LANDLORD guide (Checklist before renting)

Do you own any property? Have you rented your property? How did you do it? 


I am no expert but having been in the real estate industry as a Senior Real Estate negotiator for 4+ years now, I do have some tips to share on real estate. There will be a series on Landlord guide, Tenant guide, or relevant information on real estate in Malaysia. Follow me on my blog if you want to know more. Feel free to leave your comments if you need me to respond to your queries. I'll try my level best to answer your queries.


(Note : All contents shared are my personal observations & experiences,  without prejudice to my rights).

Check list before renting:

• Do survey on market rental rates on the property prior to renting it out. 
• Why? So that you do not out-priced or under-value your asset that is going on rent. 
• If you out-price yourself, then it will take a longer time for it to be tenanted unless the renovation, design & furnishing can justify the higher rental. 
• Should your rental be too low/lower, when you do decide to sell it, your property will generate lower demand as the yield may not be attractive enough for investors.

• Decide if you want to use an agency to manage the rental for you or to do it by yourself? 
• If you decide to go on your own, do ensure you can allocate time to show potential tenants. Also, be knowledgeable about market demand, available amenities that could potentially seal the deal eg. near school/universities, bus/rail station, mall, etc.
• If you do engage an agent, the agency fee is 1 month's rental and 6% GST (government sales tax). Preferably, if it is a furnished unit, to engage an exclusive agent (i.e. sole agent) to focus fully on the unit. That way, only the agent is accountable for any damages or lost of items. If you give it to too many agents, you wouldn't know who is accountable or who to blame. Although the chances to rent it out is higher if your spread it to many agents (afterall it IS a number game) but the type of tenant you want may not be of the right quality. Some agents are merely interested in their reward.
• Do 'interview' the agent to ensure he/she is familiar with the location or building (condo/apartment). Ask where are their area of focus. Ask how, what & where will they market it. Ask what will they do when they found potential tenants. Ask when does their responsibility ends just so you know their level of service.

• Are you renting it fully furnished, partially furnished or unfurnished? Note ~ rental prices differs accordingly.
• If you are renting to students, it is best to keep things simple and inexpensive as they will not (most of them) take care of the items. Local tenants would prefer basic unit as they will bring their own stuff. Foreign students would prefer furnished condos as they would rather not buy anything since their stay is short. Between 1-4 years depending on their course. Air-conditioners (ACs) should be optional unless otherwise requested. Then rental can be adjusted. Most students would prefer a unit with fridge & washer as they mostly cook their own meals and wash their own clothes.
• The more essential items you put in for the tenant's convenience, the higher the rental you can ask for.
• Be prepared to incur some cost to refurbish damage/worn out items due to wear and tear as well as damages not forgetting the occasional new coat of paint as well.

• Decide what kind of tenants you are looking for : family/ working adults / students / corporate/ expats?
• Corporate clients are prompt paymasters as the company will bank in directly into your account. Likewise most expats, family and working adults. Students tend to be tardy but they will pay eventually for fear of eviction due to non payment. Normally, lower income group can be testy so do be wary.

• Type of furnishing depends a lot on what type of tenants you want to rent your property to:
• students ~ basic needs & inexpensive furnishing
• Expats / corporate clients ~ good to high end furnishing. Oven is a must as they cook & bake in ovens unlike Asians. Likewise ACs. Some might even request for hot water taps for dish washing due to hygiene purposes. Otherwise, buy them a dishwasher!
• Family ~ with small kids, preferably no glass tables or easy to break items. Study tables & chairs essential for family/corporate & expats tenants. Safety is top priority for family with young children particularly condos or houses with gardens & patios on top floors or with a swimming pool.

• Do ensure you screen your tenants or get an exclusive agent to handle the screening for you :
• this is to avoid bad paymaster. Sometimes from your screening, you can 'smell' if they will be good tenants or not.
• ensure that they are working at what they say they are working at. Cross check and get references to substantiate it. Get proof/evidence such as offer letter, work permits/visa, etc.
• Check validity of passports & visas.

• Unit to be rented to be clean & liveable condition for viewing:
• simply put, "do unto others what you want others to do unto you!" If you are a hoarder, then you do what most people would do when they rent their unit out. And note...you need to change your bad habits...ever heard of recycling? You get to earn something in return, so why hoard???! 

