July 2016


LATEST TOWN STORIES AND VLOGS


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Stories of town explorations.
This street was where I ended my first day in Kuala Lumpur but it served as the rendezvous of my many first-time experiences and encounters so it meant so much for me.

[Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory, Peninsular Malaysia, West Malaysia, Malaysia]
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LORONG 1/77A, KUALA LUMPUR
IRSIA BED AND BREAKFAST, KUALA LUMPUR
IRSIA BNB
KAFETARIA IKHWAN, LORONG 177A
KAFETARIA IKHWAN, LORONG 177A

Lorong 1/77a—this was the name of the street that challenged my backpacking skills for the first time outside the Philippines. After an hour of bus ride from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 to KL Sentral and a train ride from KL Sentral to Bukit Bintang, the next thing to do was to walk and find Lorong 1/77a. This street was where the guesthouse I'd be staying for the night was located.

So I was here. The smile on my face was big. The exhaustion and hunger were very weak to overthrow my happiness and excitement. Finally, I found Irsia BnB, my guesthouse for the night. Actually, I just stayed in Kuala Lumpur less than 24 hours and the primary reason why I booked an accommodation in this progressive Malaysian capital city was to have rest. I didn't have any plans yet to explore this metropolis. It just served as my jump off to my true destination—Penang Island—four hours away by bus.

Kuala Lumpur wasn't part of my itinerary but just because this city is ▼ MALAYSIAMALAYSIA's transportation hub, I had to enter this city, hence, most of my first-time travel experiences and encounters happened in Kuala Lumpur and I do feel good about it.

When I stepped on the pavement of this street for the first time, I wasn't aware yet that it was already the street I was looking for—the first street I explored outside the Philippines. I realized I was already on the right street when I saw the name of my guesthouse.
The Guesthouse
I approached the guesthouse called ▼ IRSIA BNBIRSIA BED AND BREAKFAST, KUALA LUMPUR

I stayed in a dormitory-type room with bunk beds. There are other guests when I entered the room. They were all white travelers. I was the only Asian inside our room.

(bed and breakfast). The gate was closed. It was almost 10 o'clock in the evening when I was here. "Anybody here?"

Afterwards, an Indian-looking (but he could be a Pakistani, I'm not sure) man opened the gate for me. I just learned he needed to wake up to open the gate for me. Anyway, it wasn't my fault. I've informed them beforehand that the estimated time of my arrival was 08:00 PM but due to the delayed flight, I was late.

At the reception area, I saw the man at the front desk checking some files until I saw my name in one of his documents. He checked his computer, asked for my passport and requested a valid identification card from me. After providing the things he was requesting, he checked me in.

My room was located at the third floor. I had to remove my shoes before I took the stairs. I saw many pairs of shoes at a corner near the stair so I was well aware of the implication. I had to follow the house rules.

There were two white men sleeping when I entered the room. I had to be careful not to wake them up as a matter of respect. My bed was at the upper deck.

The room was very quiet. So when I unloaded my stuff (some were packed using a plastic bag from the grocery back home), I was creating a noise. Dang, the plastic bags were noisy. It was an awkward moment actually. The bed also created noise every time I moved.

Anyway, I left my things. I went out of the guesthouse to explore this street. This wasn't really a part of my itinerary but I had to explore this street because I was looking for a nice place to eat. I was particularly looking for a restaurant that offers rice meals.
A street fam-tour and the search for food
I walked on this street at night alone with a firm conviction that Malaysia is safe for a solo Filipino traveler like me. I had no choice but to stand firm to this belief, otherwise, I would kill myself in hunger. The worst thing for me during backpacking is getting hungry so I allot a deliciously ample budget for food.

Lorong 1/77a was the opposite of my expectations. Based on Google Maps, it was located in a district near the shopping centers and major roads in Kuala Lumpur so I thought this street had traffic problems. Well, I liked the actual setting.

There were no noisy cars passing on this street when I was here. The people weren't on the streets too. They were inside the establishments located along this street. Restaurants were well-lighted so I was aware that this street wasn't dead. There was a thriving business and economic activities.

I continued my search for a rice meal. Beside Irsia BnB was I think an Indian restaurant. It was full of people so I opted not to dine there. The next restaurant was closed. The third was about to close. The fourth was partly closed and this was the first restaurant abroad where I dined. A photo of a rice meal was also displayed in the restaurant. Pak! Ganern!

