Putrajaya to KL │ Yuen Chun Heong BKT

Going home!

After the exertions of last night I slept in and arose at nine this morning.

I began packing up and woke the rest up to get ready. I took one final sweeping footage of the Airbnb before leaving, and by the time we deposited the unit's key cards back into the mailbox it was ten to eleven. We then punched in our destination for an early lunch at a restaurant in Seri Kembangan.

Brendan left first with Puteh, while we settled the key deposit with BiBi.

We arrived at Yuen Chun Heong Bak Kut Teh Restaurant twenty minutes later, and quickly settled on:

• 2 servings of Bak Kut Teh soup
• 1 serving of dry Bak Kut Teh
• 3 servings of Yam rice
• 2 servings of Yu Tiao
• 3 glasses of Iced Chinese Tea
• (Brendan later added) 1 Coca-Cola

Bak Kut Teh is a popular pork rib dish cooked gently in a complex broth of herbs and spices for hours and is a national heritage food of Malaysia. While Bak Kut Teh translates to “meat bone tea”, no tea is used in its preparation. Rather, the “tea” refers to the Chinese tea that is traditionally served alongside the dish.

Our herb-infused lunch came to RM84.40 (approximately USD19/EUR18).

We then resumed our drive and reached home at a quarter to one. We will be heading to Penang for Christmas a week from now, so please stay tuned!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

 📍 Location:

Clio 2 Residences - https://maps.app.goo.gl/fN4gFwQ7Y4goF6Yq8

Yuen Chun Heong Bak Kut Teh - https://maps.app.goo.gl/kDojHK2BHWJnQ7BV7

Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8

Le Méridien Putrajaya │ Sound Check • Annual Dinner

Le Méridien Putrajaya!

Today is the day of my office's annual dinner, and our band was asked to assemble at the event before nine this morning for sound checks. We left the Airbnb at about half past eight and by the time we arrived at the hotel some of my fellow bandmates were already waiting patiently.

While we waited for our sound check session Brendan and Cat went exploring the vast expanse of space that is IOI City Mall adjacent to the hotel.

Turned out the event's sound engineers were only able to set up our musical instruments two hours later, and we went through a few songs to make sure the audio balance was just right. Half an hour later we were done and since we did not have a bite to eat all morning we headed to the nearest Mamak over at the Conezion cluster of shops and residences.

We got back to the Airbnb and rested the entire afternoon before making our back to the hotel. Brendan dropped me off at the hotel then parked Puteh after which they both continued exploring IOI City Mall.

The annual dinner was a joyful occasion and our band's performance was a roaring success. We shared a few snippets here and there, be sure to catch the entire performance here at my other channel, Fatboy Blimp https://youtu.be/9s3icaTU8Yw.

Be sure to catch our next video as we check out of our lovely Airbnb unit and head out for an early lunch!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

 📍 Location:

Clio 2 Residences - https://maps.app.goo.gl/fN4gFwQ7Y4goF6Yq8

Le Méridien Putrajaya - https://maps.app.goo.gl/2x1tNL1xmRov6ZXa7

AIRBNB │ The Clio 2 Residences

Clio 2!

In conjunction with my office's annual dinner I spent considerable time scouring both Airbnb and Booking.com for suitable accommodation before settling on Brandon's unit at Clio 2 Residences. Thinking we only needed a night I booked for Saturday night, only to realise later that it would be prudent to check in today rather than tomorrow so that I could attend the sound test at Le Méridien Putrajaya comfortably tomorrow morning.

Listed on Airbnb Brandon invited us to "Relax with the lush greenery and overlooking a serene forest, our charming retreat offers the perfect blend of tranquillity and convenience. Just a short stroll from IOI City Mall Putrajaya, where shopping and dining options abound, our cozy unit accommodates up to 4 guests comfortably, making it ideal for families and friends alike. Come experience the best of both worlds at our forest-facing retreat. Book your stay now and create lasting memories in Putrajaya!"

Earlier today we received a text message from Brandon graciously allowing us to check in substantially earlier than listed, so at the appointed hour we arrived at Clio 2 Residence. We were provided with a QR code beforehand and showed it to the personnel at the guard house who directed us to the mailbox of Block C.

We collected our unit's key cards and then drove around the building and into the P3 parking area continuing on until we found pillar E27. We parked at our designated spot and took an elevator up.

We entered our unit and the first thing that struck us was its cleanliness and simplicity. The three bedroom 2 bathroom apartment was tastefully furnished and well appointed. We hope that our footage of the unit as well as the activities area at Level 5 where the swimming pool and gym were will do justice.

