No Longer Under Construction

Last year, there was a building under construction not far from the hotel, just to the west of the East Coast Mall.

We didn't realize it and would have missed it if one of the operators at the plant hadn't asked us if we had been to the new Kuantan City Mall.  The building was finished and opened in late October, 2017. It's a mall! About 50 meter from the other mall!

View of the new KCM with the Zenith Hotel behind, from Zam Zam

This is a new mall and not all the shops have been opened yet. So, we have to reserve judgment for the next time we come back, if there is a next time.  Currently, it's missing Christmas decorations.  The lone Christmas tree by the front door cannot compare to the Christmas opulence of the East Coast Mall with lights, decoration, Christmas music piped in, the Christmas shows and visits from Santa and Santarina.  We are not sure who Santarina is but we may be able to go see her on Saturday when she is at the East Coast Mall. We'll let you know.

Funny anecdote about the new mall:

As we are walking through the mall for the first time, we see new stores and new restaurants. One particular one is Johnny's, a hot pot restaurant. When we saw it, we weren't sure what type of food it was since we had never seen it before. We approach and figure out what it was and go on our merry way. We weren't in the mood for hot pot.

The next day, we are walking around the East Coast Mall as we have done hundreds of times by now, and the Elder points, laugh and says: "There is a Johnny's here too!"  We must have walked past it dozens of times if not more and never realized what it was, not made the connection when we were at the new mall!

Power of observance may not be our strong suit!

Jaya Grocer in the basement is a top of the line grocery store with a wide variety of fares, including US favorites. So, if you crave a particular brand of tomato sauce, peanut butter or pasta. You are sure to find it there.  It also has an entire area dedicated to organic food.  The price is a bit more as you would expect and is worth it for a piece of home.

Other notable stores are:

• Yubiso - A dollar store type of store with many trinkets good for stocking stuffers
• Mineyo Korea House - Another dollar store type store
• Brand Outlet and F.O.S - Inexpensive t-shirts and clothing

Dinner at an old favorite

Before enjoying the new Star Wars:The Last of the Jedi movie, we went to Zam Zam, a Middle-Eastern restaurant that was one of our favorites last year.

The food didn't disappoint, nor did the price.

We enjoyed falafel with hummus as a shared appetizer, a chicken shawarma for the Elder and a beef shawarma for the Frenchman.  Accompanied with a side salad and french fries, the meal was delicious and more than enough.

Adding two bottle waters, the grand total was 37 ringgit (that's $9.25!).

The Elder, Falafel & Hummus

SWTLJ

Yes, you had to open this blog to figure out what I am talking about.

One advantage of Malaysia is that we get to go see movies a few days ahead of the release date in the US!

Last night, the Elder and the Frenchman went to see the latest chapter of Star Wars: The Last Jedi (SWTLJ), two days before the US release date. CJ should be seeing it tonight while on vacation.

We would rank the movie two thumbs up. For a 2 1/2 hour movie, the time went by quickly, the story line was engaging, a few predictability that were not to be, plot twists, unexpected turns, cute animals (look out for them at a toys store near you - what would Star Wars be without a few commercial items) and leaving you with wanting more in Episode IX.

Here are the must have items of the 2017 Christmas season

the Porg

the Vulptex aka Crystal Fox

Gift Exchange?

CJ left us yesterday but not before getting the Elder and the Frenchman so delicious Hokkaido cheese and chocolate tarts.

Meanwhile, the Elder and the Frenchman gave CJ a t-shirt (Anti-social Social Club) and cards and dice set.  Please note the name of the set and the instructions found on the back.

In case you can't read what it says:

• Do not use play methods other than the cards themselves.
• Do not use uncivil methods such as throwing off the cards arbitrarily as this may injury eyes, bodies or cause accidents.

Sweet Sorrow

To quote Shakespeare "Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow"

One of the AIK started his vacation and the Elder and the Frenchmen had to leave him at the airport for him to be on his way:

Group hug!

Until Next Time!

This is the last time all three of us will be together in 2017.  With the changes coming up with our company (our division is being sold by the end of the year), who knows when the next time we will travel together again.

Last Lunch with CJ

CJ has a vacation scheduled starting this afternoon, so one of the AIK will be leaving us.

The weather was outstanding, perfect for a quick lunch trip to the Sunday Breeze Bar. The breeze, the blue sky, the sound of crashing waves on the shore... Who wants to go back to work?

CJ and the Frenchman had Beef Merguez with fries, while the Elder chose the Croquet Monster (Croque Monsieur).  While the merguez hotdogs were very good, the Elder was disappointed with his food.  He won't chose that next time we go back.

Good last lunch for the three AIK.

Merguez Hotdog and Croque Monsieur

Mission Accomplished

Since last year's Forrest Whitaker sighting, Eric has been obsessed to get his picture with him.

Forest declined the request last year. When we saw him again this year, we had to be a little tricky. I had to use my super duper extra long zoom lens in my best impersonation of a paparazzi.  The results are a little fuzzy, but I think it's unmistakable; Forest Whitaker in the flesh in Kuantan