Malacca travel - Jonker Street 
Continuing on another of our holidays to Malaysia, this time we decided to go on a Kuala Lumpur vacation since we had bought the Federal Hotels International (FHI) Privilege Club membership last year and it came with two complimentary night stay certificates at any of the Kuala Lumpur accommodation under the FHI group. If you are looking for cheap holidays, Malaysia has lots to offer depending on what you are looking for. From lovely beaches and sea sports to jungle trekking and mountain climbing. From eco tours, and homestays to Malaysia shopping and various other Malaysia attractions including tropical fruit farms and animal farms.
We started off at 0600 hrs and went by Woodlands Causeway and was caught in a twenty minute queue at the Singapore immigration. However we managed to clear both sides of the customs and immigration by 0645 hrs, not too bad for a Saturday morning. We tried going by the old road instead of the North South expressway and realized that there was no toll. However, we made an exit to the North South highway at Skudai and stopped over in Kulai for breakfast.
Toll from Skudai to Kulai – RM1.8 (USD0.51)
We stopped by a row of shophouses on the sleepy Saturday morning and ordered the roti canai which is sometimes known as the ‘flying bread’ due to the tossing and spinning by which it is made @ RM0.80 (USD0.23). This was served straight from the pan and was nice, hot and crispy. Not only was it served with the usual curry, it even came with some extra chilli to spice things up.
Row of shophouses
The roti canai stall
Row of shophousesThe roti canai stall
Roti canai with the usual curry and some extra chilliAs we were still early, we decided to include some Malacca travel into this Malaysia trip. Thus, we took the exit to Malacca.
Toll from Kulai to Malacca – RM23.1 (USD6.55)
Malacca travel
We made our way towards Jonker Street and parked at the public carpark just opposite the Church of St Francis Xavier at 1115 hrs. Parking charges cost RM2 (USD0.57) per entry. We felt that this was more convenient than the coupon parking along the roads as you will most likely find a parking lot here and do not have to worry about the number of coupons you would require. At the same time, you do not need to worry about your timing as you are covered for the whole day and can shop and eat to your heart’s content without any concern that your parking coupon will run out.
We made a stop at San Shu Gong, one of the more well known Malaysia product manufacturers of local biscuits at the corner of Jonker Street. This is now their main branch having just opened at this location at the beginning of this year. Address:- 33 Lorong Hang Jebat.
San Shu Gong - well known Malaysian product manufacturer
Their be-the-so biscuits, crispy pastry with filling of molasses, is one of the best biscuits served during tea time long long ago. Due to its complicated process of baking in the handmade clay oven, it has been slowly discontinued from making it a speciality in the modern days. As such, they are very popular and get sold out pretty frequently as supplies are limited since it takes a lot of time to be baked. The biscuits have to be individually placed in the handmade clay oven at the sides, similar to the way naan is made. A bag of 9 pieces costs RM10.8 (USD3.06)
Accordingly the San Shu Gong white coffee is getting to be widely accepted by Americans because of the fragrant aroma and taste. It is now on offer with two packets selling for RM23. At the same time, if you are someone who loves real hot and spicy chilli, their 220g bottle of chilli padi sauce at RM5.80 (USD1.65) is for you, being made of 100% chilli padi and not mixed with papaya puree.
Next stop was lunch. Walking past the Restoran Peranakan at 107 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, we decided to have some Straits Chinese cuisine, a unique blend of Chinese and Malay cooking styles. We stopped at this unique Peranakan-decorated restaurant for our afternoon meal. When you enter the restaurant, you would be forgiven if you had thought you had walked into a museum.
Accordingly the San Shu Gong white coffee is getting to be widely accepted by Americans because of the fragrant aroma and taste. It is now on offer with two packets selling for RM23. At the same time, if you are someone who loves real hot and spicy chilli, their 220g bottle of chilli padi sauce at RM5.80 (USD1.65) is for you, being made of 100% chilli padi and not mixed with papaya puree.
Next stop was lunch. Walking past the Restoran Peranakan at 107 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, we decided to have some Straits Chinese cuisine, a unique blend of Chinese and Malay cooking styles. We stopped at this unique Peranakan-decorated restaurant for our afternoon meal. When you enter the restaurant, you would be forgiven if you had thought you had walked into a museum.
