Revisiting the Wonder Years at P. Ramlee Memorial House

 If you’re ever in Kuala Lumpur and feel like taking a trip down memory lane, let me tell you about a little gem tucked away in Setapak – the P. Ramlee Memorial House. Walking into this place feels like stepping into a time machine set to the golden era of Malaysian entertainment. It’s nostalgic, heartwarming, and a beautiful tribute to the man who brought so much joy to the nation.  

For those who grew up humming his Getaran Jiwa or laughing along to the antics in Bujang Lapok, this house is a treasure trove of memories.

Stepping into Nostalgia  
As I approached the modest kampung-style house, I couldn’t help but smile. It’s simple yet charming, much like the man himself. Inside, you’ll find rooms filled with memorabilia—his personal belongings, photos, movie posters, musical instruments, and even a replica of his awards cabinet.  

Standing in his workspace, I felt a strange mix of awe and warmth. This is where the magic happened—where ideas for his iconic movies and songs were born. I swear I could almost hear him humming a tune in the background (or maybe that was just my overactive imagination).  

The Legacy of P. Ramlee  
P. Ramlee wasn’t just a singer, actor, or director; he was the entertainer of his time. His movies, like Ibu Mertua Ku (Kassim Selamat, siapa boleh lupa kan) and Seniman Bujang Lapok, are still aired on TV, keeping Malaysians glued to their screens even decades later. And his songs? Timeless. Who hasn’t sung along to Bila Larut Malam or danced to Azizah at least once?  

Here’s the thing about P. Ramlee: he had this uncanny ability to blend humour, heart, and hard-hitting social commentary. His movies weren’t just funny; they were smart. He poked fun at societal norms, tackled issues like poverty and family, and still managed to make you laugh until your stomach hurt.  

I remember my dad saying, “P. Ramlee didn’t just entertain us; he taught us about life.” And honestly, after rewatching Tiga Abdul for the umpteenth time, I have to agree.  

Why Malaysians Love Him  
Why do Malaysians still adore P. Ramlee after all these years? Because he wasn’t just a star; he was one of us. His stories, his characters, his struggles—they were relatable. He celebrated the quirks of Malaysian life, from the nosy neighbour to the strict father-in-law, in a way that made us laugh and cry at the same time.  

Even in his songs, there’s this raw emotion that tugs at your heartstrings. He didn’t just sing; he poured his soul into every note.  

And let’s not forget his humour. Malaysians love a good laugh, and P. Ramlee delivered that in spades. His slapstick comedy, witty one-liners, and perfectly timed jokes are still unmatched. I mean, who else could make a simple scene about buying a keris so ridiculously funny?  

Why You Should Visit  
The P. Ramlee Memorial House isn’t just a museum; it’s a time capsule. It’s a reminder of a simpler time when black-and-white movies brought families together, and a song could make your whole day better.  

Walking through the house, you’ll feel an overwhelming sense of pride for this man who gave so much to Malaysian culture. And trust me, by the time you leave, you’ll probably be humming one of his songs (don’t say I didn’t warn you).  


Why we Malaysian loves him
P. Ramlee wasn’t just a legend; he was—and still is—a part of who we are as Malaysians. His work continues to bring joy, laughter, and even a few tears to audiences of all ages. Visiting the P. Ramlee Memorial House reminded me of why he holds such a special place in our hearts.  

So, if you’re ever in KL, go check it out. Rekindle those wonder years, laugh a little, maybe tear up a bit, and take a moment to celebrate the man who made us all proud to be Malaysian.

A day at the Royal Selangor School of Hard Knocks

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at something creative and fun while learning a bit of history? Well, the Royal Selangor School of Hard Knocks is just the place for you! Located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this unique workshop lets you dive into the fascinating world of pewter crafting. If you're curious about how shiny, intricate pewter items are made or want a memorable hands-on experience, read on—I’ll take you through my unforgettable day there.

Starting the Day with a Tour
Before the workshop, we went on a guided tour of the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, and wow, what a treat it was! The tour kicked off with a walk through the Pewter Museum, where we learned about pewter’s rich history. Did you know Royal Selangor started way back in 1885 as a small family business? Today, it’s one of the world’s most renowned pewter brands.

The museum showcased some jaw-dropping artifacts, like an enormous beer mug that holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest pewter tankard. There were also intricate pewter tea sets, jewelry, and figurines that left us marveling at the craftsmanship. It was fascinating to see how a simple alloy of tin, antimony, and copper could be transformed into such stunning pieces.

