DaNiece: Anong kakainin natin (What will we eat)?
That was her first question when we picked her up. Uhm, we forgot to mention that it was 1 a.m. and we were on our way to the airport to catch our flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!
That more or less set the tone of our trip, searching for food!
It was our birthday month - Senyorito Lakwatsero, Yaya and I (Mayordoma).
Day 1
After having her share of McDo for midnight snack, DaNiece had set her heart on having Seattle's Best Coffee at the airport. Unfortunately, the international departure area at NAIA 4 does not have any food concessionaire other than that of AirAsia and as if taunting us, SB was just on the other side of the glass separating international and domestic departures!
After our 3 1/2 hours flight, we have finally landed at KLIA LCCT. First thing we thought of was, where will we eat? We needed to try something different but still familiar. So we opted for Jollibee's Malaysian counterpart - Marrybrown. DaNiece, Baby Bunso and Yaya had the Nasi Lemak with Fried Chicken. It was Fish Fillet for Driver and Chicken Burger with Fries for Mayordoma. Of course we needed to order something for Senyorito Lakwatsero, so we got him the kids' meal of Chicken and Fries. Instead of a toy, his order came with a lunch box which proved to be very handy during our trip. And because steamed rice in Malaysia is usually cooked with coconut milk, we made our first major decision - we will prepare our own rice! Thankfully, instead of booking hotels, we got serviced apartments so they came with their very own rice cookers! Here's a tip from us. If you are traveling with a large group and not tied up with tour packages, it is best to book serviced apartments. Why? Overall they're cheaper because you can bring in and even cook your own food! And somehow, they give a homey feel because they are designed and equipped like an apartment (condo).
After lunch, we took our connecting flight to Johor Bahru or JB. We were booked at the KSL Serviced Apartments. It was a three-bedroom fully furnished condo unit. Quite a steal because it cost less than USD100! Oh, and it has connecting doors to the mall that is also connected to the hotel that has its own dinosaur-themed water park!
After checking-in, DaNiece, Driver and I went to Tesco do some grocery shopping. Yaya and Senyorito Lakwatsero went to the water park because the little tyke wouldn't stop yapping about it. Baby Bunso decided to sleep (something he did almost all through out the trip).
After we were done shopping for our supplies, Driver went to the concierge to arrange our trip to Legoland the following day. DaNiece and I went back to the apartment.
We woke up Baby Bunso (who by the way is a talented chef-in-the-making) to cook our Mi Goreng which is the version of our Instant Pancit Canton. While Baby Bunso was preparing the Mi Goreng, DaNiece fell asleep. So, Baby Bunso and I had the instant noodles with sliced bread all to ourselves. It was a bit spicy but it was tastier than our Lucky Me here. We were almost finished with it when Driver arrived. She also liked it so Baby Bunso made another batch. Then a funny thing happened, DaNiece woke up and asked if the Mi Goreng was ready. She was referring to the first batch! She didn't realize that she fell asleep. Guess, that comes with traveling without much sleep!
Because our apartment building is connected to the mall, finding a place to have dinner was easy. For our first night, we settled for Japanese food at Sushi King. We should have had something local, right? Well, the place have a conveyor of sushi and sashimi, who could resist that? So we settled for a bento of either chicken or salmon. It was a sign that pork would not be part of our menu in the days to come!
We had a lost in translation moment. We were not given drinks, so we asked the waiter for "a pitcher of water". He obliged and gave us a pitcher of water but did not give us glasses were we could drink! Anyway, that was settled by another staff. I got curious with their MYR1 Iced Green Tea. It was one pitcher and I was the only who had a taste for something that really does not have a taste. I finished dinner with a MYR1 Green Tea Ice Cream. Again, ice cream is love!
