25 October 2009

Jenny Chung's 36 Hours in Kuala Lumpur

One fateful day, on 18 Sep 2009, we met Jenny Chung at the back of the Bus travelling to Cu Ci Tunnel & Cao Dai Temple, our one-day country-side tour from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Jenny, who is Korean, was travelling alone. Later we found out that she works for the Korean Agricultural Trade Information (KATI) Office in Hong Kong.
Since she has not been to Malaysia, we extended our offer for her to stay with us if she so decide to drop by Kuala Lumpur. We never expect that she'd take up the offer so soon.

Jenny has a packed itinerary to cover Kuala Lumpur from the moment she arrived on Sat, 24 Oct at 6pm till her departure at 6am on Mon, 26 Oct 2009, exactly 36 hours later.

Sat, 24 Oct 2009:
  • We picked Jenny from KL Sentral at 6.00pm.
  • 1st Stop: Central Market. Jenny visited at least eight Stalls there and picked up some costume jewellery and souvenirs. The only regret she expressed to us later was that she hesitated in getting the batik cloth painting in a frame. If only the salesperson gave her a small discount!!
  • 2nd Stop: Petaling Street & Chinatown. Thirsty, we stopped by the ever popular Longan Drink Stall by the Corner of the intersection of Jalan Petaling & Jalan Hang Lekir. Next, we went to Restaurant Kim Lian Kee (there are at 3 Corners!) to try the famous stir-fried Hokkien Mee (black noodle) and we also ordered the Lor Mee, a kind of starchy noodle.  
  • 3rd Stop: SS2. Jenny experienced the 1st taste of durians at Donald's Durians. One Travel Writer wrote "Durians - look like shit, smell like shit & taste like shit". But Jenny loves it!          

Sun, 25 Oct 2009:

  • 4th Stop: Village Park Restaurant, Damansara Utama: We have an early breakfast at the popular Chinese Muslim Village Park Restaurant. Jenny wanted to try the popular Malaysian dish called Nasi Lemak. Of course, the Nasi Lemak would not be complete without the Ayam Goreng (Fried Chicken) and Kopi Peng (Ice Coffee)     
  • 5th Stop: National Monument, Lake Gardens. We were proud to inform Jenny that the RM10 million National Monument is the largest Bronze Monument in the World. Jenny posed next to the Perak Emblem (Silver State) where I was borned. We also met two Russian Sailors and managed to convince them to take a group shot with the ladies. The Russian Sailors were also doing the touristy thing and Port Klang/Kuala Lumpur would be their last stop before heading home to Vladivostok.  
  • 6th Stop: Carcosa Sri Negara. Jenny & Kuen were happy to be able to even view the Room which Queen Elizabeth once stayed but were sad to learn that this once British High Commissioner's Residence turned Luxury Boutique Hotel, were be closing it's doors on 31 Dec 2009 and the Government has taken it back. We hope it will re-open again, grander than before.
  • 7th Stop: Yut Kee Coffee Shop in Jalan Dang Wangi. This very old Coffee Shop is now managed by a Father and Son Team of Ricahrd & Melvyn Lee. Jenny managed to try the Beef Noodles, Local Kopi-O and for another 1st - the Kaya with Roasted Bread. Jenny liked the Kaya so much that she bought a bottle home. We also bought the famous Yut Kee Swiss Rolls.    
  • 8th Stop: Selangor Club & Clock Tower at Dataran Merdeka. Jenny was surprised that Kuala Lumpur has such unique Moorish architecture in the Clock Tower, the High Court and the Culture Ministry's Building. We told her that once a year, the Merdeka Parade to celebrate Malaysia's independence from the British in 1957, is held here. Jenny was enlightened by the fact that the Selangor Club used to be the place where the British have their High Tea while watching a game of Cricket at the large field.
  • 9th Stop: KTM (Malayan Railways) HQ & Old Railway Station.  The unique architecture and the grand outlook of these two pre-war Buildings stood out. Jenny wanted some photos with these Buildings in the background.
  • 10th Stop: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia. This is also my 1st Trip to the Museum, so you can say that Jenny made it possible. We spent over one hour admirng the Exhibits especially the Replica of Mosques from all over the World. What a Gem!    
  • 11th Stop: Noodles for Dinner at Soo Kee Coffee Shop, Jalan Imbi. This Coffee Shop has been around for over 30 years and served the best Noodles in Kuala Lumpur. Jenny & the American visitors were slurping up the tasty noodles and ice cold beer! Cheers!
  • 12th Stop: Strategic Photo Spot near KLCC. After touring the City, I drove Jenny and friends to a photo spot where we have the amazing Petronas Twin Towers in the background             
After that, it was time to say Goodbye and head back to my Apartment as Jenny has to catch the 9am flight the next day. Aladdin, my regular driver to KLIA & LCCT, turned up at 6.00am the next day to fetch Jenny to KLIA. Jenny was so happy to be able to make 11 Stops in 36 hours in Kuala Lumpur.

Jenny promised to make another trip to Kuala Lumpur as she wanted to spend more time in places which we did not have sufficient time ot civer such as Bird Park, Orchid Farm, KLCC Shopping, Selangor Pewter Showroom, Batu Caves & National Museum.




Top 6 Photos: Jenny & Kuen at Central Market, browsing & shopping

Bottom 2 Photos: At Petaling Street & Chinatown - buying roasted chestnuts from a Street Vendor



 
Top, L-R: Jenny having durian for supper at Donald's Durians in SS2; Jenny & Kuen having a taste of delicious Hokkien Mee & Lor Mee at Petaling Street's famous Kim Lian Kee Restaurant    


Top: Sun, 25 Oct 2009: Jenny rise early. It's going to be a long day. This is the 4th Stop - it's hearty breakfast at Village Park Restaurant at Damansara Utama. Jenny Chung tried the local Nasi Lemak (Fragrance Rice), Ayam Goreng (Fried Chicken) and local Kopi Peng (Ice Coffee)    

Next 4 Photos: Jenny & Kuen at the National Monument in Lake Gardens, took some photos with some Russian Sailors whose ship was docked at Port Klang. The Russians were making the last stop before docking at Vladivostok  













Top: At the grand entrance of the Carcosa Sri Negara

Bottom 2 Photos: Red-carpet steps leading to the Grand Rooms at Carcosa;
Jenny & Kuen sitting at where Queen Elizabeth once sat! 

















Left: At Yut Kee Coffee Shop (Jalan Dang Wangi)  tried the Beef Noodles, Roti Bakar with Kaya and local Kopi-O (black coffee)
Next 2 Photos, L-R: Posing in front of the Selangor Club & Cricket Ground and the Clock Tower where the Merdeka Parade is held annually 












Bottom 2 Photos: KTM (Malaysian Railways) Headquarters at Jalan Bangsar; Behind is the Old Railway Station, right opposite KTM HQ, where Nice Buses plying KL-Singapore-KL, has a stop here 

                               
                                Bottom Photo: At the Islamic Art Museum


Bottom 2 Photos: With American friends we met at HCMC at Soo Kee Coffee Shop in Jalan Imbi. It was a Farewell Dinner for both Jenny & the American friends as they were on their last leg of their 6-week journey thru South-East-Asia; Four pretty ladies posed in front of our proud KL landmark, the Petronas Twin Towers at 10.00pm!                             

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