#Coconuts KL

[thailand-tourist-places]

Shopping in KL

When you travel, what activities do you enjoy? Perhaps visiting famous landmarks, exploring iconic places, or indulging in some shopping? Traveling to a new country often opens up a world of new experiences, whether it’s shopping or simply seeing things that are different from what you are familiar to. We share the same curiosity. We love to explore local markets and shopping districts to see how…

[shrutius]

Exploring the Culinary Delights of Bali: A Food Lover's Paradise

Bali, an enchanting island in Indonesia, is renowned for its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and, not least, its delectable cuisine. The food scene in Bali offers a unique blend of traditional Indonesian flavors with modern twists, making it a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts. Here, we explore some of the best foods Bali has to offer, ranging from street food delights to high-end gourmet experiences.

1. Nasi Campur

Nasi Campur, meaning "mixed rice," is a quintessential Balinese dish that provides a little taste of everything. Typically served with white rice, this dish includes a variety of side dishes such as vegetables, meats, peanuts, eggs, and fried-shrimp krupuk. The mix often features local specialties like lawar (a traditional mix containing fine chopped meat, grated coconut, and spices) and satay (skewered and grilled meat).

2. Babi Guling

Babi Guling, or roasted suckling pig, is a traditional Balinese dish often reserved for special occasions but can be found in many restaurants around the island. The pig is stuffed with a combination of spices such as turmeric, coriander seeds, lemongrass, and garlic, and then spit-roasted until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender. This dish is a must-try for meat lovers looking to experience authentic Balinese flavors.

3. Bebek Betutu

Bebek Betutu, or slow-cooked duck, is another traditional dish that showcases the intricate Balinese cooking methods. The duck is marinated with a rich mixture of spices, including ginger, turmeric, garlic, and chili, wrapped in banana leaves, and then cooked slowly for several hours. This process ensures that the meat is incredibly tender and infused with the robust flavors of the spices.

4. Sate Lilit

Sate Lilit is a unique variant of satay that is exclusive to Bali. Unlike typical satay that uses whole meat pieces, sate lilit is made from minced meat, usually fish, mixed with grated coconut, coconut milk, lime leaves, and a blend of local spices. The mixture is then wrapped around bamboo sticks or lemongrass stalks and grilled. The result is a fragrant and flavorful satay that is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

5. Lawar

Lawar is a traditional Balinese salad made from finely chopped vegetables, grated coconut, and minced meat (usually pork or chicken), all mixed with rich herbs and spices. There are several variations of lawar, with some even including blood from the meat for added flavor and authenticity. This dish provides a unique and authentic taste of Balinese cuisine, often enjoyed as part of a larger meal.

6. Nasi Goreng

Nasi Goreng, or Indonesian fried rice, is a popular dish that can be found throughout Bali. This simple yet delicious dish is made by stir-frying rice with garlic, shallots, sweet soy sauce, and a variety of other ingredients such as chicken, prawns, or vegetables. It's often served with a fried egg on top and garnished with slices of cucumber and tomato, creating a satisfying and flavorful meal.

7. Mie Goreng

Mie Goreng is the noodle counterpart to Nasi Goreng and is equally beloved. These stir-fried noodles are cooked with a mix of vegetables, meats, and a sweet-savory sauce, often garnished with a fried egg, prawn crackers, and a wedge of lime. Mie Goreng is a versatile dish that is both comforting and flavorful, making it a favorite among tourists and locals.

8. Pepes Ikan

Pepes Ikan is a traditional dish where fish is marinated with a blend of spices and wrapped in banana leaves before being steamed or grilled. This cooking method infuses the fish with aromatic flavors and keeps it moist and tender. The spices commonly used include turmeric, lemongrass, and chili, which give the dish a vibrant and zesty taste.

9. Balinese Desserts

Balinese cuisine also offers a variety of delightful desserts. One popular sweet treat is Dadar Gulung, a green pancake roll filled with sweet grated coconut and palm sugar. Another favorite is Klepon, glutinous rice cakes filled with palm sugar and coated in grated coconut. These desserts provide a perfect ending to a meal, offering a taste of Bali’s sweet flavors.

