Kuala Lumpur - week2 in Malaysia -

Kuala Lumpur has always felt familiar — a city where I can slip back into its rhythm without thinking. After a whirlwind of busy days, it was the perfect place to exhale, reconnect with friends, and quietly celebrate another year of life 🎉

We settled into a condo in KL Sentral, right at the heartbeat of the city where trains, flavors, and stories intersect. The rainy season followed us, but the location made everything easy — we could explore, dine, and shop without ever feeling rushed or drenched. Normally, we gravitate toward guesthouses for the joy of meeting other travelers and feeling the warmth of local hospitality. But this time, we craved our own pace — a little slice of urban living to call ours.

Although the pool was under maintenance the day after we arrived 😞 the jacuzzi was still there, warm and waiting. We dipped in and watched the sun melt into the horizon — a gentle sunset, but enough to remind us we were on a little break from reality.

The condo welcomed us with comfort: a swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym, coworking space, and Wi-Fi that reached every corner. It was a refreshing change — a home base where mornings started slowly. Even the simple luxury of having a fridge and a microwave reshaped our routine; instead of heading out for breakfast, we lingered, relaxed, and enjoyed the quiet start of each day.

We spent time catching up with friends during our stay. The top photo is with my Japanese friend who lives in Malaysia—we’re actually from the same hometown in Japan. It was such a comforting feeling to chat in our local dialect, something I rarely get to do while living overseas. I didn’t manage to take photos with my other friends, but those memories are definitely kept in my heart.

We also enjoyed a variety of cuisines, including Indian curry and Chinese dishes. The food culture here is incredibly diverse, offering so many delicious options to choose from.

We celebrated my birthday at a Japanese restaurant because I had been craving it so much—and just look at my happy smile 😊 I’m truly grateful to my partner for spending such quality time with me to celebrate my special day 🎂 I really appreciate it.

I ordered a course that included a little bit of everything: sashimi, grilled fish, Hitsumabushi (eel rice bowl with dashi broth), and matcha ice cream for dessert. I suddenly realised that I’ve spent my birthday in different countries over the past five years—Australia, Japan, South Korea, and now Malaysia. It makes me wonder… where will I be celebrating next year?

Check out my funny expression in the bottom-right photo—I was almost euphoric from seeing all the amazing Japanese dishes on the menu 😜 My nostrils even flared and the area under my nose stretched from excitement, hahaha!

Christmas decorations were everywhere, bringing such a festive atmosphere. These photos were taken at Mid Valley shopping centre.🎄✨

Cute snaps in Chinatown.