• Allocate Timing for viewing appointments
• Try to allocate ample time for viewing and negotiation between appointments. Half hour to 45 mins is a good gap. That is if you are doing it yourself.
• Not advisable to have few potential tenants to view all at once.
• If you are there when your agent brings the client, try not to negotiate anything. Leave it to the agent to do his/her job. It gives you room for negotiation else you may kill the deal or make promises you may regret later.

• Do secure earnest deposit/advance rental, security deposits and utility deposits before allowing tenants to move in :
• standard practice in Malaysia is 1 month advance rental, 2 months security deposit & half month utility deposit (the latter two refundable at the end of tenancy)

• Ensure all electrical appliances/items are in working condition :
• ACs to be serviced, unit thoroughly clean a day or two before tenant moves in. Broken/ spoilt items to be replaced

• MUST ensure there is a tenancy agreement :
• This is to avoid any misrepresentation or disputes later on. Also, get it stamped to legalise the document. In the event of dispute and if it is taken to court, the agreement is legal. Or else, it cannot be submitted to court as evidence.
• All utility bills to be paid-to-date :
• This is to avoid dispute with new tenant. Also ensure meter readings are carried out for water and electricity.

Finally, you see the serious side of me! ( Seriously!! I can read minds) Hah! When I work I am serious else your clients or bosses will think you are NUTS!. Plus this is serious matter, correct? But, I always inject a little humour in all that I do. Why take life so seriously? This way, I put my clients/friends at ease and more willing to share their concerns, likes & dislikes.

So, drop me a line if you have something I have omitted to mention or wait for the next blog to know if I have answered your burning question. Oh...don't let it burn..it might be 3rd degree burn and then BOOM....your brain is fried!!! hahaha...oops, bad joke. Ok, Ok...I hear you. Apology for lame joke.

Till the next Landlord guide...let me guide myself to bed to recollect more information to share... ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz.

Shark meat at Jiann Chyi, Sekinchan 22 July, 2012

Largest congregation for a day's ride I've ever experienced. 20 bikers, 85% from Klang with only Alex, Ravi & Rocker57 not from there. Consisting of a mixture of bikes, bikers & 4 ladies. As usual, pretty disorganised but somehow we managed to get where we want to go...still amazes me who was actually leading the group up until now.

We gathered at a petrol station somewhere in Klang for late comers who apparently was having breakfast while we were waiting for them!! Well, time keeping is NOT the forte for bikers, I've learnt thus far from the many rides and also learn to live with it else I'll get agitated over something I have no control over....whatever for...Chill, chill.

Lost track of time due to chaotic planning. Someone mentioned that we were going for Wan Tan Mee for breakfast. After much riding into an unknown area to Rocker57 and I, we arrived at Shin Lok coffee shop in Taman Kenari, Jeram! Apparently, this coffee shop specialises in Pow/Pao/Pau "dumpling" and Yam puffs or Woo Kok. Unfortunately for us, they will not be ready until about 11ish & we have to place orders so that we can collect it on our way back. We decided not to as we weren't sure whether we will be heading home the same route as Alex, Ravi and us planned to leave earlier as I have a prior engagement.
After a lengthy breakfast, we were brought to the beach in Pantai Remis about a km from the shop we had breakfast. Incidentally, Shin Lok is along the main road, you can't miss it because the Taman Kenari Signboard is just in front of the shop and there is a small village mosque next to the shop.

Shin Lok Coffee shop, corner lot just as you enter Tmn Kenari

Pantai Remis, not much of a view...rocky & road conditions bad.

After a group picture (using Vincent's camera), we adjourned to Sekinchan. We passed Kuala Selangor on the way there. Along the way, we passed by many small villages and towns. We arrived at Sekinchan at 11+am and headed straight to Jiann Chyi for lunch!! We were split into two groups. The RELA bikers & klang bikers ate in another restaurant while Vincent & wife, Alex, Ravi, Tong & his brother & brother-in-law & Ah Yat ate with us at Jiann Chyi. Specialty is baby shark meat!

My 3rd time eating this exotic delicacy, the other two occasions in Kepong. We had it in two versions, cooked in spicy curry sauce and deep fried. The former tasted much better. The latter was bland & a bit over fried.

Claypot "tong shat fish"

Deep fried baby shark

Fried shrimp & spicy curry baby shark meat.

