satok to visit a famous cake house.
Alas by the time we got to Mita Cake House at Jalan Satok twenty five minutes later a long line had formed. We then looked for alternatives, and set course for another outlet along Jalan Tun Jugah. We arrived at five to twelve and were in luck as there were several boxes left, so we grabbed five boxes for a total of RM97.50 (approximately USD23/EUR20).
Since it was coming up to lunch time we decided to head to our new favourite food court over at Jalan Song. We parked our car at the Majlis Tiga Lingkungan Dasar (MTLD) at Tabuan Heights at ten past twelve and walked a short distance to Peach Garden Food Centre.
Alas the stall selling my favourite Sausage Fried Rice only operated in the evenings, so I settled for a plate of mixed rice from a "fast food" stall while Cat opted for the Claypot Stewed Soup with Rice. Together with a round of drinks our simple lunch came to RM33.00 (approximately USD8/EUR7).
We then hopped back into the rental car headed back to Adelyn's homestay. We made a pitstop at Kim Coffee Garden to take away their awesome home grown hot coffee before making it back. I then walked out again to Kenyalang Park in search of cellophane tape to help with our packing later.
After trying a few stores I eventually found cellophane tape at a local 100% Mart and made my way back to Adelyn's homestay. We then spent the afternoon packing all our goodies in the smaller yellow submarine, while everything else went into the bigger bag.
Stay tuned as we finally visit a rumah asap that properly serves BBQ meat!
We picked you up again after our exquisite dinner at Lepau Restaurant over at Jalan Ban Hock. Knowing that we needed to walk off the calories we we drove to Kuching Waterfront, a scenic promenade along the Sarawak River, known for its history, local food, cultural landmarks, and the iconic Darul Hana Bridge.
We managed to find parking beside a mosque and began our stroll. Perhaps our most favourite part of the Darul Hana Bridge is the S-shaped Golden Anniversary Bridge, a unique curved 330-metre pedestrian bridge, supported by two cables that are 45 metres high from two 48-degree outward angled steel towers topped out with stylised hornbills.
This time around we did not walk along the bridge, do watch our previous video on our excursion along the bridge to its end and back. We continued our walk along the promenade that lay on the southern bank of the Sarawak River.
We made it all the way to the Hornbill Fountain before turning back, and even managed to "experience enchantment at Darul Hana Musical Fountain", capturing a few minutes of the water, music, and lights show https://bit.ly/3SFABwp along the Sarawak River.
We made it back to the rental and drove back to Adelyn's homestay and slowly began packing away all our bounty of the past several days.
Stay tuned as we head out in search of a famous cake house tomorrow morning!
We picked you up again after our late lunch at Kim Coffee Garden. We got back to Adelyn's homestay at a quarter past two and began unpacking our bounty from this morning's shopping spree at India Street and Jalan Main Bazaar.
We showered then busied ourselves with our respective tasks; me at the laptop and Cat at the washing machine.
We eventually got ready and left Adelyn's homestay at half past five. We arrived at Lepau ten minutes later and took our seats outside as we waited for Lepau to open. It then began to rain heavily and the waitress was kind enough to allow us in.
Thankfully we made reservations beforehand to dine here because from the reservation signs on seen each table we gathered that they were almost full booked, save for a couple of tables at the back for walk in.
Lepau Restaurant is touted as "an ethnic restaurant serving the best authentic Orang Ulu and Dayak food for all to discover. Winner of the Best Innovative Ethnic Restaurant for the 20th Malaysia Tourism Award."
We took the time to surveil our surroundings. Lepau which means hut in the Kayan language has been in business since 2014. Dayak Daily describes it as "more than just iconic Sarawak food, it also serbes an original Sarawak ethnic dining experience with its beautiful indoor and outdoor ambience, homey atmosphere, and melodious sape music".
Inspired by the same Dayak Daily article we promptly ordered:
Tempoyak Anchovies
Terung Asam Fish
Orang Ulu Red Chili Chicken
Stir Fried Spicy Bunga Kantan
Purple Bario Rice wrapped in Itun Sip
a round of drinks
Soon as we placed our order the waitress suggested we move to a bigger table outdoors, which we agreed with glee. Our new seating arrangements were airy and cosy, for which we were grateful.
our delightful Dayak dinner came to a respectable RM97.75 (approximately USD23/EUR20). An experience not to be missed, we heartily recommend Lepau to anyone looking for authentic local cuisine set in an amazing backdrop.
Stay tuned as we head out to Kuching Waterfront to walk off the calories!
