Ikan Bakar Keramat

It was one of our regular eating out weekend and we were just too lazy to drive to those restaurants but an eatery nearby would be best.


Also, running out of ideas about where and what to eat.

Sounds surprising indeed considering Malaysia is a country filled with glorious tasty food everywhere and round the clock.

Petronas Twin Towers

What stands 452 metres into the sky, weighs 600, 000 tons, 58 double decker passenger lifts, 765 flights of stairs, uses 160,000 cubic tons of concrete and 36,910 cubic metres of steel?

The answer has to be Petronas Twin Towers which is the tallest twin tower building in the world besides as the icon of Kuala Lumpur city and Malaysia. The 88 storeys tower building are connected by a 58.4metres long skybridge on Level 41, which is 170metres above. The skybridge is open to visitors from Tuesdays to Sundays from 9am to 7pm and admission is free

A foreigner once quipped, "I'll never get lost in Kuala Lumpur as long as I can see the Twin Towers from a distance."

How true! The landmark seats in the heart of the city and stands majestically amongst other highrise buildings in the bustling city life where most of the public transport heads toward KLCC. This complex incidentally houses;
(a) Dewan Filharmonik Petronas,
(b) Petrosains,
(c) Suria KLCC - a shopping haven,
(d) Aquaria,
(e) KLCC park,
(f) Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and
(g) Petronas Gallery.

The movie Entrapment starring Sean Connery and Welsh beauty Catherine Zeta Jones had the Twin Towers as the setting but it's a shame that the movie was never shown in the local cinemas. Controversy arose from one scene where a shanty town scene was superimposed over the Twin Towers.

Frenchman, Alain Spiderman Robert had twice in 1997 and 2007 tried to scale the tower exterior glass and steel with his bare hands and feet (without any climbing or safety devices). On both occassions, he was apprehended on the 60th floor, 28 floors to the pinnacle.

The completion of the Twin Towers in 1998 saw the change in perception of many Malaysians towards the structure from a waste of public funds into a building which exudes the status of Malaysia in the eyes of the world till today. A visit to Kuala Lumpur is never complete without a visit to the Petronas Twin Towers, the pride of Malaysians.

As seen through the trees on misty morning following a wet evening.

View from the Skybridge, the KL Tower is in sight.

From Level 41 skybridge, a view of the KLCC Park with its greens and water features with the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and Traders Hotel in the rear.

A view of the busy Jalan Ampang from Level 41, Skybridge.

The view of Twin Towers during the night.

The Lone Musician

Was at the 51st Merdeka day parade rehearsals when I chanced upon this "Lone Musician" practicing hard to perfect his act.

More pictures coming this way!

Kuala Lumpur Chinatown

Chinatown (Petaling Street) in Kuala Lumpur is not only a shopper’s paradise with lots of “branded “variety handbags, watches, pens, bags, t-shirts, shirts, jeans, pants and lots more. This street called Petaling Street is always an attraction for foreigners and locals alike. It gets pretty packed and a little stuffy along the streets there but one thing for sure, shoppers are protected by a covered walkway along the street.

A word of caution here is to bargain for those genuine fakes and the traders there are mostly inter-related just like a family i.e. price in this stall compared to the others may not necessarily cheaper as they have the same owners or mutual understanding.

Most of the stalls there have foreigners employed by the locals to manage and this had caused the local touch to old Chinatown of Kuala Lumpur.

What used to be row of streets within the vicinity with lots of history is now bustling with traffic and people movement especially in the evenings when food at the hawker stalls becomes another attraction.

A walk along the streets within the area is reminiscent of good old days where a visitor would be able to experience the awesome design and architecture of pre-war shop houses, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple founded in 1863, Kwong Siew Temple founded in 1886, and Chan See Shu Yuen Association, 1906.

I took a little short walk around the area and captured these few shots with more to come.


Look no further than here is you want to shop, eat and stay with convenience in Kuala Lumpur City!

Main entrance to the Chan See Shu Yuen Association established in 1906

The intricate designs of the wall mural depicting teachings adorned the external walls of the Chan See Shu Yuen Association

The roofs has motifs and carvings that had been preserved through test of time.

The central courtyard of the association.

The main building at the centre of the association.

A sign of a pre-war shop house had gone through the strains of wear and tear in an alley of Chinatown Kuala Lumpur

A typical back alley of Chinatown Kuala Lumpur which had not changed much.