The meat was soft & tasty just like any fish except that the skin of the shark is thicker & fatter in texture, ahhh more collagen, right?. Bones are a bit like stingray, transparent, longish - edible if cooked thoroughly, if not, inedible but minimal bones except for the main spine. The fried shrimp was tasty, sweet and cooked just right. We all had our own bottle of 'home-made' kedondong drink, 1 vegy & 5 dishes plus rice and drinks only set us back RM14.70 each!

I'll forever remember Sekinchan. I had a bad case of bone stuck in my throat when I was in my early 20's. I stopped eating fish for over a decade before eating fish again in my 30's. Sekinchan repeated history! Bone not from the shark but the 'tong shat'! Please don't ask me what fish. To me, all fish look alike!! Anyway, following an age old Chinese tradition of swallowing rice did the trick after numerous attempts!! But hey, I DID not put a bowl atop my head and hitting it repeatedly with a pair of chopsticks, OK?!?! I ain't that traditional & 'dumb' OK? LOL.

Then, we headed to another beach just a short ride from the restaurant.

We hung around the beach area (all in shaded places!!) in various groups ~ lazing and chatting for over an hour. The cool breeze and nice weather was condusive. Before we departed, we took a group photo. 

Prior to that, the bikers knowing that I too love to ride was recommending me various bikes that they think I can ride on despite of my vertically challenged situation. But....I finally found my match...YES in Sekinchan beach...TA-DAAAAAaaaa....Vrooooom Vrooom.

Haha...finally found my bike, miniature M1 racing bike. VA VA Voom!!! Nah, fun for spins around the beach but my search continues....

Until my next blog...Stay focus, stay positive & stay happy ALWAYS!!! 

p.s - I will not eat baby shark meat anymore because it is cruel to eat shark's fin soup, what more baby sharks!!! FYI, I've abstained from eating suckling pigs many many years ago after 2-3 attempts when the dish gained popularity. I find it cruel and eating baby shark is just as cruel. So, NO MORE baby shark meat!!! YAY!!!!

Quinn Beef Noodle & Seremban Siew Pow, 21 July 2012

By 8am, Rocker57 and I were out of the door heading for Seremban (approx 70km from USJ where we live). Two key objectives for this trip : 

• to visit my 88yr old mom-in-law (our bi-weekly routine, sometimes thrice in 2 months.)
• to take pictures of 'Yau Yee Mai Fun' (cuttle fish vermicelli) the restaurant i.e. Mee Sek where the food is served. (Note :  In that particular blog, I'd not uploaded any photos.  I'd promised to upload the pictures as soon as I got hold of them.) Do refer to  Sotong Mee Hoon & Tg Sepat
• We planned to drop by Mee Sek, snap a couple of pictures & then proceed to Choy Kee in Jalan Rahang for their delicious "loong char siew" (literally translated as burned BBQ meat). The Chinese BBQ meat is similar to Kebab but only more moist & sweeter in taste. It is pork meat in most cases. Normally, it is served with a dark yet lightly sweetened sauce to complement the meat. As for the "Loong Char Siew", well...that would be a story left to be told on my next blog :)

When we reached Mee Sek, we decided to eat our breakfast there instead as there were only a handful of people there. Janet, the proprietress was elated & willingly posed for me when I told her I'm blogging on her food. Pictures taken & posted immediately after I reached home. To know more, follow the blog post mentioned above.

After visiting my MIL, we headed to do some shopping. Shopping you say? Yes! Bikers can shop too you know, provided if you have installed panniers heheheee.... GOTCHA!! It was only 11.30am but we decided to do early lunch as we just have to have Seremban beef noodle. The one that we particularly like i.e. King's Beef noodle is closed for good. To know more, see Seremban Kings Beef Noodle

We'll settle for second best, Quinn! Sibling of the owner of Seremban King's Beef noodle. Located at Jalan Toman 6, Kemayan Square, Seremban.

The name says it all.

To get there, from PLUS highway, exit Seremban toll. If you are from KL, after the toll turn left, then turn right at second traffic light (landmark Regent Restaurant on the left & KPJ hospital on the right). Turn left on the first left turn (that is Kemayan Square). Go straight in till end of road, then turn right. At the next junction, you'll find Quinn located at the corner of the said junction. For GPS fans here is the cordinates : 

Kemayan Square

wikimapia.org/8956353/Kemayan-Square - Translate this pageShare

Kemayan Square. World / Malaysia / Negeri Sembilan / Seremban Coordinates: 2°43'8"N 101°55'23"E 

For me, I am still very much an in-built 'mental' GPS! Anyways, we ordered two of each, our favourite "Ngow kon fun" (literally dry liver meat noodle) & a glass of hot tea each not forgetting a bowl of beef ball soup.

