There are just some weekends when you’d rather be tucking yourself away with the company of close ones sharing banters and conversations drinking with serenity, instead of getting downright wasted; chugging down scotch and bottles of beer all night with complete strangers.

I don’t know about you, but that epiphany has possibly dawned upon me one too many times.

Perhaps it’s the age catching up on me. No, wait. Scratch that. I still party like a rockstar.

Did that rooftop photo just catch your eye? How pretty is that helipad bar, right? 

I catapulted the sis and myself to no place other than Stratosphere @ The Roof one fine Saturday night.

Situated within close proximity, boasting an array of delicious cocktails, soothing my soul with deep house tracks and with a view to boot, it’s no wonder Stratosphere has topped my list of favorite rooftop bars this year.

This would be my 3rd time at The Roof so far. I attended the launch when it first opened for business and also spent New Year’s Eve here.

Yup, new year’s eve was indeed a pretty sight to behold.

  Patrons usually start pouring in to watch the sunset and stay on till dusk.

Because really, there isn’t anything quite as fancy as having a few drinks and mouthwatering canapes with the sun setting in the near horizon as you prep yourself for some serious partying come nightfall.

 Loving the connecting bridge and entrance to Stratosphere.

There are two ways to get up here: by elevator & by staircase. I usually take the latter.

 A word of caution to the ones afraid of heights. If you are acrophobic, you might experience some vertigo. 

 Just kidding. We’re fine! The sis does have, to slight degree, some fear of heights,

but she managed pretty well after some getting used to. 

At Stratosphere, patrons usually stand by the bar or the balcony to take in the beautiful panoramic view of the iridescent skyline as well as admire the flickering lights of the city and high-rise buildings.

But if you find yourself wanting to sit down at any point, do expect two kinds of seating. 

 The comfy garden lounge couches.

 The steel and woven high stools.

We opted to relax on the huge couches as it was quite a lazy day that evening.

A note to couples: here’s where you can lean back, get cuddly and comfy with each other!

There wasn’t a DJ present that night, but I totally dig the deep house playlist Stratosphere pre-set for us. Also loved the trippy display + laser lights. I can totally see myself zoning out here on a regular basis. 

Perfect place to take the word sky high very, very literally. Heh. Heh. 

Sis dearest with the DJ booth and lasers in the background.

 The choice of drinks are endless.

Choose from scotch on the rocks (my usual). If you’d rather sip on champagne or a concoction of The Roof’s array of cocktails, the waiting staff would also be most obliged to serve you.

A side note: the waiters were so friendly and hospitable to us! Definitely earned some brownie points there.

 The sister and I had a good time catching up, chit-chatting

and discussed our after Saturday night after-midnight plans in the city.

Stratosphere was, however, a perfect prelude for our Saturday night shenanigans. 

Here are some photos of this opulent rooftop bar and its cityscape surroundings, for you to marvel at:

Oh if you’re lucky and if the skies are clear, you’ll spot KLCC and KL Tower in the distance.

For no good reason whatsoever, here’s a blurry photo of us.

Once the clock hit 1am, we had to leave for our other plans to meet up with some friends in the city.

Oh well, till next time, Stratosphere! We’ll definitely be back. 

On your way out. An equally magnificent exit of a connecting bridge as you adjourn.

Shot on my way out. Goodnight, Stratosphere! Thanks for a lovely evening. 

This night will certainly be a night to remember. For that very night after we left Stratosphere and headed to the city, was the night I met you. At the right place and at the right time. T’was a beautiful encounter that I’ll never forget. 

But that’s another story. 

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For more information or to make a reservation on Stratosphere @ The Roof,

Contact them at their phone line : +6012 691 0628

Drop by this address:

1 First Avenue Bandar Utama
47800 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

Log on to their official website at: www.theroof.com.my

LIKE them on Facebook at: fb.com/Stratosphere.TheRoof

Okay this post was actually scheduled to be up 3 weeks ago!

But for some reason, it decided to go bonkers. So just imagine you are reading this like waaaayyyy before today.

You know how advertisements about universities always try to depict some form of "excellence" or "condusive study environment" and the like?

The usual pin-ups of students posing all-so-serious in the library, in the science lab or on the grass?

Looks like they weren't kidding.

Because here in Australia, it really is a real-life scenario

In Malaysia, to be honest, no one sits on the grass to study or even hang out.

Probably there will be a handful of white people doing so occasionally. But apart from that, people usually keep off our grass.

Not that there's anything wrong with our grass or that it is layered with pesticide or something.

It's just not our culture to sit on the grass – I presume. Most of us would just hang out at the uni cafe, uni lounge or even the library.

May the people who never had their asses on university grass before,

come sit and pose for an obligatory photo

Look ma, I'm sitting on the grass!

The university grass!

I gotta admit, we find it pretty queer to do that when there are plenty of vacant seats around.

But as they say – when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Australia, in this case.

During orientation break. Meet my new friend, Anne from Germany.

I can't pronounce her last name so just 'Anne' will do for now 🙂

Fellow Malaysians on exchange!

We were treated to a hot pancake breakfast, giant muffins and hot chocolate/coffee.

Hmm.. anything to make us feel welcome I guess? 🙂

At night, we all headed to the glorious Queen Victoria Market.

We were pretty lucky as it was summer when we arrived.

I hear that there was a night festival of food, culture and music ONLY during the summer nights.

It reminded of our 'pasar malam' back in Malaysia.

Our night markets often comprise food and cheap shopping

Here we are inside the night market!

Fellow exchange students from Malaysia, Canada, Germany and local Ozzies

I loved what I saw.

There were international food all over the place and so many things to buy!

Some form of Mediterranean food

A rather icky pig head on display.

If I didn't love meat so much, I'd turn vegan the moment I saw this photo

Okay here's a cute picture to erase any recollection of the pig head.

MUPPETS ON SALE!!! AWWWWWWWWW

Apart from eating and shopping, we even sampled Yellow Tail wine!

Yup, there was a free tasting session. And I must say, it's pretty damn good.

There were many flavours, but I loved 3 of it only.

They are Moscato, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir

ommmnomnom wine.

The very next day!!

A short city tour – of which I have already explored in this post. Remember? 🙂

Excited exchange students from all over the world

Made some new friends, Lisa and Adam

Went to Federation Square and walked down some steps which I never knew existed beforehand!

Down down down to a scenic riverside bar.

Yarra River!

And the off to Chinatown for dinner!

Was pretty strange that I came all the way to Australia – to eat Asian food.

But hey, there were heaps!!

In most parts of the city or even suburbs like Glen Waverly or Boxhill, there are Asian food aplenty.

But when I'm here, I tend to avoid Asian food like the plague because it would feel so silly to eat something which I can easily have back home in Malaysia for a huge fraction of the price!! Like, one plate of noodles here would cost me 15 $AUD = 45 Ringgit Malaysia when I could pay 5 Ringgit Malaysia for the exact same thing.

YOU TELL ME. MY WALLET PAIN… OR NOT?

After dinner, we chilled out at Emerald Peacock

It's a really pretty rooftop bar! 🙂

Now, if only the view wasn't blocked by so many high-rise buildings, it would be perfect.

With Lina. She bought me this drink! Ommnomnom

On my way back home. I bought a pie from PieFace for supper because I thought the waiter was cute as! And also because I was hungry duh

So! Orientation Week in Monash Clayton campus went pretty swell for the international students.

They made sure we are well-informed of the culture and how to get around town before we all seperated into our campuses.

Oh and… I'M SITTING ON THE GRASS!

(which reminds me, the last time I sat on the grass was when this photograph was taken)