It was Malaysia Day weekend, and I had just taken a seat to a steaming choice of curries and sides set out on a banana leaf.
I had flown to Kuala Lumpur from Beijing throughout the Mid-Autumn Festival break in China, which I was quickly to discover is also a cherished holiday in the Southeast Asian nation I had actually just landed in.
To call Kuala Lumpur (KL) a melting pot is an understatement.
Malay, Chinese and Indian and other cultures blend in this city, fusing distinct dishes, language and parlance.
Purchasing coffee here in cafes, referred to as kopitiams, typically has its own set of expressions that identify how much milk and sugar you desire.
Malaysia Day on September 16 commemorates the facility of the Malaysian Federation with the marriage of Malaya, North Borneo (now Sabah), Sarawak, and Singapore in 1963.
Singapore would later on leave this federation in 1965.
My only friend in Malaysia, who is a media employee at a news agency there, was out of KL for the first part of my journey.
He remained in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of the state of Sabah on Borneo in east Malaysia, to cover the Malaysia Day events.
The vacation has major significance for the Borneo states therefore huge celebrations are held there every year, he explained.
After telling me about the stunning landscapes and seafood in Borneo, we consented to meet later on during my stay in KL.
I ventured out on my own, making a psychological note to add Sabah and Sarawak to my travel bucket list.On Malaysia Day itself, I headed to KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre) Park, wanting to see how the residents celebrate one of their nationwide days & and to get a decent selfie with the Petronas Twin Towers.
As I made my method to the park, flags hung from just about every extra corner and street stall, the hallmarks of the patriotic and festive atmosphere.
It was the correct time to stop and tuck into the national dish & nasi lemak.
Thanks to the recommendations of Malaysian coworkers in Beijing, I had a list of locations to try this meal, and I chose a coffee shop called Bungkus Kaw in the Suria KLCC mall below the Petronas Twin Towers.
I did not have to use expensive Malaysian kopi (coffee) ordering expressions at the shop as I paired my meal with Milo, a malt drink that is popular in the nation.
Many people in the congested shop were having their drinks served cold with ice.
I tucked into the rice dish: rice cooked in coconut milk, with sides of peanuts, an egg and anchovies.
I matched my lemak with a rendang, which ended up being a saucy curry.
This hearty meal left me needing a walk later on, so I stepped outside for a stretch in KLCC Park, a 50-acre (20 hectare) outdoor leisure area sprawling listed below the renowned towers.
Being a holiday, residents filled the park as they relaxed and enjoyed their day off.
After people-watching and strolling for a bit, I remembered it was the eve of Mid-Autumn Festival, a Chinese cultural festival frequently focused around an appreciation for the moon.
I had actually found out about an area called Kwai Chai Hong, a remodelled block with a Chinese style, so I went there in the hope of feeling the cheer of the festival.
Kwai Chai Hong houses a couple of cafes, bars and art spaces.
Its objective is to admire the age of KLs 1960s Chinatown.
Chinese opera removed of the corners of the alley, while visitors loitered, enjoying lantern designs, art and taking photos with the scenery.
I saw one guy in the area search for and appreciate the moon that had appeared.
I also managed to persuade a family to take a picture of me while I beinged in a barber-themed chair and searched for.
Requiring a bit more moon-gazing, I ended the night at a rooftop spot called The Attic Bar.
Mindful of the health risks of excessive alcohol consumption, I climbed up a twirling staircase for the bars panoramic views of KLs horizon and tuak, a standard rice red wine that came from Malaysias Sarawak state.
In spite of the dizzying height of the stairs, the experience added a sweet touch to the end of my evening.Towards the end of my trip, my friend lastly appeared after his work trip to Sabah.
He is of Malay heritage and is a KL regional.
We satisfied in a street food market and walked the city center while he explained excellent areas to check out.
When he used to take photos of me, I responded, Makan first, pictures later, and he laughed.
Makan is a Malay phrase similar to chi fan in Chinese, and to me feels like lets consume.
I had seen mee rebus in Southeast Asian TV programs, so my friend drove to me a spot that concentrated on this dish, and we bought it along with satay meat skewers.
The name mee reminded me of the noodle meals I eat in China with the name mian.
A rich dish of yellow noodles, eggs and chilies in thick gravy was served and I paired it with Milo, obviously.
The thick texture originates from the sweet potatoes utilized in the gravy.
The next day, it was time to bid farewell to Malaysia, KL and my good friend.
He used to take me to the airport and suggested we squeeze in a visit to the Batu Caves before I left.
This is a famous Hindu temple embeded in a limestone cavern, a testimony of the influence of Indian cultures on KLs ever-changing landscape.
It includes a giant statue of Lord Murugan and a steep, colorful staircase.
I left for Beijing knowing that Malaysia was great to me, even down to the friendliness of a stranger offering me their seat on a train.
The weather condition and individuals are warm.
The food is one-of-a-kind and the mix of cultures is remarkable.
Theres more to check out, so I will return.
Cover photo: The Petronas Twin Towers are seen from KLCC Park in Kuala Lumpur on September 16, 2024.