An invitation to RELAX...

I received an ecard on Tuesday inviting me for a relaxing Saturday affair. Walk in park, lazing amongst green, sipping on tea, who can resist? The invitation came from Terence. We’ve been looking forward to our ‘free’ weekend after many weekends prior chocked full with activities.
Dim sum kicked off the day. As surprising as it may be, dim sum usually ranked last on my “food cravings” list. But I opted for a change and swerved into Kee Way for a few dainty plates of dim sum. My taste buds tingled as the familiar mix of savoury and sweet blends together.



A notion of satisfaction filled our stomachs as we drove to Lake Gardens to continue the day. I’m grateful that tho Lake Garden’s is not as expansive as Central Park, we still have some patch of green in Klang Valley. It would be a tragedy to be constantly facing concrete jungles.

Quickly we spotted a place under some huge towering trees overlooking the lake, a perfect spot tucked away from the crowd. The Lord blessed us privacy to read the Word and pray together (that being part of the day’s agenda). It still dawns upon me each time how much I treasure the times we share with the Lord as a couple.



Peeking onto the next table not too far away, I realized that some backpackers had plunked themselves for a game of UNO. Tempted to join them, the Scrabble we brought yelped out for attention. Inclining to an intellectual challenge, Scrabble it was! Three quarts into the game, I had begun to wonder if it was my brain at rest or the choice of alphabets I took! Even with a huge dictionary, both Terence and were taking so long to pass each turn!

As time went by, the 3 o’clock mark was inching closer. Our next appointment rang an alarm with rumbles and growls from our tummies. The hot chocolate we made awhile ago just didn’t do it. Tho Terence had pancake mix, maple syrup and butter (ready to stifle hunger), I wasn’t willing to take second best for what is to come.

Swiftly we packed our barang barang and headed to the car, enroute to the car we were stopped by a bunch of students doing their Kajian Tempatan project. Almost pleading for us to answer their questionnaire we gave in and sacrificed a few minutes. What a relieve Terence was there, since the questions were ALL in Bahasa Melayu. Even he had problems answering some questions (being the BM pro). But the little encounter brought my thoughts back to schooling days when we as students were at the mercy our interviewees. Tho helping them answer some questions wasn’t a big chore, to them is a big help.

Up the winding road to an old majestic mansion, Carcosa Seri Negara for afternoon tea, the British way. This mansion built in 1904 was restored to its former glory and now stands as one of Malaysia’s heritage buildings. We heard from that afternoon tea is a hallmark and decided to treat ourselves. Having been there for a dinner and a wedding, tea was a new flavour and feel. Ushered to our tables by a personal maître d', the Lord made the afternoon even more splendid by reserving a dainty corner for two overlooking greens. Quiet, private and a cozy corner, it added up to the Carcosa Experience.

The menu provided a wide selection of teas, from oolong to fruit teas. The maître d' then served us our selection of tea in individual fine porcelain teapots. Every now and then he would walk by to check if our tea cups were full or half full. Very promptly he would fill it up again with amicable service. Our tea came in 3 courses. First course, a three tier rack arranged with egg, cucumber and salmon sandwiches, apple crumble in petite porcelain ramekins and an assortment lemon tarts, choc walnut brownies and real English fruit cake. Just as we thought our British afternoon tea wasn’t complete, the maître d' comes with a basket of piping warm scones, both plain and raisin. He skillfully transfers the muffin like things onto our plate and introduces three spreads – clotted cream, rose petal jelly and raspberry jam. Sipping on our tea like kings and queens, kicking back our slippers and sinking into the comfy chair, the word is “Just heavenly!” as the Brits would say it.

Three tier tea rack

The good ol' English style of clotted cream and scones

The maître d' peeks to check on our tea again and gives us a nod wisely leaving us alone to enjoy the afternoon. How we wish that time will stand still, just for one moment, one afternoon. It was pure relaxation, no worries, no strive – just quiet rest.

Breaking the standstill, in came our 3rd course of homemade English cookies, candied orange peel, fresh strawberries and cream. Again out of my norm, I dipped, smudge and covered my strawberry with fresh cream. The look of fluffy white cream on the stark red bulb is enough to make my mouth water. The next time I have tea at home, my guest will certainly be treated with strawberries and cream.

During tea I passed a nonchalant comment of viewing the rooms. To my knowledge the cheapest room costs a hefty RM1000. I wanted to see how lavish these Victorian styled suites are. Then our trusty maître d' popped the question, “If you would like to see the room, I can arrange for a personal butler to bring you around.” My heart leaped like a little girl when she set eyes on candy. We ushered from the Drawing Room up a grand winding staircase and the maître d' opened the heavy wooden doors. It was simple, elegant, romantic and expansive. No TV’s or anything technically challenging. The bed was incredibly inviting with four bed posts reaching up to the high ceiling. Bathroom and toilets were huge with an in suite built in. I imagine closing the doors and there would be absolute silence from within. It goes to show how excellent the quality of material and architecture was many years ago.

The thousand ringgit room

Simple and elegant bathrooms

What would be a mansion without a chandelier?

Our Saturday drew to a close as we drove down the same winding road back to the concrete jungle, back to our families, back home.

P/s Click on the Title for more pics