BahBoys IV: Jalan-Jalan KK

The next morning, we did some exploring around Jalan Gaya. Grant recommended that we try an old pastry shop called Keng Wan Hing that was famous for its buns. Most of the customers were senior citizens who probably live nearby. Eat, kopi, chit-chat in Cantonese, then leave with several plastic bags filled with old school buns, probably for their grandkids. After breakfast, KH bought more 4D at Diriwan, another local brand. 

We took a long link bridge from behind our hotel to the wet market. Typical PasarPride stuff. Outside, near where the boats pull up was the seafood market. Some exotic stuff like sea grapes, Moray eels, and parrot fish. Typically, tourists come here to pack frozen seafood in styrofoam boxes to hand carry back to West Malaysia.

Back at the hotel, KH and I put on our swim trunks and went swimming. Truth be told, my first swim after 2 years! Really helped us work up an appetite. Fish noodles is a famous dish in KK, and Fatt Kee is one of the famous shops serving it. A bit similar to KL's fish head noodles, but its served with dry noodles instead. There's also more variety to the fish. Not bad, but I ain't crazy about it. 

The rain caused a horrible traffic snarl, so we just stopped somewhere random for coffee. The Oak Street didn't disappoint us. Great coffee and pandan burnt cheese cake. The rain let up a bit, and we went for our second lunch at Kedai Kopi Melanian (no relation to Melania Trump). Really love their sang nyuk soup. Double satisfying because it was a rainy day.   

For some reason, KH was quite exhausted. I swear I didn't drain him! I let him sleep at the hotel, while I continued my gallivanting around town. Visited Pillars of Sabah, an art installation at the ruins of the old Land and Surveys building. The heritage building was razed by fire in 1992. I saw the "Wonders of Wilderness" installation, basically an ocean-themed installation-- sharks, whale sharks, and manta rays. 

Not far from where there was the waterfront, with its landmark Marlin statue in the middle of a roundabout. Usually, the place is bustling with the seafood dinner crowd, but it was very quiet during the fasting month. KH and I had our second seafood dinner at Welcome Seafood Restaurant. Very simple cooking styles to let the freshness of the seafood shine. 

KH wanted coffee, so we went to October Cafe at Australia Lane. Fantastic vibe there, and KH was so happy that his affogato came with three scoops of vanilla ice cream. Interestingly, I actually have an ex-colleague who lives in KK. He wanted to meet up before I flew out the next day. It was closing time for the cafe, so we moved over to Sharikat Biru-Biru. Great catching up with him, and he gave us some invaluable food recommendations from a local's point of view.