THE GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE IN ROMPIN

    28th JUNE 2026    ~ Before checking in at the chalet, we stopped by for lunch at Rompin. The name of the restaurant was Wan's Nine Corner. There were still people eating when we arrived at about 1:30 p.m. but less choices of dishes left. Many people might have come earlier.

I had eaten at this place before in December 2022, during a road trip with my ex-colleagues. [READ HERE]

Initially the plan was to eat at this popular spot in Endau but there were too many people when we arrived. Eventually I did not get to eat there and I was truly sad and disappointed.

grilled stingray in "sambal" [chillies]

Lunch was good and the price was reasonable. We did not stay long as the weather was hot and we were already tired. We needed to check in and get a good rest.

THE DINNER DATE WITH THE HUSBAND AND WIFE [UTM] EX-STUDENTS

   25th June 2026    ~ Mr. Azim Afif and Ms. Anis Zulaikha, and their three children were in town. I taught the husband and wife couple English when they were in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia a long time ago. They were among the few ex-students from university whom I was still keeping in touch up until now.

The last time I had coffee with Mr. Azim Afif was on 1st October last year in Subang Jaya. [READ HERE]

The chosen meeting point: Awiet Bistro Corner located in Taman Setia Indah at about 9:00 p.m. It was very first time having a meal not only in the restaurant, but also in the housing estate area.

Pataya Fried Rice

FOOD REVIEW: The food and drinks were good but I think they were overpriced. Maybe food prices were different once the eating place was branded as a bistro.

Mr. Azim Afif also invited two of his friends whom I had never met before.

Thanks to Mr. Azim Afif for asking me out and hopefully I will be able to meet him again some other time when he is back in Johor Bahru, or when I am im Kuala Lumpur or Penang.

ATTENDING ONE MORE POTLUCK SESSION IN SCHOOL

  23rd JUNE 2026   ~ A potluck session was held at the Staff Room of SMK Dato' Jaafar, and I was invited to come. The occasion: two trainee teachers had completed their intern period in school.

As usual, the food spread on the buffet table varied and it was not easy to decide what to eat. Eventually, I tried to taste almost everything.

The first time the pot luck was done at the staff room. I realized there were just too many faces whom I  did not recognize. Thank to my friends who invited and welcomed me for the event even though I had already retired for 2 years and 6 months already.

HAVING AYAM GEPUK FOR LUNCH

I had the opportunity to go on a lunch date with two ex-colleagues of SMK Dato' Jaafar, Mr. Shafiq and Mr. Abdul Aziz. The chosen venue was Nasi Ayam Gepuk Bang Ujang located in Kampung Melayu.

I actually had a craving for Nasi Ayam Gepuk and today I was happy to savour it for lunch.

This was my third time at the restaurant. The place seemed to be popular by looking at the number of people who came during lunch hour.

It was a very short lunch date and we could not sit for too long as they had to get back to school. Looking forward to another chance to meet up again after this.

DONATING BLOOD FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR

After 90 days, it was time to carry out my social responsibility i.e. donating blood. I decided to go to the Hospital Sultanah Aminah Blood Bank this time.

GOOD NEWS: Instead of giving the snacks pack which contained biscuits, peanuts, mineral water and boxed drinks, donors are now given frozen food [either fried rice or spaghetti], a bun and a boxed drinks. One can heat up the frozen food in the microwave in the dining area and enjoy your food right after the donation session is completed. One can also make his/her own hot drinks. However, the donor is also allowed to take the tree items home.

THE CENDOL SESSION WITH THE PRINCIPAL

24th JUNE 2026 ~ A  date was set with an ex-colleague of SMK Dato' Jaafar, Mr. Amirulhakim, who is now the Principal of SMK Tun Syed Nasir Ismail, the school which is near my house. The chosen venue was Sofie Cendol at Taman Suria which was also nearby.

Cendol is a beloved, traditional Southeast Asian iced dessert. It is sweet, creamy, and incredibly refreshing, making it a staple treat in tropical countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.

SOURCE: Google

It was just a short Cendol session as he was on his lunch break period and had to get back to school by 2:00 p.m. Hopefully there will be other opportunity to meet up as he has a very busy schedule.

STARTING THE STAYCATION TRIP WITH THE BREAKFAST SESSION

Teh Tarik

   28th JUNE 2026    ~ The staycation trip was started off by the breakfast session at Gelang Patah. My travel partner wanted to have something light like Roti Canai [TRANSLATE: paratha] so he suggested Malek Prata Stall. We were so wrong as two (big) pieces of the flat bread could last us past the usual lunch hour.

REVIEW: Good Roti Canai with excellent thick gravy for the beef curry. If only the place was nearer to my house, I would be visiting the stall frequently.

We were so ready to start the journey once the tummy was full, and there would definitely more gastronomic adventures happening right after.