The name of the fourth restaurant is ▼ KAFETERIA IKHWAN

I enjoyed the food, but more than the food are these countless first time travel experiences that taught me to believe that the world, though getting smaller, is complex.

. I said it was partly closed because only the area close the street was open for dining. The chairs and tables in the other parts of the restaurant were already kept. The lights were turned off too. I think I was their last customer. There were two Malaysians when I entered the restaurant.

Anyway, the food I ordered was their bestseller. I actually asked what was their bestseller and one of the crew told me it was the NASI GORENG USA (DAGING/AYAM)

The moment I saw the food, I was at least relieved to know that the food is somehow related to my Filipino comfort meals.

. Without any hesitation, I ordered their bestseller at 7 ringgits (~80 pesos).

The tummy was happy and I left the restaurant with beautiful memories in my heart. I continued my solo night walking tour on this street for the purpose of sight-seeing. I had energy once again. Thanks to that nasi goreng meal.

This street was where I ended my first day in Kuala Lumpur but it served as the rendezvous of my many first-time experiences and encounters so it meant so much for me. You know, 'first-times' are big deal for me. It's just sentimental and I don't want to forget those moments that's why I tend to write first-time stories.

  • Lorong 1/77a is the first street I explored outside my country ▼ PHILIPPINES.
  • Lorong 1/77a is where I booked my first accommodation outside the Philippines.
  • Lorong 1/77a is where I found the first restaurant I tried outside the Philippines.
  • Lorong 1/77a is where I ate my first food outside the Philippines.

After a little night walking tour covering this street, I went back to the guesthouse. My cousin video-called me via Facebook messenger with my family around her. Instant homesickness made me weak. I missed them badly.

This street ended my first day in a foreign land. The next day would be another adventure and challenge. I would commute again. That would mean I have to find the bus terminals and train stations like I did the past hours on my way to this street.

Of course, there are more stories to share. I wasted some of my travel funds because I used a wrong train. I paid more than 5 times what I should pay because of a wrong stupid decision I made. So if I had many travel dramas and stories on my way to Lorong 1/77a from KLIA2, expect that there will be more stories on my way to Penang Island from Kuala Lumpur. Ready for the next chapter? | to be continued... |

This episode is the last installment of the Chapter 01 of this Blogserye. Hang on for Episode 07 under Chapter 02 (On the Road from KL to Penang: Travel Misfortunes and Wrong Decisions).

✈ BLOGSERYE 03: MALAYSIA-THAILAND BACKPACKING + MOTORBIKE RIDING FOR THE FIRST TIME OUTSIDE PH

Blogserye 03 is a series of narratives and stories about my first backpacking abroad covering Malaysia and Southern Thailand.

CHAPTER 01CHAPTER 02
CHAPTER 01 SUMMARY: ▼ Five (5) Tourist Stops (Not Spots) to Spice Your DIY Itinerary Below 24 Hours in KL

If you loaded this page expecting for tourist attractions to see in less than 24 hours in Kuala Lumpur, I'm sorry to disappoint you but this is not a story of tourist spots but tourist stops. Yeah, stop here, stop there, stop everywhere.



Chapter 01 is all about first-time stories. Will this boy from the province with relative fear in roaming a big city survive his first day in a big metropolis for the first time outside PH?

✈ EPISODE 01: ▼ Flying from Metro Manila to Kuala Lumpur with Drama in Between

I was shaking, quite speechless for outspoken words but the voice within me is speaking too much that it's so hard to handle...



✈ EPISODE 02: ▼ Travel Drama in Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2)

My anxiety as a first-timer almost escalated to panic level. So there's no such thing as overacting because sticking to reality is the name of the game here.



✈ EPISODE 03: ▼ KLIA2 to KL Sentral by Bus: My First Land Travel Outside PH

I was showing physical awestruck signs overtly while inside the bus because I was seeing different races. There are Malays, Indians, Chinese, black and white men. This country is so multicultural! This is my first bus ride in Malaysia!



✈ EPISODE 04: ▼ Reaching KL Sentral and How I Acted Dumb Stupid

You may not believe this but I felt so ignorant about this. There's no train station in our province so encountering a self-service machine like this in actual setting is new to me.



