Wedding @ CAC IIUM, Gombak, Selangor

the pengantin at their elaborate dining table
with multi layer wedding cake to boot!

Here we go again...another wedding reception.. Something old, something new, something borrowed something blue, wedding traditions that aren't ours! However, a traditional Malay wedding goes beyond old and new, borrowed or blue. Usually, there is the pelamin (wedding dais) where the pengantin will be seating and close family and friends will bless them with fragrant water (usually rose water) and a token of bunga telor will be given to them. But of late, some pengantin omit this part as being paraded for all to see, but instead seated at   a table with simple or elaborate decorations facing their guests. 

On Sunday, 16th June, I attended another wedding reception at the CAC (Cultural Activities Center), International Islamic University Malaysia, Gombak celebrating the wedding reception of one of DSLP's coursemate wedding. (This is one of the 'Upin n Ipin' girls I blog about last year.) She is simply sweet in her yellowish wedding dress and her happiness simply glow upon her face holding tight to the red wedding flower bouquets.

the long and food laden buffet counter

The array of food were simply breathtaking. The mandatory bryani rice which were cooked to perfection, and loads and loads of accompanying dishes with the ulam-ulam and sambal belacan too! I nearly shocked myself with the thought of having second helpings, but the Teh Tarik and Bubur Pulut Hitam (Black Glutinous Rice Porridge) save the day! The Teh Tarik were simply delicious with just the right amount of tea and creamer, it is as if they were individually made glass by glass and not from the large beverage dispenser!

my fav Teh Tarik  n
Pak Tam Bubur Pulut Hitam

The door gift were simply girly, just like the bride. It contain some cookies and pickled fruits.Of course, yours truly would love to have the traditional bunga telor but that was not meant to be. As in my last posting, this bunga telor traditions is fast losing it allure and place in Malay wedding, being replaced with a modern goodies for want of time. 

girly door gift, just like the bride

Thank you Alia (and Aisyah) for inviting me to your wedding reception. It was nice to be part of your celebration. My prayer for your good fortune and prosperity  and of course for the pengantin my du'a and hope that soon little pitter patters of feet will dot your life. 

p/s comment from the pengantin: '"There was bunga telur though. It was used as deco for the 'photo booth'..so we gave them away towards the end". 

I must have missed them in my over zealous adventure at the buffet counter!

ribbons and pearls

Acepaizah

**Traditionally, the door gift were bunga telor (telor=egg/ bunga=flower), that is single floral arrangement with a hard boiled egg attached/glued to it 

**bunga telor - hardboiled egg attached to a stick of single floral arrangement

sans pengantin

Wedding Reception and Bunga Telor

the pengantin high dining table

Something old, something new, something borrowed something blue, wedding traditions that aren't ours! However, a traditional Malay wedding goes beyond old and new, borrowed or blue. June is the month of aplenty with exams and weddings which really do not jive! I have been attending weddings back to back and worn all my traditional silk baju kurung, which coincidently were blue! There, we do have some blue after all. On Saturday I attended my cousin's daughter wedding in Meru, Klang which is about 50 KM from Kuala Lumpur, "bordering" the Straits of Malacca (about 20 KM or so). The theme colour is yellowish gold and off white. The decor is simple but elegant.

  

the buffet counter

The catering were undertaken by Nurul Izzah Caterer and the food were really delicious, specially the briyani rice. There were two buffet counter to spare guests from queing in a long queue. I came with my sisters KH and SH and brother in law. We came pretty early just as stated in the invites, from 11am to 4pm. We came at 11.45 am. The food spread were still untouched and we had the honour of being among the first.  Among the dishes were bryani and white rice, fried chicken, beef and must have acar buah (pickles fruits). Interesting, and to my excitement, Teh Tarik were served too! I love this wedding reception which were held in community Hall in Meru town. The Hall is very spacious indeed.

the Hall at 11.46 am
mostly close family

the door gifts at the entrance
traditional bunga telor in pink

Last but not least were the door gifts. Traditionally, the door gift were bunga telor (telor=egg/ bunga=flower), that is single floral arrangement with a hard boiled egg attached/glued to it. As shown above, some bunga telor with pink floral arrangement. However, this practice is fast being replaced by other door gift such as chocolates, cakes and biscuits for want of time, I think. Since such goodies could be pack weeks earlier compared to bunga telor which must be boil a day prior to the wedding reception. In any event, I personally prefer the traditional bunga telor which really give the aura of a wedding reception, being traditional and in a class of its own and much cheaper.