If a peaceful retreat is what you are looking for, but in close proximity to shops and a huge mall then look no further than Clio 2 Residences. The unit is literally enveloped in soothing lush greenery, and peace of mind is easily attained here. The two nights stay cost us RM520.00 which translates to RM260.00 (approximately USD58/EUR56) a night, which in our minds was a real steal.

Be sure to catch our next video as my bandmates and I sound check our musical instruments at Le Méridien Putrajaya!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

 📍 Location:

Clio 2 Residences - https://maps.app.goo.gl/fN4gFwQ7Y4goF6Yq8

KL to Putrajaya │ Start of a 48-Hour Sojourn!

Putrajaya!

As mentioned last week we had made plans to spend 48 hours in Putrajaya this weekend as I had an annual dinner to attend, as well as performing during the dinner with my office band. 

Speaking of performances during our band's rehearsals last night I broke a guitar string, so this morning I made an appointment with Jack of Jovis Music to have it restrung. We left our condo at half past eleven and made our way to Desa Sri Hartamas where we dropped off my Tokai replica guitar at Jack's place.

We then parked our car at the basement parking of Glomac Galeria Hartamas' business centre and made our way up to the surface level. We then had a simple lunch at an unnamed roadside stall right across from Jack's place, both of us had rice with fish. Together with a round of drinks our lunch came to RM16.00 (approximately USD/EUR4).

Jack then texted me to inform that the guitar was ready, so I walked over to collect it while Cat went in search of drinking water. We then made our way back to BiBi and began our drive to Putrajaya.

I had booked two nights at an Airbnb at Clio 2 Residences across from IOI City Mall where the dinner would be held (Le Méridien Putrajaya actually) specifically for this occasion. Brendan would be joining us later tonight after his post-graduate classes, so thankfully the Airbnb had two allocated parking spaces for us.

We arrived at Putrajaya at half past twelve and headed to an emart24 minimarket at Conezion Commercial centre. With time to spare we then drove to the nearest Petronas station at Presint 16 to fill BiBi up before finally heading to Clio 2 Residences.

Brandon the Airbnb host graciously allowed us to check in a little earlier, which we really appreciated.

Be sure to catch our next video as we check into his lovely unit!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

 📍 Location:

Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8

Jovis Music PLT - https://maps.app.goo.gl/XXVJvWMcm4j1ryu58

Glomac Galeria Hartamas - https://maps.app.goo.gl/1udURVLB2KzE1ZGJ7

emart24 IOI Conezion Putrajaya - https://maps.app.goo.gl/wkRtn9GAP48Mua7w7

Petronas Presint 16 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/NgETk5fag164QtmN9

Clio 2 Residences - https://maps.app.goo.gl/fN4gFwQ7Y4goF6Yq8

IZZAT & ADIBA ┃ A Wedding Reception!

Izzat & Adiba!

As mentioned last week we plan to attend my colleague's wedding today. A graphic designer he joined my department a couple of years ago, and after much time spent planning (and saving up) today is the first of his two big days.

Adiba his wife and her family will be hosting today's festivities, while Izzat's family's family's turn will be next weekend. Rest assured we will be attending that reception as well.

We left our home at half past twelve and made our way down to where BiBi was parked. We punched in our destination into the Waze app and began our drive to Gombak, which took half an hour. We unfortunately missed the absolute last turn leading to the event hall and took another fifteen minutes making a giant loop around.

Izzat's wedding reception was being held at Dewan Astana Puteri Gombak, a converted warehouse situated beside a volunteer Firemen's station. We parked BiBi at the prescribed parking lot and walked into the hall, making sure to take a slow and steady shot of our entrance.

The wedding reception was tastefully decorated and in full swing  so we hoped that our footage will do it justice.

We took our seats then headed to the buffet spread to have ourselves Nasi Minyak with Chicken and Beef dishes. At our table were colleagues from my office, and a little while later our CEO joined in the festivities. Soon as everyone was done eating, we waited our turn for a photo opportunity with the bride and groom.

We took our leave after that and hopped into BiBi bound for the dry cleaners. I had attended an event dressed in a suit during the week that now need needed cleaning and pressing. At the same time I had also recentl purchased a purple suit meant for an annual dinner this coming weekend that also needed pressing.

We punched in our destination into the Waze app and began our drive to Drop & Wash along Jalan Tun Razak. The infuriating person at the counter was extremely rude, to the point where I stormed off which my suits in tow. We then tried another dry cleaners along Jalan Putra in Chow Kit.

This time we were served with dignity and respect, and were asked to collect the suits in a couple days' time.