Conclusion

Bali’s culinary landscape is as rich and diverse as its culture and scenery. From the savory delights of Babi Guling and Bebek Betutu to the sweet treats like Dadar Gulung, every dish tells a story of tradition, community, and flavor. Whether you’re dining in a high-end restaurant or sampling street food, the flavors of Bali are sure to leave a lasting impression. So, when you visit this paradise island, make sure to indulge in its best foods and savor the true essence of Balinese cuisine.

[definitelynotshouting]

Do not apologise at all for responding late!! Holiday burnout is so real, theres sm to organise so I understand completely 😅. I hope youre getting some rest between xmas and the new year, or that at least whatever you have planned isnt too hard on you :)

I am 100% willing to believe you blessed my flight lmao, hopefully it works on the way back as well :D

Is it weird to say i dont think ive ever had a blackberry before?? Idk i might have had one when i was a kid but when you mentioned the blackberry jam I completely blanked. So um. Hope it was good?

Oh no your cat!! D: Hope he's all better now

YES I WOULD LOVE TO TELL YOU ABOUT MALAYSIAN FOOD!! I would show u pics but um 🧍->🏃‍♂️💨. Ur gonna have to google it king LOL. The first day back my dad and I went out to a mamak stall (basically just a restaurant for malay-chinese-indian food), and I had roti canai (a type of flatbread with curry) and teh tarik, which I have missed dearly. I dont typically like normal english breakfast tea so getting to have authentic teh tarik was SO GOOD. Teh tarik (translating to "pulled tea") is made with condensed milk and gets its name from how after the drink is mixed it gets continuously poured over and over from one container to another until it gets super frothy.

I've also been getting reacquainted with my favourite fruits 🥰 that you cant get in Australia like mangosteen and jambu air (ai-yer). Mangos and dragon fruit you can get in australia but. um. Theyre bad. They just taste like sweet water. Also unfortunately for me rambutan i havent been able to find rambutan 😔😔. Those look similar to lychee but they taste pretty different, less tangy and sweeter.

Ive gone out with a friend to have cendol (c promounced as a "ch") which is a cold desert with coconut milk and rice jelly, along with other toppings should you choose it. Im also in the process of convincing my bff to do a 3h road trip with me specifically for food in a city called Ipoh 😭 wish me luck.

AND, im getting one of my relatives to teach me how to make rendang and char kway teow. The rendang specifically because the one she makes i prefer over what's usually made in restuarants. I think it's a state difference in recipes or smtg? So the ones you'll find in restuarants are KL/Selangor rendang and she makes from Kedah. Thats just a theory tho im not actually sure.

🧍 i realise this ask has become like 70% about food so i apologise. But. In my defense you asked >:) /j

ANYWAY. I hope youve gotten a break from the holiday work or at least have one coming up <33 Take care of yourself; indulge in your cheeses :D

-☀️

SUN ANON HELLOOOOOO im so excited to hear you got those desserts, those sound AMAZING...... also i looked up all the foods you mentioned and MAN THESE LOOK GOOD.... im a shrimp lover im gazing so hard at the char kway teow...... 👀👀👀👀👀 also holy shit these fruits look so cool???? Thats WILD ive literally never heard of these before and im having a lot of fun looking them up online and reading about their flavours and stuff!!!! Incredibly curious about mangosteen, i was not expecting it to be white inside when i looked it up and just like, the contrast of the purplish rind vs the white insides is SO neat to look at, like that feels really good on my eyeballs if that makes sense JSDBEKDNMDD also also teh tarik sounds and looks amazing i want to try that SO bad now omg

Its so funny you say that about blackberries bc where i live we have them literally growing everywhere on the side of the road AKDNWKDNKWDN in the summer when they start putting out fruit one of my roommates will sometimes go out and just pick a bunch for the whole household, and they always taste SOOOOO much better than the store-bought ones. Im genuinely not sure how to describe the taste of blackberry other than like. Its very sweet but also very tart (i go for the slightly less ripe ones tbh bc i prefer tart things to super sweet) at the same time, and sorta pops in your mouth a little bit when you chew it. Honestly its one of my favorite fruits i would highly recommend them if you can find em anywhere!!!!

