June 1st, 2010

Day Two in Malaysia and Brunch With the Prime Minister's Wife

On day two of our stay in Kuala Lumpur, we arose to a dawn that was clear and beautiful, however, it was 103 degrees!  Our party was taken to breakfast at a wonderful restaurant called Nagas in Brickfields, where we enjoyed delicious South Indian cuisine.  This satisfying and tasty meal, ended at 8:30AM, and then we were off to the Prime Minister of Malaysia's home for a meeting with his wife, the Honorable Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor.  After a very pleasant reception, we were invited to yet another memorable meal.  We learned quickly that in Malaysia, it is common to eat frequently and well.  When we said our good-byes, we set off to explore the fascinating state of Melaka.  More tomorrow!

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1 The skyscape from our traveling van in early morning - a 103-degree clear dawn!

2 There is a lot of construction in Kuala Lumpur and many cranes punctuate the landscape.

3 We had scheduled breakfast at a wonderful restaurant called Nagas in Brickfields. http://www.nagas.com.my/

4 The restaurant was very very clean and pleasant.

5 One of the chefs ready to prepare our meal

6 The tandoor ovens were on and added a bit of heat to the already hot atmosphere - I really must get a tandoor oven.

7 There is much fried food in Indian restaurants - this donut-like bread is called vada.

8 The chef was making rava dosa, a flaky lacy griddle bread.

9 Idly are steamed pods made from fermented rice and lentil flour, thus the slightly sour taste. It's the same batter as used in dosa.

10 This is the rava dosa cooked - my personal favorite dipped in brown sugar and sambar.

11 Najib - our guide, Mohd Adly Rizal - founder of Fried Chillies food blog - http://www.friedchillies.com/, and Memrie enjoying our 'Little India' breakfast at Nagas.

12 Memrie drinking a coconut water and our bodyguard Ismail - he organized breakfast that morning.

13 The menu is listed on a giant carte on the wall.

14 Teh tarik - pulled tea and milk - pouring the liquids from cup to cup mixes and cools them and causes foam to occur, which is a handmade way to a cappuccino-like drink.

15 Sophie enjoying her pulled tea

16 I checked my emails, of course, and tweeted from Nagas.

17 Upma was served on segmented trays like this - a typical South Indian breakfast made from sooji (farina), and mixed veggies and spices - served with sambar curry and brown sugar.

18 Plain dosa with masala potatoes and sambar

19 Tenggiri fish curry in a curry sauce - very very good

20 Paratha roti canai was another bread choice for breakfast. We tried quite a few different offerings.

21 Gulab jamun is a fried custard ball served in a rose water syrup - unusual and delicious!

22 Driving to the Prime Minister's residence, we were amused by these questions painted along the highway supports.

23 With so much to ponder, we wondered why there are not more car accidents.

24 We passed the now defunct city jail, which is scheduled for demolition. It is one square block in size and actually a historic landmark, once housing petty criminals of Kuala Lumpur.

25 A tiny traditional colonial house amidst the tall skyscrapers - most of these houses have been torn down, but a few good examples do exist, such as this one.

26 Sophie found this sign amusing.

27 And these lady figures equally amusing

28 We thought we could skip this joint.

29 The Big Mac is everywhere and exceedingly popular.

30 The roof of the Malaysia National Library is shingled to emulate the weaving of the songket, a traditional Malaysian fabric.

31 This is the front hall of the Prime Minister's residence - amazing flower arrangements are either real or artificial - it's hard to tell which without touching.

32 We met with Honorable Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, the outspoken and active wife of the Prime Minister. She was most interesting and informative.

33 Her house was very beautifully decorated in the new Malaysian style. We sat on large sofas and talked for almost an hour.

34 A mother of four, Rosmah is beautifully dressed and coiffed and energetic.

35 Our party listened with great interest about her programs for educating and caring for the young people of Malaysia.

36 Our portrait - barefoot is common in all Malay homes - just like my house in Bedford!

37 We had cameras everywhere, photographing our traveling party on behalf of Tourism Malaysia, which sponsored our trip.

38 We then entered a formal dining room, which was set for brunch. We had just eaten our Indian breakfast, but in Malaysia, it is common to eat frequently and well.

39 We first were served laksa soup.

40 This was the homemade version of the popular Southeast Asian soup. I loved Rosmah's food - homemade, fresh, and very tasty.

41 Rosmah and I being served banana leaf-wrapped steamed rice, egg, and meat called nasi lemak - so very delicious!

42 The nasi lemak - when the banana leaf was opened, it served as a plate for the condiments, all of which were colorful and good.

43 These are jellies made from layered tapioca - so flavorful and fresh.

44 The curtains in the dining room were embellished with elaborate gilded passmenterie.

45 We had a brief gift exchanging ceremony before leaving our gracious hostess.

46 I was given a wonderful songket shawl.

47 Memrie, Sophie, and Jori also received shawls. I gave my books as gifts.

48 More great flower arrangements embellished the porches.

49 After leaving the Prime Minister's residence we went to Melaka, passing through the city and seeing more wonderful buildings, like this mosque.

50 The blue dome was striking against the sky.

51 The city is surrounded by a very efficient monorail.

Posted on June 1st, 2010 in Food & Recipes, Friends, Photo Gallery, Travel | Permalink |

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