We then drove back to our home. Stay tuned as we spent 48 hours in Putrajaya next weekend, and if you're in luck we might even share footage of my band's performance during the Annual Dinner!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8

Dewan Astana Puteri Gombak - https://maps.app.goo.gl/YbLVSLN8dyvtknXb9

Drop & Wash - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xZHcyHrSzpNsGgGa8

Wah Li Drycleaners - https://maps.app.goo.gl/QodUQn1SsVa3LPuu7

Sunday Stroll │ KL Sogo • Johnny's • Sunway Putra

Another stroll!

A week after our walkabout to KL Sentral we were itching to create content. We went out yesterday to run some errands off-camera, and had lunch at Subang Jaya. 

Tired of the selection offered by the Grab Food app we decided to talk a walk to Sogo KL for lunch. We left our condo at a quarter to twelve and walked along Jalan Munshi Abdullah headed north before turning onto Jalan Dang Wangi headed east.

A few minutes later we were at the intersection of Pertama Complex and Sogo KL, and walked across Jalan TAR. We entered Sogo KL and headed straight up to Food Garden on the 6th Floor where a host of eateries could be found. My office mates and I had tried Johnny's for the first time during the week, so it was Cat's turn to have a go.

Johnny's was still pretty quiet so we had our choice of seats. We scanned the QR code on the table and perused the menu online before settling for the Combo Meal set:

• I opted for the Chicken Sweet Basil & Egg with Rice
• while Cat tried the Chicken Tomyam with Beehoon (Rice Vermicelli) 
• both sets came with Thai Tea, zesty Tom Yam soup, and a scoop of ice cream

Our delectable lunch in a shopping mall came to a very reasonable RM25.80 (approximately USD6/EUR5).

We then rode an escalator up a floor to check out the so-called 'Black Friday' electronics fair but the humungous crowd dissuaded us. After a quick browse at a pharmacy we then rode an elevator down to the ground floor and exited Sogo KL via its adjoining crosswalk with the Bandaraya LRT station.

We then caught a train for a fare of RM1.10 (approximately USD/EUR0.20) to the PWTC LRT station and walked into Sunway Putra Mall. 

We then headed to a musical instrument store on the 4th floor, Swee Lee. We bought two shakers and a guitars slide for RM75.00 (approximately USD16/EUR15) then headed down one floor to Kaison where we picked up some Christmas decorations for RM81.00 (approximately USD17/EUR16).

We then headed down to the ground floor and paid Uniqlo a visit. Here I got a couple of Star Wars t-shirts for RM119.80 (approximately USD25/EUR24).

We then went all the way to the lower ground floor where we found a stall selling Sarawak Kek Lapis (layered cake). We got three different flavours for RM35.00 (approximately USD17/EUR16) then got some pastries from Bread History for RM21.40 (approximately USD5/EUR4) before heading up to the 1st floor where we exited and headed back to the LRT station.

We then caught another train for the same fare of RM1.10 (approximately USD/EUR0.20) back to the Bandaraya LRT station, and walked back home.

Stay tuned as we attend a colleague's wedding this coming weekend!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8

SOGO Kuala Lumpur - https://maps.app.goo.gl/EdLJMqR9UwuezkZg6

Food Garden @ SOGO KL - https://maps.app.goo.gl/svj7LYsDisUS79Ed6

Bandaraya LRT station - https://maps.app.goo.gl/f72Jxhr6QiQyTZgc9

PWTC LRT station - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xVJ9hLbzWLDdWYnW6

Sunway Putra Mall - https://maps.app.goo.gl/XkhDPsxfrFGQA6DB7

Swee Lee Store Sunway Putra - https://maps.app.goo.gl/gs2dLNqkLuVbdKLdA

KAISON @ Sunway Putra - https://maps.app.goo.gl/TpNrTdUV2RDkoYS77

Bread History @ Sunway Putra Mall

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/JH9qAZrCB6PZVfXC9

Saturday Stroll │KL Sentral • NU Sentral • Sogo KL

Saturday Stroll!

I received an email from Skechers Malaysia about an offer of 50% off for the purchase of at least three items. Intrigued we left our condo at half past eleven this late morning bound for the bus stop in front of Sarah Hughes (formerly known as Globe Silk Store) along Jalan TAR.

After a considerable wait we finally caught the Red Line GOKL free bus to KL Sentral, where we alighted and headed to NU Sentral. Seeing as we did not have a bite to eat all morning we briefly considered several options before settling on Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar for an early lunch.

Here we both had white rice and chicken dishes with an assortment of vegetables, and together with a round of sugarless iced tea our lunch came to RM42.95 (approximately USD/EUR9). We then headed back into NU Sentral and after a potty break we walked into the Skechers store.

True enough we enjoyed 50% off three pairs of shoes here, two pairs for Moi and a pair for Cat that eventually came to RM778.50 (approximately USD165/EUR154), which worked out to an average of RM259.50 per pair (approximately USD55/EUR51).

