Lost in the city...

Today I went to Ara Damansara - motivated by a little adventure of looking at properties there, a location unknown to me. The Oasis condominium to be specific. Today was my first time, and I drove there based on verbal instruction from the real estate agent, Mr. Deon. Except for a little confusion at the criss cross road somewhere near the Subang Parade, I got there without much difficulty.

Well...if not for the adventure, the trip was a complete waste of time. The properties were isolated, relatively deserted with so many empty units. Except for the Sime Darby office. I did not see much of anything else. Definitely not a place I wish to invest!

After a half-hearted viewing of a few units, it was time to drive home. I decided to stop over at the Parkson outlet at the Subang Parade to look for table clothes which my wife had asked me to buy. I could not find the size I was looking - one for a 10 seater dining table! The biggest they had was for eight seaters. 

Then it was time to drive back. I decided to abandon the familiar Federal highway, firstly because my car needed petrol re-fueling, and secondly I thought the Federal Highway would have been congested with traffics.

The decision proved to be a big mistake, and the start of a night-mare~!

After paying RM1.60 toll twice, I was at places of total mystery. I was of course looking for MRR2, but the signboards indicated that I was heading towards Semenyih and Kajang. I exited, and made a loop, only to find myself heading towards Len Seng, Loke Yew, Pudu! And, yes, the traffic was extra heavy! Cheras is not a place to be at 5pm on a work day! Heavy rain didn't help matters. My unfamiliarity with roads was a cause of serious stress. I called my eldest son a few times seeking help with direction. He tried to be helpful. Each time I called, he would say, "Sabar ayah...drive until you find a familiar land-mark!" 

After 90 minutes, I was relieved to see a signboard indicating that I was heading towards the Sungai Besi / Seremban highway. Although I was in a complete wrong direction, at least I was in a familiar zone. I made a loop into Jalan Istana Negara, headed towards PWTC, Jalan Genting Kelang and home bound!

150 minutes from the time I left Subang Parade, finally I arrived home in Taman Melati; relieved and repented! I would be more cautious in adventuring into unfamiliar territories in the future. Better still I would stick to my usual modus operandi of renting a taxi or taking the train! Perhaps, there is a lesson to be learned from today's journey!

That is exactly what I will be doing tonight, taking the LRT from Melati to my dinner destination with my daughter, son and daughter-in-law! See you guys there at 8pm.