Kuantan (Pahang) - Nava K Travel Guide (Part 2)

Where else and what else for us in Kuantan (Kuantan Part 1 & Vistana Kuantan)? Well, food spotting or perhaps better for me to say as dinner hunger tucking in. Food of course is a compulsory matter right, no matter where we are? Whether we have crossed the horizon for out of the country travel venturing or within our own country in-bound? Precisely. Weather in Kuantan on this day, hell-hack of a weather. Rainy day. Rain which started pouring, mind you, one of the heaviest for causing sky darkness as early as 6.00pm and we on the other hand, braving rain for heading to Ana Ikan Bakar Petai. At the suggestion of our Kuantan friend who have been driving us around from the time we arrived in Kuantan. According to him further, Ana Ikan Bakar Petai seemingly is the populous. In other words, the popularity. Ana Ikan Bakar Petai is the one that draws much more customers compared to the rest of the other ikan bakar/grilled fish eateries I bet you will notice while on your way to within this specific long stretch of road. Ana Ikan Bakar Petai and the rest however are simultaneous. Meaning, these are the unassuming, basic, stall kinda concept eateries and most probably, I'm guessing by the way, offering the same kinda food.    

Penang Food Guide - My Food Story

Endless debate. Constant debate. We can go on and go and debate on which state within Malaysia is the best food paradise. Ask the Penangites and they won’t stop swearing till the end that Penang definitely must be recognized. In fact, many claim nothing like food from the land of Penang. Of course, even Nava K won’t deny. Penang is undoubtedly a food paradise and where you can not only eat none stop, but literally till your stomach most probably can be busted. Basically, its eat till you drop. Anywhere for the matter. From the high end posh restaurants to the street stalls. Choices are massively aplenty mind you. All you gotto to do is drive around or walk the streets for trying out whichever lures you, whether you live to eat or eat to live. Food overall I must say is definitely our Malaysian profoundness. Trust me, we can eat and we can eat anytime of the day. Nothing is more important for us from the start and till the end of the day except food. 

Restaurant Double Joy - SS3, Petaling Jaya

Located across the narrow tight road, careful when you drive pass, and along the same row as Shiraz Wine Shop, I know the wine shop at the back of my hands, shhhh, don’t tell anyone I am the every now and then Indian drunkard, Restaurant Double Joy is another one of those no frill and basic in ambiance Chinese eateries (Siong Huat Bak Kut Teh Pork Klang). Abuzzed when we walked in during this lunch hour at about 1.40pm, oh-my, what a buzz. Glad we sat at the far end instead of occupying the tables close to the Chinese customers. These customers, believe me, were really loud, as though they are the "Terra Cotta Warriors". I could even hear them slurping, they must have been slurping a Chinese soup and not rasam/Indian pepper soup, and the banging of forks and spoons had to get to my ears as well from where I was seated. Nevermind, I guess we should ignore such a scenario when Chinese customers are letting go of their hunger, but in any case, whatever it may be, if you dining with your Indian friends in such a restaurant, do not for my sake speak in Tamil. As it is, when we walked in, stares came from all directions, as if we were the disguised legendary Indian robbers (Restoran Heong Kee Batu Caves). 

Restoran Heong Kee Seafood - Batu Caves

Honestly, honest to goodness, I really don’t have any interesting food plot up my sleeves what's with me in Batu Caves. No, no, please. Definitely not time yet for Thaipusam. In fact, I don't even have to announce when its Thaipusam. You will automatically know it. When you start seeing, one after another holiest grains putting up their diviners on social media, you can include me, Thaipusam selfing and welfing indeed are the indication that Thaipusam is up in the air abuzz. I actually ended up in this part of Batu Caves because I was bored to literally death. I basically badly needed a break. The daily grind does get to us, don't you agree? The mundane daily routine of sleeping our way for climbing the corporate ladder or we sincerely die at our job, we also have to balance many other things at one go, including, not to forget, social media is a must right? For me, I must thank my Nava star since I don't have to beat the daily jam by taking up road bullying or raging. Still, my life is utterly stressful as well. Of course I can continue with blindly forwarding rubbish news on WhatsApp groups, make sure you are careful on what you share on family WhatApp group to avoid stirring up family sentiment, nothing for me is like meeting an old friend for breaking free from mundaneness. Food and friendship for us Malaysians consecutively must dance and jive together. Am I wrong? 