✈ EPISODE 05: ▼ KL Sentral to Bukit Bintang: My First Train Ride Outside PH

The monorail runs overground. I saw the city of Kuala Lumpur in a general perspective up close—the modern skyline, the lush parks, the mosques, the busy roads and the residential areas. I enjoyed it.



✈ EPISODE 06: ► Lorong 1/77a: Of Ending and First Times
Coming Soon!

BLOGSERYE 03 SUMMARY: ▼ MALAYSIA-THAILAND BACKPACKING + MOTORBIKE RIDING FOR THE FIRST TIME OUTSIDE PHINDOCHINA

As a millennial, this is not conforming to the 'trend'—doing it because your friend do it. For me traveling is a form of continuous education. No masteral and doctoral degree could ever teach you the way traveling does.



◄ BLOGSERYE 02 BLOGSERYE 03BLOGSERYE 04 ►

Map Showing the Location of #KualaLumpur

MAP OF KUALA LUMPUR
► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] The above story is the Chapter 06 of Blogserye 03.

[2] This post was filed under the category "Night Explorations." See more posts related to this below.


[3] The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

[4] All photos are mine.

[5] The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

LATEST STORIES COVERING #KUALALUMPUR | SEE ALL #KUALALUMPUR STORIES »

MORE STORIES COVERING PENINSULAR MALAYSIA | SEE OLDER STORIES »

MORE FROM THIS CATEGORY (NIGHT EXPLORATIONS)
SEE OLDER STORIES COVERING 'NIGHT EXPLORATIONS' »

MORE TOWNS YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE:
V PPB D T B S L SV SF
NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.

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Stories of town explorations.
"...I enjoyed the food, but more than the food are these countless first time travel experiences that taught me to believe that the world, though getting smaller, is complex."

[KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA] ► Food. This was the first thing my body was longing the moment I reached Lorong 1/77a—the street where the guesthouse I'd be staying for the night is located.

KAFETERI IKHWAN

[KUALA LUMPUR] ► HELLO! WELCOME TO KUALA LUMPUR!

#KUALALUMPUR




For the very first time outside the ▼ PHILIPPINES

PHILIPPINES


, I'm gonna eat my ▼ FIRST FOOD AS A FOREIGNER

[KUALA LUMPUR] ► Nasi Goreng Usa (Daging/Ayam): First Food I Ate Abroad


TEASER ▬ The moment I saw the food, I was at least relieved to know that the food is somehow related to my Filipino comfort meals.

. I thought this was really exciting. One of the things I forgot to do before pushing this Malaysian trip was to research for the food. The only idea I had that moment was a noodle soup with herbs and seafood. Since I'm not familiar with Malaysian food, it made my search for food extra intense.

I was lucky that ▼ LORONG 1/77A

[KUALA LUMPUR] ► Lorong 1/77a: Of Ending and First Times


TEASER ▬ This street was where I ended my first day in Malaysia but it served as the rendezvous of my many first-time experiences and encounters so it meant so much for me.

is lined with hotels and restaurants on both sides including the huge shopping complex Berjaya Times Square. Not far from my guesthouse is an Indian restaurant. There were still many customers even if it was already late that night (10:00 PM). I've always told myself to go to a place where the people (locals) go whenever I travel. However, I learned it's an Indian restaurant so I ditched it. You know, I am not a fan of most Indian food I've tried. I am a big fan of their culture and heritage except the food. This is just me so I hope I don't offend any Indian reader here but I really don't like the strong smell of Indian food (as much as I don't want the strong smell of crabs and big shrimps of some of our Filipino food). I am not saying I don't like Indian food, let's be clear with that. In fact, after this I want to try them but just because I want to satisfy my hunger, I want to eat a food something I am comfortable with (yes, I was looking for a food similar to the Filipino dishes). One thing more, I was a little bit adamant to enter that Indian restaurant due to how I look. I mean, I don't look like them (the customers). I am a Filipino and I felt like I was the uninvited guest if I should dine with them—Indian people. Well, this is just me. I know Indians are nice people. I was just so hungry and tired that time that all I wanted was my comfort zone, including my comfort food.

