As the final pages of 2023 turned, our month-long journey of festivities, family gatherings, and joyous celebrations came to a close. From weddings to birthdays, Christmas to New Year's Eve and New Year’s Day, December was a tapestry woven with moments of love, laughter, and the warmth of family bonds.
Relatives from distant corners of the world—New Zealand, England, Taiwan, and Hong Kong—graced us with their presence, turning our gatherings into reunions filled with laughter and love.
Hubby's birthday on 30th December marked a highlight of our December festivities, celebrated at his favorite hotspot, Haidilao, Bangsar. The exceptional service and delectable hotpot offerings made for a memorable birthday feast.
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| This time we opted for a 4-variety of soup base for our hotpot at Haidilao. |
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| Hubby's favorite marbled beef slices. |
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| New dessert spotted (so happy!). When we went to Haidilao a few months ago, this DIY boba and jelly ice dessert wasn't available yet. |
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| Boba and jelly bar with so many different types of boba, jellies and toppings. |
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| Another new dessert spotted - soft-serve ice-cream in 3 flavors (vanilla, chocolate, and 2-in-1 vanilla and chocolate). |
On New Year's Eve, our makan-makan journey continued at Teowchew Lao Er, a Michelin Guide-recommended Teochew porridge restaurant. Post-lunch, we indulged in desserts and drinks at Xiao By Crustz—a haven for pastry and dessert aficionados. The delicacies, almost too pretty to eat, added a sweet note to our year-end celebrations. The owner of this café is a good friend of hubby’s cousin.
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| Porridge at Teochew Lao Er, listed under Michelin Guide's Point of View. |
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| Teochew desserts from Lao Er |
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| Desserts comprise a variety of Entremets and pastries at Xiao By Crustz. |
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| These two cuties are frozen ice-creams. |
New Year's Eve dinner unfolded as a small yet heartwarming gathering at hubby's uncle's house. Relatives from near and far convened for a final celebration in 2023, sharing a feast of pizza for the younger generation, porridge, and pig stomach soup for the elders, and a variety of desserts for everyone.
As the clock struck midnight, the skies lit up with fireworks from our housing estate, creating a fitting farewell to the challenges of the past year. Though KLCC chose not to host its traditional display of grand fireworks because of global challenges, there were still fireworks in and around our neighborhood, which can be seen clearly from our unit.
I had to battle with insomnia on New Year’s Eve / wee hours of New Year’s Day as I went to bed way past my usual bedtime and also had too much caffeine circulating in my system from the endless cups of tea drank at Lao Er and at Xiao By Crustz.
Looking ahead to 2024, my fervent prayer is for a year of better health, greater prosperity, and boundless joy for my family and yours.
May this new year be a chapter of hope, resilience, and dreams fulfilled for us all. Happy New Year!