Ten Years - Sunway Pyramid

What brought me back to Sunway Pyramid? None other than for Faber Castell color pencils. Now, now, I know what's going through your mind. I know you must be thinking I must be out of my freaking mind for coming this far just for the sake of buying Faber Castell? Before you open your mouth, think, please take a look at the selection of Faber Castell's colors at their counter in Pyramid and then we can debate, discuss or you can even go ahead by proving me wrong. Mission accomplished, mission of buying color pencils was for my neighbour's housekeeper who will be returning to Philippines permanently in the next few days. For her kids actually. Yeap. We have bonded for the last two years, we became good friends and I really wanted to return her good deeds for taking care of my plants when I am away. 

Siong Huat Bak Kut Teh (Pelabuhan Klang) Selangor

How did Nava K end up in Port Klang? Nava K all the way to Port Klang? Intriguing story plot actually. I really can’t wait to tell you, sincerely, you may not even believe it. Nonetheless, instead of allowing Nava cat out of her own bag right now, right at this juncture, lemme keep it as a classified KGB or even FBI Indian file. At least till I spill all of it in the next sharing. I promise I will bare front and bare back all of it. Suspense by the way, I reckon, don't you agree is your mind and my mind boggling and wrecking? Undoubtedly, suspense indeed is a heart killer, I know, patience obviously is not a virtue anymore. Don't believe me? See how impatiently everyone is killing each other, even family members, all because of money suspense? Still, whatever said, my dear followers, I suggest you patiently await in suspender or suspense on what's with me in Port Klang (Khuntai Thai Banting, Coconut Flower Telok Gong & Bagan Hailam Klang)

Luck Kee Seafood Restaurant - (Taman Paramount, Petaling Jaya)

For those of you who love travelling and to those who have been constantly doing it, I am sure you will agree with me that travelling gram is a far much wider scope than rainbow colors. Indeed, I am with you guys. I sincerely love travelling, I can't agree more that travelling has and will always broaden my thinking wings. So many countries awaiting lined on my list, hopefully, I can slowly and surely tick them off. Of course, I won't deny that money is without a doubt the router for travelling pop-ups, especially to across and far out from your continent. I am, believe me, definitely saving. Nevertheless, I have already Instagram captured-gripped a  couple of countries (Korea, Sapporo/Hokkaido & South Africa), which in return has widened my palates to various types of cuisines. Some fared quite right, others must be booted out. Whatever said, for a typical born and bred Malaysian like me, I will firmly stand firm with my opinion that there is no better food from any part of the world except from my country. For a fact. Whether you agree or not, it won't make a difference to me. I care less. I give a damn because there is definitely something magical about our Malaysian cuisine (Melaka - Jonker Walk Part 2  & Part 3). Technically knocking aside every other from elsewhere, our Malaysian food does pack major, either big or small punches of heavenly flavours.  

Langkawi (Kedah) - 2 nights 2 days (Part 1)

The road less traveled. Indeed. By far, this short and sassy Langkawi holiday I think was my first ever road less traveled eye opener. All the while, I either pilot flew (Penang Thaipusam & South Africa) or I car traveled during off peak season (Casa del Rio Melaka, Portuguese Settlement & Sungkai Perak) This, my other half-half’s company trip (Port Dickson), a long winded bus journey, also, a non-inclusive of all paid for budgeted two days holiday, alongside almost 50 different characters in two coaches, was totally akin a rocket scientist madness. Departing late Friday night from Nilai during this public holiday weekend, unspeakable crawling snarling traffic and long queues at “R & R” for loo stops and one hunger stop. Massively tested my patience, so little of it I have by the way as I grow older. Thankfully, we made before time at Kuala Kedah (Alor Setar Kedah), more madness thrown in for securing a table at the coffee shop across the jetty for breakfast. Breakfast tummy filled, within the next hour, we were already among the many, some of course must push jolt you aside, what can you expect, if not all, some unruly Malaysians, prior to carefully hopping into the ferry. 

Restoran Lucky Loke SS3

What have my fifties done to me? Aplenty! Crucially, my fifties has automated me towards the core meaning  of friendship. I realise that, for some reason or rather, once fifties started crawling on my body, mind and soul, my maturity friendship button sky rocketed till the moon and sky for loudly alerting me to trash aside rubbish friends. Who are these rubbish friends we are talking about? Those who massively use us, those who constantly empty their bad and negative vibes on us, and those who slyly bad stab us. Shall we now realistically blame it on, what else can it possibly be except the competitive real time and social media time friendship. I bet. Of course. Envy and jealously. Anything new? No. Pretty much a norm and a complicated messy head banging matter. Nevertheless, believe me, once the big five hard kick your butt, most probably you won’t have any problem identifying who these friends are. Unless of course, if you are telling me that your fifties is just another passing phase? Am I right? I believe I am.