KAFETERI IKHWAN

[KUALA LUMPUR] ► ONE OF THE HOTELS LOCATED ALONG LORONG 1/77A


The search continued. Some of the restaurants were already closed. I wasn't losing hope. Not too far from ▼ IRSIA BNB

[KUALA LUMPUR] ► Irsia BnB: Review of my First Accommodation Outside PH


TEASER ▬ I stayed in a dormitory-type room with bunk beds. There are other guests when I entered the room. They were all white travelers. I was the only Asian inside our room.

(my accommodation for the night) was a restaurant with only two customers. It was well-lighted. I knew it was open. Thanks to the two Malaysians I saw dining inside.

With a big smile on my face, I entered this restaurant called Kafeteria Ikhwan. I occupied one of the chairs of a dining set good for groups. This may sound a little non-sense for some but it's a big deal for me. You know, it felt surreal. The reality started to sink in the moment I sat down on that chair. I'm feeling the same feeling I felt in ▼ KLIA 2

[SEPANG] ► Travel Drama in Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2)


TEASER ▬ My anxiety as a first-timer almost escalated to panic level. So there's no such thing as overacting because sticking to reality is the name of the game here.

and in ▼ KL SENTRAL

[KUALA LUMPUR] ► Reaching KL Sentral and How I Acted Dumb Stupid


TEASER ▬ You may not believe this but I felt so ignorant about this. There's no train station in our province so encountering a self-service machine like this in actual setting is new to me.

(while writing this piece, that same feeling is coming back). It's a feeling of accomplishment mixed with excitement, disbelief and anxiety. Since this is the very first hour I relaxed in a foreign land (remember, I have no time to relax the past hours), my brain cells are more capable to handle emotional moments—because I'm relaxed and I can be more creative and more of a random thinker. I can be a poet, a word soldier, a soul searcher, a thought processor and an idea bio-chip. This time, I am the universe. See? I need emotion to think immortally, and of immortality.

KAFETERI IKHWAN

[KUALA LUMPUR] ► ONE OF THE RESTAURANTS LOCATED ALONG LORONG 1/77A

KAFETERI IKHWAN

[KUALA LUMPUR] ► KAFETERIA IKHWAN: THE FIRST RESTAURANT I VISITED IN MALAYSIA


Kafeteria Ikhwan was, and is, elevated. I greeted one of the boys (staff) wearing apron—busy doing their stuff. I asked for their menu. Unfortunately, the boy I talked with didn't understand what I said. He was a little bit confused so he called the other boy inside the kitchen with black apron. The latter understood me. He gave me the menu then I chose what to eat.

I have chosen this restaurant by the way because I saw rice meals. I really craved for rice. Since the menu was written in Malay, I didn't know what those food were all about so I just asked the former their best seller here (he understood me this time). The Chinese-looking, kind and shy-type crew told me it was the nasi goreng usa (daging/ayam). I learned that the ayam is chicken and the daging is beef. He asked me what should I order. I can't decide that time until he recommended me 'mixed." What a nice idea! So, without too much ado, I ordered the food.

KAFETERI IKHWAN

[KUALA LUMPUR] ► KAFETERIA IKHWAN: THE MENU, YOU KNOW MY CHOICE

KAFETERI IKHWAN

[KUALA LUMPUR] ► KAFETERIA IKHWAN: THE MENU. OK, TO BE FAIR, SOME PARTS OF THE MENU HAVE ENGLISH TRANSLATION.

KAFETERI IKHWAN

[KUALA LUMPUR] ► KAFETERIA IKHWAN: THE MENU

KAFETERI IKHWAN

[KUALA LUMPUR] ► KAFETERIA IKHWAN: THE MENU


While waiting for the food to be served, I made use of this wonderful moment to embrace the reality that I'm outside the Philippines—and that I will eat a non-Filipino food for the first time in this restaurant I first dined-in outside the Philippines. I had so many first-time encounters I wanted to document and write down but the brain was way too fast—giving out hundreds of thoughts a minute my physical limits can't handle.

Anyway, this restaurant wasn't the best restaurant I've tried but it's the most special and memorable. There was nothing fancy or luxurious but it has already occupied a space in my life (sounds too baduy I know, please bear with this travel blogger boy).

When I spoke with them in English, they started to appear awkward. They knew I was a foreigner. Their reaction was similar to the Filipino reaction when we communicate with a foreigner too. Well, of course, this isn't a general rule. This was the case when I was here. They suddenly became conscious. I noticed the abrupt change in their reaction (I should have used 'change in their behavior' but I realized I'm not a clinical psychologist or a behavioral science ace).