My resolution this year is a bit silly but i wanted to go for a very fun easy one, so its to use every sticker i own this year :] ive already started by putting a few on the creeper minifridge that my roomie got me for xmas 😂😂😂😂😂😂 and i have some scrapbook ideas as well to use my fancier ones that my friends have gotten me!!!! Also you are so valid about the writing-- tbh if you wrote more than expected then it sounds like you succeeded instead of failed, so thats awesome!!! :DDD

I hope you're doing well on your travels, sun anon!! And when the time comes may your flight back to Australia be as peaceful and pleasant as the one you experienced when you left it :]

[lilgraceandi]

Some updates

Lim Wu came back on 13thApril,23 but he, Wan-Yu and Eliana were all unwell. We didn’t think much about it, but it turned they had Covid-19 and unfortunately transmitted it to Ma. Leslie, Grace and I visited them on Friday 14thApril at night and went home on Saturday evening but we were unaffected. Ma was unwell on Saturday and Sunday, then tested positive on Monday. Thankfully she has fully recovered but she suffered a great deal, with flu, a terrible phlegmy cough and hoarse voice.

Eliana was a bundle of joy and Grace couldn’t wait to play with her. We all took turns to carry and feed her. She’s quite an easy baby and lets anyone carries her. She has only two teeth so far, but Wan-Yu lets her experiment with different kinds of food, like ladies’ fingers, chai sim and corn. She likes rice crackers and blueberry puffs but the coconut ones were too hard for her. Unfortunately, she’s got eczema and it flares up easily, so throughout their stay Lim Wu and Wan-Yu had to ensure that she was always cool and clean. We had to make sure we had clean hands before we carried her.

I was so glad to have a few days break during Hari Raya but it was a busy one. First, because we didn’t know Lim Wu was coming back, we had already booked a night in KL from Friday to Saturday. We spent it with Edwin and Ee Chin and also Choon Lai, whom Leslie had not met for over ten years. His 11-year-old son has leukemia (ALL) so they all wanted to encourage him. We had wanted to visit Lim Wu and family on Thursday but because Ma had Covid, we didn’t. Biow Huei came back though, but was thankfully fine. I think those of us who had it before somehow had a stronger immunity against it.

Then Lilian organised a family trip to Kukup so we all drove there on Sunday and came back on Monday. It was a very long drive to and fro. We basically just ate a lot there and relaxed. No one wanted to visit Tanjung Piai because of the boiling hot weather.

On Tuesday I took leave and we drove to Melaka to spend the day with Ma and Lim Wu and family. Ma had recovered by then and so we had lunch at a restaurant to celebrate Ma’s birthday. Then Lim Wu and family flew to Bali on Friday.

And that was last week! On 1stMay, we drove up to Melaka again. We cleared some more stuff in Semabok and found some little treasures, like Biow Huei’s very old ringgit notes no longer in circulation and my birthday cards made between 1988 to 1991 by Lim Wu and Biow Huei. Leslie buried himself in Pa’s old books and brought quite a few back to Muar. I found Pa’s old clothes which either Leslie or Ah Hwa could wear. Then we had lunch at Ma’s condo.

So these past few weeks had flown by just like that. Tomorrow Leslie, Grace and I hope to have a restful day at home, but knowing her, we would probably go out somewhere.

[beautiful-world-travel]

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a city filled with adventures and attractions that will leave you in awe. From modern skyscrapers and luxurious shopping malls to historical buildings and traditional markets, the vibrant city has something to offer for everyone.

Located on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, also known as KL, has a tropical rainforest climate, meaning it is hot and humid year-round. However, the city's top-notch transport system, including rail and bus networks, makes it easy to get around and explore the city.

One of Kuala Lumpur's iconic landmarks is the Petronas Twin Towers. Standing at 1,482 feet, it is currently the tallest twin tower in the world. The towers house offices, a shopping mall, and observation decks where tourists can enjoy breathtaking views of the city from the top of the towers.

If you're looking for a unique shopping experience, Bukit Bintang is the place to be. The area has an array of malls, including Starhill Gallery, Pavilion KL, and Berjaya Times Square, which cater to the needs of tourists and locals alike. The malls offer high-end luxury brands such as Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton and popular brands such as Nike, Adidas, and H&M.