Kuala Lumpur World Marching Band 2008 (KLWMBC)

Kuala Lumpur World Marching Band 2008 (KLWMBC) is being held in Kuala Lumpur and sanctioned by the World Association of Marching Show Bands (WAMSB). This competition also forms a part of the international circuit of marching band competition.

For this year’s competition, 24 Bands are taking part representing countries such as Denmark, Thailand, Holland, South Africa, Canada, Singapore and Indonesia. The inaugural KLWMBC in 2007 was won by Bodindecha Marching Band from Thailand.

The highlight of the competition would surely be Bicycle Band Crescendo formed in 1922 from Holland and had performed worldwide. They would be a unique attraction combining music, marching and bicycles with performers in traditional Dutch costumes and wooden clogs.

Among the notable marching bands from Malaysia to provide competition to the international cast would be Methodist Girls Secondary School Band from Pahang – silver medal World Music Contest in Kerkrade Netherlands, award winning Sultanah Asma School Marching Band from Kedah - at Festivale Internationale Bande Musicale in Giulianova Italy in 2004 and Victoria Institution Cadet Corps Band from Kuala Lumpur which won the Gold Medal (Parade) and Silver Medal (Show) in WMC 2005 Holland

The bands will take part in multi discipline routines of Show Competition, Parade Competition and Drumline Battle in addition to the public performances in few major shopping complex. The competition culminates with the Grand Final scheduled for 3rd August 2008 at Stadium Merdeka.

In conjunction with KLWMBC, a carnival had been organized to be held at the Merdeka Stadium car park area on 2nd & 3rd August 2008 and will be featuring Indie Rockshow, Shuffle Competition, Street Soccer, Wall climbing and Paintball (target shooting) starting at 12 pm.

While there are plans to bring this competition into few other major cities in Malaysia i.e. Melaka, Penang and Johor Bahru next year onwards, for music lovers of marching bands in particular, this competition promises to be exhilarating.

More information of KLWMBC can be obtained from http://www.klwmbc.com/ and accommodation in Kuala Lumpur from here.

The Zon All Suites Residences On The Park

The Zon Hotel All Suites Residences On The Park lives up to its name . The On The Park, Kuala Lumpur property has another sister property in Johor Bahru called The Zon Regency Hotel By The Sea which are owned by Naluri Corporation Berhad.

Visitors to Kuala Lumpur city would cherish staying in the locality of KLCC Twin Towers for close proximity to Suria KLCC for shopping as well as it is a short distance away from the Golden Triangle. For business travelers, keeping fit is a priority and gym workouts or jogs around the park would be ideal before the enjoy the evening entertainment after a hard day at work.

Travellers with young families would also focus the City Centre as the Petrosains and Aquaria KLCC within the complex would keep them busy. This would only mean that larger rooms to fit all family members whilst enjoying the closeness to all the fun available in KLCC area.

With high demands and expectations from travellers today, The Zon All Suites On The Park is ideal for all travellers as the rooms offered are Suite Bedrooms which ranges between one to three bedrooms. What is important here, the Suites comes with a separate living room and fully-equipped kitchenette.

If the guest decides to savour the hotel F&B, Terracotta Restaurant offers culinary which would satisfy your taste buds. If you are tired of dining in a typical surrounding, opt for outdoor dining at Poolside Terrace where the view would definitely enhance the range of Eastern and Western delights being offered.

The recreational facilities ae complete with gymnasium, sauna and jacuzzi. There is an outdoor swimming pool with a separate children pool next to it. This is where family fun gets better.

For events and business seminars, the function rooms and halls are fully equipped to ensure your events in The Zon All Suites Residences On The Park, with it's close proximity to KLCC, will never be the same as events in many other city hotels.

So, if you are heading to Kuala Lumpur soon, check out The Zon All Suites Residences On The Park and experience the hospitality. Reservations can be made here.

Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC)

Kuala Lumpur (abbreviated KL), the capital city of Malaysia has an estimated 2 million multi-ethnic population as at to-date and is home to the famous world tourist landmark of Petronas Twin Towers. The 88 storey towers stands majestically at 452 meters and have been declared as one of the tallest buildings in the world.

KLites as residents of KL are known as are mostly from neighbouring states venturing into the city to seek opportunities. Also dubbed as a garden city with green lungs around the city, KL does seem to be alive with many eateries operating 24 hours. A tourist once said “I’ll never go hungry in KL”, where we are spoilt for choice for food from local to foreign and most sought after “mamak stalls” for the regular “the tarik” (tea with milk served the Malaysian style).

