A SHORT RENDEZVOUS WITH A FRIEND FROM KUALA LUMPUR

Puan Shamsul Niza Shamsuddin, a friend of UPM TESL Class of 1993. was in town as she had to attend a wedding reception of a relative in Singapore. As she needed to pass me a few coffee table books published by NST, a short meeting was set. I wanted to take her out for supper but she was too exhausted for that.

Hence, we just met at the lobby of Holiday Inn Express, chatting while munching our potato chips.

I had to excuse myself before 11:00 p.m. she would have one long day tomorrow. It was just a short chat but it was always a pleasure to see a friend every time he/she is here in Johor Bahru.

THERE IS ALWAYS A SECOND TIME AT SERAI RESTAURANT

   6TH DECEMBER 2025    ~ Mr. Ridwan Wahid and Puan Suhaila Sulong not only attended the book launch event at Setia Convention Centre, but they also took took me to dinner right after. The chosen venue was Serai Restaurant located at the nearby mall.

This was my second time at Serai, The first one was at another branch in Mytown Mall in Cheras a few months ago with another set of friends. [READ HERE]

There were many people dining in when we arrived. Everyone must have had their dinner early like us.

THE VERDICT: With the kind of price, we were expecting food with better tastes. Unfortunately, I could get better Nasi Goreng Kampung [Fried Rice] somewhere else at a cheaper price.

The second gastronomic adventure in Shah Alam was completed on the first day. Thanks to the lovely couple for their kind gestures, which seemed to be endless. We bade our "goodbyes" when they sent me to my hotel. I am not sure when the next meeting will be as they career people are always occupied with work.

EATING BRIYANI AT KHULAFA IN SHAH ALAM FOR LUNCH

   6th DECEMBER 2025    ~ My gastronomic adventure for the weekends in Shah Alam started with the lunch trip to Khulafa Restaurant located at Seksyen 14.

Mr. Amirul Yusri, the younger brother of an ex-student, who is now working and residing in Shah Alam, picked me up at KLIA2 and then drove straight to the restaurant. He also drove me around the city before the book launch event started.

The pick of the day: Briyani with Mutton Curry and Teh Tarik. THE VERDICT: The rice and curry were not as savoury like I used to get at home, and not spicy at all. The portion, however, was huge.

I was then ready for the book launch event at Selangor International Book Fair located at Setia Convention Centre. And this was just the beginning of the gastronomic adventure in Shah Alam.

THE SUPPOSEDLY COFFEE SESSION AT TSUTAYA BOOKSHOP

I was at AEON Tebrau for another reason. I stopped by at Tsutaya Bookshop to look for an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, Mr. Zulhelmi, who was the manager there.

There was a cafe in the bookstore so one could read and enjoy the coffee at the same time.

The coffee machine was not working so I had to settle for the refreshing iced lemonade. Mr. Zulhilmi recommended the cafe latest dessert: Lava Matcha [Soft] Cookies that came with a scoop of ice cream and sliced strawberry, and it was heavenly.

Mr. Zulhilmi then took me for a tour around the bookstore and to my surprise, there were more than just books sold here.

The rare item in the store would be the book by a Japanese author which had a price tag of RM10K plus.

I immediately fell in love with this mini oven and I am still thinking about it now.

Another items on the shelves which I would buy were the local diffuser and perfumes that bore scents like Nasi Lemak, Teh O Limau and Lychee Syrup.

Thank you Mr. Zulhilmi for both the tour and the treat at Tsutaya. He used to give me free coffee before this when he was with Starbucks last time. Hope to see you again after this and let me reciprocate your kind gestures.

THERE IS ALWAYS A SECOND TIME - AT ORIENTAL KOPI

6TH DECEMBER 2025 ~ After arriving at Senai International Airport at 5:15 a.m. and my flight to Kuala Lumpur was at 7:00 a.m., the best thing to do was to get breakfast. I saw finally there was no queue outside Oriental Kopi Restaurant so I happily marched into the dining area.

This was my second time at this popular restaurant. The first one was at another branch in Paradigm Mall. [READ HERE]

I had the usual coffee, half-boiled eggs and Kaya [coconut jam] toasts.

I ate definitely the same thing at the other two nearby cafes in the airport, and guess what? It was cheaper in Oriental Kopi. One strong factor that would make me come back here again before flying.

TUESDAY IS MEETING PEOPLE DAY

The first meeting took place at Taman Pulai Emas. I set an appointment with Puan Arba'iyah Ahmad in the afternoon at her house, an ex-student and ex-colleague of SMK Taman Universiti. I needed her help to proofread my book in Malay language. She should be the right person as she was formerly a Malay language teacher but has now opted to retire much earlier than me.

Then I adjourned to Taman Universiti for another meeting with an ex-schoolmate of SMS Muar. I met Mr. Mohd. Razib Nordin at Goreng Pisang Nurul Faqar Restaurant. Besides enjoying the Fried Banana and Cucur Sayur [Vegetable Fritters], we tried to update ourselves with the latest news.

It was an achievement to see a few people within a short span of time. I need to talk to others more frequently I think but that also means I will have to eat more as well.