For a taste of Kuala Lumpur's history, Chinatown is the perfect destination. Located in Petaling Street, the area is known for traditional Chinese shops, night markets, and street foods. It is fascinating to observe the lively street vendors and the multicultural diversity the area has to offer.

One of the most visited attractions in Kuala Lumpur is the Batu Caves. The Batu Caves are a series of limestone caves that are more than 400 million years old. The caves are home to numerous Hindu shrines and statues, making it a significant pilgrimage site for devotees during the Thaipusam Festival. The 272 steps leading up to the caves may be strenuous, but the beautiful surroundings make it worth the climb.

For those interested in the diversity of the Malay culture, a visit to the Islamic Arts Museum is recommended. The museum has over 7,000 artifacts and exhibits showcasing Islamic art from various regions such as Calligraphy, Qur'anic Manuscripts, Textiles, Ceramics, and Jewellery. The museum is located near the beautiful Lake Gardens and Perdana Botanical Garden, which are perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Another popular tourist attraction is the KL Tower, which is a telecommunications tower and also used for observation. Standing at 1,381 feet, the tower has a revolving restaurant, which provides beautiful panoramic views of the city. On the upper deck, adrenaline junkies can try out the Skybox, which is a glass box that extends out of the tower, giving the illusion of walking on air.

Kuala Lumpur also has many green spaces, including the Lake Gardens or Taman Tasik Perdana. Spanning 370 acres, the park is Kuala Lumpur's oldest and largest park. The park has beautiful gardens, walking tracks, a butterfly park, a bird park, and a deer park.

Merdeka Square, also known as Dataran Merdeka, is a historic site in the center of Kuala Lumpur. The square is surrounded by significant landmarks such as the Sultan Abdul Samad building and the National History Museum. The surrounding buildings are beautiful and are prime examples of Moghul architecture, transported to the tropics.

If you're into science and technology, the Petrosains Discovery Center is worth a visit. The petrosains museum, located in the Suria KLCC shopping center, is both educational and fun. The museum has over 7,000 interactive exhibits on display, covering a wide range of science and technology topics.

Food is a significant part of the Malay culture, and Kuala Lumpur showcases a blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cuisine. Indian food is particularly popular in Little India along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, but one must try a traditional Malay meal of Nasi Lemak, which is rice cooked in coconut milk and served with fried chicken, peanuts, and sambal. For an informal dining experience, head over to Seksyen 17, Petaling Jaya, where you will find a row of stalls selling hawker-style dishes such as Roti Canai, Char Kuey Teow, and Hokkien Mee.

Kuala Lumpur offers a range of accommodation options for visitors, from luxurious hotels to budget hostels, to the more unconventional Airbnbs. For those seeking something more luxurious, the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur and the Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur are excellent options. For a more economical stay, the PODs Backpackers, Reggae Mansion, and Central Market Rest House are excellent choices.

Kuala Lumpur has a busy nightlife scene, with many bars and clubs to choose from. The city's nightlife is diverse and ranges from trendy rooftop bars to live music venues. Bangsar and Changkat Bukit Bintang are both popular areas for nightlife enthusiasts.

[midnightlie]

Lance mirrors Keith's movement. "The lion switch?" Keith takes a few steps back. "Yes. Look Lance if you want some space I can g-" "You know for me it was after you gave me the red bayard." Lance blurts out. His face is flushed and he is trying /very/ hard to not look at Keith. Without thinking, because /dammit Lance has that effect on him he says "Why?" He still gets embarassed at the memory. How awkward he was trying to give Lance a pep talk, how his true feelings almost slipped. -🥥🍓

Lance laughs nervously, wringing his hands together. “Why?” Keith tracks the bob of his Adam’s apple as he swallows, still avoiding Keith’s gaze. “You were so–so earnest a-and it was the first time you ever let me see past your walls. I felt irreplaceable, and not–not because you were comforting me or whatever, but because–because it was you.”

“You are,” Keith tells him as his heart pounds against his ribcage like it’s a boxer and he’s a punching bag, over and over and over. “To me, you are.” You’re everything, he wants to say and then he remembers that there’s no reason to hold back anymore, so he says it. “You’re everything.”