Behind the Scenes: The Pewter Factory
The next part of the tour took us into the pewter factory, where the real magic happens. Watching the artisans at work was mesmerizing. Each step of the process was laid out for us:

1. Casting : Molten pewter is poured into molds to form basic shapes.  

2. Polishing : The raw pieces are buffed to achieve that iconic, silvery sheen.  
3. Hammering : This is where patterns and textures are added using traditional hand tools.  
4. Engraving : Some items are personalized or adorned with intricate designs.  

It’s a mix of old-school craftsmanship and modern techniques, with every step done with precision and care. Seeing the artisans' dedication gave me a whole new appreciation for the pewter items I’d taken for granted before.

The School of Hard Knocks Workshop
After the tour, it was time to roll up our sleeves and get to work at the School of Hard Knocks. The workshop is designed for beginners, so no need to worry if you’ve never touched a hammer before (I hadn’t either!). Each of us was given a flat pewter disc, a wooden mold, and a mallet. The task? To transform the disc into a simple bowl—sounds easy, right? Well, not exactly.

Under the guidance of a friendly instructor, we started hammering away. It was oddly therapeutic to hear the rhythmic clinking of mallets against pewter. There were some wonky edges and uneven surfaces, but that’s what made each bowl unique and personal. By the end of the session, I had a slightly lopsided but charming little bowl, complete with my initials stamped on it.

What I loved most about the workshop was how it connected me to the artistry and effort behind pewter-making. I left with more than just a souvenir—I walked away with a new appreciation for this centuries-old craft.

Why You Should Try It
Attending the School of Hard Knocks isn’t just about making a bowl; it’s about the whole experience. Here’s why I think everyone should give it a go:

- Hands-On Fun : It’s rare to get the chance to create something with your own hands in today’s digital world.  
- Educational : You learn about pewter, its history, and the artistry that goes into making it.  

- Memorable Souvenir : The bowl you make is one-of-a-kind, and it’s a keepsake you’ll treasure.  

- Family-Friendly : Kids and adults alike will enjoy the workshop, making it a great activity for families.  


The Versatility of Pewter
Before this visit, I never realized how versatile pewter is. Royal Selangor produces an impressive range of household items, from elegant wine goblets and tea sets to decorative items like photo frames and figurines. Some of their limited-edition collections are nothing short of art—one of my favorites was a chess set with intricately carved pewter pieces.

Wrapping Up
The Royal Selangor School of Hard Knocks is more than just a workshop—it’s an experience that blends creativity, history, and fun. Whether you’re a tourist looking for a unique activity in Kuala Lumpur or a local wanting to explore something new, this place is a must-visit. 

You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind pewter items, a cool handmade bowl, and a big smile on your face. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a mallet and let’s get hammering!

#CyberEcoHunt22 by Alam Flora

Me being my curious self, so I participated in the ALAM FLORA #CyberEcoHunt22.

As the name precedes itself, it is all about our ‘alam, flora, cyber/virtual, eco and obviously hunt’ (I don’t think I need to explain about the 22 kot, oh well…. 22=2022. Kot lah ada yang tak sure kaaaa….).

The one in Kuantan, Pahang impresses me mainly because the route that they took us was basically to introduce and educate us about the services Alam Flora provide to the public as well as creating PUBLIC awareness on general manage our waste. You, me alike; we always thought Alam Flora is about waste management right ie. from our home but NOOOOOOOOOO…. Do you know that they also clean-up the Teluk Cempedak beach? (using this cool beach comber vehicle [first time seeing, teruja kay]. Tak, bukan kutip satu-satu sampah tuh – bila pulak nak habis kaaan) Alam Flora has a Buy Back Centre or BBC to buy back recyclable waste such as paper, plastic, aluminium, used oil and many more, check-out their website to know more/where. Interesting huh.

Here are some of the recycling/upcycling/clearing waste/etc that is new to me of which I would like for my readers to join me and start practicing together. JOM!
 
Bulk/garden Waste

How : Tree branches need to be tied in a pile and put it NEXT to the waste bin (not inside yah). As for tree leaves, it need to be put into the gunny sack and just like the branches; to the waste bin it goes.

Beach Waste/Beach Comber

How : It is a machine attach to a tractor for cleaning ocean debris, such as wood, plastic bottles and food containers at small beaches with ease. It drains the sand and levels the beach surface.

