Visit to Nilai3, Negeri Sembilan (Friday, 16th November 2007)

Colourful straw hats sold in Nilai3

Variety of baskets and decorative ornaments

Salam,

Due to the holidays, my ex-roommate in UIA cum elder sister/ best friend, Ina stayed over at my home since she has to check out from her mahallah/hostel. She did not depart to her home in Jitra, Kedah yet since she would join her boyfriend who would lead an entourage of UMNO members in his hometown to visit Kuala Lumpur. Specifically they intended to have a luncheon with a minister in Putrajaya (hehe the general elections are coming soon so what else.. must start campaigning right? ;) )

Since the entourage consists of mainly makciks and pakciks so the next agenda after Friday prayers in Putrajaya mosque should be shopping in Nilai3, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan; which is located not too far from Putrajaya. For those who do not know, Nilai3 is a shopping haven which became an obsession to women especially Malay middle-aged women, to purchase fabrics, decorative flowers, furniture, household decorations, carpets, wedding ceremony ornaments etc.

Indonesian & Sarawakian tribal masks

Decorative flowers made from cinnamons

Anything you can think to be categorized in the liking of mothers, yes they are there. Besides that, according to the reports I read in newspapers, it is claimed that the vendors here sell their goods with much cheaper price compared to any other place in Malaysia. In fact, the small town of Tangkak in Johor was defeated by Nilai 3 as the ‘It’ shopping spot. Really? Hmm I am not sure but it was for me to find out. But seriously almost any aunt of mine whom I met, and I asked where did they buy this pretty curtains for Eid or their new Hijab or that nice material for their Baju Kurungs; there would only be one single answer, Nilai3 :p And people, please DO NOT compare Nilai3 with Suria KLCC or BB Walk while reading this entry ok? :p

Ok, Ummi (my mum) and Suhail (my boyfriend) and I were supposed to join Ina and her entourage to Nilai3 after they are done with their luncheon and Friday prayers in Putrajaya. It is literally like a dream come true for Ummi because it has been long since she had requested me again and again to visit Nilai3. However unfortunately due to their bus driver’s weird attitude (stubborn cum ignorant in the routes of KL), they could not wait for us because the bus driver demanded that they had to leave then. So the three of us promised to meet them once we reached Nilai3. Quite funny, we reached Nilai3 much earlier before them. Even when they had arrived we could not manage to find them because we did not even know exactly how to describe where we were exactly because indeed Nilai3 was vast. :p

Congkak, a traditional Malay game delicately carved

Ok, once we were there, I could see rows and rows of shop lots offering various goods as I have mentioned above. The shop lots are nothing extravagant, very humble in fact which reminded me of the shop lots in Kuala Kubu Bharu which I had visited in my high school days. The first stop we made was to a Pakistani carpet store which offers various types of Iranian carpets. The prices are quite good, for example one funky print carpet which has the ‘Ikea look’ costs at about RM 40- 60 which is pretty OK. It was adorable to see my sayang always initiating a conversation with every Pakistani salesman he met, mostly talking about the recent cricket match between Pakistan v India. They were flattered they even invited him to join them for tea.

Then we went to a clothing fabric store which specializes on Indonesian Telekungs and Baju Kebayas. Indonesian tailoring is very well-known for their workmanship on embroidery.

Indonesian Kebayas, finely embroidered sold at affordable prices

Next we headed to a Sarawakian handicraft shop which sells many furniture and decorations made from rattan with Sarawakian tribal motives. I especially adore the Mengkuang baskets which are now produced in numerous vibrant colours and designs. When I enquired Ummi whether the price is considered cheap or not, Ummi said it’s more or less the same in Craft Complex in Jalan Conlay. Perhaps most people claim that the things in Nilai3 are cheap because they do not know about the Craft Complex. Perhaps if they go there, they would find affordable prices with a variety of selection.

Sarawakian rattan handircrafts

Then we dropped by to stores which sell handicrafts and wedding necessities. We did not do any shopping, because we did not intend to shop really. One thing about me is that I am not really the kind of a girl who favours window shopping. I find it tiring to go out and check out clothes and sometimes up to the extent of trying them but not buying them. I would only be interested to check out for new arrivals in stores only if I have money and intend to spend. However if you drag me to view art pieces, handicrafts, just for the pleasure of the eyes I would love to go. However Ummi did buy a few decorative wood chickens for her kitchen.

Adorable Chinese potteries

Me too did buy a Spongebob Squarepants stuffed toy for my sister Deena since she is obsessed with it, and I just wanted to cheer her up since she had been crammed in the room tediously studying for her upcoming exam.

Nana is hiding behind her new buddy

After having lunch at the Medan Selera, and after we had done sharing Suhail’s ABC especially me :p we checked out a few more stores and left for KL.

Ummi & Suhail enjoying the sweet dessert of ABC

Nilai3, from my observation is no wonder to be a hit among women, I bet that the visitors are increased by folds durin festive seasons especially Aidilfitri.