As many people often express their envy on my work-from-home situation, I would respond by explaining my lonely hermit-like work schedule. Eventually, one of my friends, Nisachan, invited me to join her to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She was going there to attend a three-day workshop. I didn't need much persuasion, and agreed to join her.
Day 1
I started the trip in the worst-case scenario: I missed the flight! So I booked a flight at 2 pm, because I thought I could finish my work at 11 am. Unfortunately, my work ended a bit later and I arrived at the airport 30 minutes before the flight. I also forgot to do web check in (my bad, I know). This was such a lessons learned: always do web check in!
Anyway, I decided to continue with the travel plan and buy another ticket on the next flight (which was still available, alhamdulillah).
Upon arriving in KL, I took KLIA Ekspress to reach KL Sentral
Learning the intricate transportation network in KL Sentral
Ok, I have made my decision to take LRT and used this blue token to reach my destination
The best thing was it's cheap!
We closed the night with a photo session in front of KLCC Twin Tower.
Day 2
Nisachan went to her workshop and I worked from the hotel room. The Internet speed in the hotel was superb. After work, I went out to have a quick reunion with a friend Ririn Ruby. We used to take yoga class together back in 2005-2006. She married a Malaysian in 2010 and now lives in KL. It was a wonderful meet up after our last meeting in 2013.
Hello from Kuala Lumpur! Thank you for making the time for the meet-up.
Clear elevator and no one around? It's time for shameless selfie shot.
My dinner: Mee Mamak or something. Verdict: I like the Indonesian version of Mie Goreng better
Day 3
Nisachan would depart to one of the beach and check on turtle conservation areas with her office on this day. At first, she thought that I could tag along, because she would have the whole room for herself anyway. But then there was a transportation issue, because it was located quite far and I had to go there on my own. After a lot of thinking, I decided to stay in KL and find a place to stay for one night. After all, she would come back to KL the next day and spent one more night in KL before we flew back home on the fifth day.
When I told Ririn Ruby that I was staying in KL, she said,"Hey, why don't you stay with me?" Wow, sure, with pleasure. So the accommodation was settled. All I needed to do was complete my work before the check out time.
The joy (or is it a curse?) of freelancing is you can bring your work anywhere
The electrical socket in KL has three-leg, but I can still use the two-leg from Indonesia
Nisachan also checked out, but she still had meetings at the hotel before she departed to that beach at night. We bade our temporary goodbye, and left each other to face to our own fate (#drama).
Anyway, Ririn Ruby picked me up at Taman Bahagia LRT station, which is the nearest station from her home. We dropped my bags at her home.
Happy Park. Actually, there was a ramp on the side for people with disabilities.
Then we went to Naelofar to shop some hijabs because our friend requested one hijab made in Malaysia. I ended up buying two hijabs for myself. I should open 'jastip' next time, lol.
The Naelofar outlet in Taman Tun Datuk Ismail (TTDI). Shoes off!
My friend asked me to buy one black Jemima hijab for her. Then I also bought one. This resulted in the cashier girl asking me three time if I was really buying two black Jemima hijab. Maybe they thought I should buy the other one in another color. No, I wanted two black hijabs please.
After all the exciting shopping experience, we went back to Ririn's home. Then she asked if I wanted to watch Avenger: Endgame with her family. Whoa, definitely!
Ririn has two boys, let's call them A1 and A2. They are still below 10 years old, but already act like adult, and it is so refreshing to have conversation with them.
For example:
On how Ririn and I met
A1: Where did you and mom meet?
Me: We took up yoga classes
A1: I didn't remember you at all
Me: Well, it was back in Jakarta. But I did meet you back in 2013, you were still around 2-3 years old, I think
A1: Ohhh
On staying in for the night and leaving the next day
A1: So you stay with us for the night?
Me: Yes, just for one night, though. I will leave tomorrow.
A2: You can stay with us forever (hugs)
A1: Oh yes!
Me: (Is there anyone cutting onion here?)
On sleeping arrangement
A1: Where are you sleeping tonight?
Me: Rrr, we'll see
A1: You can sleep next to my brother and I
Me: (Oh, my heart!)
Before we left for the movie
Ririn: Ok boys, we are going now. Remember, no crying, no whining, no noise and no taking other people's food.
Me: Wait, it happened before? Taking other people's food, I mean.
Ririn: Oh yes, it did. The person just laughed it off, but I was mortified.
Me: Oh your boys are definitely cute.
Anyway, Avenger: Endgame is a three-hour movie. Although Bahasa Indonesia and Melayu share similar roots and words, watching a movie for three hours with subtitle in another language was quite confusing. For your information, movies screened in Malaysia have two subtitles: Melayu and Chinese. "And sometimes there is subtitle in Indian language, too," added Ririn. Oh dear.
Day 4
The next day, I had Nasi Lemak at Village Park Restaurant, which is also nearby Ririn's home. I went here with her and Tika in 2013, so this was a walk down memory lane. In my opinion, it's the best nasi lemak in Malaysia.
The menu and price
I am drooling just looking at that photo. Ohhh, the crispy and yet tender fried chicken, a mix of perfect spices (not too much balacan), along with the rice that is accompanied with anchovies and peanuts, and the sambal (chili paste).
Ririn dropped me off at my hotel in the afternoon. After Nisachan arrived, we went out to have dinner at McDonald's. The next day, we flew back home.
Conclusion: It was a wonderful experience to work in KL for a few days, although I didn't get to see around. I think I would do this again if similar opportunity comes again.
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