[lagycart]

siew tin’s nyonya kitchen, melaka.

was at melaka for a few days for a short vacation, it’s been so long since my last visit, maybe 3 years or so... so for the first night, wanted to get dinner near jonker walk and visit the night market after. this wasn’t the initial restaurant we wanted to go, but the other one was packed, and we just found this place by chance.

ordered fish with coconut milk and pineapple, peranakan chicken curry, nyonya mixed vegetables to share, with grass jelly drink and butterfly pea flower rice. the dishes was served quite quickly even though the restaurant is pretty packed too. food presentation wise, all the dishes looks pretty appetizing.

the fish dish has an appetizing sauce, it is slightly sweet, slightly fruity and flavorful, goes well with rice. fish itself was too soft though, felt like it was cooked too long. curry chicken was bad though, as it was served to us cold, and after that they microwaved the dish, hence the chicken became really really dry, was quite disappointed. mixed vegetables was okay, the best among the three dishes in my opinion.

the meal was pretty pricey, given such food quality, we don’t feel that it was worth it at all. the price is comparable to restaurants in kl, could be even more expensive actually, so this is definitely a touristy restaurant. it seems that this place have opened for a long time, hence i’m not sure why the food quality is bad, i definitely expected more. i wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone as there’s definitely better options in the area.

[victoriasnails]

Is anyone tired of neons yet? Cuz I'm definitely not! Inspired by @nailsbymagudarenaa

Used in this mani:

KL Polish - Coconut Milk

ILNP - Playlist, Bottoms Up

Maniology - Straight Up Black

Glisten & Glow Topcoat

Stamping Plates: Fall In Love Collection 07 & Explorer Collection 33 from @moyou_london

[southeastasianists]

Iban man gives Barbie a Borneo makeover

Wesley Anak Juntan, better known as Wesley Hilton on social media, is an Iban descendant from Sarawak, Malaysia, who dresses Barbie and Ken dolls in traditional Borneo attire.

A flight attendant by trade, the 33-year-old started dressing Mattel’s most popular doll in intricate, traditional Borneo outfits to honor the gawai (harvest) festival in East Malaysia which falls annually on June 1.

The Borneo area in Southeast Asia refers to the third largest island in the world, which covers the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak,  as well as Indonesia’s Kalimantan and Brunei.

Due to the national pandemic lockdown, Wesley was among many Malaysians who couldn’t go home for gawai celebrations. So, he decided to celebrate it in his own way.

“Since we’re not allowed to go home for the celebration this year, I thought it would be a great idea if I made an Iban-inspired doll,” he told Coconuts KL in an interview.

His well-dressed dolls feature highly elaborate headdresses and painstakingly beaded dresses, complete with little traditional accessories like earrings and bangles.

“After I posted the first traditional costume on social media, I received a lot of comments and requests to create more looks with different Borneo ethnicities, and that’s when it all started,” he said.

[jacculents]

Is it true that the succulents we purchase in nursery and online shop all came from cameron highland therefore we need to repot them with our own soil mix for the KL climate? I want to repot the succs I just bought with the 50%< inorganic mixture but I'm also hesitant about it like what if they're better off in the pot that they came with? Some of them have aerial roots too and the top soil is still wet after two days. Is it better to let them stay in the original pot?

Hmmm true or not that's very hard to say, because everyone's truth is a little different. What does/ doesn't work for me might not work for you and vice versa!

I do know that most of the succulents out there are grown from cameron highlands, and a small percentage from JB. You can tell that the soil from CH is mostly just peat moss/ coconut peat/ some perlite (sometimes none at all)/ river sand, and using just these soil won't do you good in KL because of the lack of drainage. It's different in CH because it's cold up there and drainage is less necessary. Plus they are cheap and readily available, using expensive soil like pumice is just not feasible.

I usually recommend letting them be in the pot that they came with for a while before you repot them. At least a month or so. Only repot when they're stable. Aerial roots are often mean damaged roots or in better cases just an issue of high humidity.

Again, other growers might suggest otherwise!

[ddrayan]

Covid times in KL

A couple of weeks ago, I jumped on the COVID-19 train.