My sister Vivien had giften me a bottle of the L'Occitane Cap Cedrat EDT perfume many Christmases ago, and it remained my favourite to this day. So we made our way to the L'Occitane store here, and with the help of Amier the bubbly and energetic salesperson we made away with three bottles of perfume and a body lotion for RM918.00 (approximately USD195/EUR182). Amier even made sure that we enjoyed RM100.00 (approximately USD21/EUR20) off the final total as well.

With both errands under our belt we made our way back to the same bus stop outside KL Sentral and caught another Red Line GOKL free bus to the KL City Hall. Here we disembarked and walked a short distance to SOGO where we picked up refreshments from the Kenangan Coffee stall.

We then made our way back home.

We will be spending Christmas in Penang again this year, so please stay tuned!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8

Sarah Hughes @ Globe Sdn Bhd - https://maps.app.goo.gl/EhKqB5gh74rhwiUh6

Go KL Bus KL Sentral Bus Stop (Red Line)

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/kzEVefviawRmjp8v8

Nu Sentral - https://maps.app.goo.gl/9jA6j3ANe9sBhxvs5

Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar Nu Sentral

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/WohzxCwYNvFKLuux8

Skechers Nu Sentral - https://maps.app.goo.gl/uZd4LkqT7nKMKwRUA

L'Occitane en Provence Nu Sentral

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/1rZ6P8V5WqBpmRgF7

Menara DBKL - https://maps.app.goo.gl/6yu55UFHpVCqkgmW7

Kenangan Coffee SOGO KL - https://maps.app.goo.gl/QoCmt3BSJQC1AMqq6

Restoran SEREMBAN Seafood Village

Seremban!

We picked you up again after checking into Arena Premier Boutique Hotel and settled in for the afternoon. With the very generous portions of food from Toast House Kitchen still percolating in our perut it was not until half past eight that we emerged from our room in search of dinner.

Top on the list is Restoran Seremban Seafood Village. Known for its Grilled or Baked Crab among the locals, we knew that we had to give it a try. We hailed a Grab car for a fare of RM6.00 (approximately USD/EUR1) that dropped us off at its unique entrance which has a flight of staircase that led us down to the dining area.

We perused the menu and after some consideration ordered the:

• Kam Heong Fried Crabs
• Fu Yong Omelette 
• 2 White Rice 
• 1 Herbal Tea
• 1 small Heineken

Our seafood dinner that unfortunately attracted a service tax still came to a respectable  RM164.75 (approximately USD35/EUR32), with the crab alone costing us RM120.00 (approximately USD35/EUR32). 

We then hailed another Grab car back to the hotel for a fare of  RM5.00 (approximately USD26/EUR24).

Stay tuned for our next video as we spend another 24 hours in lush padi field!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Arena Premier Boutique Hotel - https://maps.app.goo.gl/kJfuzPAN4iEcESfU6

Restoran Seremban Seafood Village

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/W6utZcYk3KMK7uRm8

ARENA Premier Boutique Hotel: SEREMBAN

Humble abode!

We picked you up again after lunch at Toast House Kitchen. I had contacted Arena Premier Boutique Hotel and were told we could check in at 2:00pm. We walked over to BiBi and drove the short distance to the relatively new hotel with 99 rooms guestrooms and suites it is nestled within a newly developed commercial area with a host of eateries offering a variety of cuisines all in walking distance.

We booked a Deluxe Twin Room at a discounted price of RM223.56 (approximately USD48/EUR44) and were pleased with the clean and well appointed room that felt warm and cosy. Our spacious room had a safe deposit box, flat-screen TV, coffee & tea making facilities as well as 2 super single beds.

We’ll let our footage paint a picture of the room which we found to be clean, roomy and new. We will not hesitate to recommend this hotel to everyone especially with the abundance of eateries within the vicinity.

We got settled in for the afternoon and looked forward to breakfast here as well tomorrow morning.

Be sure to catch our next video of dinner at a seafood restaurant!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Arena Premier Boutique Hotel - https://maps.app.goo.gl/kJfuzPAN4iEcESfU6

Toast House Kitchen: Lunch in SEREMBAN

Lunch in Seremban!

We picked you up again having arrived in Seremban at 12:00pm and making e our way to The Cafe for lunch. We read about the rave reviews it received and were eager to experience it for ourselves. Run by a husband and wife team offering fusion cuisine and French patisserie. 