We picked you up after our walkabout along Jalan Main Bazaar. After reaching the famed Cat Statue we hailed a Grab car for a fare of RM5.00 (approximately USD/EUR1) , and as soon as we got to Plaza Merdeka we headed down to the basement carpark and set course for Matang Metrocity. We arrived back Plaza Merdeka and ended our walkabout there. We then hopped into the rental and set course for Petronas Metrocity to meet up with Marvin.
One of our yellow submarines was badly manhandled by the Kuching airport ground staff that the one of the zipper head broke off. Thankfully or slyly, depending on how you look at it the zipper's slider was reattached and left hooked into the lock.
After a few frantic days of searching for a repair shop we finally found Marvin through a Facebook page. He picked up the yellow submarine two days ago and in the interest of time we decided to pick it up from near where he lived, which was in the vicinity of Matang Metrocity.
We arrived at Petronas Metrocity at a quarter to two and filled up RM20.00 (approximately USD4/EUR3) worth of fuel into the rental car. Marvin came a short while later and handed our bag to us.
The repairs including parts and labour came to RM98.00 (approximately USD23/EUR20). We hen set course for Kek Lapis Warisan https://bit.ly/3SAhVOH over along Jalan Pisang. Here we got several bars of their delectable sweet cake including the Hati Parek and Rainbow Cheese and Chocolate Cheese for a total of RM85.00 (approximately USD20/EUR18).
Kek Lapis Warisan Sdn Bhd offers a wide range of customisable cakes, including birthday cakes, cheese cakes, chocolate cakes, wedding cakes, red velvet cakes, butter cakes, banana cakes, and the famous Sarawakian Kek Lapis and Kek Marble. They also have cupcakes for those looking for something different. What sets this cake shop apart is its open kitchen where visitors can watch the baking process and interact with the staff.
We finally headed back to Adelyn's homestay where we parked the rental car and walked out to Kim Coffee Garden for a late lunch. We both had the Sarawak Laksa and Iced Barley, and took away a hot Coffee for a total of RM24.20 (approximately USD6/EUR5). We got back to Adelyn's homestay to rest at three.
Stay tuned as we feast on more local cuisine at an upmarket eatery tonight!
We woke up at eight in the morning and were out the door at twenty past nine. Twenty minutes later we arrived at Plaza Merdeka and parked at its basement before continuing on foot. Since the mall was not yet open the security personnel on duty advised us to take the elevator up to the ground floor then make our way out onto the street.
Our first destination was India Street, a place we have not visited in a long while. With over 140 years of history it was renamed India Street in 1928 to honor the Indian merchants who settled there. In 1992, it was converted into a pedestrian mall and is now a vibrant area with shops selling textiles, clothing, spices, and souvenirs.
We walked along India Street and Cat was immediately drawn to Nizamir Textiles. We walked in and eventually bought:
2 sets of their kain sarung
2 meters each of woven cloth in Sarawakian motif
for a total of RM95.00 (approximately USD22/EUR20).
Still in India Street we then had breakfast at Jubilee Restaurant where we had:
each a Roti Canai
hot Nescafe
Iced Milk Tea
that came to RM9.20 (approximately USD/EUR2). We were made to wait for our Roti Canai and when we enquired apparently our order was forgotten. Mind you the restaurant was NOT busy and we were the only other patron. Our Roti Canai finally made its appearance half hour later.
We then resumed our stroll along India Street before doubling back to Nizamir Textiles to get another seven meters of the same woven cloth in Sarawakian motif for RM140.00 (approximately USD33/EUR29).
We then continued onto Carpenter Street before turning left onto Jalan China before emerging onto Jalan Main Bazaar. From Borneo Point Cat got a dress in local motif for RM35.00 (approximately USD8/EUR7).
From Little Borneo we got several keychains for RM22.00 (approximately USD/EUR5). We then doubled back to Kwang Yan Trading where we got five packets of Sarawak pepper and two packets of Pansuh paste for RM75.00 (approximately USD18/EUR16).
We doubled back along Jalan Main Bazaar until we arrived at Peanuts Anchovies. Here Cat ordered the Green Tea Lemon while I tried the Iced Ribena Sprite Lychee for RM14.85 (approximately USD4/EUR3).
By the time we were done with refreshments it was already a quarter past twelve. We then made the short walk to Borneo Headhunters Tattoo and gifted Robin and Ernesto a packet of Terengganu serunding (meat floss).
We then continued our stroll along Jalan Main Bazaar then continued onto Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman until we reached the famed Cat Statue. We took the customary photo which ended up as the thumbnail for this video. The heat was getting really unbearable which put paid our plans to walk back to Plaza Merdeka.
