GOING ARABIC FOR LUNCH AT ZAATAR RESTAURANT

   24TH MAY 2026    ~ We decided to eat Arab food for lunch for our regular gastronomic adventure this week. The designated venue was Zaatar Restaurant in Kota Iskandar.

There were still many diners eating in when we arrived at about 2:30 p.m. We decided to go to the first floor as most of the tables were occupied on the lower floor.

The restaurant was beautiful and you could feel the middle eastern vibe.

Mandy Lamb Rice

Grilled Set

khunafa

We ordered a bit too much. The rice portion in the plate was a lot and could actually be shared by two people. I ended packing the leftover food to bring back home. I personally loved the taste of the Arab cuisines.

Guess it would be my buddy's turn to decide where to go for our next episode of gastronomic adventure.

ATTENDING THE WEDDING RECEPTION OF AN EX-STUDENT'S SISTER

   23RD MAY 2026    ~ I was invited by Puan Hamidah Buang to the wedding reception of her daughter. Puan Hamidah is the mother of an ex-student [of SMK Taman Universiti, Mr. Hakimi Imran, and the daughter on the other hand went to other school.

The wedding venue was at Cathay Hall in Ekoflora.

The only people among the guests I recognized were Puan Sapiah Bohar, an ex-colleague, and her husband.

Mr. Hakimi, the younger brother
of the bride

I got to thanks the mother of the bride for her persistence in making sure I turn up for the event. Hopefully I will be invited again for similar functions for her other children in the future.

THE IMPROMPTU REUNION SESSION WITH TWO KL PEOPLE

    22ND MAY 2026     ~ At 4:00 p.m., Puan Adura Adnan texted in the Whatsapp group, informing the other two members of the community she was in town. The other member was coincidentally was also in Johor Bahru with her family members. A reunion session with two ex-schoolmates [of SMS Muar] was then planned and successfully executed.

We all decided to get Laksa Johor for dinner - when in Johor eat dinner like Johorians do. The chosen venue was Ruma Tengah in Kampung Melayu, the one place that I know that serves good Laksa Johor. 

By the way, one of the girls managed to get her daughter to accompany so there were four people attending.

This was our very first meeting this year and it was significant as it was held in Johor Bahru for the first time ever. All this while, it had always been in Kuala Lumpur. Puan Adura Adnan and Puan Hafizah Mohd. Noor were actually born and bred here, but are now residing in the capital city.

We had to bid farewell to each other for now, and looked forward to another gathering after this.

SPOT THE ERROR 229

One tiny error that is commonly committed by Malaysians.

CLUE: it is the date.

NOTE:

1st - first

2nd - second

3rd - third

STAYING AT MARDHIYYAH HOTEL IN SHAH ALAM

  6th DECEMBER 2025   ~ I checked in at Mardhiyyah Hotel in Shah Alam for a 3D2N stay. The last time I stayed at Shah Alam was many years ago for a formal work-related meeting in a hotel that no longer existed.

There were many people staying at the hotel when I was there. I could see a big group of Singaporeans who were taking part in a football tournament and also the family members. Another group was the local policemen who were having sports competitions in the city.

The hotel was alright, except it was not easy to find nearby eating places or malls.

I don't mind staying at this place again though. I don't know when I will be coming to Shah Alam again.

THE SHORT BRUNCH SESSION AT AEON PERMAS JAYA

I needed to get my [new] car tinted somewhere in Permas Jaya. That would require about two hours of waiting so Mr. Faiz suggested that we went to get brunch at AEON Permas Jaya which was nearby.

Even though I had been to the mall many times, I had never had any meal at the food court there.

I decided to try the food from the AEON kitchen: rice and beef dendeng [sliced meat cooked in chili and spices], and it was good. The portion of the meat is big but the price was still reasonable.

I regret coming here as I will after this go back to this place at least to get its Teh Tarik. Mind you, these days it is not easy to get a good glass of Teh Tarik.