Alas The Nest Cafe was closed till the evening. We then walked across the street to surveil the other eateries here before settling on Toast House Kitchen. We perused the menu before settling on:

• my favourite Curry Chicken Katsu Rice
• Cat's Hainanese Chicken Chop
• Jasmine Kumquat Juice
• Cola Cola

that came to RM82.50 (approximately USD17/EUR16). A little pricey but the very generous portions more than made up for it. I then contacted the hotel where we would be spending the night and were told we could check in at 2:00pm, leaving us with an hour to spend our time at this delightfully cosy cafe.

Our meal here was sumptuous, and the environment calm and relaxing. After lunch we walked over to BiBi and drove the short distance to Arena Premier Boutique Hotel. Be sure to catch our next video of this hotel, our impressions of the room as well as the buffet breakfast we had the next morning!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Toast House Kitchen - https://maps.app.goo.gl/s3CK8uD8i6gBGoFe9

SEREMBAN in 24 Hours!

Seremban!

Despite being an hour away the state capital of Negeri Sembilan is a town that we've often overlooked, preferring instead to continue down south to Melaka. In fact most KL folk regard Seremban as a stop-over on the way to the coastal resort town of Pork Dickson.

Brendan was sleeping over at a friend's house after having attended a Halloween party so it was just Cat and I leaving our condo at a quarter past nine. 

We had made an appointment with Jordan at The Guitar Store at Taman Segar this morning to pick up a small guitar amplifier. We were early when we arrived so we walked into Kaw Kaw Pakkopi next door for breakfast. 

I had the toast bread with half boiled eggs while Cat tried the steamed bread, and together with a round of drinks our breakfast came to RM24.40 (approximately USD/EUR5).

Soon as breakfast was done we received a message from Jordan that someone was waiting for us at the store. We strolled over and met up with Jayx who presented us with the Roland Cube 10GX, an old school guitar amplifier perfect for the bedroom.

I gave the amp a test and gladly paid Jayx the RM600.00 (USD128/EUR118) due. We stored the amp in BiBi and made our way to Seremban. Instead of the North South Expressway we opted for the Kajang SILK Highway then onto the LEKAS Highway for a more peaceful drive.

We arrived in Seremban at 12:00pm and made our way to The Cafe for lunch. We read about the rave reviews it received and were eager to experience it for ourselves. Run by a husband and wife team offering fusion cuisine and French patisserie. 

Alas The Nest Cafe was closed till the evening. We then walked across the street to surveil the other eateries here before settling on Toast House Kitchen. Please be sure to catch our upcoming video of our sumptuous meal here.

After lunch we walked over to BiBi and drove the short distance to Arena Premier Boutique Hotel, so be sure to catch our video of this hotel, our impressions of the room as well as the buffet breakfast we had the next morning.

We settled in for the afternoon. At sundown and with nothing planned we decided to have dinner at Restoran Seremban Seafood Village. Known for its Grilled or Baked Crab among the locals, we knew that we had to give it a try. We hope you will also catch the next video of our dinner there.

The next morning we woke up early and headed down to have breakfast at the hotel's namesake coffee house, Arena. After breakfast we headed back up to the room and after resting then packing up we checked out of Arena Premier Boutique Hotel. We then made our way back to the LEKAS Highway for an uneventful hour's drive back to Kuala Lumpur.

November will be a quite month for us as we gear up for Christmas, but you never know what we'll be up to in that time so be sure to stay tuned!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8

Toast House Kitchen - https://maps.app.goo.gl/s3CK8uD8i6gBGoFe9

Arena Premier Boutique Hotel - https://maps.app.goo.gl/kJfuzPAN4iEcESfU6

Restoran Seremban Seafood Village

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/W6utZcYk3KMK7uRm8

Quinn Seremban Beef Noodles - https://maps.app.goo.gl/d9kXHwDwucNDmToQ6

DIWALI Walkabout: Kolam Hunting!

Happy Diwali!

Coincidentally Diwali this year coincided with Halloween, which caused consternation among some. With nothing planned we headed out of our condo at half past eleven and hailed a Grab car for a fare of RM9.00 (approximately USD/EUR2) to The Exchange TRX.

What's a 'kolam'? A kolam is meant to welcome Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Prosperity, into one's home. The decorative rice motif is usually drawn in the front of the house, attracting good luck and putting a smile on the faces of visitors who come for Deepavali festivities in the home.

Here we made our way to the main foyer to capture the Diwali decor. Sadly there were only two 'kolam' on display here. 

We then spent some time at Uniqlo and LC Waikiki before making our way down to the MRT station. For a fare of RM1.20 (approximately USD/EUR0.25) it was just one stop to Bukit Bintang.

We alighted and headed out to Pavilion in search of the next 'kolam', and we were not disappointed! Apart from the large decor at the fountain by the entrance there was even a five minute traditional dance performance.

