John's Place, Kuching

John's Place- run by Big John (surprise surprise), was a score.

John's Place had only been open for 4 days when we stumbled across it. The rooms were luxury compared to some of the places we have stayed. It is in a very central area and the staff are great. We somehow managed to score a room for Rm 55 for the 3 of us. We did however stay for a week, and what a week it was. Downstairs is John's cafe which serves a ripper Tom Yum and very cheap beer. Many locals come here for a beer or 20 and we somehow found ourselves indulging night after night.

Big Pete's Secret Rum (until now)

Here is Big Pete's (allegedly) secret brew for Rum . MAKE AT OWN RISK! CAUTION!

STEP 1: obtain a large plastic container with screw-lid, suitable for burying.

STEP 2: 1 kg. of steamed glutinous rice into container.

STEP 3: sprinkle rice with four teaspoons of brewer's yeast. pour on four cans of ' kickapoo' softdrink. (you can substitute 'Lift' or any other lemon softdrink).

STEP 4: seal container, and completely bury underground for one month.

STEP 5: remove from ground, add 1 kg. of brown sugar; cover, and place underground for another month.

STEP 6: READY! Remove from ground, DRINK AT OWN RISK! Not personally tested...

Jamie from Melbourne, now working in Kuala Lumpur

Jamie, a friend from Melbourne who is working in KL, showed us a good night out... Fatty Crabs Restaurant offers a taste sensation with its delicious fried chicken, prawn and crab dishes.

Jamie, a friend from Melbourne who is working in KL, showed us a good night out... Fatty Crabs Restaurant offers a taste sensation with its delicious fried chicken, prawn and crab dishes. The place was jam-packed when we arrived, with most people elbow deep in crab. We indulged in the messy business of devouring crabs the size of muddies, which are covered in a secret chilli sauce. This sauce is a family recipe. It is passed down to each generation and no one was prepared to share it with us. We will endeavour to obtain this recipe somehow!

From Fatty's we headed into Petaling Jaya, a suburb of KL, southwest of the city centre. The little bar we went to has lovely staff who love to practice their Ingerlish. The regulars buy their spirits by the bottle, and if not consumed that night, the bottle is looked after by the staff until next time. The name of this bar is a little hazy- maybe “Monty's”?

Big Pete's Pudu Hostel, Jalan Pudu

We stayed at Big Pete's Pudu Hostel, Jalan (road) Pudu, across from Puduraya bus station. Big Pete was allegedly born and bred in Townsville and has lived in Malaysia about 40 years.

We stayed at Big Pete's – i.e. Pudu Hostel, Jalan (road) Pudu, across from Puduraya bus station. Big Pete was allegedly born and bred in Townsville and has lived in Malaysia about 40 years. His claim to fame is (allegedly) being seven-times Malaysian shot gun-beer champion. In his heyday ( before giving up drinking) he was known to be able to consume 110 large bottles of Tiger between 10am and 4pm (allegedly).

Pete provided an air-con room for three, with shared bathroom for RM 50 (AUD $18.40). The hostel has a large common area with t.v, cold Tiger and meals available. The Puduraya bus station is convenient for a bus to Singapore, to Bangkok and for all of Malaysia in between.

Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Cherating

We went from KL to Cherating on a bus from the Puduraya Bus Station. We paid RM18 each (AUD$6.60) for a ticket to Kuantan south of Cherating, then asked the driver to take us on to Cherating, which cost an extra RM3 each (AUD$1).

We went from KL to Cherating on a bus from the Puduraya Bus Station. We paid RM18 each (AUD$6.60) for a ticket to Kuantan south of Cherating, then asked the driver to take us on to Cherating, which cost an extra RM3 each (AUD$1).The long distance buses are comfortable and spacious with allocated seats. The trip took 5 hrs and was enhanced by trashy 80's music.

Bungalows at Cherating Inn are 100m from the beach; barter with the owner to get the price down. We managed RM50 (AUD$18.40) for a triple with bathroom and air-con. Friendly owners; monkeys and goats complimentary.

No Name Chinese Roadside Restaurant

On Jalan(road) Pudu; next to a motorbike shop. Our first meal in town was a winner! We stumbled across this place by walking from Jalan Bukit Bintang, turning left onto Jalan Pudu and going about 800m. The restaurant is on the left-hand side. Seeing many tables of locals enjoying a meal inspired us to go in.

On Jalan(road) Pudu; next to a motorbike shop. Our first meal in town was a winner! We stumbled across this place by walking from Jalan Bukit Bintang, turning left onto Jalan Pudu and going about 800m. The restaurant is on the left-hand side. Seeing many tables of locals enjoying a meal inspired us to go in. No English was spoken, and the wall-mounted menu was all in Chinese, however, the staff and customers were all very welcoming and accommodating. By pointing to dishes we could see others eating , and with recommendations from them via gestures, we were sorted.

We had fresh-water whole catfish, deep-fried, with a sauce made from soy, ginger, coriander, spring onion, rice wine and a little sugar. The soft, silken bean-curd in Malaysia is a real treat. In this instance, it was lightly steamed,and served with crispy garlic shallots, chilli and white pepper, along with a soy, ginger and rice wine syrup. These dishes were accompanied by plain rice and wok fried kang kong (a form of spinach).Total food cost = RM(Malaysian ringgit) 15 ( AUD$5.50).Note that the locals consume everything of the fish; the head included.

Hawker Stands

The Hawker stands are many and varied, and they go day and night all over KL. Locals eat most, if not all of their meals out; the street stall option is always close at hand.

The Hawker stands are many and varied, and they go day and night all over KL. Locals eat most, if not all of their meals out; the street stall option is always close at hand. Though they are quite simple set-ups, the depth of flavour is very rewarding for the consumer.

Try the duck-lady outside of the Chinatown market; corner of Jalan Hang Lekir and Jalan Sultan. BBQ pork and nasi (rice) or mee (noodles) = RM 4.50 (AUD$1.65). This stand only operates during the day. Look for the BBQ duck hanging in the street trolley.

Pork Mee (Noodles)

A good breakfast option when in KL. cost = RM 5 (AUD $ 2). We enjoyed this great start to the day and so can you. Read on for recipe.

Ingredients:

one packet of rice noodles
one litre of chicken stock
100 grams of pork tripe (or substitute bacon)
100 grams of liver or substitute red meat
one quarter chinese cabbage, rough chopped
half knob of ginger, finely sliced
two spring onion, rough chopped
one chilli, rough chopped
30 mls of soy
salt and pepper

Method:
Bring chicken stock to a simmer. Add pork tripe and liver. poach for 3 minutes. skim surface.
Add fresh ginger, cabbage and rice noodles. Simmer for one minute. Add spring onion to finish. Soy and chilli to taste.

Serves 4 - 6