Kuala Lumpur – KL City Gallery

Assalammualaikum and Hi there!

It happened exactly on our very last Sunday of the year (Read as 2012). Right after a quick shopping at Jalan TAR (as per mum’s request) and we really have no idea where are we going to at that point of time before our lunch at Wadi Hadramawt, I came up with an idea to go to Kuala Lumpur City Gallery. It all started when I read one of the entries from EmilaYusof blog. I told myself that I should visit this place one of these days. So, this is it!

Me: What if we go to Kuala Lumpur City Gallery? Saw the review at one of the blog and it’s quite interesting. By the way, you can see the gigantic I LOVE KL sculpture there too.

FF: Best ke? Tak best SIAP you.

Mum: Ala, Jom la. This must be interesting.

Oh ya, every year, we definitely squeezed some of our time to have a family dinner or lunch on new year eve and outing (if time permitted). This means that we have a big crowd here. Takde la big crowd. There’s only 7 of us je. We quickly drove off from Jalan TAR area and headed to KLCG near to Dataran Merdeka (just next to the Kuala Lumpur Library Building). One of the best thing of this place is that they do provide free visitor parking exactly in front of the building. Not to forget the strategic location too. It can be easily accessible by public transport – STAR and PUTRA LRT train. If you spot the big gigantic I LOVE KL sculpture, then you are at the right place. This is like the signature and the welcome sign for the place.

The 4 metre high sculpture weighing about 800kg.

FREE Admission! We really love FREE stuff kan? Who doesn’t? The KLCG building was built as a government printing before being converted as a first Kuala Lumpur public library. Currently, KLCG is owned and run by ARCH Malaysia.

Right after the main entrance, you’ll then see the information centre. Oh my, the place was like SUPER crowded at that time. Full of tourist asking for direction to nearby places. They also provide all kind of pamphlet and city map.

Next is definitely the Memories of Kuala Lumpur hall. The history of Kuala Lumpur is nicely defined here together with the prints and photos.

We then headed up to the First Floor (J. Russel Floor) to get a full overview on the architecture scale of Kuala Lumpur City Model. As mentioned in the KLCG website, this are the largest scale model of Kuala Lumpur and the only one in Malaysia measuring 40ft x 50ft where the city’s skyline and landscape will be clearly and closely replicated here (Source: KLCG). That’s super HUGE! It comes with a 3 minutes video show on Malaysia in a dark room and the whole model will be lighted. That’s interesting too!

Right in front of the video room, there’s actually a viewing deck of Dataran Merdeka (Dataran Square). I just realized that while waiting the rest of the family members since i managed to squeeze in on the earlier video show. Love the KL alphabet kind of stool. Cool abis!

We then proceeded downstairs to the Dataran Merdeka Diorama Model. This is the largest miniature of Dataran Merdeka which covers approximately 1.7 square km (including China Town and Masjid Jamek). I really love the set. I mean, the bulb lighting arrangement. Did this once at my previous project using the wiring with fabric coated.

Phew! We thought it ends here, but there’s actually another 2 hall to go! You’ll pass through the ARCH making section. This is where they produced all the unique, fine and delicate end product handmade. Amazing! Staff ni mesti patient abis buat model nie.

Us (without the menantu’s) with the background of ARCH recognition all around the world. Here, you’ll see all the original samples that has been produced and customized as per request by the clients.

Beloved sis with another ARCH recognition wall.

We finally reached the final hall which is the ARCH Kuala Lumpur Gift Shop! Rambang mata but as usual we only get those fridge magnet as our personal collection. Oh ya, they even stated that ARCH gifts and collectible items have been endorsed by Kuala Lumpur city hall as the official souvenir of Kuala Lumpur. I didn’t know that earlier!

There goes our last Sunday of the year! Everybody went off with a big smile on the face since we learn, see, discover and experience new thing today. As mentioned by Fatt, is not because of the destination, but it’s about the journey. Dear FF, didn’t I mentioned that tempat ni best? Told you earlier. So, stand there please say Thank You to me. I appreciate that. 😀

Simply us,
Zara AB & FF
The Province of Chroma

Istana Negara Lama

Assalammualaikum and Hi there!

In conjunction of the Installation of the new Yang Di Pertuan Agong which was held on 11 April 2012, the Department of Malaysia Museum had decided to open the Old National Palace in Jalan Istana to public. If I’m not mistaken, tentatively it’s only open up to mid of June 2012 but now, it has been extended till end of the year. Yes, end of year.

