Dear Pipsqueaks,
Last weekend was action-packed but still managed to be somewhat relaxing. Planned: we were set to go spend a night at
Port Dickson's Avillion, arriving just in time for the rather late check-in hour of 3pm, then chillaxing by the pool before grabbing dinner somewhere. But of course, we're always up for those come-what-may's.
The day started with a late brunch at this super hidden Korean coffee shop in the middle of warehouses called
Bean Brothers. Honestly, we drove by a couple of times completely missing it because it didn't have the branding we were expecting. Luckily, our friend stood out onto the street, or else we'd probably be making another round. But anyway, we found the place, got parking and was too ready for some food!
Upon pushing through their gigantic glass door, it did feel like we were entering a secret compartment of reality. This place was spacious and yet filled with items here and there. Open concept with lots of seats and a huge hole in the middle of the ceiling (that looked like the 2nd floor fell through) allowing light to shine through to the first. Very edgy and metal which normally feels rather cold but warmed up quite a bit with all the customers and staff buzzing around.
Certainly a focus on their beans more than food, you will find only a page of belly-fillers. But I'm sure you will find something you like despite the short list. You can always try the avocado on toast with quinoa. Just enough punch for breakfast without it getting too heavy. Most of my friends didn't like the quinoa but let me tell you it's good for you!
(That's what I ordered - the name escapes me but it's the only one with avocado in it if I remember correctly)
(Super chocolate-oozy muffin: a must-order for chocolate-lovers!)
(Christine and me!)
(Coffee + Friends = Best combo ever!)
Then, we were on our way to Port Dickson...kinda. There were talks about going to an ostrich farm that was on the way to PD, but no one really confirmed the plan was a go so it wasn't until we were on the car that was decided. Yup, that's how we rooooooooll! Never been to an ostrich farm, and the only thing I knew about ostrich were that they're quite fierce. Fast runners with super skinny legs...and some people actually eat ostrich meat! That's just...not my cup of tea.
So yes, we arrived and took a walk around the farm, which surprisingly was quite well kept. It didn't have that farm or zoo-smell that I had been anticipating. We learned a few things about ostriches: male has black feathers while female have grey feathers; their eggs can withstand 120kg of weight; and any one of these could have been the runaway ostrich on Federal Highway the other day! Yes, if you had not read the news:
Ostrich on Highway.
We also tried to get our baby of the group to ride the donkey, but these two were by far the most LAZIEST if not the SHYEST donkeys ever. They wouldn't take even a step forward, and at some point the one we had gotten her to sit on was leaning on the wooden post like it was too cool for all of us. Faint. Maybe it was the weathers, so fine.
Then, the joke of the farm: they actually had a one-humped camel by the name of 'Jessy'. Like seriously, it's so difficult to find a person with the same name. What are the chances of running into a camel with the same name? Apparently very high...
(Well, hello there Jessy~)
(This farm also had a doggy cafe - in partnership with SPCA, they keep the doggies here so they could roam around and you can adopt them if you'd like!)
After the short walk around, we departed with the group to check-in at our resort. Part of the members package, we got a free night stay at a Garden Chalet. Room was just as spacious with a reading bed by the window. Actually, I think the whole washroom area was equivalent to the bed area - BIG. Then, I was left to snack on whatever I brought over before Jo came back from meeting up with another friend (who was also staying at Avillion for the Run-Bike-Run Dualthon the following day) to tell me what the plan was for food. She did suggest to order room service, but I never trust hotel food. They're normally overpriced and barely satisfactory in taste. Finally, she came running back to say that our friend ordered food in her room, and that we were invited to join them.
At that point, I'm thinking - "Did she say order food? But I thought they just checked-in? Didn't she say they brought food on their way here?" A bit fishy but I was hungry so I didn't ask anymore questions and followed.
When the door swung open, I was looking around the room for food only to spot a cake box with a knife-spatula taped on top. "You bought cake?" My friend who stayed in the room said this super suspicious and long, "Noooooooo." Then, out jumped everyone from the toilet, under the bed and the closet! Totally didn't expect them to be there! At best, I thought they'd pop by dinner because I knew a few of them were heading to PD for work and the other three said they were busy doing something else. But very pleasantly surprised! And you have to check out my designer cake. It's seriously the best combo of everything I love about cake: Macaroons in the shape of shuttlecocks and racket with earl grey filling on top of dark chocolate moist cake. Seriously O.M.G. dope.
