Have been kind of constantly feeling the need to get away from work (probably not the best thing, but I think that deserved another post on its own). Got away for a weekend in early July to finally visit MHEH’s baby Ruiyang which kind of helps, but it wasn’t long before I felt the bug again and conveniently, National Day is around the corner. On a Thursday no less, which makes one day leave on Friday an appealing prospect.

But first things first! It’s still pretty amazing to see those two starting a family. Remembering the days when they dated under an umbrella and the days when they Skyped at odd hours. Always very happy for them and it’s incredibly cute to see them carrying a baby around everywhere lolol. Went over with the CVE kakis as usual, took us many months to even get this planned because we never seem to be able to find a common weekend for some reason. Even this particular weekend we kind of forced it through or else we probably have to wait till next year (or in EH’s words, her baby would have started walking/talking by then). Opted for Airbnb this time round to try to minimize disturbances to the new parents, must say it’s quite a deal for the price we paid.

Saturday spent on a day trip to Sekinchan made possible by SoCar! The KL version of Tribecar if you will and it’s cheaper and better woohoo. Newer cars, many locations (ours was parked right in the condo we stayed in with proper lots and all), petrol policy that really suits our road trip. And a cooperative baby does help a lot too heh. And ended the day with my first and only World Cup match not watched alone and it was a seven goal thriller woots.

Headed back to KL again in August, this time a solo trip. Pretty weird destination choice for a solo trip but oh well. Coz the main reason why this trip even happened (aside from the need to get away) was a concert and I figured nobody else is even remotely close to being interested in it anyway. Weekend trip felt rushed so thought I would make it a long weekend then. But airfares are still too expensive so settled for bus instead, which isn’t a bad idea aside from the checkpoint jams which was...borderline tolerable. 

Was there for 3 nights and I actually booked myself 3 different accommodations - boutique, moderate pampering and budget hahahah. The night with concert I figured I just got somewhere close-ish and budget coz I won’t be around much anyway. Didn't go too overboard with the pampering coz there’s still this contradicting voice in my head that is questioning the point of it all. First night boutique accommodation was quite decent though.

Some notes though:

1. Jalan Alor food street is not worth going alone
2. Bukit Bintang area is suprisingly dodgy
3. Thank Buddha for Grab
4. (Malaysians working in Malaysia gonna hate me) Still feels good to be spending ringgit while earning SGD.
5. So many good cafes in KL
6. Watching a concert alone is kind of awkward at first. Doesn’t help that I am not sociable coz definitely got common topics with seat mates. But at least atmosphere is good so nobody cares.
7. Finally acted tourist in KL

Finally, just really glad that I made it to the concert. I got wind of it in May/June I think, the date didn’t look impossible though I did think it’s a bit close to my end Aug trip back home. But I put off buying tickets thinking that I may not miss much? And that the sales didn’t look too good coz I occasionally checked back the sale site and there are always available tickets in all categories so I was like, nah, no urgency. Until work stress started piling up and I felt a need to get away and finally acted on it coz it seemed like the perfect opportunity. Didn’t ask anybody else coz like I said, didn’t think anybody else would be interested (KH and Val did say later on they probably wouldn’t have minded, oh well what do I know). But it was fun to sing along with her older hits which accompanied me throughout my teens - and she did perform my favorite song of hers so there’s a my-life-is-complete-moment.

And the whole no rush trip is perfect for resting. No time pressure whatsoever - for instance, I just knew I had to get to KL on Thursday itself, so I took my time getting it JB and getting bus tickets that fit my schedule once I was there. Had lots of time to think through things and allow certain emotions to cool down - just had a nonsensical argument with my Mum the night before the trip - and had I been working the next day or something I may have taken it out on something else, a colleague, a counterpart, I don’t know. So I was kind of grateful for the trip.

Right, that’s a wrap! The next trip (home) won’t be as relaxing from the onset (because of obligations) but hopefully it turns out that way eventually!

Covered 4 cafes within the last 3 weekends.

1) Penny University, 402 East Coast Road

Stel moved to the East after the split and she invited me over to explore the East which she always claimed to have a very different "feel" as compared to the West. (Sidetrack, the traffic engineer within me couldn't help but feel that the east is a pretty difficult area to manage whilst on my way there lol) Anyway, read online reviews that this place is usually very crowded during weekends but the reviews are really good so decided to give it a shot. Turns out it is really crowded and noisy so not at all conducive for chilling. We were lucky to get a seat the moment we entered the place, but eventually after finishing our coffee we gave up on it. Just used the free wifi to look out for other places in the vicinity that we can go to, ended up in Batter Fluffy Flaps, a pancake house which was a lot quieter. 

Drinks wise, I had an iced chocolate which was a so so drink that you can't really go wrong with. But honestly I wondered how the place is minus the crowd. Felt like the deco and ambience there should be quite good..but really, had tons of issues with the crowd. 

2) Creamier, 128 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh

Right in my new neighborhood and I have made it a point to visit it (in fact ever since I took over my work area I have constantly heard reviews of it). One fine Sunday (really fine, sunny with no clouds) I braved the sun and walked there from my place. It's main attraction is ice cream, the flavours there sounded really interesting and good, but I figured it wouldn't last very long and my intention was to hang around there for a bit. So ordered an iced latte in the end and just sat at one of the window seats facing The Peak (while trying not to think of the buggers staying there).

It got rather packed too eventually but I feel that it is a lot more tolerable as compared to Penny U. Am no coffee expert so I shall not judge on that. But I do agree its rather picturesque, I think thanks to The Peak. Apparently you have to choose the correct timing to go there to avoid the crowd, and I think it will be rather relaxing during that time. Made it a point to return there and try their ice cream and waffles, which lots of people ordered and looked really good.

3) Commune Cafe, Millenia Walk

Reviewers raved about the cakes there which I didn't try..feels kind of pricey to me. Had an iced mocha which lasted me 3 hours, partly coz I think it was a bit too strong for me. It's housed inside a mall, but I actually liked it a lot because of it is not confined within a small space and thus background noise is quite low. Halfway through a band just appeared out of nowhere and started playing. It's definitely a place where I can spend one whole afternoon in and just read a book (like the woman sitting next to me), or surf (though downside is I had to use Wireless@SG and it was extremely unstable) or just plain people watching hahaha.

May try their cakes one day though.

4) L'Etoile Cafe, 160 Owen Road

Another cafe in my area lol. I wanted to have a look at the Sunday evening traffic in Little India so this was a perfect place to spend an afternoon at. Quite nice atmosphere too with nice background music and although it is full, the patrons are not noisy at all. Sat comfortably at one of the low armchairs (nicked the seat after a couple left, originally my table was an old school sewing machine =.=). The lower floor had the typical tables and chairs, the upper storey had all sorts of random furniture which was really fun. And plenty of natural light too which I liked a lot. They provide lots of books and magazines too, but I had my now trusty ipad so didn't need any of those. Iced mocha was also in my opinion better than the one at Commune. And it had free wifi too!

Upper storey is really a nice place to hang out whether alone or with friends.