We then walked across Jalan Bukit Bintang onto Jalan Palmer then onto Jalan Walter Grenier before emerging at Jalan Sultan Ismail. We then took an escalator up to the Bukit Bintang Monorail station before it across into Sungai Wang Plaza.

No 'kolam' here, so we headed up to the third floor to have lunch at Vinh City Vietnamese Cuisine. We ordered the:

• Crab Paste Vermicelli Soup
• Pineapple Fried Rice 
• 2 Iced Vietnamese Green Tea
• 1 hot Vietnamese Coffee

 

that came to RM42.56 (approximately USD10/EUR9).

We then took an elevator down and exited across Jalan Bulan 1 before a quick dash into Plaza Low Yat. Here we checked out several options to replace ever growing collection of portable external hard drives, but most would cost several thousand Ringgit.

We then exited Plaza Low Yat and walked across to Berjaya Times Square. We got to the main foyer and were happy to find a large collection of Diwali decor.

We then walked out, headed to the final mall on our list, LaLaport BBCC. Alas we could not find a single 'kolam'. With LaLaport BBCC our final destination we hailed a Grab car for a fare of RM11. 00 (approximately USD3/EUR2) back to condo. We found three malls with 'kolams' out of a possible five, which wasn't bad, but a little disheartening nonetheless.

Stay tuned as we go on an hour's drive south for the weekend!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8

Tun Razak Exchange - https://maps.app.goo.gl/KqTyN7VvNMVVABVHA

Pavilion KL Couture Entrance - https://maps.app.goo.gl/vDefBDzrTwp4Y2Ha8

Sungei Wang Plaza - https://maps.app.goo.gl/DBu3ef3xqb6X3LAv8

Vinh City Vietnamese Cuisine - https://maps.app.goo.gl/grJ1LaX5Fqn1sA6Y8

Plaza Low Yat - https://maps.app.goo.gl/9CF8R1GRqxrX9z8C7

Berjaya Times Square - https://maps.app.goo.gl/u77RXNkaC7MLtmLD6

LaLaport BBCC - https://maps.app.goo.gl/DhRWGfe9q1YfMrHe7

CGK to KUL: MH710 to Kuala Lumpur - Farewell Jakarta!

Going Home!

We awoke at 5:00am and with most of the packing was done the night before we checked out an hour later. A taxi arranged with the front desk to take us a short distance to the BNI City train station did not materialize.  We then left the unit key and card with with the front desk and left word with Sigit our host, then hailed a Bluebird taxi for a fixed fare of IDR33,000 (approx. MYR9/USD2/EUR2) to the BNI City station. 

At the 1st floor lobby of the station a kind lady assisted us to purchase our tickets to the Bandara station at Terminal 1 of the airport. The tickets cost us IDR70,000 each (approx. MYR20/USD4/EUR4) and the train promptly departed at 6:38am. The train gave us a glimpse into the daily life in this sprawling metropolis, taking us past the Duri, Rawa Buaya and Batu Ceper stations before finally arriving at the Bandara station at 7:30am. 

We disembarked and took an elevator up to the Skytrain station where a train took us from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3.

At Terminal 3 we rode an elevator up to the International Departure Halls. We checked in at counter C12 and were slightly overweight, so we had to pay extra. Please bear in mind that the airport authorities here only accept cash or credit card, and not debit cards. 

All done with the check-in process we headed into the International Departure Halls on the left of Terminal 3. Here we navigated past the security and Immigration checkpoints without incident before proceeding to Gate 4, which tuned out to be a 15 minute walk away. With more than an hour till boarding we stopped for drinks at Expresso Bar. Our Cafe Latte and Chai Latte came to IDR153,000 (approx. MYR44/USD9/EUR9). 

An hour later we walked over to Gate 4, however there was a 15-minute delay to our flight which was rescheduled to 11:25am local time. We were allowed to board according to our group and since we were in Group 6 we were among the last to board at 11:15am.

MH710 pushed back at 11:28am and took off at 11:40am. It was overcast and hazy, but once the plane climbed higher we saw blue skies. Half an hour in we were served our meals, Cat opted for the Fish with Rice while I tried the Chicken with Noodles. 

An hour later the plane began its descent and eventually touched down at 2:25pm Malaysian time. We soon disembarked and navigated past Immigration then headed to Carousel to collect our luggage before  heading down to the KLIA Express Transit station. 

The train to KL Sentral departed at 3:20pm and we arrived half an hour later. Brendan picked us up at the KLIA Express KL City Air Terminal exit and we were home by 4:30pm. Door-to-door our journey took us approx. ten hours, which in our minds was a reasonable time spent travelling.