We then hailed a Grab car for a fare of RM5.00 (approximately USD/EUR1) , and as soon as we got to Plaza Merdeka we headed down to the basement carpark and set course for Matang Metrocity.
Stay tuned as we meet up with Marvin who rescued our yellow submarine!
We picked you up again after our awesome excursion being one with nature at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre. We hopped on the first buggy out of the orangutan feeding area and got to the park entrance three minutes later.
We then hopped into the rental car and set course for a smoke house in Batu Kawa.
Literally meaning smoke house, Sarawak is renowned for its rumah asap. These eateries have gained popularity for those wishing to dine while being entertained by live music. It serves authentic Sarawak native dishes and local style BBQ and we have been smitten since our first visit to a rumah asap in 2019.
This time around we were headed to River View Rumah Asap http://bit.ly/3FoxQfQ located along Jalan Rantau Panjang beside the Batu Kawa bridge and overlooks the Sarawak River. Our very first time here, we carefully surveilled each stall before settling on:
Nasi Lemak Sotong Sambal
Nasi Lemak Sotong Goreng
several rounds of drinks
Why no barbecued meats customary to rumah asap? Apparently it was the fourth day of Gawai and the Panggang (barbecue) stall operator did not turn up!
Our first dinner in a rumah asap (minus the barbecue) came to RM28.80 (approximately USD7/EUR6).
We then hopped back into the rental car and set course for the eMart Moyan nearby. Cat had read about traditional clothes being sold here so we thought we'd take a look. Alas the stalls were closed for Gawai, but we still managed to get a few packets of Bario O'grain Highland rice from the eMart outlet.
We also paid Potato Story a visit and got several packets of various chips and fries for supper later tonight. We hopped back into the rental and made the forty-minute drive back to Adelyn's homestay.
Stay tuned as we explore Main Bazaar and the Riverfront tomorrow morning!
We tried visiting the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre a few years ago but the constant rain at the time put paid our plans. This time around we were better prepared and since it doesn't normally rain in the morning we were hopeful.
However a heavy downpour last night cast doubt. When I woke up at six this morning it was still raining so we deferred our plans to the afternoon. After a morning of running errands we left the homestay at ten past twelve headed to lunch at the Premier Food Republic at the ninth mile of Jalan Penrissen.
After lunch we continued our drive to the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and arrived at half past one. With its opening time half an hour away a long line had already formed.
Half an hour later we finally paid our entrance fee of RM5.00 each and the buggy ride of RM10.00 each for a total of RM30.00 approximately USD7/EUR6).
We then got in line and hopped on a buggy to the orangutan feeding area. The ride took only three minutes and we began to be immersed in thick vegetation. We took a leisurely stroll to the feeding area and began the long wait to sight an orangutan.
In that time the park ranger held his briefing and laid down his two golden rules: lower our voices and stay clear if an orangutan approaches.
Right at the end of the two-hour window a three year old orangutan made his appearance. Wanting to avoid the crush getting a buggy back we left soon after. We managed to snare the first buggy out and arrived at the park entrance three minutes later.
Stay tuned for the next video as we finally get to dine at a smoke house!
We tried visiting the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre a few years ago but the constant rain at the time put paid our plans. This time around we were better prepared and since it doesn't normally rain in the morning we were hopeful.
However a heavy downpour last night cast doubt. I woke up at six this morning to discover that it was still raining which meant that the orangutans will probably not appear later. We went back to sleep and I later woke up at eight, while Cat continued with her beauty sleep.
I then took a walk out to Kim Coffee Garden to get an Iced Milk Coffee and Toast Bread for RM6.40 (approximately USD/EUR1). Coming back to Adelyn's homestay I showered and continued work for the next couple works on our video.
Cat woke up an hour after I did and after she showered we went on a short walk to Everwin. We got a couple cans of beer and a bar of soap, then walked to the coffee shop nearby to get some drinks.
We got home and while I continued with our videos Cat started a load of laundry. The load was done at twelve and we were out the door ten minutes later. First on our agenda was lunch, and we set course for the Premier Food Republic at the ninth mile of Jalan Penrissen. The drive took thirty minutes and we had a simple lunch of:
2 Kedondong (Ambarella)
Sausage Fried Rice
Kueh Chap Rice
for a total of RM26.10 (approximately USD6/EUR5).
We then continued our drive to the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre. Stay tuned for the next video to see if we managed to catch a glimpse of an orangutan?