the pengantin special menu

 It was a nice wedding reception. Thank you my dear cousin, Salmah-Han for inviting. It was a pleasure to be part of the reception and I wish for a good fortune and prosperity for the pengantin and soon little pitter patters of feet will dot your life!

bunga-bunga telor
Acepaizah

bunga telor - hardboiled egg attached to a stick of single floral arrangement
pengantin - bride and groom

the caterer

Uplifting spirit @ Petronas Twin Towers Skybridge

view from 86th floor of Petronas Twin Tower

Feeling forlorn. Am not going to let the feeling spoil my week end. Moved in to my new rented condo which is relatively much smaller, but such is life. When the universe give us lemon, do not mourn and scorn, just make some lemonade. I realised from my recent situation that when things are spiralling going down, there is no other way out but up, up and away. Hence, a visit to a higher ground might as well lift the spirit, body and soul. In Kuala Lumpur, its an easy choice. So up I went to Petronas Twin Towers Skybridge. The skybridge connects the two towers on the 41st and 42nd floors. Tourists were allowed on the 41st floor where we walked across it nervously to the other tower. It was a giddy and nerve wracking experience for me. The bridge is about 190 feet long. 

view from skybridge

Thereafter we went to the 86th floor where we were nearing the peak of the towers. Really had a close encounter with the "other" Tower. What an awesome experience! To those in Malaysia, and Kuala Lumpur especially, do have the courage and take a trip up on the skybridge, it is value for money. A perfect 10 on Acepaizah scale for the experience of a life time! The 86th floor experience was class value and not so crowded as certain number of visitors were allowed at a particular time within a specific time period. And of course, you cannot afford to miss you 'lift' (elevator) since it is operated and guarded by your friendly 'visitors' guard! Oh as can be seen each group wear a different colour tag for easy identification. The team were very friendly and professional at directing us at the best "shot" for picture perfect spot and also at directing us to the exit elevator like Swiss clock work!

top of Kuala Lumpur with KL Tower closing in

in front of the q-line at then end of our adventure

giddy giddy feelings

Acepaizah

Snack Rocking @ Rock Salt Grill and Coffee @ AEON 2 Setiawangsa, Kuala Lumpur

thick juicy chicken burger
sandwich bigger than the serving plate!

Rock Salt Grill claimed they serve original traditional taste of Arabic and Pakistani food under one roof. Here, they have variety of food comes from Middle Eastern, Pakistan and western countries sans our local Teh Tarik. From my 3 visits there, I found their food were delicious, fresh, low-fat and using fresh ingredients.

The food presentation is simply awesome, the serving were large and over whelming and mind boggling. But these are the basic standard of Middle Eastern serving! Their signature dishes must be rice and grill dishes I supposed. Their Mandy rice is pleasing to the eyes, but taste wise, I prefer another Middle East Restaurant.  But their grill dishes were grilled to perfection with obvious grill burnt and the meat were juicy, moist and tender.

On my third visit, HH and I plan just to chit chat and catching up with gossips and so forth. So I ordered a light snack named Naan Grill Chicken Burger and HH ordered Grilled Chicken with Naan.

To my shocking eyes, the Naan Grill Chicken Burger came with French fries on the side; a very thick and full chicken patty well marinated with mint, onion and mild spices and grilled to perfection. The chicken burger was sandwiched with a thick ‘full’ naan bread which later I practically cursed myself for eating both pieces. I was full to the brim and sitting uncomfortably on the comfy sofa!

The restaurant is very spacious with choices either to sit at the dining table proper or at lofty armchair where we can relax and enjoy our food (bending quite low to the table, ha ha). It value for money, but not the one you will go every day since it is on the ‘luxury’ end of the scale. The ambiance was simply nice, quiet and the waiter will not come hovering over you once you finish your food. My naan chicken burger definitely earned a respectable 9 hands down sans the filling thick naan bread. The chicken patty is simply delicious, just by eating it on its own. I give a thumb up for this restaurant.

pavlova-killer dessert

~Arabian Snacking~

Acepaizah