MUD; Our Story of Kuala Lumpur

The venue is the 110 year-old theatre Panggung Bandaraya, in Jalan Raja, at the Dataran Merdeka . The musical production MUD, tells the story about our very own capital city, Kuala Lumpur. Combining fact and fiction, the story comes alive depicting the trials and tribulations of the beginning of KL as a frontier town in 1857. Then the great fire of KL happened in 1881, followed by the destructive floods at the end of the same year.  This story of KL is also the story of friendship and multiracial unity among the people, resolute in rebuilding the city. The main characters are Mamat (played by Anding Indrawani of AF fame), Meng and Muthiah.

MUD the musical is interactive theatre, with the involvement of members of the audience. I myself was involved twice, once getting quite carried away on stage! How? I'm too embarrassed to tell, heheh! But I'm sure you too will really enjoy being involved because the cast's enthusiasm is very infectious.

This musical production is by Enfiniti Vision Media, and presented by KL City Hall. A one hour-long musical, it is set to run for three years (it started in July 2014), with daily shows, and 86 cast and crew members.

Best of all, after the show, you will be invited on stage to take photos with the cast. A beautiful end to a wonderful show.

18 January 2015

Bears Galore;1600 in All

A whole army of 1600 black and white bears has invaded the Publika, Solaris Dutamas. They came on the 13th January and will only leave on the 25th. But not to worry because they are really cute little pandas made of papier-mache. They are currently in Malaysia on their world tour program begun in 2008 with the cooperation of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Since 21 December 2014, they have already 'visited' some 14 iconic locations including Dataran Merdeka, Taiping Lake Gardens, Red Square Melaka, Cheong Fatt Tze Pulau Pinang, Dataran Menara Condong Teluk Intan, etc. They are travelling the world to remind you and me about animal welfare and environmental conservation.

Note: The panda sculptures are by Frenchman Paulo Grangeon, who reportedly used recycled paper to create the 1600 pandas, this number being the symbolic representation of pandas left in the wild.

PickNik @ Publika, Solaris Dutamas

When you are in Publika, Solaris Dutamas (Kuala Lumpur), don't forget to Pick Nik. I mean, have a gourmet meal at PickNik Comfort Food Cafe. This Cafe will be celebrating its second anniversary come 18 November, but it was only recently that we got to dine there. I had been goading the family to go check it out earlier but I don't know why we took soo long to discover this culinary gem.

Lucky for us, when we got there, Chef Nik Michael Imran was in and ready to cook up a storm in his open kitchen. I like the concept of the open kitchen. You can watch while your meal is being cooked. We sat at the bar in front of the kitchen and believe me, here the seats are dangerous! Because when you see all the delicious concoctions being whipped up in front of you, and by a celebrity chef no less, you will want to savour them all! Pasta fresh from the frying pan and meats hot from the grill straight on to your plate. Everything looks simply yummy and you'll feel that you are in food heaven.

Chef Nik Michael's dad and GM of PickNik, Dato Nik Ezar also came by with his two lovely daughters. Being first-timers, we asked for the Chefs' recommendation as to what we should eat. We ended up satiating ourselves with some really delectable and mouth-watering food.

#1. Succulent Lamb cutlet with Korean sauce           #2.Very tasty Truffle Olio Duck

#3. The most comforting Stracciatella                        #4. Gorgeous Squid ink pasta

#5. Delicious desserts of Crepe Suzette                      and # 6. Scrumptious Pavlova

I am a pasta lover and my favourite eatery for this has been Italiannies. But from now on, I think PickNik will be the place for my pasta fix. Mamma mia!

08/11/14

A Merdeka Outing

It is the 31st August 2014, so a very resolute 57th year of Merdeka! 'Di sini bermula sebuah cinta'.

So much for making plans to be at Dataran Merdeka to watch the parade in the morning. We were up late the night before so there was no way it would be an early morning the next day. So for the umpteenth time now I had to watch the parade on TV. Sheesh!

