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KLCC Travel n Shopping Paradise

Living the good life in KLCC

Jeremy's World

...................FUSION of FOOD, SHOPPING, TRAVEL, PEOPLE and LIFESTYLE............

Almost everyone loves sushi. It's an imported cultural cuisine from oriental Japan, the land of the rising sun. The popularity of this exotic and yet mystical delight can be found in almost any country. In Malaysia, as far as I can recall, sushi became popular about 20 odd years ago. Now you can find restaurants selling sushi almost everywhere, from hotels to local restaurants and even food courts. Travel to any country and you won't fail to find a sushi outlet. Sushi recipes are churning out even in family recipes.

When you have travelled so far to Kuala Lumpur and the KLCC, you may not think so much of a oriental Japanese dinner. More to your liking, you maybe trying out local dishes instead. But if you ever have a sudden craze for an authentic Japanese food, head on to Starhill and the J.W. Marriot hotel in downtown Jalan Bukit Bintang. There is a restaurant called the Jogoya which serves real authentic Japanese food, more specifically, sushi. It cost merely $25 per person for a sumptuous buffet dinner. Be prepared though, this is no ordinary buffet. Make very sure you have skipped breakfast, lunch and dinner. This place is full of gorgeous, delightful, mouth watering, most appetising and wonderful display of sushi, sushi, sushi and more sushi you can ever find anywhere!. It has the most variety of Japanese food I have ever seen. Lobsters, fresh scallops, fresh oysters, prawns, young coconut drinks, hundreds of sushi types, mushrooms, dim sums, vegetables, cakes, ice creams and not to be missed, capuchinos and also tea!

Eat what you want, drink what you want, it's all in the $25 you have paid prior to entering Jogoya. It truly is an oriental food haven. I mean, look at the food dishes they have, you just want to try them all! Some dishes requires you take a number clip whereby when it's cooked, they will bring it along to your table. These are mainly soups with vegetables and seafood or mushrooms. Others you just stood there while they prepare the dishes for you. Unlike many buffets I have seen, they keep replacing the items the minute one dish is empty.



Just take a look at what you can find at Jogoya in the slide show, and you will have a pretty good idea what I mean. The food is excellent bar none and the atmosphere is quite "romantic". It's a shame it's not Valentine's day. Nevertheless, everyday can be Valentine's day at Jogoya.



Calling all seafood fans!
seafood
Join me on myLot! Discuss seafood and make a little money while you're at it.

If one were to travel to Kuala Lumpur, one may not realise that Kuala Lumpur has many areas of local interests besides the KLCC Twin Towers and the Kuala Lumpur Tower. These are the places most frequented by locals either for just a day trip or a weekend picnic with the kids. These are ideal destinations for any travellers to Kuala Lumpur to experience at first hand what Kuala Lumpur is all about. These are also the areas whereby any avid photographer would be very happy to click away his shutters on his cameras to capture the beauty and the diversity of its cultures. From the hustle and bustle of Petaling Street to the tranquil and serene environment of Lake Tittiwangsa, overlooking the gigantic Millennium Wheel.

If one were lucky enough to stay at one of the hotels populating the Chinatown area of Kuala Lumpur, one would be able to savour the multitude of cuisines that Chinatown offers. Malaysians from all walks of life have tried the variety of foods in abundance here. From "Dim Sums" to roast ducks, from potato crisps to butter cookies, you name it,they are everywhere. Here too, one should not miss the opportunity to browse through one or more shops for that little "something" may not be available elsewhere. But more surprises are in store to tourist travelling to this remote side of the orient.

Evenings are meant for casual strolls; but it's a different story in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown. Every evening this area transforms into a night market which sells anything from watches to Gucci bags. Fancy some Hard Rock cafe T-shirts? Or perhaps a Rolex watch? Yes, you can get it all here. Maybe you prefer to try some authentic chinese food? Or a drink at a pub to quench your thirst? You will not leave Petaling Street, the more popular name for this Chinatown, without buying something, I assure you! It is a delight just to visit Petaling Street.

The latest addition to the shoppers in the KLCC area besides the Suria KLCC is the Pavilion. Travellers and local tourist were keen to check out what Pavilion has to offer. If you are into designer labels, then you will like this place. Vast contrast to the other shopping malls and complexes is that you don't find small local shop outlets. Shopping carts and stalls associated with other malls are standard features in most malls. But here I don't see any. Is it a rule they are prohibited or it's too early that cart stall owners have yet to set up shop here?


Burberry



BOSS

Branded labels of big names like Mont Blanc, Burberry, Canali, Club Monaco,Gucci, Boss, Hermes and numerous others have already open their doors.


GUCCI

In this recession period would all these designer labels do well? But travellers and locals seem to browse the merchandise, rather then doing an actual purchase. This new shopping mall have all famous brands you can ever find. Obviously they are targeting a niche market. You can tell locals who are "loaded" with cash when you see one. A quick glance at all the visitors, I cannot pin-point a prospective rich client. I would say they come under a category called "curious visitors", it would more appropriate.

The Foyer.
The overall design and architecture is mesmerising. It's unique, it's different and it's very well decorated and done up. If this mall were to be in say, London or Paris, it would be a big hit. As it is now, the Pavilion may be too "posh" for local taste. I enjoyed myself immensely at the lobby area, not to mention the food court. Might be a bit up market, but I loved it.


Would I be back? Definitely, not to look for designer labels, but to check out new additions to the food courts! Somehow I do not belong to the "upper middle class" anyway. I am more of a "pasar malam" bargain hunter.

Fancy a weekend getaway and travel to a remote island with fine sandy beaches and deep blue seas? Pulau Redang may just be the place you need to visit. A budget traveller's choice, Pulau Redang has everything a person needs to relax and bask in the tropical sun, lazing and do nothing else. If studying marine life is your forte, go snorkeling and watch in real life what National Geographic has been showing you all this while.


Pulau Redang slide show.
The best way to get to Pulau Redang is travel by air to Kuala Trengannu. From there they have ferry service to take you to Pulau Redang. At the same time, enjoy the scenic beauty of open sea and the little uninhibited islands as your ferry passes by. Pulau Redang is about 45 km off Kuala Trengannu coast. It is the largest in the archipelago of islands which als includes Pulau Ekor, Pulau Pinang, Pulau Bidond, Pulau Tengah, Pulau Paku Besar and Pulau Lima.
The green turtle and the Hawksbill turtle has their breeding grounds in the sandy beaches of Pulau Redang. There is a protected Marine Park in Pulau Redang where one can snorkel and observe the marine creatures in their natural habitat. There is a in-house photographer on site to take photographs while colourful marine fishes both large and small swam around you with their curious eyes. It is a sight to behold! One of the guides took a huge sea cucumber from the coral reef and showed it to us. It was almost 3 feet long!
The marine life in the park are protected under the law. You can take photos, go snorkeling, or even touch the the corals and the fishes, but you must take any away. There is a hefty fine of $3000 if you remove any marine life including the corals away from their habitat.
It is advisable to bring enough cash for I did not see any atm machines around. Most things are a little more expensive here compare to other areas of Malaysia, maybe because of it's remoteness.
Pulau Redang has one of the finest and unspoilt beaches I have ever come across. The water is crystal clear and you can practically see the fishes swimming away. There are several chalets, inns and budget hotels in Pulau Redang. If you are a budget traveller, these inexpensive inns are just perfect for a tranquil and relaxing weekend getaway. You can even get a package for a 3 days 2 nights accomodation which includes snorkelling at the marine park for only $85.00.