Thank you for joining us on our whirlwind trip to Jakarta, see all of you real soon!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

BNI City (Sudirman Baru) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/b4i1zkk9Pw93Lp1S7

Terminal 3 Soekarno–Hatta International Airport

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/BWSPMdXKQm9F61Kt5

Kuala Lumpur International Airport - https://maps.app.goo.gl/pDCevJLK4PNEfeq39

KLIA Express Transit Station @ KLIA

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/1AG4CR3HqePKrE3p7

KLIA Ekspres - https://maps.app.goo.gl/aMxKXzeH29zWT1799

Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8

JAKARTA Shopping Spree: Part 2 - Grand Indonesia • Thamrin City

Shopping Spree continues!

We picked you up again as we disembarked from the MRT at the Bundaran HI station and walked through Plaza Indonesia to Grand Indonesia. 

Here at the West Mall we went up to the first floor in search of another local Indonesian perfume. We found the HMNS (or Humans) stall and got the following:

• 100ml bottle of the ALPHA fragrance [for Men]
• 100ml bottle of the ORGASM fragrance [for Men's]
• 100ml bottle of the UNROSED fragrance [for Women]
• 100ml bottle of the ORGASM fragrance [for Women]
• and were gifted a free Kitchen Reed Diffuser [Warm Lemon Pie fragrance]

for a grand total of IDR1,397,000 (approximately MYR393/USD87/EUR80). 

We then headed down to the lower ground floor, and at the Mamitoko stall got a double scoop gelato of our favourite Rum & Raisin flavour for IDR88,000 (approximately MYR26/USD6/EUR5). 

We managed to accumulate 8,000 steps by this point so we rested our feet for a bit before continuing our walkabout. 

Since it was already lunch time we thought we would walk around the vicinity. Alas there were none offering local cuisine so we rode the escalators up to the first floor and across the Skybridge to the East Mall. Here we rode more escalators up to the fifth floor to our new favourite restaurant, Warung Leko.

After lunch, with our feet feeling quite sore we went down to the ground and hailed a Bluebird taxi for a fare of IDR10,000 (approximately MYR3/USD0.60/EUR0.60) back to the Airbnb.

We then took a few hours to rest up before resuming our shopping spree. At a quarter to five in the evening we again took a short stroll to Thamrin City, and  began an earnest deep dive into the myriad of shops and stalls here. After an hour and a half of senseless shopping we emerged with:

• 3 long pants for Cat from Alyssa Cherell for IDR150,000
• a set of blouse for Cat and short sleeved shirts for Brendan and I from Batik Asta for IDR270,000
• 2 blouses for Cat from Qistina Batik for IDR270,000
• 3 blouses for Cat from Me & Collection for IDR390,000

for a grand total of IDR1,080,000 (approximately MYR317/USD67/EUR62). 

We were well and truly done with shopping, and were eager to get back to the Airbnb. But before we did so we made sure to take away our dinner:

• Kopi Kenangan Mantan & Avocado Milk from Kopi Kenangan for IDR78,000
• 2 Jagoan Hemat & 2 Large Fries from KFC for IDR135,000

for a grand total of IDR213,000 (approximately MYR63/USD13/EUR12). 

We then made the short walk back to the Airbnb. Thus ended our Saturday shopping spree.  Stay tuned for our final Jakarta video as we head to the airport tomorrow morning!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Stasiun MRT Bundaran HI - https://maps.app.goo.gl/AKEvc8w9xUU66stP6

Plaza Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/jShYqHTmgkrrw3CA9

Grand Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/23muEAdXcKqgtedTA

Warung Leko Grand Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/zfZStX7h2PEeWEQQ6

Thamrin City - https://maps.app.goo.gl/bGRzv4tHjEDdHuDYA

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

JAKARTA Shopping Spree: Part 1 - Plaza Senayan • Senayan City [First Time on the MRT!]

Shopping Spree!

I had a good night's sleep and woke up at six this morning. I let Cat continue with her beauty sleep while I spent the next couple of hours or so continuing work on our videos.

I woke Cat up at eight and we got ready. We left the Airbnb at nine and got down to the lobby. Here we asked to book a taxi for tomorrow morning to the BNI City (Sudirman Baru) train station. 

We then hailed a Bluebird taxi via the phone app for a fixed fare of IDR58,000 (approximately MYR17/USD4/EUR3) to Plaza Senayan. The purpose of our trip there was to visit the Skechers store and check out their designs. 

It was a quiet morning and we arrived in about ten minutes. Since the mall was not yet open we headed to a Starbucks for breakfast. We ordered the:

• hot Americano
• Shaken Iced Tea Lemonade
• Beef Pastrami Multi-Seed Sandwich 

for a total of IDR134,000 (approximately MYR40/USD8/EUR8).

We initially sat outside but the pungent smell of cigar smoke forced us indoors. We then entered Plaza Senayan and began to browse. 