But anyway, I was adamant about making it a memorable day. So when M suggested we go to KLCC by bus from Ampang, I thought what the heck, why not? Let's leave the car behind and take public transport. The bus fare is only RM1 to, but as we discovered later, RM2 fro. Did that sentence come out correct?

We walked to the bus stand and caught a RapidKL bus to (Suria) KLCC. In the bus the passengers were mostly loud Arab women and their more subdued men.  When we got there we headed for the Aquaria but there was a long queue so we ruled it out. So also the Petronas twin towers observation deck because it was fully booked for the day. So we chose to ... lepak. We lepak-d with a very cosmopolitan crowd in front of the Symphony Lake of the KLCC Park. People-watching here was fun because it seemed like the whole world has converged on to Kuala Lumpur and spending this Sunday evening here. In between the lepak-ing, we browsed the bookshop*, had tea/coffee at Dome, and later a light dinner of my favourite Caesar salad at Chinoz on the Park before going back.

We wanted to take a taxi but instead hopped onto a rickety, old Metro bus (because it beckoned!) to get back to our destination. In the bus it felt like one was in Indonesia, because nearly all the passengers were Indonesians. In fact one (Indonesian) passenger also took it upon himself to shout out destinations as we went along. Somehow I couldn't help feeling 'foreign' in the bus. Anyway its great to be hoi polloi "the many" in a very cosmopolitan Malaysia. Merdeka!

*At Kinokuniya I bought the only copy of Nigel Slater's Toast that they held, a sweet and 'warm' memento of 31st August 2014.

Inaugural KL Highland Games

Last Sunday we went to the inaugural Kuala Lumpur Highland Games which was held at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Centre. It was hosted by the Selangor St Andrew's Society* and featured some traditional Scottish sports events and entertainment. It was touted as one of the biggest expatriate sporting and family-friendly events of the year.

One of the opening acts (CNB 2014)

There was a stage for cultural entertainment, including dancing (Scottish, Malaysian, etc.). The traditional sports events of the Scottish hammer throw, caber toss, etc. were also entertaining, because you get to see big, burly men in skirts kilts work hard at throwing and tossing! In fact it was kilts, kilts everywhere - on burly men, spotty teenagers and even little boys. There was lots of fun and entertainment for children too, and of course, loads of food and drinks for everybody. The food and drinks were a bit on the pricey side, but hey, its all for the good cause of charity.

Burley men of Scottish traditional games (CNB 2014)

The competitions in piping and drumming seemed intense as many bands around us at the stands practiced loudly (and noisily!?). I guess pipe and drum bands cannot help being loud, but entertaining nevertheless. Among them was the Kuala Lumpur Pipes and Drums (who won), the bands from UiTM, St John's Alumni, Sri Dashmesh Pipe and Drum Band (?), etc.

A gathering of men in skirts (CNB 2014)

Last minute practice ... (CNB 2014)

The only girl band in the competition was all the way from Pulau Pinang - A and B's alma mater St George's Girls School (SGGS). A also got to meet with her former teacher Cikgu Aswan who was in charge of the band. We were also introduced to the instructor who flies from Bangkok to Pulau Pinang to impart his skill and expertise.

The St George's band play for the judges (CNB 2014)

A and her alma mater's band instructor (CNB)

The sky had been downcast since early morning and of course it all poured down for a while in the afternoon. We left before the end so we missed the massed bands perform at the conclusion to the KL Highland Games. That should have been a fantastic spectacle and really, really loud!
Note*: The St Andrew's Society was established in 1887, and is one of the oldest Loyal Societies in Malaysia. The membership comprises the Scots, descendants of Scots and people who are interested in Scotland and Scottish culture.

