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Wonderful Malaysia

Buying glasses in Malaysia

Last summer I decided to buy a new pair of glasses. First I thought of buying sunglasses (prescription glasses), but later I flew back to the Netherlands with not only a new pair of sunglasses but also a pair of new regular glasses.

Buying glasses in Malaysia at Insight Optical

In the end we bought glasses at two different stores within Pavilion KL. Both shops are part of two large and well-known chains: Insight and Better Vision. You can find Better Vision on the third floor at the right side (from the entrance). You can find Insight on the ground floor, diagonally ‘under’ the main entrance. You can ask someone at the information counter when you can’t find it; or check out the floor directory.

Better Vision was the first shop that we entered. A kind employee immediately came to tell us that we would get a large reduction in price, a positive incentive. I decided to buy Ray Ban sunglasses with prescription glasses. I couldn’t choose from all available models, but only from models that would ‘fit’ lenses. Fortunately there were enough models to pick from. Although the glasses would normally be ready in two days, it took a little longer in our case because of Aidil Fitri (the end of the Ramadan – a national holiday) was celebrated on that day. I could pick up my glasses after three days. I finally paid RM620 for the Ray Bans.

The next day we accidentally walked through Pavilion again when we saw another shop: Insight Optical. They had a large range of Tag Heuer glasses; and exactly the glasses I tried on a few years ago. This time I couldn’t resist ordering these glasses. It took two days as well here. This Tag Heuer contained great lenses (from Tag Heuer itself); titanium, UV protection, transition and anti-dazzle. I paid RM2200 for these glasses. This seems like a lot of money, but in Europe you pay at least double for these glasses.

In the end I had two very great deals at Better Vision and at Insight. In both cases we could negotiate well about a revised final price. The eye test were of very good quality (I had the test at both shops with the same results), the service was also perfect. I was called by both shops when I could pick up my glasses. I was not yet experienced in buying glasses in Malaysia, but it worked out perfectly (my girlfriend also bought two beautiful pair of glasses there). The range is much larger than in Europe and the prices are much cheaper compared to Europe. Here are some tips for buying prescription glasses in Malaysia:

  • When buying several glasses, you get a large discount.
  • Take the delivery time into account (min one day, max five days).
  • Make sure you stay in Malaysia for some time, so that you can go back if something is wrong.
  • Go to a trusted optician (and ask for extensive eye tests first).
  • Leave your hotel name and room number (or local phone number), so they can contact you as soon as the glasses are ready.
  • Let the employee call the factory to be confirmed that the glasses can be picked up within x days.
  • Find out in advance if coupons are available with extra discount for the frame (you can often find them in brochures).
  • During the special sale months (usually the megasale around August and around December) prices are often much lower.
  • Lenses are also cheap, so you could chose to only get new glasses in your existing glasses.
  • Many brands of sunglasses can be fitted with prescription lenses, always check up front.

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Wonderful Malaysia

Simply Mel’s, Malacca Portuguese Cuisine

It is safe to say that over the past year we have become regulars at family-run restaurant Simply Mel’s. We could easily be one of their first customers ever, and have visited the restaurant almost weekly since they started their business at The Sphere. Whenever relatives from The Netherlands are visiting us we bring them to Simply Mel’s. We also often bring our friends to the restaurant, just so they can try out the genuine Malacca Portuguese cuisine, usually for the first time in their lives.

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Simply Mel’s is located within The Sphere in an area called Bangsar South. We happen to live in Bangsar South, we were within the first to receive our keys of one of the units at Begonia Park Residences. We dropped by The Sphere once or two times a week to have a nice dinner at one of the restaurants. The office blocks behind The Sphere weren’t constructed at the time. Simply Mel’s was one of the last restaurants to open in The Sphere, but they were very quick in gaining attention. Not only did I notice many other raving reviews (mostly of food bloggers, but also from culinary magazines), Simply Mel’s was nominated at the Time Out KL Food Awards 2011.

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One of the reviews I read previously was actually from one of Mel’s daughters (she has three daughters that work at the restaurant, all of them always greeting you with warm smiles). I couldn’t agree more with what she wrote there:

The restaurant is a family effort, but it’s really my mum’s… Melba Majella Nunis. It’s her food, her personality, her passion for cooking, her desire to keep our Eurasian family recipes alive…
In a nutshell, it’s just her. It’s Simply Mel’s.

Her mother Mel is such a kind woman. Whenever she has some spare time (as she usually is cooking round the clock) she comes in and chats with everybody.

As I mentioned we often bring friends or relatives (when they are over) to Simply Mel’s. This is also great for us, as we are then able to try out numerous dishes we would otherwise skip. When we have our regular dinner at Mel’s we often go for our most favorite dishes. Over time we’ve come to love certain dishes, like the Devil’s Curry (RM12.90), the Mama Mercy’s Fish Croquettes (RM9.90), French Beans (10.90) and the Beef Curry Ladir (RM16.90).

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Other dishes we like are Chicken Curry Captain (RM12.90), Chicken Seybah (RM16.90), Beef Semur (RM16.90), Pinapple Prawn Sambal (RM17.90) and the absolutely delicious Crab Stuffing (RM21.90). Even after visiting Mel’s for almost a year now, there are still dishes we haven’t tried yet. We certainly will eventually.

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My friends usually go for the Bubur Pulut Hitam, the Cendol or for the ice cream. Mel often has freshly baked cakes, like Sugee Cake or Chocolate Cake, but though they too are delicious I always end up choosing my favorite dessert; Sago Biji Gula Melaka. One other thing why we love this place so much; they serve a great cup of Illy coffee.

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Location and contact details Simply Mel’s

Unit 1-1A, 1st Floor, The Sphere,
No. 1, Avenue 1, Bangsar South,
No. 8 Jalan Kerinchi 59200 Kuala Lumpur

Phone: +6 03 2241 4525
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.simplymels.com

You can also contact them via Facebook or Twitter.

Opening hours are daily from 10am to 10pm. It’s a pork-free restaurant.

How to get to Simply Mel’s The Sphere

If you are driving on the Federal Highway, take the exit into Kampung Kerinchi and drive onto Jalan Kerinchi (exit at University LRT). Follow Jalan Kerinchi until you see the office buildings of The Horizon at your left. Right in front is The Sphere. Simply Mel’s is easily recognizable at the upper left side of the building.

If you are using public transport then exit at Kerinchi LRT station and use the overpass that leads to The Horizon (office buildings) and walk towards The Sphere.

Map Simply Mel’s

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Cuisine in Melaka

TREATY OF LONDON 1824

In 1824, during the Napoleanic Wars in Europe, the Dutch reached a treaty with Great Britain under the “Treaty of London 1824”

The Dutch transferred to Great Britain the ‘Town and Fort of Malacca and its Dependencies’ in which Britain and the Netherlands in return took over Bencoolen in Sumatra which was controlled by Britain.

This move was done to prevent the French from getting Malacca should they defeat Holland in the then Napoleanic Wars.

It should be interesting to get a copy of this Treaty of London 1824 as a record of this important document.

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Tourism Malaysia

Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Watch as colourful hot air balloons float the skies of Putrajaya. Themed ‘ 1 World, 1 Malaysia, 1 Fiesta’ this event features 23 balloonists from Belgium, USA, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Malaysia and Japan.

For more information, please visit: http://www.myballoonfiesta.com