Maria Dieterle, Martine Lunder and Marije Mellegees are three exchange students from Germany, Holland and Norway. They are working with a UNHCR programme in Kuala Lumpur and expect to be in the country for six months.

As exchange students, on working breaks, sometimes you don't get to see enough. We landed in Malaysia, far, far away from homes in Norway, Germany and Holland. Perhaps - just perhaps - ready to experience something different. Asia is colour, contrast, controversy. Such a change from lands left behind. Sometimes, we felt totally at sea. We also felt at home. People welcomed, explained, cajoled and encouraged.We also felt at home. People welcomed, explained, cajoled and encouraged. By the end of our third week, we were tired of work. A day off beckoned. Determined to explore, what better vehicle is there than... food! Kuala Lumpur is cuisine Capital. Right?

Breakfast: La Bodega in Bangsar. Slow, gentle affair. Helpful, good-looking staff, escort us around quiet, relaxed mid-week premises. Bare-boards resplendent with tasteful black and white pictures set a certain sort of tone. Eggs, fresh orange juice, smoked-salmon and coffee complement a certain ‘see ya later vibe’ that we like. Lunch: Rajus’ Restaurant for banana leaf curry. Someone told us that the cognoscenti go here. Not to be outdone, we followed. Serious, serious food. Rice, curries, condiments and some of the Serious, serious food. Rice, curries, condiments and some of the best fish we have ever seen!best fish we have ever seen! All on a disposable banana leaf plate, served impeccably outdoors under cooling, shady trees with fresh coconut juice to wash it down. Somewhere - somehow - the day seemed to be disappearing. Mariah was flagging, but the promise of sustenance and a unique ambience drove us towards rare treats. You have to search hard to find quality Malay food. Martine found it.

Not only were culinary legends presented as staple - AJ himself revealed where the recipes for spicy fish and piquant chicken originate close to his home town in the south of the country.Not only were culinary legends presented as staple - AJ himself revealed where the recipes for spicy fish and piquant chicken originate close to his home town in the south of the country. Fresh, squeezed juice accompanies.

Mango, kiwi, star-fruit...Just ask.

AJ told us how local snails in rich turmeric sauce are consumed, produced a selection of vivid desserts and capped it all by arranging a taxi back to La Bodega.

Bangsar seemed to be a different part of town now night had fallen.Somehow, without leaving the city we had managed to sample classic Malay and Indian fare sandwiched between quintessential Spanish style and all within a handful of degrees of the equator. Fantastic.

The same welcoming staff ushered us into a stylish upstairs lounge. The music was low-key; there was a chilled red wine circling.

I honestly cannot remember anything more…save lingering memories the next day when we all returned to work refreshed and invigorated.

Somehow, without leaving the city we had managed to sample classic Malay and Indian fare sandwiched between quintessential Spanish style and all within a handful of degrees of the equator. Fantastic.