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building & Merdeka Square

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building may be the most photographed colonial building in Malaysia. And deservedly so. This very beautiful building by A.C. Norman was built in 1894-97 during the British administration and named after the then reigning Sultan of Selangor. This Moorish style building of Mughal architecture serves as the backdrop for many national celebrations, including Merdeka Day on the 31st August and Malaysia Day on the 16th September.

Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad (CNB 2013)

It is located in front of the Dataran Merdeka (Independance Square) and together the buildings and grounds are witness to historic moments of the country, the most momentous being the declaration of independance in 1957. Merdeka Square before independance was the cricket ground for the colonial administrators, and fronting the Royal Selangor Club which was Malaya's most exclusive whites-only club. Merdeka Square was officially opened in 1990. A 95 metre flagpole, one of the tallest in the world, is at one end of the square.

The Royal Selangor Club (CNB 2013)

(In progress)

The National Textile Museum & Zandra Rhodes

The beautiful Moghul-Islamic architecture of the
National Textile Museum building (CNB 2013)

On the last weekend of 2013, B and I decided to go to the Muzium Tekstil Negara (National Textile Museum) at Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, KL. We wanted an update of the exhibitions in the galleries there, and to catch the special exhibition on Zandra Rhodes' 'lifelong love affair with textiles'. The last time we visited the museum building was way back in the 90s (Karyaneka then??). Now it has certainly been well conserved and refurbished as a museum (since 2007) and we were greatly impressed. What we thought was going to be a short hour visit became a whole morning affair.

The exhibitions in the five galleries (Pohon Budi, Pelangi, Teluk Berantai, Ratnasari, Saindera) of the museum were most interesting and we would highly recommend a visit by all culture vultures. The role of this specialised museum is "to collect,conserve and document and display the diverse national textile collection, especially the traditional handwork of the multi-ethnic society of Malaysia ..." So expect to be mesmerised by the rich tapestry of our textile culture and history.

An exhibit at the Galeri Pohon Budi (CNB 2013)

Another exhibit at the Galeri Pohon Budi

Mannequins at the Galeri Ratnasari (CNB 2013)

We toured the 'Zandra Rhodes: A Lifelong Love Affair with Textiles' exhibition in the Saindera Gallery (for thematic exhibitions, etc.). Her textile designs seem as quirky as the shocking pink-haired lady herself. (Sorry, no photography allowed here, so no pictures to show except to say the exhibition was most interesting for us. It enabled us to catch a glimpse of the life of a well-traveled textile and fashion designer).

B and a ZR poster (CNB 2014)

Note: There is no entrance charge for the National Textile Museum, but for the Zandra Rhodes Exhibition (12 Nov 2013 - 12 Jan 2014) it was RM5 for B and RM3 for the OKU (as printed on the ticket, i.e. me, because at my age I am entitled to a discount for being less able to climb the stairs, I guess).
28 December 2013

A Walk in the KLCC Park

On New Year's day 2014, we went to Suria KLCC to check out the park there, knowing full well it would be thronged by our foreign labour community who love to congregate there on their off-days. I guess the more the merrier. For me it was the first time I did a full circuit of the KLCC Park and I must say that I did enjoy the walk. There was a lot to see that day, from children happily wading in the shallow pools to adults fussing over their children and others strolling around taking and posing for pictures. And this last group included us.

A view of Symphony Lake (CNB 2014)

The children's wading pools (CNB 2014)

This beautiful public park was designed by Brazilian architect Roberto Burle Marx with the aim to "leave the world a little more sensitive and a little more educated to the importance of nature". The man made lake in front of Suria KLCC Mall (Lake Symphony) has water fountains that shoot water up to a height of 42 metres. Later in the evening the water features were 'colourfully' lighted up and the fountains danced albeit without the aid of music. A 43 metre elevated bridge that cut across the lake provided a vantage view of the park and the twin towers.

