Moonlit Wanderer: Aeon Flux: A Deja Vu Trip to Aeon Big, KD

Ever experienced déjà vu when you watch a particular ad?

I think I had that moment, when I saw the purportedly-new ‘Adabi’ commercial. I then said “This looks familiar”.

The same window-opening act, 'Baju Melayu', and moustache

Then, there were series of public service ads; the one with Man Bai, the projector-illuminated guy singer in white, the one with school kids being thankful to adults, plus others...and I thought to myself “Woah, déjà vu...feels like I’ve seen these a hundred of times today.” Apparently, I did.

The recent trip to Aeon Big Kota Damansara was like a trip into something that’s familiar, but not the same. Previously a Carrefour hypermarket, the store was rebranded into a somewhat new establishment. Prior to the visit, we came across the Aeon Big ads around KD, and struggled to find the new outlet. Funnily enough, we finally realized the change, after travelling on an unplanned route, and passed-by what used to be Carrefour KD. I believe the expression that day was the abbreviated ‘WTF’ (or ‘What the Fish’). What...you’re expecting something profane?

So, we made the trip to the hypermarket after fetching wifey from work. It was the same day when Irtiza and I made the trip to the Ikea cook-off competition (*see previous entry).

At the main entrance, what we saw was pretty much like the old Carrefour, except for the big orange-and-white Aeon logos, the absence of the open lawn decor shop, and the appropriately-lit car park area. We actually felt safer that day, compared to what it used to be; a wet, dark, Resident Evil-like car basement.

For pregnant ladies. Hmm, what if the lady's husband is the driver?

The front row is just for the ladies, huh? This can trigger my long-surpressed chauvinistic side.

Inside, we noticed the KFC restaurant is already gone, but most of the original shops remained operational. The pet shop near the main entrance is still around to intrigue Irtiza whenever we came for a visit, and the neighbouring religious bookstore is still there for wifey to get her Islamic-related magazines.

The Ground Floor

A free mini zoo. An annoyed salesperson included.

At the upper floor, the new Mr. D.I.Y outlet is clearly visible before the entrance to the Aeon Big supermarket. It was a ‘handy’ thing to have, and nearer for me to visit, rather than struggling with the congested car parks at Ikano Power Centre and One Utama for their hardware stores.

When we came into the supermarket area, what we saw was something that looked very familiar. In fact, everything looked too familiar; the displayed products, and the way they were arranged through labelled rack alleys and sections. Except for the Aeon logos, the whole setting looked very Carrefour KD-like.

The First Floor after the escalators

Mr. D.I.Y...I'll see you later

Same old...same old...

The same kind of setting

The most dangerous part of a shopping complex

The Dutch Lady milk here is a little bit cheaper compared to other stores

A big question: Is he hungry for a) cereals, or b) free toys inside?

A big difference came later at the fresh food section. Wifey and I later agreed that the displayed food looked fresher and ‘livelier’. Different food sections for veggies, fruits, meat and seafood were really appealing to the eyes, as they looked very fresh and colourful. No longer were the days of dull-looking poultry with questionable expiry date, and wrinkled dry veggies.

The new ready-to-eat food section is also a big complement to the whole thing. We loved the potato bread and the burger. I look forward to eat the fine-looking whole roasted chicken on the next visit.

Apples and pears for 'stares' (stairs...hehe)

You say potayto bread...I say potahto bread

Hot chicks

The Fresh Glint

Less than a week's supply of things

More things to buy after the counter

I love the free recycle bag. Feels like a bribe though.

From my observation, I sincerely believed that the establishment could do more with a better food court, a fast food chain, and a few more good restaurants. They could also do more activities to attract the public, like what One Utama did through cool festivity decorations and activities. Throw-in a celebrity or two as the outlet’s spokesperson, and you already have something that is as close to a perfect shopping complex. A perfect shopping complex would have its very own Cineplex.

Before leaving the building, we bought some yoghurt ice-creams from the new Frosty Delight booth that was near the escalators. They were healthy and mighty tasty. Hey, I think I just did a tagline :O

I think I fell in love with the ice-creams. Those, plus other things, were reasons why we will be coming to Aeon Big KD again in the near future. Till we meet again, you Aeon Big you :)