How did I get it? It could have been from the dinner I had in a well-known Shopping Centre, happy hour with my friends or even the Hospital visits that I had gone to accompanying family. But nope! I actually contracted it from a friend’s home and obviously, nobody in the household knew that they were infected until one of them unsuspectingly needed to get a test done as a requirement for a medical scan. Within 3 hours, the entire household and I got tested and within 20 hours, got our results which came back positive. 6 members of their family in PJ and I was by myself in OKR. These are some of the fun facts about handling COVID-19.

 1.       How do you know if you have COVID-19?

Unless you’re symptomatic, you really won’t know! I was Asymptomatic when I got tested and the only reason I got tested was because I was in close contact with someone who was also Asymptomatic but later got tested positive.

FUN FACT: Wear your mask and sanitize regularly because you don’t know what the next person’s got and worst of all, you don’t know what you’ve got till you get tested. So stop coughing & sneezing openly, even if you’re around family at the comfort of your own home or room.

 2.       Do you stay Asymptomatic throughout?

Different people react differently.  I was Asymptomatic when I tested, but on Day 4 (Calculated Day 1 as the day I got tested) I developed a mild Flu. It was barely runny but naturally I was starting to panic. This followed through with a very mild fever (37.5). Thanks to a good friend who was a Doctor, she dropped off all the necessary Flu – Fever Meds as well as Cough Syrup as a preemptive measure. I took them and the flu and fever died down the next day with a little bit of sniffles still playing up for two days.

FUN FACT: The close contact who tested positive was also technically a high risk older person but did not show any symptoms for 14 days except for loss of taste which lasted for 2-3 days.

 3.       What are the tell-tale symptoms of COVID-19?

So far, everyone that I have known to have been infected has had different variations of the symptoms. As for me, I was good till Day 4. There was mild fever and flu that was gone by Day 6 thanks to the flu + fever + cough medicines I diligently took. Then I just felt tired/lazy. Day 7 hit hard with light headedness which kept me in bed with a sudden bout of body ache. It felt like I had fought King Kong the day before and someone injected me with some super drowsy concoction. I also realized I couldn’t take deep breathes as I usually would. It felt like my chest was weakening. This spilled over to Day 8 with a visit from a very special friend, “Diarrhea”. I was lucky enough to only have endured its visit for half a day thanks to good ol’ Black Tea (Teh O’) and the massive fresh coconuts sent by a dear friend! All I remember is just sleeping through the rest of Day 8 up to Day 10. I was feeling very, very tired and lethargic. Once Day 11 hit, I was starting to feel better again, maybe still tired and needed to gain my strength back but the body ache was gone.

FUN FACT: Most of my symptoms developed after Day 4  and peaked on Day 6-9. After I recovered from the flu on Day 6, I lost of sense of smell and taste for about  3-4 days. A good friend sent me an Essential Oil with Peppermint, Eucalyptus and Lavender among others to help with the blocked nose and sleep. I do feel like inhaling it everyday helped gain back my sense of taste and smell fast!

4.       Did KKM/PKD contact you?

Okay. This is the fun part! If I got 10 bucks every time someone asked me this question throughout the 14 days, I would have made a thousand bucks easy! So let me run you through what happened to me and please note that every COVID-19 patient would have differing stories. When I got tested, I was asymptomatic so I had gone home immediately and quarantined myself while waiting for the results to come out the next day. I had done my test at a private hospital in PJ and the doctor called me at 10.40 am the next day to inform me. Firstly, he seemed like he was laughing in a bit of a disbelief that I and the other 6 had tested positive. He then asked if I had any symptoms and thereafter acknowledged that I was Asymptomatic as of that moment. He said that I should take a lot of Vitamin C and quarantine myself at home for 14 days. If I had difficulty breathing then to call an Ambulance but otherwise, I should stay calm and PKD will be contacting me within 2-4 days to let me know what’s next as they’re overwhelmed with cases at the moment. So, that was Day 1. I didn’t get a single call from anyone till I called PKD HQ and was given the number to PKD Lembah Pantai on Day 13.

FUN FACT: I called various PKD numbers throughout my quarantine period and nobody answered. No body called me for contact tracing till I was cleared. Someone called me on Day 18 to ask if I had informed my contacts and for some weird reason, kept asking how did I get food sent to me rather than requesting for a full list of my location etc.