Since my current project is situated in Jalan Istana itself, i squeezed my times to visit the Old Palace on Saturday together with my other two colleagues. We were there somewhere around 10.00am. At that point of time, there’s only a few peoples in. It’s open to public from 9am till 5pm. No entrance tickets charged but you are required to pay an amount of fees for the usage of camera and video camera inside the exhibition hall. I actually invited some of our colleagues to accompany us, but it seems that museum doesn’t impressed them much. As mentioned by them, museum will be the last place on earth that they wanted to visit.

The Main Entrance of the Old Palace

Can you spot a free admission sign there – ‘MASUK PERCUMA’.

This is basically the brief history of the Istana Negara, Jalan Istana as defined by wikipedia.

The palace was originally a double-storey mansion which called The Big House built in 1928 by a local Chinese millionaire, Chan Wing. During the Japanese Occupation from 1942–1945, it was used as the residence of the Japanese Governor. After the surrender of the Japanese on 15 August 1945, the British Military Administration (BMA) commandeered it for a senior military officers mess from the rank of brigadier. With the formation of the Federation of Malaya in 1950, the Selangor State Government rented the residence from the owners for Straits Dollars 5,000 a month until Merdeka or Indepencence in 1957. It was renovated to become the palace of His Majesty the Sultan of Selangor. In 1957, the owners sold the property of 13 acres to the Federal Government at an agreed valuation of Straits Dollars 1.4 Million.

The long stretch of driveway.

Main Building

Our first step ever to the Palace. Kami hanya orang-orang kebanyakan. Hehehe.

Some of the personal stuffs and collections belong to the new Yang Di Pertuan Agong. One of his personal interest and passion is photography.

Sort of an interactive touch screen panel. Panas gile kot screen tue! Half way in the 1st exhibition hall, all of us sweating all the way. There’s no air cond in the exhibition hall. Furthermore, they are using a yellow down light panel on all the exhibition panel. Panas kot! I think the exhibitor should do something out of it. You can even see the comment written in the guest book asking for an air-conditioning facilities.

Us (from left Lee EunYat, San Sano and me). Both of them, nama semua nak ala-ala Korea and Jepun jek.

Oh ya, did i mentioned that they had prepared a shoe cabinet since we required to put off our shoes before entering the main hall.

The rest of the visitor. Once we finished, we saw more and more peoples coming in. We’re lucky enough to come earlier. Kalau tak, makin berpeluh la dalam exhibition hall tue. Phew!

How cute are they! Even kinder garden students are here as well!
Simply me,
Zara AB
The Province of Chroma

KL Bird Park

Salam everyone,

I always wanted to go to KL Bird Park to shoot some pictures. The last time i was there is somewhere when i was still attached to the primary school and at that point of time, i dont even have my own camera. Sis came up with the idea when we couldn’t secured any rooms in Melaka. The initial plan is to stay in Melaka for one night right after our younger sis postgraduate convocation in Batu Pahat, Johor.  Oh ya, gonna wish my sis congratulation on her recent graduation and she is now officially a Master Degree holder in Civil Engineering majoring in highway. You rocks girl!

We reached the bird park somewhere around 10.30am after a mouthful breakfast in Village Park Uptown Damansara. The nasi lemak was totally awesome and the price as well. It cost you RM8.00 for a plate of nasi lemak. But it worth the price though! Google where is Village Park and get yourself a try there.

Entrance ticket for a Adult MyKad holder is RM25.00 and im using the JJ Card to get another RM5.00 discount. There’s a few other promotion for those using PlusMiles, HSBC, Eon credit card and some other membership card like Metrojaya, Real Rewards and others. Do check out the website before going.

In overall, it was such a tiring trip but it was soo much fun especially when the love one is around – mum, hubby and 2 of my sis. I haven’t use my telephoto + macro lens for almost a year and this is the time where i should utilize the usage of the lens. Dah lama sangat berehat dah.

 So, most of the birds comprised of peacock, parrot, song birds, (merbuk and punai if im not mistaken), chicken, duck, flamingo and etc.

Last but not least, the happy faces! Without me and hubby.

Afterall, it was such a productive Sunday since later we headed to Aquaria KLCC and late lunch in Wadi Hydramawt! Awesome.

Simply me,
Zara~AB
The Province of Chroma