A unique wooden menu from the Peranakan RestaurantWe ordered the kangkong belachan (water spinach fried with belachan chilli), beef rending (beef that is slowly cooked in coconut milk and spices for several hours until almost all the liquid is gone) as well as the sup itik tim (duck with salted vegetable soup). Out of the three dishes, we enjoyed the kangkong belachan the most. At RM6 (USD1.7), it was great value for money. The sauce for the beef rending was not too spicy and a little diluted whilst the beef was not too tender. The soup tasted a little odd with lots of what tasted like wine. Combined with the salted vegetables, the combination was a little weird.
Peranakan Restaurant
For dessert, we had the famous Malacca chendol, a coconut based dessert served with red beans and starch noodles with green food colouring under a mountain of shaved ice and a dose of gula Malacca (palm sugar). This was quite good although the portion was a little small. However you get a chance to savour this delectable dessert.
Malaysia facts:- In Malacca, you can find chendol in almost every food stall, having become a quintessential part of the Malacca scene.
Traditional sarong kebaya 
Whilst walking around the area, you can see lots of interesting shops, some with typically Malaysian products and do your shopping. From nonya kuih (cakes), pineapple tarts, chendol, chicken rice ball to sarong kebaya (traditional blouse normally made from sheer material and worn with the sarong), kasut manik (beaded slippers), arts shop, antique shops and museums. A good mix of items can be found here.
One of the museumsAn antique shop 
Pineapple tarts
The exterior of Hokkien Huay Kuan Clan Association
Pineapple tartsNonya kuih 
The exterior of Hokkien Huay Kuan Clan Association
As we walked past the Dutch Square to return to the carpark, we saw a wedding couple taking their wonderful photographs there.
Fountain at Dutch Square
Fountain at Dutch SquareA Memorable Day 
Just opposite the Dutch Square is the Police Station, so you feel safe.
Queue at Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Ball Shop
Sungei Wang Plaza
Lezetto Ice Cream
For a computer related shopping spree, head to Low Yat Plaza where you can find everything on IT, computers and electronics. You can find Parkson department store and Giant hypermarket in Sungei Wang Plaza besides funky and affordable street wear and camera equipment. Adjacent to Sungei Wang Plaza is Bukit Bintang Plaza whose anchor tenant is MetroJaya department store. Lot 10, one of the newer kids on the block, has a mixture of high end and middle level products and Isetan is the anchor tenant here. This area is the heart of the shopping and entertainment district in Kuala Lumpur. Berjaya Times Square, opened less than six years ago, has two hotels and a shopping centre.
You can also find roadside stalls selling various goods such as bags, jewellery, clothes, watches and even food. There are certain places where you can find cheap food although the prices in this area would be a little on the higher side.
Roadside stalls
Just opposite the Dutch Square is the Police Station, so you feel safe.Queue at Chung Wah Chicken Rice Ball Coffee Shop 
Queue at Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Ball ShopWe left Malacca after completing our Malaysia shopping and lunch at approximately 1300 hrs and finally made our way to Kuala Lumpur, our destination for the day. It was smooth traffic all the way and we just followed the instructions of our Garmin global positioning system.
Toll from Malacca – Kuala Lumpur – RM16.5 (USD4.67)
We arrived at our Kuala Lumpur accommodation for the night, The Federal Hotel KL, along Jalan Bukit Bintang at 1530 hrs. After resting awhile and freshening up, we decided to explore the surrounding vicinity which was more like the Orchard Road of Singapore. You can find lots of shopping centres such as Low Yat Plaza, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Sungei Wang Plaza, Lot 10 and Berjaya Times Square amongst others, all within walking distance.
Sungei Wang PlazaLezetto Ice Cream
For a computer related shopping spree, head to Low Yat Plaza where you can find everything on IT, computers and electronics. You can find Parkson department store and Giant hypermarket in Sungei Wang Plaza besides funky and affordable street wear and camera equipment. Adjacent to Sungei Wang Plaza is Bukit Bintang Plaza whose anchor tenant is MetroJaya department store. Lot 10, one of the newer kids on the block, has a mixture of high end and middle level products and Isetan is the anchor tenant here. This area is the heart of the shopping and entertainment district in Kuala Lumpur. Berjaya Times Square, opened less than six years ago, has two hotels and a shopping centre.