 5.       How to get my Letter of Release from KKM?

I kept stalking PKD Lembah Pantai with calls and messages on Day 14 till they gave me an appointment at Klinik Kesihatan Tanglin in Bukit Aman. I was told to come in on Day 15 at 9am. It was a queue of about 20 people or so before me, all appropriately distanced, masked and sanitized (I hope). They got everyone to go in 5 pax at a time to collect our letters. Everyone in front of me didn’t have a band on the wrist either. There was no way to tell we were COVID-19 patients really. There was a doctor who had our release slips with pre-printed stickers of our name and IC number stuck on it. It was quick and a frighteningly easy process. She asked for my name and which date I had tested positive. Then asked if I have any symptoms and took my word for it and signed off and stamped a very questionable hand written paper. That was it. I was clear and could be out and about but not before she warned me that I could always get it again so please mask up and sanitize as if your life depends on it!

FUN FACT: I was in and out within 30 minutes. The nurse had said that no walk-ins were allowed and you can only collect your release letter if you’ve been given an appointment. The new rule is to let you out of quarantine after Day 10 as they consider you to not be infectious anymore. No testing was done.

 6.       How to be a responsible COVID-19 patient?

ü  DO YOUR OWN CONTACT TRACING. Write down a list of all your whereabouts for the last 10 days and people you have met. Let them know even if you’re sure that you only got infected after meeting  them. You can never tell the origins of the infection so accurately when it comes to this virus and it’s your responsibility to tell them. Most of my contacts thankfully did a test themselves and came out negative and the rest continued to stay home under quarantine as well just in case.

ü  If you’re staying in a Condo, let your management know so that they can arrange for the appropriate sanitization of the area.

ü  Get your food/groceries/essentials delivered to your door step and when you’re putting your rubbish out, ensure you sanitize the bin and bag so that it’s safe for those who carry your trash out. My condo management was exceptional and the guards dropped off my items at my doorstep until I was cleared by KKM.

ü  Get someone to drop off your essential medicines so that you’re covered for 14 days.

ü  Do your own temperature reading daily and take notes on your symptoms so that if it becomes worse and you call 911, you have a proper history to give them. I had my best friend send me a goodie bag of vitamins, Dettol sprays and thermometer and trust me, I have never been more thankful!

ü  Spray your room and bathroom every morning and evening especially your beds. I sprayed my bathroom every time I used it and that’s probably me just being OCD.

ü  If you’re in a shared space, wear a mask at all times and don’t share your meals or drinks and utensils with others.

ü  Take your Vitamin C like your life depends on it and fresh fruit/vege juices really help! I had amazing friends who sent me immune boosters/daily fresh juices/homecooked meals and to be honest, they all just helped me mentally and physically because it can be really hard being all alone without human touch for 14 days straight. No amount of Netflix and chill will make it better so having a good support system to check in on you is just as important.

ü  Once you’re out of quarantine, sanitize your entire home/room. Sanitize and wash your sheets and clothes.

Disclaimer: As you can see, I had a very good support system around me and I was also blessed to not have severe symptoms. This may not be the case for most people so don’t be afraid to ask for help or call 999 in case of an emergency. Please don’t wait till it becomes worse.

This is also in no way a jibe to our Healthcare Workers but instead one to our government. I can’t blame PKD or KKM entirely for delays and lack of enthusiasm on their part because lets face it, they are OVERWHELMED. How did we NOT see this coming? We were doing so well and then the elections in Sabah happened and wham bam! The flood gates were opened. What measures did the government take to ensure our healthcare team had a good support system? Did they bother to employ more Admin Staffs to cope with the rise of the COVID-19 cases? Could they have had a Call Centre set up for this purposes only? Could the MySejahtera app been done better? Only 2 weeks ago did they finally allow those with cases to report via the app. This is the 21st century where I can get my food delivered to me with one single app and yet I cannot believe that we have not invested enough into our healthcare system. You’re overworking the front liner’s who are in turn burning out and probably don’t have a choice but to find the fastest way to do the job. In turn, an irresponsible person who has been tested positive and hasn’t gotten a call from PKD and doesn’t have a band either to show for it will be out and about infecting others and wa-laa! We can be hitting the sweet 5k spot soon with or without MCO. So please get off your high horses and put your politics aside to fix this for the love of Nasi Lemak and Dim Sum!