First on our to do list is Skechers. Guess what? We found the darned elusive back strapped sandals! We both got a pair each and together with 3 pairs of socks for Cat it all came to IDR1,607,900 (approximately MYR452/USD100/EUR92). 

Next was a local Indonesian perfume called Alchemist. For this we walked across to Senayan City and found the stall on the lower ground floor. 

We got a 50ml bottle of the fragrance Onirique for IDR449,000 (approximately MYR126/USD28/EUR26). 

After that we walked back across to Plaza Senayan, then onward to the MRT station nearby. For a fare of of IDR6,000 each (approximately MYR2/USD0.40/EUR0.30) we rode the MRT to the Bundaran HI station. 

We disembarked and walked into Plaza Indonesia. Be sure to catch our next video as well continue our Jakarta shopping spree at Grand Indonesia and Thamrin City! 

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

Plaza Senayan - https://maps.app.goo.gl/1vGufxgTuB3t4wC99

Senayan City - https://maps.app.goo.gl/1sP33EfbzG1omieR6

Stasiun MRT Senayan - https://maps.app.goo.gl/yaWT5zTaXjZ66w2G7

Stasiun Bundaran HI - https://maps.app.goo.gl/idqp25YbKivBTypN7

Gado-Gado BOPLO: Thamrin City

Gado-Gado!

We picked you up again after we walked back to the Airbnb from Plaza Indonesia. Perhaps the portion of rice at Kopi Luwak was small but I grew hungry again by six in the evening.

With nothing in mind we decided to walk to Thamrin City to see what they had in store. Midway through the walk I lost my footing and took a tumble!

Apparently I twisted my left ankle ever so slightly so for the remaining walk to Thamrin City it was quite sore.

At Thamrin City we surveilled the various eateries before deciding on Gado-Gado Boplo only because they had a menu with photos of their dishes. This made it easier for us to decide on what to order, and in the end we settled on:

• Nasi Goreng Rawon
• Bihun Goreng Seafood 
• Telur Ceplok
• 2 Jus Kedongdong

Our very local and authentic Indonesian dinner at Thamrin City came to IDR172,000 (approximately MYR49/USD10/EUR10).

We then walked (gingerly in my case) over to Lawson grocery store to get some soft drinks to aid in the digestion of our dinner. All done we strolled back to the Airbnb.

Stay tuned for our next video as we explore a new mall at the Senayan area! 

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

Thamrin City - https://maps.app.goo.gl/PV14MK3wDyU77nEA7

Gado-Gado Boplo - https://maps.app.goo.gl/uEUiwtkB2RJagFtJ7

Lawson Thamrin City - https://maps.app.goo.gl/VTeZfrH7NP6HcUnH9

Kopi LUWAK: Civet Coffee!

Kopi Luwak!

We picked you up again as we caught the free Jakarta Explorer bus back to the Sudirman district, and got off at the Plaza Indonesia stop. 

We walked across the bustling Jalan Thamrin and into Plaza Indonesia. It was lunchtime and we followed a large crowd down to the lower ground floor. Here we found something that I had been looking forward to since arriving in Jakarta: Kopi Luwak!

"Kopi Luwak coffee comes from the Indonesian island of Java and Sumatra, an area well-known for its excellent coffee. Also native to the area is a small civet-like animal called a Paradoxurus. That’s the scientific name, the locals call them luwaks. These little mammals live in the trees and one of their favorite foods is the red, ripe coffee cherry.

They eat the cherries, bean and all. While the bean is in the little animal’s stomach, it undergoes chemical treatments and fermentations. The bean finishes its journey through the digestive system, and exits. The still-intact beans are collected from the forest floor, and are cleaned, then roasted and ground just like any other coffee. Because of strange method of collecting, there is not much Kopi Luwak produced in the world. The resulting coffee is said to be like no other. It is rich, heavy flavor with hints of caramel or chocolate. Other terms used to describe it as earthy, musty and exotic. The body is almost syrupy and it is very smooth."

We took our seats and perused their diminutive menu before settling on:

• Rawon Daging Sapi
• Sop Daging Warisan
• Avocado Float
• Classic Frozen Lemonade

After lunch we added a round of desserts that included:

• Cheese Potato Wedges
• Caramel Banana Choco Cheese
• and of course, Authentic Kopi Luwak!

Our most enjoyable meal and excellent dessert together with the awesome coffee came to IDR495,400 (approximately MYR147/USD31/EUR29).

Be sure to catch our previous video of our walk back to the Airbnb!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Plaza Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xSGqXKykqp7Errb48

Kopi Luwak - https://maps.app.goo.gl/8PXuYQq4quLSPvCJ9