Metromall

Metromall is a lifestyle concept mall focusing on the theme "F3 Formula" - Fun, Food and Fashion. I have passed through this place a couple of times when taking LRT over the years and I finally made an effort to visit it recently.

Metromall is located at Fraser Business Park and is easily accessible by LRT. The business park is located at the intersection between Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Loke Yew.

The nearest LRT station is Chan Sow Lin station with a linking pedestrian bridge connecting the station directly to the mall.

I was shocked with my discovery when I stepped into the mall. The mall is virtually lifeless with almost all the shop units shuttered. The place still able to remain relatively clean and tidy even though it is virtually deserted. A quick search in their official Facebook also indicate the last entry was way back in 2014.

The only business that remains operational here is some F&B outlets which allow dine in at the time of writing.

There are hotel, lodge and residence hotel incorporated to the building. This place could easily be an ideal base for any traveler due to its close proximity to a convenient public transport and the amenities at the surrounding area.

KLIA2 Post MCO

I been going in and out KLIA2 on weekly basis before the pandemic hit our country. I remember vividly when I touched down at the airport at 2100 on 17th March 2020, a day before the first Movement Control Order (MCO) commenced in our country. Everyone onboard with me that day don't seems to be bother what will come ahead but I know things will never be the same after that.

The atmosphere within the airport has changed since MCO. I remember when travel was allowed and I made my way back to KLIA2 from early June to November 2020 with the latest on 20th March 2021. Little has changed inside the airport after the MCO was lifted last year.

The drop off zone is pretty much deserted with a handful of cars dropping the passengers. There are hardly anymore police manning the traffic and reminding motorists not to park their vehicles here for too long.

Walking into Level 3 of the Gateway@KLIA2 is like walking into an unfamiliar territory as most shops were seen to be closed permanently. These photos were taken around 0800. 

Moving down to Level 2M where most of the eateries are located is another sad scene. There are hardly any places to eat here now. Even the usually packed food court is boarded up.

The convenience shop on Level 2M which I frequently dropped by in the past still survive and notice the renovation done internally.

This is the flight schedule of the day (as of 0800) with very few domestic flights available. 

There are more shops which are in operation on Level 2 although many of them are unlikely to be open again. 

I recommend the Food arcade located on Level 2 for those who wish to dine in although many stalls here also seem to be closed.

The airport check in counter also see less traffic and most of the shops here also had shuttered. Starbucks is probably one of the few shops open at this area.

Most of the shops inside the departure hall are still operational even though with less traffic. It is now easier to find a place to sit compare to the period before the pandemic.

It is kind of funny to see how paranoid some passengers can be as they donned full PPE for their flight.

Lockdown has caused a lot of damage to the economy. In fact lockdown doesn't work. It is only good in destroying the economy and job with this airport as a case study. A good awareness and discipline are all we need. Social distancing, sanitize, wearing a mask and good enforcement are the best way to move forward without imposing any lockdown or movement control.

Chen Brothers Durian & Fruit

One of the most sought after durian stall in KL is Chen Brothers Durian & Fruit in Kepong Baru.

It is located at 'durian street' (Jalan Mergastua) where several durian stalls lined up on both side of the busy road. One could take the KTM Komuter and stop at Kepong station. The durian street is about 15 minutes walk away.

They sell a wide varieties of durian such as Musang King, Red Meat, D24, D101, Kunyit and Bamboo Leg.

The durian here is not the cheapest around but we had at least 5 different types of durian and the pulps turn out alright. If the durian turn out to be unsatisfactory, the owner would willingly change it.

Water is readily available on each table for free. One could order coconut too here for cooling down the body after taking durians.

The stall also package the pulp in a plastic container which is later vacuum sealed to prevent the strong smell of the king of fruits from emitting out.

Ernest Zacharevic's Street Art @ KL

I never had a chance to get close and personal with the interactive street art of the famed artist Ernest Zacharevic until his most recent work in the heart of KL.

His latest work at Wisma Allianz in Jalan Gereja is a massive 21m x 25m mural spanning over 6 storey high of the building.

The mural is especially commissioned by Allianz General Insurance Company which attempts to reach out the rural community via its new catching phrase "kampungku".

In order to create this masterpiece, Ernest had made a visit to the rural area in Sarawak to have a better understanding of life in the village.

 

The mural depicts a typical serene kampung scene with a weary girl sitting in a sampan that pass through a house on stilts from which a woman stands watching her while a cat takes a nap at the stairs of the house.

The painting is a symbol to remind people of home and make them think about what home means to them and what it feels like to be away from it which I believe many of us can relate to.

Nu Sentral

I just realized that Nu Sentral has opened to public this month when I passed through KL Sentral. I decided to pay it a visit and see what it got to offer.

 

Nu Sentral is basically just beside the KL Sentral with a direct walkway adjacent to the KLIA Transit ticket counter. From what I gathered, the mall has its soft opening around end of March this year.

 

Its size blew me away. I believe there is about 7 or 8 floors of retail spaces here. It also offers a more comfortable environment for commuter from KL Sentral to the KL Sentral Monorail Station.

One of its distinguished features is the skylight which allow the natural light into the mall. The sky light has a modern touch to it and definitely add some aesthetic value to the new mall.

 

 

Just walk outside to the balcony, one can have a clear view of the bustling Brickfields and its surrounding skylines.

 

Nu Sentral houses almost every retail shops and brands normally found at other shopping malls around Klang Valley with Parkson as its main tenant.

With Nu Sentral, I guess the commuters who commute regularly via KL Sentral will now have more reason to hang around here longer.