[rawchefyin]

CENTER OF PLATE, LESSON 5: LAYERED VEGETABLE ROULADE 🥕💚😃😋🌟 🥕My submission to @foodfutureinstitute “I loved the flavours! Had to make substitutions as I can’t get a lot of the ingredients here in KL… I used beetroot instead of purple carrot. Shiitake mushrooms instead of button mushrooms. Leek instead of fennel. It took me quite a long time to understand the instructions...I must have read it 5 times to understand it. Can you please do a video of it so I know whether I assembled it correctly? How do I get the roll tight? Mine is not tight at all…Thank you!” 🌟INSTRUCTOR FEEDBACK 🌟 “This recipe requires some good rolling techniques and lots of patience. The key to this one is to be sure that all the slices are as thin as possible to allow them to adhere to each other making it easier to make a tight roll. Also to allow the cylinder to freeze slightly before cutting as the vegetables are best cut when cold. I feel that your roll could have been a bit tighter or cold which would have made the cuts more round. This being said the layering in your roulade looks just right and the variation of vegetables you used were great. This one might be a good igtv video for me to do. Great work as always chef!” 🙏🙏🙏Thank you FFI team! Wanted to all take this opportunity to say hello to my fellow coursemates 👋👋👋: @cheferiksrq @kleansweets . . . For the puree, I used: leek + garlic + water + @marylebonegroup coconut oil spread. SAVINGS!! For those in 🇸🇬, use my discount code CHEFYIN for savings when you order online. For my 🇲🇾friends, use the barcode to enjoy discounts at @justfruits_ #vegetableroulade #roulade #ffi #rcyffi #vegan #vegandining #veganfinedining #veganchef #vegandishes Microgreens from @thefarmasia - have you taken part in this week's Giveaway to win free microgreens? Go here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDlQxcrpO7b/ (at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDpTTZ4heo0/?igshid=1yda8nkruyc

[gourmandise-and-co]

COMPLETELY NUTS! @kevin_lacote is clearly one of the most talented Parisian pastry chefs. His cakes are always on point, precise, decadent enough to give you a satisfying sensation, and perfectly balanced. This macadamia & coconut tart is a great example of his work, many layers and textures, a caramel finish, and the fantastic work on the dough is exquisite. #foodie #pastry #patisserie #pastryshop #frenchfood #frenchpastry #gateau #cake #cakesofinstagram #parisianfood #parisfood #iloveparis #lefooding #caramel #tart #pie #coconut (at KL Pâtisserie Paris) https://www.instagram.com/p/CC-cFrUHnoB/?igshid=hubufjdkkwyh

[xoxo-glass-slipperprincess]

Mani of the Moment...I picked mint for @mellybean_7's birthday! 💜🎁🎉🎂🎉🎁💜 Products used: @colourpopcosmetics Dust A Dream @fancygloss Seaweed Sprinter @sweetandsourlacquer topcoat KL Polish Coconut Milk . . . . #notd #cnlc #michellemealey #nailoftheday #nailsoftheday #colourpopcosmetics #polkadotnails #mintnails #fancygloss #nailitdaily #katheleenlights #klpolish #lightslacquer #nailswatch #fckyeahnailart #weloveyournailart #nailedit #nails2inspire #lacquerlovers #nailartwow #nailsofinstagram #sweetandsourlacquer #luvnailpolish #nailpromote #supportindiepolish #rockyournails #fortheloveofindies #indieswatch #nailstagram #indiepolish411 https://www.instagram.com/p/B_5zGtej24B/?igshid=1aftj45kbri86

[theacamedic]

2, 4, 5

Ques 2. Where did you grow up?

A: I was born and raised in KL, Malaysia. 

Ques 4. What’s your favourite drink? 

A: Lemonade (yea, I just love sour-y, refresh-y drinks) 

Ques 5. What’s your go-to coffee order? 

Iced Hazelnut Latte (I usually get with regular milk, but sometimes I like to switch it up and get with soy/coconut/almond milk)