KL Butterfly Park

After my walkabout around Bukit Bintang, I took my 7D for a spin. Truth be told, it probably needed some dusting off! Destination - KL Butterfly Garden. I was praying for the weather to hold. It did become overcast, but I had a window of about 45 minutes to snap away.

The place was full with tourist, as well as a few locals such as myself lugging around their DSLR, complete with monopods and flash. I only brought my macro lens. Maybe if I have some extra money in the next couple of months, I would buy myself an extension tube. That will make macro photography more fun!

Central Market Revisited

After our lunch at Renaissance, Anita was keen to head for Central Market. She wanted to have a look for some titbits as gifts for Irfan's do next week. I was there a few times in the last couple of years, but for Anita, it was like discovering something new. The place has certainly transformed.

Compared to before, the place was certainly more tourist-friendly, bordering on being tourist-centric. Gone were the artists who plied their trade here painting portraits of whoever fancied themselves to have their sketches done. Gone were the street musicians and buskers. The street next to the market was now being renovated, and some of the shops were temporarily closed. The while pavements were being replaced and new covering - ala Petaling Street were being installed. I bet it would look even more unfamiliar once those were done. But the place has certainly suffered from lost of identity, and it would take a few more years for the place to develop its own character.

The entrance to the Kasturi Walk, parallel to the market

What was striking was the place was a lot cleaner. Even the toilets were very clean, although you would have to part with 50 sens to enter. The main tourist area were divided into themed streets. The vendors along those streets adhered to them, with memorabilia from Malay, Chinese, Indian and Orang Asli handicrafts.

Since the place was packed, we parked next door at Dayabumi Complex and took the bridge across. Anita was really excited with what she saw, so much so that she did not buy anything in the end. She would plan another visit in the next few days once she had an idea of what she wanted to get.

Alone at the Movies

I agreed to take Puan Anita out today as her personal chauffeur. But typical of her, "right, I don't want you to know what I'm shopping, so go do what you like!". Right! What should I do? A movie then. Why not?

The last time I went out to watch a movie - with a friend now working in the UK to watch Star Trek - I bumped into not one, not two, bit three patients of mine! Forgive me for being wary this time around, especially when I bought for a seat for one, on Valentine's Day. Not sure what they will make of it.

Admiring Irfan's artworks while dropping him off at school first thingThen off for breakfast at La Bodega

I wanted to watch 'Sanctum', but unfortunately it was not out yet. I had to settle for 'The Green Hornet' instead. It was a good way of killing time kind of movie, but two hours were stretching it a bit. I wad bot used to reviewing movies, so I should not start today. Put it this way, it was not a movie to take your Valentine date to, if you know what I mean.

Sure was a great day for an outingWhen we met up after the movie - and lunch - Anita got most of the stuffs she needed for the weekend's party. Before long, it was time to pick Idlan up from school. A long but fruitful day - at least for Anita - it was. As for tomorrow, I think I will spend a few hours in the morning - weather permitting - to wall around Pudu, and maybe around Petaling Street with my camera. I feel that the 7D need sone loving ....

Lunch at Sagano

It was not often that I was pleasantly surprised. Especially when it comes to food. My brother-in-law was right in the middle of his two weeks in Malaysia before returning again to Turkmenistan. The perils of working for the oil and gas industry I supposed. Good thing that he was not married. But this being the only weekend he had to spend with the family, he decided to treat us for lunch.

We love Japanese and Razak, my brother-in-law loved his oysters. Usually we went to PH Hilton for the Japanese buffet. They do a really good spread for weekends. Very popular and unfortunately by the time we rang them yesterday, they were already fully booked. There was alternatively Marriott Putrajaya. But in Sunday, the Japanese outlet there do an alternative spread. We decided to about that. We opened our trusty KL Food Guide and there it was. Sagano at Renaissance KL. Never been there, but they had tables available. So that was where we had lunch.

We were surprised. The spread was what we wanted, sashimi, oyster, tempura, tappenyaki, chicken teriyaki and even my unagi kabayaki. They were also children friendly, with special plates and cutleries for the boys. And the best part was - with adults, two kids can have the buffet free of charge! Only on Sundays mind you!

A quick peek at one of the private roomsWe definitely went for everything. The staff were friendly - all Malaysians, who understood exactly what we ordered for. I grabbed a whole rack of sashimi - twice. Razak got his oysters. The boys got their teriyaki. Nobody complained. The staffs were super-friendly. Apparently there were private rooms for an extra charge if one wanted privacy and a more personalised service.

Before long, the boys have gone hyper on miso. The started running around the place. Good thing that the place was not packed. Maybe, we better get the private rooms next time we come.

Compared to PJ Hilton, the outlet may lack the finesse in terms of the extra quality of a five star hotel, but to be honest, the reasonable food selections, friendly staffs and the kid-friendly atmosphere will definitely make us return. Apparently, if we wait a bit longer, there will be activities for children at the main hotel lobby - face-painting, games etc from 2.30pm, in time for patients to have hi-tea. Maybe we would try that in the future. In the near future.

SAGANO JAPANESE RESTAURANT, West Wing, 1st Floor, Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel, corner of Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-2162 2233

Out Alone

With Puan Anita rather poorly, we did not plan anything for the boys today. Typically Saturday was our day of outing, to the park for the very least. Idlan has also caught the cough, and he started wheezing this morning. Off we went to the GP. Both of them - Anita and Idlan - were on antibiotics now.

So, I was left to my own devices for the afternoon, and off I went to Sungai Wang to pay in my credit card bills and took a stroll after that. Managed to stop by to order the DVDs only to learn that there was a raid going on right after. Luckily, there were no drama, but it meant picking up the disc an hour late. Enough excuse to head to Low Yat.

There were a couple of lion dance performances this being still the Lunar New Year and all, but not much special offer going on. The camera I was looking for was still not released yet - the Fuji X100. I spent some time looking for a monitor as I plan to equip my iMac with a second monitor. A quick late lunch at KFC and I was in my way home. If the weather hold, I might take my 7D for a spin!