(Thanks for such a cute birthday cake!!! Credits to the cake chef Aaron Quay from Pretty On Plate)
(The one in the closet - if I took a step forward, the door would have swung in my face...so good thing I didn't! Haha)
(I can't imagine how dusty it was down there, so I give props to you two! They definitely got me because I get the creeps seeing anything climb out under the bed!!!)
(My Malaysian Family - missing Jeslyn Pang)
After the surprise, we chilled by the pool waiting for the last member to arrive in PD. We got quite a scare because the hike was only supposed to take 6-8 hours, but now reaching 12 hours, we had still not heard or been able to call. Turned out, she was 2 hours behind due to partner-injury. So at least she was alright. When she arrived, we were all ready for the seafood feast! This is what happens when one of our friend's places order - she goes all out. Not to mention, she remembers what we all like to eat. Then she'd say, no one knows what I like to eat. Helloooo, we don't even get a chance! If we have to guess based on what you order, difficult la! That's like the whole menuuuuu. Okay, we will work on figuring out what you really like to eat - deal!
(Maybe we should've taken a photo before we devoured the food...)
Feeling like round balloons, we needed to go for a walk or coffee, so we did both! We dropped by MBA badminton hall, so we could finally see how the place looked like. A few played table tennis, and let's just say, my level of competitiveness is NORMAL among my friends. Not long, coffee was calling, so we drove to the ONLY Starbucks in PD. And you could tell it was the only one because the place was PACKED! We waited a while for seats, then another while for our drinks. Honestly, it seemed like the only legit place to hangout in PD at night!
Dropping by the petrol station for some snacks, we made our way back to the resort. Randomness kicked in again - we found ourselves at karaoke for a hour since we had vouchers as members. Odd enough, this place had much clearer speakers than some other places we've gone. One hour went by so quick, but at 1am, I felt exhausted and hungry. Not wanting to eat anymore food, I retired to my room, shower and slept. Obviously, the others had a different plan. Two actually went out to buy ikan while the other two swam at the 24hour pool. Yes, I admit I did say we should stay up all night to enjoy this resort, but my thyroids were protesting! Maybe next time when I'm in better health...
The next day started with growling stomachs. Luckily, two very kind ladies were already out buying breakfast! We ate by the pool even though the staff had said no outside food allowed. Well, technically, we weren't even by the pool. We were by a drinks shop that wasn't even open. Anyway, we quickly finished our food and hopped into the pool before check-out time at noon. There's just something about being in a pool during holidays. Like, if you didn't go for a dip, you didn't have a complete one. Weird thought but I think I'm starting to get that.
(No, she didn't really need that but that does remind me of those babies with donuts around their head! Cute~)
It's surprising how fast we get hungry during holidays! And our friends from the dualthon came back just in time. Unfortunately, their stay at Avillion was a disappointing one because there was a leak in the roof, and since it stormed during the night, you can imagine the amount of water that drizzled in. So they didn't have a good sleep, and had to wake up at 4ish to sign in for the race before 6am. It also didn't help that the tracks for both runners and bikers were too muddy due to the rain. Both came back covered in mud and in desperate need for a nice hot shower. BUT, it was already check-out time so if I'm not mistaken, they had showered in the hotel sauna area. The hotel did compensate with a 50% discount, but still. These kinds of bad experiences leave a mark and an unpleasant memory. Let's hope we were able to buffer that a little with all the good food and company though.
We had a lunch order even the staff at the restaurant were questioning whether we'd finish it all. But seriously, you don't question how much this group can eat - we CAN eat. Not to mention two peeps that just finished a crazy run-bike-run. Nothing can do what food does - bring us all together. And we finished what was left of the cake from last night. It was hilarious when the restaurant staff member brought over the cake and opened the box only to find it half eaten. He was so worried because he thought his people had eaten the cake! Good fun giving him a scare, but nah, we confessed eventually.
I couldn't have asked for a better weekend getaway surprise birthday celebration. Perhaps, maybe if I had been able to pull an all-nighter. Next time peeps, when I get better. Thanks for making the trip to PD and spending your weekend with me. I'm blessed to have such a close group of friends here in a foreign country that has now become my second home. I'm grateful for having such an awesome birthday cake to kick off the celebration this year. I'm thankful for everyone's time they have so willingly spent with me this past weekend.
(Once again, missing Jeslyn Pang!)
I feel so loved.
Thank you.
