THERE IS ALWAYS A FIRST TIME AT ELMINA LAKESIDE MALL

After attending the wedding in Templer Park, Mr. Ridwan Wahid and Puan Suhaila Sulong were kind enough to send me to Subang Airport. I had to catch the plane back to Johor Bahru at 4:00 p.m. They realized we were a bit early and promptly decided to stop by at Elmina Lakeside Mall.

The mall was actually near to their old house [in Denai Alam, I think] but they did not have the chance to take me there. Now that they had moved somewhere further, then only I stepped foot for the very first time.

It was an open air concept shopping area by the lake. It could be a bit hot during the day and might be that practical to walk around when it rained.

I liked this place because, firstly, there were many green and healthy plants and tree everywhere. Secondly, there were many restaurants and eating outlets.

Before leaving the mall, I was given a treat at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaves by the lovely couple. It was another farewell this time and looking forward to the next meeting sooner or later, but as for now it will be in December.

BLOGGING FROM SUBANG JAYA

Last week I was in Klang, Selangor and now I am blogging from Subang Jaya. This time, there are two wedding invitations of the children of my college friends. I attended one last night in Putra Heights, and will be going to another one tomorrow in Rawang. Then only I will be flying back to Johor Bahru.

Another weekends spent away from home and seeing more old friends this time. And I am not complaining.

SPOT THE ERROR 236

There is something wrong with the English version of the warning found in the train toilet.

The simpler way of saying it would be:

Do not throw anything into the toilet bowl.

The lengthy explanation is not necessary. 

Even the Bahasa Melayu sentence does not sound right. 😀

GOING KOREAN FOR DINNER AT SHAH ALAM

   7th AUGUST 2026    ~ There was no specific plan for the gastronomic adventure is Shah Alam. We ended up going Korean in Dubuyo in Plaza Shah Alam which was just beside the hotel where we were staying.

There were not many people in the mall and only one or two tables in the restaurant were occupied.

We both had a big bowl of seafood noodles that came together with three types of kimchi. I think the dish was called Buldak Boomyeon.

I couldn't remember when I last had Korean food. Guess I will have to visit my favourite Korean restaurant in Johor Bahru one day.

THE KACANG POOL SESSION WITH AN OLD FRIEND'S HUSBAND

When I met Mr. Aminuddin, the husband of Puan Hayati Burkhan [an old friend of UPM TESL Class of 1993], at a wedding reception in Klang last week [READ HERE], he told me he would be coming to Johor Bahru and would be meeting me for coffee.

 

Today, the plan was materialized and I suggested to meet at Kacang Pool Haji Restaurant located in Larkin.

There were not many people when I arrived at the restaurant at 4:00 p.m.

Kacang Pool Haji was a synonymous cuisine to Johor Bahru. I tried its minced mutton gravy for the first time. The was similar to the regular beef gravy but more expensive.

Glad that Mr. Aminuddin liked the Kacang Pool. Many people said that Kacang Pool in other places tasted different from the one you got here. It was only a short meeting but hopefully he would ask me out again for coffee next time when he is in town.

A COFFEE DATE WITH AN ANAESTHETIST AT ORIENTAL KOPI

toast

After all the planning, the plan to meet up was finally executed. Mr. Muhammad Rahmat Ali Hassan suggested we go for coffee at Oriental Kopi in AEON Tebrau City after his office hour, which was then became a late lunch/early dinner for us.

chicken rice

I think the very last time I met my ex-student [of SMK Taman Universiti] was 16 years ago when I was hospitalized in Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru [READ HERE]. I had to undergo an operation and I met him in the operation theatre as he was the anaesthetist doctor on duty. It was a small world after all.

chicken briyani

Thanks to Dr. Muhammad Rahmat for his time and company despite his busy schedule. It was good to get reunited again and we needed to go for another coffee date some other time after this. 

ATTENDING A WEDDING RECEPTION IN KLANG, SELANGOR

    8TH AUGUST 2026    ~ I drove all the way to Klang, Selangor, from Johor Bahru to attend the wedding reception of the son of Puan Rohazila Zahidi, a friend of UPM TESL Class of 1993.

The event was held at a venue called Laman Mazmida. I have broken a new record actually: driving a car the furthest distance so far.

My friend, who also acted as the co-pilot this time, arrived at the venue at about 11:00 a.m. We were among the early birds.

As usual, I got to meet a few friends there.

the mother of the groom

Unfortunately, I could not stay that long in the event hall this time because I planned to visit an ex-student at the hospital in Damansara.

Congratulations to Puan Rohazila on the arrival of the new member into the family. Hopefully I will be invited again for similar event in the future.