The focal point of this city and attraction would no doubt be the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) Suria shoppping mall and the adjacent Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. KLCC is now the prime business district of KL and new modern skyscrapers are developed around this area. Most branded names are represented besides the souvenir and handicraft items. For the visitors interested in science, be sure to visit Petrosains, an interactive Science Discovery Centre and be captivated by the displays including motorized dinosaurs and helicopter simulator on a trip to the oil rig.

Art lovers would welcome the Petronas Art Gallery and Dewan Filharmonik Petronas fulfils the music enthusiasts. Movie goers will be able to head to the 3rd floor where TGV Suria KLCC cineplex is. It houses 2400 seats and 12 screens with complete THX certified halls.
KLCC park is a 20 hectare beautifully landscaped public park designed by Brazilian Roberto Burle Marx and provides a relaxing option for the busy KLites. The park boasts of specimens of indigenous trees and plants to preserve bio-diversity which also includes children playgrounds, 1.3km jogging tracks, public amenities e.g. rest areas, toilets and waterfalls. One can also enjoy the musical fountain at Lake Symphony besides allowing children to enjoy themselves at the children's water pool.

Within the KLCC vicinity, is another tourist attraction, Aquaria KLCC. The aquarium set-up is based on a themed journey from rainforest, coastal areas and finally into the realms of the marine eco-system. The RM60million aquarium features close to 5,000 aquatic species within the 5,5oo square meters area. This aquarium boasts to be the first in South East Asia to display the Sand Tiger Shark from South Africa.

Once there, do not miss the 58 meters sky bridge of the Twin Towers which links the 41st and 42nd floor. The double deck bridge is 170 meters above street level.

Nearby to KLCC would be the 421 meters tall KL Tower (Menara KL) which includes a public observation platform equipped with binoculars and a Seri Angkasa revolving restaurant which provides a perfect view of the city.

When night falls, the area around KLCC is transformed into a party street with many entertainment outlets and be sure to join KL’s party crowd for a fun evening. Some of the more popular nightspots are Beach Club, Rum Jungle, Thai Club and Aloha.

With all the fun and excitement concentrated in the KLCC area, visitor might want to know where would be an ideal place to stay. Whether you are an individual traveler, group or family, my recommendation would be The Zon Residence All Suite Residences.

Get into the KL F1 Fever in March '08

2008 marks the 10th Anniversary of Malaysia hosting the premier racing event of Formula 1 at the Sepang F1 Circuit. Various month long events have been lined up in Kuala Lumpur (KL) to celebrate this occasion and it will be the F1 fever now. (with the 12th Malaysian General Election fever over)

Events for the occasion are;

1. KL GP Sales – at all major shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur

2. KL Vintage & Classic Cars Concourse
Date : 16th March
Venue : Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square)
Time : 8:00am till noon

3. KLGP City Festival
Date : 21st March
Venue : Bintang Walk

4. ING-KLGP City Bintang Walk Festival
Date : 22nd March
Venue : Bintang Walk
Time : 8:00pm – 11:00pm

5. Speedzone Tour 2008
Date : 22nd March
Venue : KL Tower
Time : 7:00pm onwards

6. Black Circuit Paddock Party – KL hip hop party
Date : 22nd March
Venue : Zouk Club

7. Stylo KL Fashion Festival 2008
Date : 15th-23rd March
Venue : The Pavilion

8. Sunburst KL International Music Festival 2008
Date : 15th March
Venue : Polo Pavilion, Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort
Time : 2:00pm – 2:00am (16th March)
Admission : RM200 per ticket

These exciting events culminate with the 2nd leg of the 2008 F1 Grand Prix World Championship from 21-23 March 2008 at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Some city hotels are facing acute shortage of rooms and book early as not to miss the fun of the exhilarating F1 fever in Kuala Lumpur. Hotels worth checking out depending on your choice of location to stay are;

(a) Corona Inn
(b) Hotel Fortuna
(c) The Heritage Station Hotel Kuala Lumpur
(d) Wira Hotel
(e) City Park Hotel
(f) Kuala Lumpur International Hotel (KLIH)
(g) Pearl International Hotel
(h) The Summit Hotel Subang USJ
(i) Eastin Hotel (Petaling Jaya)
(j) Dorsett Regency Hotel
(k) Peninsula Residence