Go Noodle House - Gamuda Walk (Kota Kemuning)

Let’s go everyone. Go where? Can you please hang in there, stop with your questions please. At least for the time being. Do me a favour, just follow me. I am obviously leading you to Go Noodle (Gamuda Walk, 1st Floor). Of course, you can also head to their other branches elsewhere, Go Noodle seemingly is the pleasing melting food pot for an instant and quickly put together meal, especially for the Chinese. But I must surrender to speaking on behalf of my own kind Indians who don't pride themselves to such a concept non-halal meal delight. In fact, my Chinese neighbours are the ones who recommended Go Noodle because they know that this Indian lady love Chinese food. She does, mind you, all the way. I on the other hand had a hard time coaxing my typical Indian half-half in accompanying me. Eventually, oh-boy, praise my marriage love skills, he agreed. What a major achievement, one up on my marriage happy card, we arrived in Go Noodle for an early lunch. Instead of standing in the long queue for dining in the cramped inside dining area, we quickly sat at the nearest empty table outside.

Fuel Shack - Seksyen 13, AEON Shah Alam

The moment I am out of my house, all I can think of is food. Food. Yes please. The first thing that strikes for instantly waking up my food desire. You can't blame me. Do you know how tiring it is eating your own cooking, literally, day in day out? Tell me about it, wish my other half-half will cook, hell-hack, maybe in my dreams, or he will never ever, let me just leave it as it is, instead of for no apparent reason rocking and rolling my marriage (Chayo Restaurant & Cafe. Kelana Jaya). Aside to whether husbands should also cook or not, on this day, my morning tummy tucking story was captured in "The Coffee & Bar", thereafter, late lunch in "Olive Garden", and prior to returning home, I wanted to pack food back because I tend to like this whole concept of coming home with food for dinner, and then sitting back to relax after a tiring day of walking, of course, food should never ever be tiring for our palates. 

Olive Garden - AEON Mall, Seksyen 13 (Shah Alam)

Over to AEON Mall after the hearty breakfast in “The Coffee & Bar". Nothing really on my mind, I am by the way not someone who aimlessly walk around shopping malls for no apparent reason. Gone are the days of giving into shopping temptation or spending money without thinking hundred over times. Basically, I can't afford. I don't earn as much as I used to, I also rather keep my money for my travel ventures (Melaka Jonker Walk & Pyeonchang Korea) instead of spending for the sake of it. But since this is my time in AEON Shah Alam mall, my niece who comes over quite often insisted on showing me around. Why not? No harm done because should I really need to shop next time, I may consider this mall. 

Melaka - Portuguese Settlement (Restaurant De Costa's 8)

Lemme speak a tiny bit on Portuguese Settlement. Those I think I am familiar with instead of taking the easy way out by cutting and pasting, obviously in academic terms we call it “plagiarism”. Plagiarism indeed is a rampant madness attitude even among the self-proclaimed top-notch bloggers, all in the name of fanning for popularity, fame, likes and followers. The best part of it all is that people actually fall for copied crab stuffs instead of believing those who share their sincere, genuine and honest real-time experiences. Wish I can shame those copycats who evidently have not the mastered the art of copying, sadly though. Sad isn't? I should mill them through "Plagiarism" software.

Ming Kee Bak Kut Teh - PJ Old Town

This day will go down as another unforgettable day in my life. It will forever be one of the days I can’t forget for the rest of my life. As it is, I am still coming to terms with dad slipping off within minutes to heaven almost two years ago (more at Nasi Minyak), on this day, when I received a call from my bestie’s family, I felt as though my worst fear is gonna come true. Remember, my 30 over years different race and religion friendship I already told you at Kepong Heng Bak Kut Teh & Restoran Meng Kee Klang Road? Tragic! Utterly shattering day. My heart pumped so fast upon hearing that my bestie had earlier collapsed at the medical center and is now in critical care unit. Still, instead of breaking down and crying, honestly everyone, I put up a brave front. I told her sista I will there soonest possible. 

Naughty Nuri's (Subang SS15 Courtyard)

Now, how should I start this review on Naughty Nuri’s? Anyone like to help me out? Anyone out there have anything to say please? Okay, maybe, I should start by mentioning that most of you would have had a delightful dining experience in Naughty Nuri’s. Albeit assumingly, you may have stood in the queue before being ushered into their modern-traditional, slightly dim and adorn with sarong and bamboo fittings Indonesian ambiance. Queuing most probably can be avoided if you have made prior reservation. We on the other hand took it for granted. Considering that its the long Hari Raya holiday weekend, we thought we should be able to secure a table. How wrong we were. No, definitely was not the case. Thankfully, queue moved quite fast, additionally, we didn’t mind seating at the bar area. Of course, it would have been nice if we had the option for dining at the bamboo swing enclosed table. 