Segregation and Selling of Waste

How : This is what we usually see at the mall – segregating waste according to paper, plastic and aluminium. What makes it even more interesting is actually at the BBC or what I’d say – ‘even our wastes have its value’. All you need to do is to go to Alam Flora BBC and sell your waste, of course you can visit any buy-back centre after all, it is about our mother earth right.

Supervisor 1 Transformation Area (1S1T)

How : This impresses me the most. 1S1T is an initiative of Alam Flora supervisors to make improvements in their respective service areas such as repairing and painting garden facilities, doing laundry activities in public places, beautifying playgrounds by planting flowers as well as repairing drain structures and sidewalks that suffered minor damage. Here you can see them beautifying the playground with recycling old tyres, the dinosaur is a winner.

Reforestation

How : This activity is close to my heart mainly because I have executed this in my old company before. Similar to what I did, this time around we planted curry tree, lemongrass, butterfly pea and few others. We should do this more I feel… on our personal capacity.

 
The one in KL is amazing as well with slight a different touch. Here, we grew microgreens, upcycling shirt, and the ‘tree says’ activities can be implemented anytime and everywhere. These are the things that we know it is there but never bother to do/try/share, it says a lot about us (well… me, at least).

The ‘Tree Says’

How : We were suppose

One of my favourite, the participant was tasked to write what the tree would say and have a photo taken with it. Some captions were good, like really good.

Microgreen

How : Using a recyclable plastic container, we were taught on how to grow microgreens. It is fairly easy, a 10 mins work since they prepared everything for us. 30 mins if we do the setting and all. Stil…. Easy peasy. This activity is definitely for everyone and anyone – it can be places in the kitchen, garden, balcony, window sill, office… literally EVERYWHERE.

Upcycling Shirt

How : Is about turning our shirt into a very hipsterish bag (the baju must be cool and hipster too lah). Super easy and fun to make, infact I highly recommending this to be an activity during birthday parties. Like Sriously.
 
Green Quizes

How : Participants were given a series of questions to see whether we ourselves  know about any ‘go green’ activities, carbon emission and etc. Educational and not so easy apparently.

All in all, we learnt a lot and had a fun time. Let's heal the world together.

 

#CyberEcoHunt22 is in collaboration with Alam Flora with Bridge and Broadly as media coordinator.

Bahula Arang | Malaysia own Madeleine

I tried googling the English word for Bahulu, Wiki stated it as ‘similar in concept to the madeleine cake, but round in shape and composed of different ingredients. The fact is that it does remind me of madeleine, nicer in aroma (I might be a bit bias here), both crunchy and soft in texture, and the taste is light and simple. Great when dipped in tea/coffee/hot chocolate on a raining day.

Stated that it was originated during the colonization era derived from the Serani word - bolu which means cake. Ok ok macam ni lah senang, doesn’t matter what it is called, bahulu is the yummeh-iest and bahulu arang is the best. Hehhehehe…

Background
This Kedahan was once in IT industry for 17 years and later decide to venture into F&B industry, Encik Husaini Mat Rejab the owner of Bahulu Arang followed his passion and has not looked back. Numerous interviews have taken place, sleepless night of desktop researches, countless of trial and error have not gone to waste cause Husaini has finally perfected his bahulu. It took him 6 months, using both chicken and duck eggs, and his secret ingredient, he set sailed with BAHULU ARANG. Passion and trust guided him.

Aspiration
I especially love it when one’s passion is seen as he speaks, and this is one those moments. Husaini vision and mission is to make bahulu arang a household name, not just in Malaysia but at international level (di persada dunia gitew). And that is not all, he planned to create a Bahulu Museum where he can house all his 300 bahulu mold. He said this will happen when he reaches 1000 mark. I pray he will, soon. 

Bahulu Mold
There’s a story for each of his 300 bahulu molds. The stated he sourced it from, the previous owners be bought it from right to the history of the molds. And that is not all, the made and the design story too. You will be impress to see bahulu mold in the shape of prawn (I’ve seen fish but prawn? Hemmm…) and if you think prawn is ‘interesting’, they even have a chicken design ie a cockerel as well as a 3D whole chicken design (yang shape macam butterfly too). The common ones are cermai (gooseberry) design, as well as the belimbing (bilimbi) design. Click HERE for video, please swipe.