Beneath the elevated bridge and the twin
towers (AB 2014)

There is the 1.3 km long jogging track (covered with special rubberised material) but we were not  properly shod  - A was in sandals and I had the ugliest shoes on - my favourite Crocs! So we just strolled along appreciating the various features of this little green oasis within the big city - the trees and shrubs, sculptures, fountains, and pools around the park. I found out later that 23 mature and rare specimens were transplanted from the old Selangor Turf Club that made way for the Petronas twin towers to be built. Also that 1900 indigenous trees and 66 species of palms were planted to promote bio-diversity.

Steel sculptures of a whale and two dolphins (CNB 2014)

The children's playground was full of kids having a great time. But we did come across a little girl who was crying because she had somehow lost her parents. We did what we could to calm her down and handed her to the lady security officers who were on duty there. (We hope she was reunited with her family soon enough). There was some construction going on so the beautiful As Syakirin mosque was pretty much hidden from where we were.

We did enjoy our walk that day (01.01.14) and hope to make repeat performances in the future.

The dancing fountains of Symphony Lake (CNB 2014)

Note: KLCC Park information gleaned from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Still the Tallest TWIN Towers

Malaysia's most famous landmark is no doubt the Petronas Towers at KLCC, Kuala Lumpur. As superlatives go, this (1,843 ft/452 m) landmark has been superseded by other taller buildings around the globe. Although no longer the tallest (building) anymore, but still, as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammed proudly concedes, and I concur, the tallest TWIN towers in the world.

Here are some rudimentary facts about these 'soaring into the sky rockets' that were built between 1993-1998. The winning design was by Argentinian-born US architect Cesar Pelli (b.1926). The twin towers are 88 storeys each, joined midway by a 'sky bridge', and each has an attached cylindrical tower of 44 storeys. The star-shaped plan of the main towers reflects an Islamic motif. In 2004, this 'high-profile landmark building' won the Aga Khan Architectural Award.

The Twins on a recent misty evening (CNB 2013)

Even if my preference is for old, classical architecture, these very modern towers are quite my favourite buildings to gawk at, whenever I drive through Jalan Ampang. I have taken photos almost every time I pass them by them, in sunshine or at night, and even in the rain. In the evenings, the upper storeys of the buildings shine like diamonds in the sky. From where we live in Ampang, we can just about see the 'diamonds' which, come midnight, are 'switched off' signalling the bewitching hour.

I have been on the 2-level sky-bridge twice before, some years ago while still a Librarian at USM. One visit was with some International Library Conference delegates and another with the Reference Division staff of USM Library. I hope to join the early morning tourist queue to go on the sky-bridge one more time.

A Birthday Celebration at Marini's on 57

A very happy birthday to A from all in the family.

The birthday girl (CNB 2013)

The family (2013)

The view (CNB 2013)

(In progress)

A Stroll in the Taman Tasik Titiwangsa

Yellow bamboo by the Lake (CNB 2013)

Taman Tasik Titiwangsa in Jalan Temerloh is an oasis of green and serenity right in the middle of the city of Kuala Lumpur. Situated just behind the Istana Budaya and National Visual Arts Gallery, the city skyline from across the lake also include the KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers. M and I were there for the first time recently (yesterday, actually) and our stroll around the lake was indeed interesting because many trees there were in bloom. So for me it was more about photography in the great outdoors (than healthy exercise!).

The fountain and the KL city skyline (CNB 2013)

M at the start of our stroll around Lake Titiwangsa (CNB 2013)

The many flowering plants and trees contributing to the colours of the Taman Tasik Titiwangsa included pink Ixoras, yellow Saraca, white Pong-pong, the Rain tree, Bunga tanjung, etc.

A beautiful pong-pong tree by the lake (CNB 2013)

An old Rain tree (CNB 2013)

The end of my stroll around the lake (MB 2013)

But wait, its not the end yet. Here are just two of the colours (other than green) that I mentioned earlier.

Yellow Saraca (CNB 2013)

Pink Ixora (CNB 2013)