Before heading back to the apartment, we explored the food stalls at the ground floor. We had two discoveries - the Cendol and a fruit dip similar to our bagoong but sweeter and with a hint of chinese flavor. The Cendol is a cold dessert with strips of pandan, coconut, something similar to the sangkaka and red beans. I was asked whether I wanted to top it with Durian Ice Cream. I am an ice cream addict but Durian is among my limits.
The dip on the other hand comes with order of various fruits like watermelon, pineapple, macopa, etc. DaNiece and Drivers were instant fans of the dip.
It was a very loooong day!
Day 2
Two things we are thankful for during our trip, Baby Bunso's cooking skills and Senyorito Lakwatsero's stash of canned goods! So for breakfast, the always sleeping Baby Bunso prepared a feast of fried rice, scrambled eggs, smoked chicken hotdog, spam, chicken sisig and bread. Here's the thing about Baby Bunso he's very maarte when cooking, while most will just heat the canned chicken sisig, he had to cook it will all this and that! So even if we had canned and processed food, everything tasted great!
With full stomachs, off we went to Legoland! Oh might we add that we felt like Mommy Dionisia during our trip because the vehicle assigned to us was the same model Manny gave to her as a gift, an Alphard!
While all of us were still full from our late breakfast, Baby Bunso, being the almost six feet baby that he is, he was already hungry. And being the eldest in the group, I had to take care of the "eldest baby". Need to feed the boy or else he won't cook for us. Being in a theme park, food choices were limited. Even if they have differently themed food courts, food choices are almost the same. So while, Yaya, Driver and DaNiece took extreme rides, Baby Bunso and I were ordering his lunch of Nasi Lemak with Fried Chicken. Senyorito Lakwatsero? He was having tantrums at our side because he still was not allowed to take the ride.
Nasi Lemak is fragrant rice with coconut milk. Even if Baby Bunso did not like the coconut component, he had no choice! Hahaha! Oh, the fried chicken? It was a bit spicy. Well, what's considered as original/ regular in Malaysia is already hot and spicy for us!
After some rides and attractions, the group was ready for a late lunch/merienda. Nasi Lemak is definitely out of the choices. Good thing we chanced upon Pizza Mania, for MYR75, we were served with a humungous pizza, four soups, four chicken wings, four fruit cups and four soft drinks! We didn't finish the fruits so we took it home with us. (When we went back to the apartment, DaNiece bought a small order of fruits so we can just have the dip!)
We needed to get back early to the apartment because there was an ongoing celebration that was expected to fill up the streets. So we had to hurry so we won't get caught up in traffic. To add to that, our driver was also joining the event and he did not want to be late.
It was the night before my birthday so I decided to treat them for dinner. We went to One Asea at the mall. Why? Meals come with free flowing drinks and ICE CREAM! It was my birthday so there had to be ice cream! Once again we had to settle for either fish or chicken - fried, with teriyaki or creamy sauce. I think it was during this time when DaNiece announced that when she goes back to the Philippines, she won't be eating chicken for a week.
We had to settle in early because we had to cross to Singapore the following day.
Day 3
Breakfast was the same affair as the other day.
It was the first time for us to go to another county on land. It was interesting. We took two taxis and immigration was done, toll way style. Again, somebody was sleeping. Your guess is as good as mine!
We went straight to Universal Studios Singapore. Since it was my birthday, I got some freebies and discounts. But I still had to pay my ticket full!
After walking around the theme park and taking some rides, our stomachs started to signal lunch. As part of my birthday treat from USS, we are entitled to a 15% discount at either KT's Grill or Hollywood China Bistro. And because Yaya and DaNiece were very vocal that they were already hungry, we went to these joints to check the offerings. When we were ready to order, the two couldn't be found. Eventually, we found them watching the Streetboys perform. Not sure if it was the Filipino pride in them or they just wanted the show as an appetizer. For people saying that they were famished, they were still able to watch the show for about 30 minutes before they decided to have lunch!