Dapur Arang (Charcoal Oven)
This is the reason for in taste, texture and smell. To maintain the originality of a bahulu, it has to be made like the olden days – on dapur arang, macam dulu-dulu. Husaini showed us how he designed his modern charcoal oven and he found the best way to do this that is using batu kelikil (pea gravel). He said that he tried with sand but it did not turn out as good as pea gravel. Click HERE for video, please swipe.

Packaging
Only a perfectionist will invest his time on the recipe, the mold and oven. To top this off, he custom made the packaging especially for event and gift-aways. You can even custom made for weddings and it’ll cost you only RM3.50 all in. Murah kan. Click HERE for video, please swipe.

Nothing escape this sharp brain of him, passion took the lead role here. And the bahulu taste better if drank with a hot coffee or the kampong. Simply umph!

 
Bahulu Arang
9, Jalan Bangsar Utama 3
Bangsar, 59000
Kuala Lumpur

Instagram : @BahuluArangOfficial

#CutiCutiMalaysia #TravelMediaBuddy #StaySafe #StrongerTogether #AboutKL #MalaysiaTrulyAsia

Raya Gateaway with Tourism Malaysia is in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia and all its sponsors.

The Jewel of Kuala Lumpur | Wilayah Mosque

Dubbed as 'Jewel of Kuala Lumpur', the Wilayah Mosque was built between 1998 and 2000 and able to accommodate 17,000 worshippers at a time. This Ottoman Malay style building is influenced by the famous Istanbul Blue Mosque. Its doors are of cengal wood and carved by a local craftsman from the Terengganu, Malaysia.

Some of the things that I find amazing and you can also view my narration video of all the below places HERE. 


1. It has 3 multi-purpose halls. The biggest can fit 1200pax, 500 and 200

- This is suitable for wedding events, ceramah (talks), workshops, training or even motivation bootcamp (skewed to religious topic lah kan).
- The foyer area is fairly big to accommodate the crowd.
- They have a garden at the back that can be used as bootcamp site.

2. Accommodation rooms (twin sharing), separated by male and female

- I didn’t even know this mosque has such facilities, many would welcome and appreciate this a lot.
- For those having wedding or event at the halls here, can stay a night during the set-up/preparation day thus minimise the hassle of driving in and out late at night.
- Also applicable for those attending any talks, training or bootcamp here. Practical huh.

3. There's kindergarten here

- This caught me by surprise. You can now send your kids here for education as well.
- It is a proper classroom, clean and well equip. Do drop by and check it out.
- Would also encourage for you to go thru their syllabus as I did not manage to cover it the other day.

4. And they have a primary school too

- I am even more surprise upon learning this.
- Again, it is a proper classroom, clean and well equip. As per show in my video HERE (just swap).
- Highly advice to go thru their syllabus for I did not manage to check during my visit there.

5. Library and computer room located near the school
- Did not drop by but I am assuming it should be sufficient to cover for the kids studying here as well for public.
- Probably a lot of religious book.
- Not sure they allow to us to borrow out, do call and drop by to enquire.

6. Wedding event/banquet hall

- Providing a complete package, I believe you can also book the Tok Kadi here.
- Aside from the Nikah place, it can also be the reception venue as they provide wedding/banquet hall.
- And also, it has accommodations too (for those helping with set-up). Perfect ain’t it.

7. The mosque conducts tour session, robe is made available (Multi-lingual tour guide can be requested. Advance notice is appreciated)
- I highly recommend you guys to experience this, it is overwhelming and enlightening both at the same time. Check-out the video HERE, swipe for more.
- It shows that a mosque is not only for prayers, it is a One-Stop-House for us to perform our ibadat and ibadah.
- There are a few mosque around Malaysia with the similar concept, you can google it.

8. OKU friendly (Lift available to the highest floor/women praying hall)

- As it has 4 floors all together, highest being the female praying/solat area hence the the lift takes you all the way up.
- There’s a lot of stairs, for OKUs do take note on the entrance with escalator and lift service.
- And make sure to park near to OKUs accessible areas (else kena jalan jauh).

9. Food bank counter for those wanting to lend a hand
- This is fairly important as there are times we want to make donation but don’t know where to go, well this is the place.
- They ONLY open during office hours, so DO NOT drop by on weekends lah yek.
- It is advised to call and understand the type of goods required prior making the donations.

10. ATM machine
- Incase you want to make a donation and short of cash, worry not as Bank Islam ATM machine is available.
- As shown on my video HERE.


Are you as impressed as me when I first found out the facilities they have to offer?
 