You can also find roadside stalls selling various goods such as bags, jewellery, clothes, watches and even food. There are certain places where you can find cheap food although the prices in this area would be a little on the higher side.
Roadside stallsMassage parlour 
Organic food
The new air-conditioned branch of Sek Yuen Restaurant
The speciality here is the 8-treasure duck. You have to make a reservation for this dish one day in advance as it requires a long preparation time due to the fact that it is cooked with 8 types of filling such as gingko, lotus nuts and chestnuts stuffed in the middle of the duck, a little like the stuffing for the Christmas turkey. As we did not make any reservation we missed trying this dish.
Roasted duck
Steamed chicken
Vegetarian style vegetables
We ordered the steamed chicken, roasted duck, egg fried with sharksfin and vegetarian style vegetables. The best item was the roasted duck. IT was done to perfection with a crispy skin and tender well marinated meat. The chicken was slightly over done and you need to eat it with rice or it is a little salty. The egg dish came with lettuce leaves and you place the egg on the bed of lettuce. It made a healthy and refreshing dish. The vegetarian style vegetable dish was a little unique. Taste wise, it was not too bad although slightly starchy.
Hand made swans
Today has been an interesting day as we hit Kulai, Malaca as well as Kuala Lumpur. In all our holidays to Malaysia, this has been the most adventurous. Although we did not visit that many Malaysia attractions, we did manage to include quite a bit of Malaysia shopping. This is also the first time we have stayed in a 4 star Kuala Lumpur accommodation right on Jalan Bukit Bintang. For cheap holidays, Malaysia should be able to give you a run for your money if you know where to go in terms of shopping, attractions as well as accommodation.
Organic foodFoot reflexology 
One very interesting thing to note is the number of shops offering foot reflexology. Some of these shops have combined with massage and even fish spa. As you walk past the row of shophouses along Jalan Bukit Bintang, you will be approached by the masseuses soliciting for business. A thirty minute session for foot reflexology costs approximately RM25 (USD7.08). Foot reflexology has been said to be beneficial in improving general health.
For dinner, our friends brought us to Sek Yuen Restaurant in Jalan Pudu. The original shop is non air-conditioned and has been in operation for the past 50 – 60years. They now have another new branch just next door and this is air-conditioned.
For dinner, our friends brought us to Sek Yuen Restaurant in Jalan Pudu. The original shop is non air-conditioned and has been in operation for the past 50 – 60years. They now have another new branch just next door and this is air-conditioned. 
The new air-conditioned branch of Sek Yuen RestaurantThe speciality here is the 8-treasure duck. You have to make a reservation for this dish one day in advance as it requires a long preparation time due to the fact that it is cooked with 8 types of filling such as gingko, lotus nuts and chestnuts stuffed in the middle of the duck, a little like the stuffing for the Christmas turkey. As we did not make any reservation we missed trying this dish.
Roasted duckSteamed chicken
Vegetarian style vegetablesEgg with sharksfin 
We ordered the steamed chicken, roasted duck, egg fried with sharksfin and vegetarian style vegetables. The best item was the roasted duck. IT was done to perfection with a crispy skin and tender well marinated meat. The chicken was slightly over done and you need to eat it with rice or it is a little salty. The egg dish came with lettuce leaves and you place the egg on the bed of lettuce. It made a healthy and refreshing dish. The vegetarian style vegetable dish was a little unique. Taste wise, it was not too bad although slightly starchy.
After dinner, we dropped by to take a look at our friends' new Passion Cafe. A very warm and cozy place to have some drinks and food and interestingly decorated.
Hand made swans Cafe Passion 
Today has been an interesting day as we hit Kulai, Malaca as well as Kuala Lumpur. In all our holidays to Malaysia, this has been the most adventurous. Although we did not visit that many Malaysia attractions, we did manage to include quite a bit of Malaysia shopping. This is also the first time we have stayed in a 4 star Kuala Lumpur accommodation right on Jalan Bukit Bintang. For cheap holidays, Malaysia should be able to give you a run for your money if you know where to go in terms of shopping, attractions as well as accommodation.
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