How it looks before mixing

 While I was taking the photo for my blog, Rocker57 was already tucking into his! But he was kind enough to remind me to also show one that has been mixed, so here goes :

The noodle used differs from those in Klang Valley. It is similar to the texture of noodles found in Penang Laksa. The gravy is dark & starchy. Garnished with peanuts, sliced fermented vegetable, Chinese parsley and topped with a sprinkle of spring onions and of course not forgetting my favourite beef tenderloin. Simple yet yummylicious. Perhaps, to others it would be an acquired taste but for the locals, this is the kind of staple Serembanites grew up with. The beef balls were meaty, springy & beefy! The soup is light with a slight tinge of beef broth. If you like beef innards, you can order that too.

During lunch, Rocker57 received a call from his colleague that they wanted to buy Seremban's famous Siew Pow (literally translated it would meant burnt dumpling!). But in reality it is baked dumpling with BBQ Char Siew, green peas, shallots & etc as fillings. So, back to where to get the best Siew Pow... We met them at Regent Restaurant & soon guided them to Rasah New Village. Eh? Rasah New Village? Isn't the Siew Pow shop just along the highway??? hmmmm...well, Yes & No. The one prominently seen along the PLUS highway (if from KL; on the right just before Seremban exit) is Empayar Seremban Siew Pow and of course many more stalls here and there even in Klang Valley. But in my personal opinion and my late father in law, the one that is best is still : ta-daaaaa

My humble opinion...best Siew Pow in Seremban is here!!

The dumpling skin is much thinner and has more fillings. Mind you, my late father-in-law can tell the difference just by tasting it on the initial bite! Likewise, the Hakka mee ( tell you more next time), he can know from which stall the Hakka Mee is from! Now, Tasti East and Kek Mei Siew Pow apparently are siblings (from feedback & hearsay), they split after the demise of their mother (matriarch that started the Seremban Siew Pow craze). The latter's dumpling skin is thicker and has lesser fillings. I personally feel that Tasti East Siew Pow is value for money while Kek Mei Siew Pow is more on consuming flour due to the thickness of the skin. I've recommended many to buy from Tasti East & many concur with my choice after they themselves have eaten numerous siew pows.

Apart from chicken and pork siew pow, they also sell various Chinese delicacies example kaya puffs, portugese tarts & many many more. After taking some photos for my blog, we showed Rocker57's colleagues the way to Port Dickson while we headed home.

Eh! Eh! You must be thinking I'd forgotten the direction to Tasti East....hehehe....I DID not! Well, easiest access is via PLUS (for tourists), from KL please take the Port Dickson exit. Turn left at the traffic light after exiting the toll. Do not go up the ramp but take the slip road just alongside the ramp. Follow the traffic flow until you arrive at a round about. At the round about, take a 11 o'clock turn, Tasti East is a corner shop clearly visible at the roundabout. You can't missed it! The HUGE signboard is a clear giveaway. As for GPS fans...well, sometimes...it is good to rely on your brain matter. Moreover, I think my direction given is simple and clear. No? Then leave me a comment, I'll respond to you :))

Till my next eating expedition....stay happy and carry on reading my blog ya. Thanks for your support! Afterall, you have nothing to loose but get good info on where to eat :))

Vrroooom vrooom power!!!

Eating spree ~1 day trip to Singapore; 19 July 2012

Left Subang at 6.30am en-route for Singapore. This time, we drove instead of riding as weather has been quite unpredictable lately. We arrived at Ayer Hitam for breakfast at 8.15am. Rocker57 took me to an outlet that sells the best "pao/pau/pow" (chinese dumplings) in Ayer Hitam. The outlet has had press releases & came highly recommended by Rocker57's colleague. Welcome to Tang Chuan Coffee Shop....

Tang Chuan coffee shop

 To locate Tang Chuan, from PLUS highway exit to Ayer Hitam/Kluang/Batu Pahat. After the toll, take a left turn at the traffic light. Go straight, if you pass KFC, then you are on the right track. The shop is located after the first traffic light (second shop on your left). From toll to shop is about 1-2km. If you pass the post office, then you have surpassed the shop and is on your way to Batu Pahat!!!

