Foot and Fire

  Here are the videos and representative photos of the two university friends whom I thought rared to taste my cooking last December 2018 that they traveled from faraway but only to end up cooking heavily FOR ME, making 2018 as my year with the longest running birthday celebration. Ohlalalala! Thank you my friends. The Gal came all the way from Malaysia while The Guy came from China. All had their interests set on the table. The Tapalan (Chopping Board) Wars began. The Tasters are my mom, two university friends and my sister plus my two Demi-Korean friends in the evening. Dreams do come true for us for being able to convene and cook and heartily eat!!!

I believe almost all visitors of Kuala Lumpur won't miss Batu Cave, next to the Petronas Twin Towers. I was doubly excited to visit this karst-formed Batu Caves when it was featured as a photographic location of the 2014 Asia's Next Top Model (By the way, the Malaysian won and her two runners-up are both Filipinos). This is a Hindu temple first and a tourist attraction next. But contrary to my high expectations, I was dismayed by the dirty stairs and floors. While I know that caves are supposed to be bat-inhabited and dim and unswept, at least I expected Batu Cave to be clean and well-lit given the temple and shrines in the interior of the cave. In the ANTM episode, I saw a newly-painted, well-lit and decently clean stairs, so I had these in my mind. At any rate, this did not stop me from climbing the Temple or Cathedral Cave.  *** But despite its apparent uncleanliness (good thing, we need not remove our shoes), further readings on this religious site silenc...

Because some of the girls were able to go to Genting Highlands, a popular go-to place in Malaysia, we all opted for Colmar Tropicale of Berjaya Hills located in Bukit Tinggi, a 45-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur. According to the resort's website , opened in year 2000, Colmar Tropicale was modelled after 16th century Colmar town, north east of Alsace, France, also incorporating architectural designs and elements from ancient surrounding villages of Riquewihr, Turckheim and Kaysersberg. The realization of this French themed village derived from the wish list of the Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, who upon his visit to the region of Alsace were so impressed, that it inspired Tan Sri Vincent Tan, the founder of Berjaya Corporation Berhad to replicate the actual Colmar town in Malaysia. The resort comprised of 235 rooms and suites, offers 8 food & beverage outlets / lounges with food variety ranging from local & international cuisine ...

Evidently, Philippines and Malaysia are neighbors because of some of the common flowers that are showcased in the Berjaya Hills Botanical Garden. Given the high altitude, the coolness of the forest is enticing and it feels good to be lost in the lush green environment. *** *** *** This is the plant used as tea. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** The world's first Japanese Tea House in the Tropical Forest. *** *** ***

*** Not exactly as picturesque as old churches in the Philippines, St. Anthony Church is a modern church painted in cool pastel pink said to be established after many Indians in Kuala Lumpur started to be converted as Roman Catholics in the late 19th century. They have sermons in English and Tamil. This Church has a pretty updated website too.  *** *** *** *** *** *** Since we stayed at  Jalan Pudu Street, my solemate and dedicated churchgoer Arlene and I traced the street only to realize that our hotel is on one end and this street called Jalan Robertson is on the opposite end of Jalan Pudu. This Jalan Robertson is a short street with the Church as dead end. There are many constructions around the church when we were there this April 2014, which might keep the church out of sight by the time you are looking for this church. Well, my tip is, just look for Jalan Pudu which has a train station... ***