Finally, after all the months of planning and tickets bought over three months before this actual trip, it’s the day. I woke up at 5am and had a last check into my check-in luggage. Everything else in my everyday carry bag.

I did my everyday ritual in the early morning, before putting on my final travel-day outfit.
Yes, I’m putting on my Spider-Man t-shirt and my trustworthy work jeans. I would usually send my wife to work first, but I told her not to worry, I can get to the coach at the pick-up point on my own. She knows how excited I was as we said good-byes, and she advised me, “Yang, don’t eat too much ok. And please enjoy yourself.” Oh, I thought, that goes without saying!

Took an MRT ride, two stations away from home. And I got there. Yes, I was super early and had to wait out for quite a bit, while listening to my music playlist of Sheila Majid. The coach came punctually, and we left the departure point right on time!

Ladida, ladida. I’m on my way and constantly looking at my mobile interacting with the rest of the inhabitants of PSM. Looking at the pictures and chats kept me occupied all the way until I realized I have about a half hour more before I reach the hotel. I was thinking, maybe I should do a quick check in, but than again, they’re on the way to this restaurant called La Achee Porra.

Fast forward, I got to my stop and couldn’t wait to be on my way there. It’s ok. I will tow my luggage along too. Took out my mobile and got my ride via Grab! Nasib there’s Grab!
I got my ride within five minutes, and the best part was, he’s the best driver I ever got. He got me to La Achee Porra in less than 10 minutes.

As I walked in, I paused and looked at everyone. I took a deep breath and said, “Hi everyone, I’m here!” Phew! What a relief. I finally got there, and food was already served! What great timing, it’s feeding time!!!!!! I felt so blessed. Food in abundance and with great company, which I thought only exist on Sunday evenings at 10pm!

I dug in and was almost quiet chowing down the delicious food! Although I did try to make conversations here and there with the guys around me. Ooh I love the chatter sounds as I devour the fantastic food. Joey’s recommendation for this place is super!!!!
I ate with my hands because food like this is best eaten with hands.
My favorite was the mushroom in masak lemak. I could slurp the gravy. Which I did. It’s so delicious. There was rendang too. For some reason, all the santan based gravy did not have that muak or that kind of aftertaste. There were a lot more food on the table I did not know, but I tried everything. It was such a satisfying meal and, in my case, pure indulgence!

We chit chatted for a while more and took more photos. The owner of the establishment and the chef came out too and mingled with us before we left for another venue for coffee. The café was another drive away. Nice quaint unassuming café called Wheatcraft. I made my order together with Victor. Both of us ordered a hot beverage and I wanted to go for the bakes. I remembered Victor said, “I thought you said you’re full already?” Hahahaha, clearly not. But all the bakes looked so good. I would have ordered 2 or 3 more, but stuck to one bake. Hahahahahaha.

Ya, we sat there and chatted some more! And we had more bakes and cakes! I’m the happiest, I thought. And so, we finished off because the café was about to close. We said our goodbyes and off we went our separate ways and reminding everyone about our dinner the next day at Bungalow 37.

Got back to the room, showered, changed and I was out to have a little walk around Berjaya Times Square. I made a stop at a coffee place and had a big coffee. I walked around for little longer at the mall until Joey beeped me. Oh, Joey is coming to pick me up and go burger hunting! Yay!!!!

We got our burger and had a little chit chat before we head out for another burger joint. We ordered our burger at burger place with a very long wait. Something was up. I didn’t feel that good. I was sweating as if I just got out from the shower! And I felt something was brewing in my belly! Really didn’t feel so good and Joey saw me a little uncomfortable and decided to wait out for the burger and sent me back to the hotel. I should have practiced what my wife warned me. A digestive error in my system since young.

Come next morning after being up all night at the hotel room (another story for another time), I got out and eagerly waited for Victor to go to our Tempe-making Masterclass with Joey. What an adventure getting to the venue. It is set in a lush green outdoor. There were people learning about gardens and something else. Our tempe-making class was nice. It wasn’t crowded. Five students and our masterclass guru, Joey, sat comfortably in an indoor space.

We got to take some tempe back after the class, but I think I was busy eating the freshly fried tempe. I love tempe! And it’s off to lunch! We wanted some Sarawak Laksa. I could not remember the name of the shop. We all had Sarawak Laksa and Mee Kolo. Best, got sent back to the hotel for a little rest. I crashed!

Got beeped on my mobile, because some were already there at the venue! I sprung out of bed. Washed my face and put on my clothes and got out of the room quickly! Ordered a ride and quickly head out. On the way there, I saw two accidents involving bikes. I was in a little of a daze from the snooze but got there in a nick of time! Nice place, Bunglow 37!

Wow, I was ushered into a private room. Fancy!!!! It’s like a hideout social place of the elite. I ordered a fancy drink. Some of us were singing and looking through the the sound system. I quickly got to someone and started catching up. I managed to finally had a conversation with Lukman and Adrian. And then the grand entrance of Shahrizan! No one knew he was coming. What a pleasant surprise!

Later that evening, we were all were led to the dining area. What a nice dinner party atmosphere with great décor and a smart long table. It was nice that everyone is engaged in conversations. What was nicer, was the food! I had my mushroom soup and bread roll with butter. Chit chat in between courses. I ordered pasta because I love my carbs. I had the pesto pasta with prawns. But the best was, they put a large piece of mozzarella cheese. I had to cut it into halves and ate it with my pasta. So sedap. But I think I ignored everyone while I was eating. I only started talking after I finished my plate. We were all having such a good time, and we all felt like teenagers that night. We bonded with all the laughing and the stories shared. Oh yes, we took quite a few pictures including a big group picture. The service staff were very attentive too.

We then went back to our room for more fun! There were some singing and dancing, including a choreographed dance from our dance instructor, Izan! That was so fun plus a dance move done lying down! You know who you are!

All too soon, we had to leave. We took more group pictures, because there’s no such thing as too many pictures. We all moved out and said our goodbyes. I don’t know about everyone else, but there’s this little sadness but of course in a happy way. Maybe because all of this was going to end as we go back to our own everyday lives. What we had that weekend was special. And for me personally, it made me feel young again and almost replaying my teen years. Thank you everyone that made it there and for those who did not make it, please come to the next one. Don’t be shy or worried that you won’t fit in. We welcome every Sheila Majid fan with open arms . We understand you because, we are your people.