They only have 1 menu! Big Pao (dumpling), lor-mai kai (steamed glutinous rice cooked with chicken, pork & Chinese sausages) 2-3 types of pao and few assorted dimsum. We ordered the big Pao, a 'choy'/vegy pao and steam pork ribs cooked in bean paste sauce & two cups of black coffee NEAT!

Big Pao on left, vegy pao with red dot & pork ribs in red.

My personal opinion? The big pao was a disappointment. As in the size! It was a tad bigger than normal pao(see picture)...haiz what a bummer!! The pork ribs was a let down. Those served across Malaysia is light brown in color but this was reddish! Taste wise, a 3.5 over 10, bony and not fleshy. Taste wise for the big pao was mediocre, no WOW no WAH...just a hmmmm effect. The vegy pao fillings were chunky and coarse. Taste wise, passable. Coffee OK. For that, we paid under RM7. Will I come back again? NO. Why not you visit and make your own judgement? And then tell me about it?

The Pao when opened

We proceeded from Ayer Hitam to Johor Baru taxi stand, approx 45mins drive. A quick fill of the immigration form, and we were off to Singapore for RM15 cab fare per person. Arrived at Shenton Way, Singapore around 11am. We ate an early lunch just across SGX center, Jewel coffee. We ordered two sandwiches (BLT & Chicken), Americano coffee & fresh orange juice which costed us SGD27-80.

two types of sandwiches, juice & coffee for two persons.

I enjoyed the meal. It was simple, filling & healthy. By the way, the coffee is for the 'addict'. While eating, we observed that the pace in Singapore was ease, unlike KL where people are often seen rushing!!! Girls were swinging their handbags...try doing that in Malaysia & you will be going to the police station shortly to report of snatch thief! One feel safe in S'pore, reported as one of the safest places in the world. We left for M'sia immediately after lunch. Cab fare from Bee San St (Bugis area) to JB taxi stand is SGD10 per head.

We were in JB by 12.30pm, so we decided against staying overnight. We headed to Johor Premium Outlet (JPO) to check out this much publicized shopping 'haven' for premium products at attractive discounted rates. Upon arrival, it started pouring cats & dogs. Firstly, the venue of JPO is isolated with no amenities nearby. We had trouble locating the place & got there by chance just when we were about to give up trying. The place is huge but lack proper shelter, too much of an open space concept. Air-conditioners available only in retail outlets. To get around the whole area, be prepared to get some water 'showers' here & there! 

JPO Directory

The selection of the premium outlets are a handful; with limited choices of things to sell. Prices even at discounted rates are beyond reach even for average income earners. In my opinion, located at the southern part of Malaysia, it can only attract Singaporeans & the rich Indonesians. Local affluent class will not travel all the way down just for some discounts, I think they would rather wait till SALE time :)     Based on my guesstimate, JPO will become a white elephant in 2-3 years if nothing is done to draw more visitors apart from tourists & those I mentioned. More needs to be done to sustain & prolong the business.

As always, we paused for Hi-Tea. What else but ride & eat or drive & eat! Yes! Glutton to the MAX! (You think I don't know what you are thinking? Hehehe...) Guilty as charged! Nice cosy western restaurant named George & Dragon. Hi-Tea comes with a drink, 2 toasts (choice of sandwiches), 2 scones with butter/jam/margarin for RM17++. We ordered a set plus an imported sparkling apple juice. YES! Coffee for the 'addict' - Yes, AGAIN?!?!?! Bill came to RM32. We liked the toasts very much & I relished the imported juice.

Later, we drove into Cheng, Melaka to check out some stuff. A journey we deeply regret as we were caught in the frenzy after office hours traffic jam! We were stuck for almost an hour plus. After a short stay, we headed home via Alor Gajah way, then re-tracked into PLUS highway via Alor Gajah/Tampin exit. We arrived at Taipan, Subang at 9pm. All in all, we have travelled over 700km, visited 3 places & spent about 15 hours on the road! Phew! Dead beat! 

Will we do it again? Why not? We love to eat & we love travelling....what is there not to love when two 'old' love-birds are still very much in love, right? Right ON!!! Check out my next blog on two of the best places to eat and what to pack home from Seremban :)

Until then...stay safe, ride safe and eat well!

Chicken toast & egg & ham toast

Scones & juice
          

Feisty 50 Reunion - Convent Seremban Class of 1979

The article below ( in reddish brown) was written by my former schoolmate Philo Yan on my request for some press release (hope it gets published) on our recently concluded reunion. 