NY Steak Shack - Sunway Pyramid, Petaling Jaya

New York! New York! Yes. New York is definitely on my bucket or pail travel list. Anytime, I’m like anytime gamed for flagging a long dotted line, stretching all the way from Malaysia to New York. Ultimately, New York I know will be my picture Instagram perfect. Of course. Easier said than done I suppose, unless and until I have sashed enough money in my bank account, New York can only be on my mind. That’s okay. No big deal. After all, life isn’t about having it all at one go at the snap of our fingers. Money obviously of course is the game plan for our travel gram, till then, we shall not complain, we shall save and for the time being, we can potentially check out eateries that showcases New York food on our Malaysian ground. Then again, to tell you the truth, I am not really into those fancy-willy huge portion Western food. Food for me is the typical spicy, tangy and salty Malaysian call. Bang! For instantly waking up my food senses (Kayra Kerala Cuisine & Restaurant Meng Kee Old Klang Road).

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul - Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall

Anything with Penang sells. Not as in Penang itself, I can’t comment if people in other states of Malaysia will speak highly about Penang food, but we at the heart of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor die-die get carried with eateries that features Penang food. Including even those from the anywhere and everywhere hawker stalls. I of course have Penang tripped. Sightseeing primarily is my call, sightseeing must also be tagged alongside food porn, food orgasm, food splendor and food glory. Basically, known as "dine with nava-k" in nava-k’s laywoman’s terms. Otherwise, such a shame for branding myself as a foodie delight, food enthusiast or adventurous foodie. Oh-yes, Penang undeniably is a food haven. But proclaiming that it is an all-rounder winner potentially can in return bring shame to my food senses (Penang Thaipusam to Alor Setar Kedah). Regardless, I must generously award high distinction and credit to let’s say 70% of Penang food. Why not? Why should we deprive praising those who have not compromised on the incredibly memory lane food terrains of their ancestors authentic traditional dishes?

Alor Setar - Kedah (Nava-K's One Day Postcard)

Being married to someone who is married to his or her job is not all that rosy and sunshiny. I know. Ask me and I'll willingly spill all of it. Its sincerely really a tough call for me. Irregular working hours, sometimes work calls for during the weekends and public holidays, and at the end of the day, no matter how late it is, I have to listen to his ups and downs. More importantly, I have to take care of myself, especially when he is away (Sungkai Perak & Pork Dickson). Then again, this workaholism does throw in some happy perks every once a while and if your life-time soulmate’s job involves inbound/outbound travelling, you might as well try your luck by piggy backing him, her and it (Chitose & Hokkaido).

Cinnamon's - Gamuda Walk (Kota Kemuning) Shah Alam

Honestly foodies,

I still can’t get over and done with the “Bamboo Beriyani” I devoured into at Cinnamon’s Kota Kemuning recently. Honest to goodness, it’s been ages I think I’ve had such a mouthwatering delicious Beriyani. Not the same. Not the same commercial Beriyani from anywhere and everywhere, nope, this biriyani by far is simply the best. Wow-Pow! Hang-on, hang-on, hang-in there for the time being. More to Bamboo Beriyani will be unveiled later, right now, walk with me into Cinnamon’s, located on the first floor of Gamuda Walk, because I’ve got other things I must tell you as well.   

Penang - Thaipusam (Nava-K's Spiritual And Religious Journey)

Some friends I believe are really peculiar. Perhaps I should also label them as weirdos. Wanna know why? No, no, I am in no way referring to the fake social media friends, but my most to most 5 to 10 closest friends whom I thought knew me at the back of their hands. How wrong. When I told a few of them that I will be fulfilling my spiritual and religious vows at Waterfall Temple/Balathandayuthapani Temple for Thaipusam, they burst out in laughter. Why? Seriously, I didn't know what were they tickled about? Do I look like a misfit? Not as far as I know. Despite asking over and over again, none actually could spill a concrete reason. I of course was agitated. Then again, it can't be my fault if friends judge me wrongly. Maybe because I am modern and outgoing, I can’t be religious, is it? Whatever, I've come to a point  I care too hoots how people perceive me. My life, my choices, my happiness and my relationship with god.