We ended up having lunch at Hollywood China Bistro. They have pork! We had Pork Belly in Homecook Style, Beef in Teriyaki Sauce and Cantonese Roasted Duck. Each entree was served with appetizer, soup, steamed rice and almond jelly. They also gave me a longevity bun. I guess, that's their equivalent of cake!
The rest of the day, was spent going around the theme park with Baby Bunso not wanting to take some of the rides. Probably the next time we visit, even if i bribe him, he won't ride the "The Mummy" again!
After an adventure in the MRT, we went to Bugis to meet with some of DaNiece's friends. While they were catching up, we had dinner at McDonalds.
Going back to Johor Bahru was another adventure. We were only able to get one taxi and it was already past 10 in the evening. So, Yaya and I had to take bus. The last time we took a bus together was like four years ago and it was a familiar route. This time, we would be crossing countries. It was an amazing race of sorts. We took the bus, went down the bus, up to Singapore immigration, fight our way through the crowd, were practically hanging on the next bus, went down the bus, up to the Malaysian immigration then down to JB Sentral to catch a taxi back to our apartment. Here's the interesting part, we got back earlier than those who took the taxi.
Since it was our last night in JB and we were flying to Kuala Lumpur the following day, we had to finish off what was left in our pantry and refrigerator!
Day 4
We took a very early flight to KL. Once again, we checked into a serviced apartment connected to a mall, Fahrenheit. After settling down, we went out to look for food while Baby Bunso went to sleep (again)! Basically, we just bought some pork noodle soup and chicken rice, and ate them at the apartment. It was dinner we were looking forward to because of the night market. The very reason we decided to stay at the Bukit Bintang area.
Except for Yaya and Baby Bunso, all of us have already visited KL in the past. So Driver, DaNiece and Senyorito Lakwatsero gave Yaya a tour of the City. I on the other hand, met up with friends. Do I need to tell you what Baby Bunso was doing? Of course by now, you already know - sleeping!
Our meeting was almost four years overdue. We were supposed to meet when I first when to KL in 2010 but since I was attending a convention, we didn't get to meet. Kuya Jelo, Ate Ali and kids met me at Tous Les Jours (TLJ) which was almost across our serviced apartment. I was mightily impressed with this branch of TLJ, it was like stepping into a french patisserie even if it's a Korean brand with lots of Filipino staff! It was a fun afternoon of catching up. Seeing the kids all grown up made me feel old! Ha! Ha! Ha! Here's a trivia: We all have "Reyes" in our names but we are not related. But we're like family! And I thank this family for completing my birthday celebration, I had the cutest mini-cake!
Then finally, it was dinner time. Yaya, DaNiece, Driver and Senyorito Lakwatsero set out to the night market with one mission, make sure to have the very flavorful chicken wings! I was stuck with Baby Bunso. And because he has been sleeping the whole day, I made him walk to the Petronas Towers (hey, he wanted to see it)! Afterwards, we walked backed to Bukit Bintang intending to join the rest of the gang at the night market. But Baby Bunso said he was already tired. So we instead settled for Lot 10 Hutong (or as Baby Bunso remembers it,Hu10). The place was beside our serviced apartment. Thanks to Kuya Jelo at Ate Ali's tip!
Lot 10 Hutong is at the basement of Lot 10 and is a heritage village of sorts. It was a basement-full of Malaysian heritage eateries that have survived decades and generations. And I am not exaggerating when I tell that there are tons of dishes to choose from. But since we felt "pork-deprived" during the trip, we settled for roasted pork cooked two ways, one was like asado and the other one was like lechon macau. And of course, we had the pork noodle soup. Very, very tasty!
One day and one night at KL is not enough. Bukit Bintang alone has loads to offer especially for foodies like us. But we needed to go home. There are these concepts known as work and school! Ha! Ha! Ha!
We are putting KL as one of the places to go back to and we will dedicate our next trip to food adventure alone!
Day 5
Home sweet home! What was the preferred meal when we landed on Philippine soil? No other than the bubuyog na malaki, Jollibee!