Life begins at 50!!! Bring it ooooonnnn!!!

"Feisty 50". Indeed an aptly named reunion for almost 70 girls from Convent Seremban 

Class of 1979 who congregated at Royal Bintang Hotel Seremban on June 30, 2012.

It was not like any other reunions where you get to have a cocktail hour, sitting down to a 10 course dinner, listening to speeches, winning lucky draws, taking group photographs & getting re-acquainted and then go home.

Someone said, "It's the mother of all reunions!" And that it was. The event started from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. A whole day affair!

Needless to say, from the word go, when the doors opened, we were greeted with sprays of confetti and punchy music. The organiser quickly ran through the agenda for the day, the rules, appointing team leaders and grouping us into different coloured teams. Each member was given a task. It was like a theatre production where everyone had a role to play. All who came had a ball and lots of laughing & fun during the games, receiving gifts, winning lucky draws and of course reconnecting with our friends whom some have not seen for 33 years.

Aren't we good looking lasses???

Fifty was just a number as some of the gals can easily pass off as thirty something. Even the photographers & sponsors could not believe their eyes that they were looking at a bunch of 50 year old women until they saw the banner. In total, they have snapped over 600 pictures of groups, threesome, foursome and individuals. We are definitely not a shy lot.

We had a few group photos that are proper and ones that showed our playful side. You'll have to look at the pictures to know what we mean. 

Our superb one woman organizer, Ms Sherine Lee had, exactly one year ago to the reunion day, mooted the plan, sourced for sponsors locally and overseas, speakers, gifts, not just any gifts but one of a kind personalized door gifts plus a makeover session and photo shoot for the first 30 registered participants and lucky draws. She organized games, had powerpoint presentations and executed the entire event like a professional events planner. In reality, she is a real estate agent. A truly amazing and thoughtful person that we have ever met in our lives. She even had 2 photographers to take our pictures, downloaded to thumbdrives for everyone to bring home! She also had us make our 'footprints' in coloured booklets which will be scanned and emailed to us to remember and enjoy the notes at our leisure. Our name tags were individually handwritten and designed by Sherine. Imagine doing 70 of it with no help. That is how dedicated she was.

Personalised name tags

Our reunion was such a memorable one, that as soon as it ended, someone said, 'Hey, when is the next reunion? Please make it soon preferably before I reach 60!"

Well, it is sooner than that because, we will be having another get together in December 2012. So to all the Convent Seremban Class of 1979 girls, if you are reading this and wish to know more, please join our Facebook "Convent Seremban Class of 1979" Group or contact Christina Siow (administrator) for more details.

What Philo forgot to mentioned was that we also raised funds for the Seremban LPPKN (family planning board) charity drive (a NGO) by contributing to their raffles draw. We also collected a fair amount of donation for Women's Aid Organisation, another NGO that helps take care of the children of the abused wives until the mothers are able to fend for herself and her children.

We are currently on a charity drive for a former schoolmate who had her left leg amputated some few years ago due to infection. She is a diabetic. Despite her immobility, she still has to take care of her 2 grandchildren. We hope to collect enough funds to buy her a prosthetic leg so that she can move around easily and hope to meet her at our next reunion. 

At the reunion, there were talks on Menopause & Incontinence in women as well as how oats can help in reducing Cholesterol.

Rocker57 says "this is NOT a reunion, more like a conference!". Weeeell....whatever! I mooted it, I did it and I am so so glad that I did it!! The feedbacks I'd gotten is better than winning a million bucks! hmmmm...but then again, I've never won a million. Well, the feeling is euphoria! That's it! No questions about how I feel. I had a FABULOUS time and glad my friends had a memorable time too. My only setback is that I had limited time with my friends. Apart from that, my heart warmed up each time I saw a happy smile, heard a laughter & get a warm loving hug from them or seeing them being hugged. These are cherished moments only if you were there to witnessed it will you be enveloped in the extreme warmth we exuded....or was it our severe hot flushes??? Wakakakaka....Ok Sherine, be serious now. Well, the entire event is now a mental video tape that is permanently edge in my mind till the day I die. Until that day comes, the tape will continue to run on 'replay' every so often so please don't think I am mad when you see me smiling alone....