Before they served the food, I ordered mountain dew (the soft drink manufactured by Pepsi). The first boy gave me one can and a glass filled with ice cubes. I didn't ask for the glass with ice cubes. They gave it without me requesting for it. Thanks for that. Maybe it's their rule here to automatically serve the customer with this. I consumed one can right before my food was served so I ordered another one.

(I'm trying to remember how I learned that mountain dew was available here but I really can't remember how. All I know is that it was music to my ears when I learned mountain dew was available.)

Well, I enjoyed the food, but more than the food are these countless first time travel experiences that taught me to believe that the world, though getting smaller, is complex. This is my story. How about you? Can you still remember the first restaurant where you dined outside your country? | end |
_________________________________________

► THIS POST IS PART OF MY
▼ MALAYSIA-THAILAND BACKPACKING 2016

[INDOCHINA] ► Thailand-Malaysia Backpacking + Motorbike Riding for the First Time Outside PH


TEASER ▬ As a millennial, this is not conforming to the 'trend'—doing it because your friend do it. For me traveling is a form of continuous education. No masteral and doctoral degree could ever teach you the way traveling does.

.

16 FEBRUARY 2016: KAFETERIA IKHWAN
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

KAFETERIA IKHWAN

[KUALA LUMPUR] ► HELLO! WELCOME TO KAFETERIA IKHWAN!


► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This post is filed under the category "Restaurants." This is a category here on my blog where I write my experiences and note down my insights and personal stories about restaurants I've tried. There is a section below where you can see other related posts from this category.

[2] This is NOT a sponsored post. I personally paid for my food in this restaurant. I write reviews and stories to give other travelers more options and ideas in deciding what restaurant to try.

[3] All maps I used on this post are from Google Maps.

[4] All photos are mine.

[5] The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

More Stories from #KualaLumpur

Map Showing the Location of #KualaLumpur


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_________________
TEASER ▬ It's nice to see Metro Vigan evolving so fast on the right path. There are more options coming. For 'The Commissary,' it's setting a new genre for Ilocos...

[TANAY] ► Handong & Pasilungan: Vegetarianism, Nature and Religion Intertwined

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TEASER ▬ It's vegetarianism on its face. No killing of animal life—it's primarily based on sustainable farming.

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TEASER ▬ Its trade name, Bigueรฑos cafe.net, came from 'Bigueรฑo', a term used to refer to the people of Vigan.

[SAN FERNANDO] ► Flashback Stories: Sea and Sky Hotel's the Bay Grill and Cafe

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TEASER ▬ There are basic things in a city life commonly done by city dwellers. But for rural-grown children like us, this basic thing is an achievement to try even once and it's a big deal.

[VIGAN] ► Lilong and Lilang Restaurant: Optimum Ilocano Dining

_________________
TEASER ▬ Ilocano stuff is everywhere in Lilong and Lilang restaurant. Aside from the damili and the famous Vigan terracotta tiles, pieces of the Ilocano culture are also here.

[LA TRINIDAD] ► Jewel Igorot Restaurant: Non-Igorots Should Eat Here!

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TEASER ▬ Say anything you want to say and this cool restaurant along the main road in La Trinidad will still find its way to become superior.

[BAGUIO] ► Ilocano Food Reigns at Kalapaw Restaurant


_________________
TEASER ▬ This restaurant highlights the Ilocos heritage and culture in spite of the fact that it's located in Baguio City.

[VIGAN] ► Chula Saloon Bar: a Museum-Feel Restaurant Bar


_________________
TEASER ▬ Restobars like this one make Vigan a more interesting place to visit.

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Latest Contents Covering 'First Time Stories'


Thank you for visiting my travel blog!

EDMAR GUQUIB, Travel Blogger
EDMARATION #TownExplorer




« Previous Post ▼

[KUALA LUMPUR] ► Nasi Goreng Usa (Daging/Ayam): First Food I Ate Abroad


TEASER ▬ The moment I saw the food, I was at least relieved to know that the food is somehow related to my Filipino comfort meals.

| ▼ Next Post »

[KUALA LUMPUR] ► Lorong 1/77a: Of Ending and First Times


TEASER ▬ This street was where I ended my first day in Malaysia but it served as the rendezvous of my many first-time experiences and encounters so it meant so much for me.

NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.