Wilayah Mosque
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim
Kompleks Kerajaan
Kuala Lumpur
URL : http://www.masjidwilayah.gov.my/

#CutiCutiMalaysia #TravelMediaBuddy #StaySafe #StrongerTogether #AboutKL #MalaysiaTrulyAsia

Raya Gateaway with Tourism Malaysia is in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia and all its sponsors.

Oakwood KL Staycation | Adhering to SOP during the pandemic

 
I have stayed in Kuala Lumpur city itself during the pandemic (the term staycation is becoming popular these days), I mean… you guys do agree that staying at home since the start of MCO (I believe somewhere in April 2020) till now, November 2020 has been a hair-pulling experience. Some lost their jobs, some got a pay-cut and some business just simply bungkus, and for those that still have a job and maintaining the same salary, they too try their very best to support small and medium business the best way they can. I am sure of it.

I was given a chance for a staycation in Oakwood Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur and experience their SOP implementation of which is being oversaw by KKM/police very tightly. A few things that I noted and particular about was being observe by the management, kudos to them. Health and safety of not only the guests but their customers are their utmost priority. It is a comfort to know this. Alhamdulillah…

So what I am gonna do is to take you thru my journey during my SOP Staycation, having said that, if you wish to know more on my stay in Oakwood, please click HERE.

Lobby entrance
As usual, you will be greeted by the front desk requesting you to sanitize and scan the My Sejahtera apps. The management has installed a transparent visor/shield at the front desk counter to ensure the boundary between their staff and hotel guests. This is to minimize the transmission of gems/bacteria from one to the other.

Luggage area

Guests’ luggage is being sanitized and managed by hotel staff.

Registration
We were briefed that due to the pandemic, coffee house for breakfast is not open as usual hence breakfast order is being taken during registration and is served at own room. Pool is closed during this period with exception for cocktail by the pool that starts at 6pm (no pool usage, cocktail by the pool is open to hotel guests and public.

Breakfast

We were given 4 breakfast choices – Classic American Breakfast, Nasi Lemak Ayam, Chinese Style Shredded Chicken Soup and Dhall with Roti Pratha/Capati. The meal of your choice will then be sent to your room in a take-away pack, minimising human contact.

Gym
It is still open but registration is required and guest is to indicate the preferred time. Despite that gym is open, they have limit the pax usage per time. Only 4 pax per time is allowed per time (if I remember the figure correctly). The equipment is being sanitized after every usage.

Room
I also enquired on the room and how it is being handled. I learnt that upon guests check-out, they wil not enter the room immediately. Upon the stipulated time, the room service will clean and sanitize the room.

Things that fascinated me the most when staying in Oakwood were :

1. Starbucks DIY machine (located at the lobby)
- All you need is digital money 😉

2. On-the-go pastry counter
- Simple and easy

3. Kitchenette
- Their kitchenette comes with (kid you not) – all the kitchen utensil including dish washing liquid and sponge, rice cooker, microwave, kettle, mini fridge, cups/glasses and plates and toaster. Boleh berkampung here hokkay.
 

 
Where to have a quick bite and all this places are across the street.

1. Kenny Hill Bakers
- Need I say more… sedap. Period

2. Thai Village
- Obviously Thai food lah kan.

 

3. Victoria Station
- Still famos, their steak is not bad.

4. Hock Choon
- The 'atas' grocer with local name.
 
Oakwood Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur is located approximately 5km from KLCC and the closes embassy is the China/British/France and US embassy if I am not mistaken. Great place to stay if you just wanna lepak at KLCC, attend a wedding near this area, celebrate birthday party or perhaps… apply for visa at one of the embassy (assuming you are not based in KL/Selangor lah). Not only that, they have long term stay concept (for expat) here too. Whatever it is, do come and experience your stay here.



Fact :
Oakwood Worldwide® is the premier provider of corporate housing and serviced apartment solutions through its well-known brands, Oakwood®, ExecuStay® and Insurance Housing Solutions™. With a presence in all 50 United States and more than 85 countries, the award-winning company provides move-in-ready furnished accommodations to meet the needs of global organizations, individual business travellers, insurance clients and leisure travellers alike. Oakwood Worldwide was founded in and continues to base its corporate headquarters in Los Angeles and operates regional headquarters in London, Phoenix and Singapore.
 

Oakwood Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur

222 Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 603.2720.3888
Website : https://www.oakwoodasia.com/kualalumpur/oakwood-kualalumpur.php