For those schoolmates still not on Facebook (FB), quote from a participant "What are you waiting for?". And for those who have missed the reunion, we say " You don't know what you've missed!!!"  But then again, you might say "since I don't know what I have missed, then I have missed nothing at all"....well oh well.....all I can say is " I missed meeting ALL my former schoolmates!" 

To all my schoolmates not on Facebook, find us at  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ConventSeremban79/ 

Wherever you are, I have this to say "Live life full, stay happy & take care always"  Hugs and Muaks to all schoolmates of Class of 1979. 

Sotong Mee Hoon @ Mee Sek, Seremban & Tg. Sepat : 24 June 2012

2 riders Alex, Rocker57 & I rode to Seremban for brekkie. We had 'yau yee mai fun' ( literally translated as cuttle fish vermicelli) at the shop along Loop Road ( can't recall the new malay road name despite having changed for over two decades now. Some things are simply edged in our minds permanently or am just simply obstinate, whichever you look at it, I am OK with it). In any case, it is along the main road just after the Mobil Petrol Station. There is a row of 5 double storey shop houses fronting a traffic light. The restaurant's name is Mee Sek. There, you will find the best 'yau yee mai fun', yet to find anything that comes close.

Mee Sek Restaurant

Janet, the lady proprietress 

Janet's son.

The vermicelli is soaked in water and then fried on a hot wok with some oil, dashes of water every now and then so that it doesn't get burnt. The gravy is light & mildly starchy. One can taste the light flavour of garlic, star anise & cinnamon in the light brown gravy. The hot gravy is then poured onto the vermicelli with few slices of braised pork, few thinly sliced cuttle fish & sawi (green mustard, I think..). Simple yet delectable. The condiment like the sambal chili (dried blended chili cooked over slow fire together with belacan/shrimp paste, blended shallots, garlic & candlenut if I still remember the recipe correctly) truly complement the dish to a T! Be-warned!!! Come early as it is sold out by 10.30am on most days!

My plate of Yau Yee Mai Fun

My Fav black coffee neat!

After a satisfying meal, we rode to Port Dickson ( coastal area some 30km from Seremban town) just to soak in the sea breeze and to enjoy the ride along the highway. With no agenda, we rode to Ice Room (an ice cream Parlour) in Port Dickson town to chow-down some ice creams!!! 

Subsequently, we headed to Tanjung Sepat; a quaint town in Kuala Langat district in Selangor via Bukit Pelanduk (Deer Hill) & Sungai Pelek (Pelek River). Why are we visiting this place? FOOD, of course!! We were looking for the famous 'pau' or dumpling. A typographic grid village, it was so easy to locate the place. If you can't find it, just stop and ask any locals and they will gladly guide you there. Anyway, the shop is located at Lorong 4 ( or lane 4).

Look for this sign. Ample parking behind the signage

Once you find lorong 4, look for the above signage. Park behind the signage..ample parking space. The shops ~ retail shop is just next to this signage on your right of this picture 

Retail shop Hai Yew Heng

while the restaurant/food shop is just opposite the signage. 

Hai Yew Heng Trading...odd name for a restaurant

Once inside the shop, be prepared with the buzz of activities and loads of shouting - orders as well as asking you to buy this and that....just as if you are in a wet market!
Service is prompt. They serve a variety of dumplings not found normally in other areas. As we were watching out on our diet & cholesterol level, we ordered the red bean paste dumpling which was served piping hot. It was good!
While waiting for the dumplings to arrive, we ordered fishballs as there were many ladies buying to eat-in as well as packing to take away. It has gotta be good, right? Spot on. It was really good. Springy and chewy but minus the fishy smell. It was served hot too despite in its original selling package. To wash down the dumpling and fishballs, I had to have my kedondong (Ambarella or Great Hog Plum) drink on the rocks!! It was so refreshingly gooooood. 

After consuming so much food, this self confess glutton needs to go home. From Tg Sepat, we decided to go with the flow and rode on to Morib beach as it was close to Klang and Klang IS close to Subang. A typical case of the blind leading the blind. We just went with the flow and followed our 'good' Malaysian road signages and that led us to Banting > Klang> KESAS highway> then home sweet home ( much longer route than if we were to just go back to where we first started) Oh well...it will just have to do but honestly, in between, we did our own detour as the signboards were leading us nowhere & the scorching heat was getting to us.... Aaahh...overall a rewarding trip. Nice food & good ride. 

At times, it is good to just ride with the wind....