Mission half accomplished.

The thought of 'balik kampung' seems to bring joy to almost everybody but the thought of a long journey one has to endure is quite sickening.On Saturday, 30 th May, yours truly and the clan started the journey back to Muar,Johor.The journey was quite uneventful, with only greeneries, undulating hills and plantations after plantations to feast our eyes on.There was no massive traffic jams and everything was smoothly run.I had rounds and rounds of sleep,letting my other half to do the driving alone.

We reached our kampung at 12:30 midnight, after stopping for a while in Segamat to have our supper of satay.Although it was already midnight and some in semi-conscious state, the five of us could still walloped 40 sticks of satay plus the 'ketupat'.

When we reached my parents' house ,everybody was fast asleep.Luckily they had prepared the mattresses for us.So, we jumped on it without much thought, stretching our tiring and aching body.



A stretch of road leading towards my kampung.



Passing the green paddy fields soothing to the eyes..



The next day my other half started to continue with his unfinished mission,the bushes that need to be cleared



and burnt....A lot of hard work here but if one has the interest in farming,it is one satisfying job..



Oil palm trees just taken from the nursery and to be planted once the clearing is done and the land is ready.





Mat Kojai, my other half 's 'Yes man'..a very loyal chap.



The land is ready for plantation



With the help from Mat Kojai and big baby, my other half managed to plant 200 oil palm trees this holiday.300 trees already planted prior to this.Along, you escape from the hard work!



Newly planted.Hopefully the trees would not be destroyed by the monkeys which roam freely around the area





While the father was busy with the planting mission,my children took the opportunity to visit the historical city,Malacca,accompanied by their aunt and uncle..

Visiting the crocodile farm.Our friend here is waiting for just anything to NGAP.....





Look at this..would you dare to do this action???



Not forgetting Eye-On-Malaysia.Kids..where are you?



Big baby is having a great time with cousin..Bob



Daughter,Angah taking a boat ride at Kampung Morten..the water was smelly though



Posing in Melaka Museum.Bob,angah,sisterAda and big baby..





On our last night , we had dinner at Sabak Awor,on the bank of Sungai Muar.I would recommend this place to any sea -food lovers who happen to be in the area.The food is good yet the price is sooo.. reasonable.We had steamed siakap,sweet sour siakap,grilled Jenahak,grilled pari,buttered squids,fried prawns and kailan ikan masin.For those sumptuous meal we paid only RM 140.

Hey..where s the fish?The cat must have stolen it!!

Before leaving my hometown I managed to buy fabrics in Tangkak for 'baju raya and later we stopped over at University Hospital to visit my aunt.

On 5th June we were back in KB, after spending a week in kampung.I thought of just spending the rest of the holiday at home doing gardening,marking papers,spring cleaning etc but the Almighty has planned something else for HIS servant.

On 7 th June I went to Hospital Pakar Perdana in KB to have a breast examinationThe doctor detected a small lump, could be a cyst.Ultra sound was carried out and the lump was about half an inch.So, the doctor with my approval decided to carry out minor surgery to remove it.

Spending time together with mommy dearest before she was wheeled into OT

Wednesday 10 June Madam Gold ended up spending the rest of her holidays in Hospital Pakar Perdana KB, for a surgery.


Sorry to say ,my plans were half accomplished!Allah has far better plans for me,HIS servant..

A slice of spring in London..

The hot sticky weather lately makes me long for the four seasons which I used to experience about 25 years ago.
Of all the four , I love spring..Spring comes and the whiff of heavenly fragrances filled the air.Green shoots coming from underground bulbs ,flowers of all species blossom, patches of green green grass approaching from once ice- covered ground...Most importantly I could throw the bulky thick winter clothing in the closet and it would remain there until the next winter days.
It s April now, so it means spring time at the other side of the globe.I remember spending a few days of spring in London on my backpacking trip to Europe.I just could not stop myself from admiring the gardens in front of the English cottages.There were roses and roses and more roses,from one garden to another and they were just incredible..big ,colourful ones that you just cant stop your itchy hands from plucking them.
Spring also reminds me of the red double-decker bus in the city of London.Spring 1985,I was there,finding my way around London.Actually that was my third time being there, and that particular time I was on my way to tour Europe.I worked,I saved and I put aside my practical allowance specially for the long awaited tour.For I knew, once I was back in our Bolehland,there would be a slim chance for me to go on such a tour.It s not a classy,5-star hotel tour where butlers awaited for our arrival, but just a backpacking one where I went hoping from one youth hostel to another for bed and breakfast. I remember breakfast was always that long,hard and tasteless french bread with jams and marmalade,where I would stuff some of it into my smaller backpack for lunch before starting off for the day.
In London,luckily I had friend to venture around with.Madamme Tussaud, Harrods(just for a tour not shopping of course),Selfridges,Big Ben,Tower of London,Buckingham Palace were no longer on top of my list since I had been there on the previous trips.My intention during my two-day transit was just to rest after disembarking from Transworld Airlines and before boarding a hovercraft to get across the English Channel.So, that particular day was spent touring around the city amidst the hustle and bustle of the Londoners ,strolling lazily along Thames River stopping couple of times taking photos with guards in uniform,feeding the pigeons at Trafalgar Square ,sitting on one of the benches near the Big Ben while admiring the flowers around and the passer by and finally just lazing at Hyde Park in the crisp Spring air.We were just walking and wandering until it was almost dusk time.

Lepaking on one of the benches..

Beds of tulips and a double decker bus...

For memory..with one of the guards posted along Thames River

The Big Ben..

Realising that, we rushed to the bus-stop and only to see the red double-decker bus was about to move.This friend of mine who had been so used to life in London , sprinted for the bus without bothering the eyes around.We surely had made quite a scene..two girls tudung wrapped scurying around the town for a bus as if it was the last one on earth.Leaving with no choice,I chased after her.Of course, I wouldnt want to be left alone and got lost as I didnt know my way around.At first I thought she was definitely going to stop after a few seconds,but I misjudged her, as she was really determined to get onto the bus.Staying in London had truly made her a strong and persistent being.She kept on running after the bus for a few meters i.e until the next bus -stop before hoping onto it.Slowly, the bus came to a halt at the bus -stop, and panting for breath I finally able to catch up,mount the staircase and collapse on the nearest seat.
I was drained of energy , waiting for my heart to explode...

The two of us..sprinters of the day.Back then she was a lawyer to be..
Look at my green socks.Would I dare to wear it today???Those were the younger energetic days ..where all the crazy things were possible.

Still holidaying...

A view from the 20th floor of Lanai Gurney condo

Petronas Twin Tower at night and at dusk time-Pic captured from the balcony of hubby's condo

I am still in KL.Actually my plan has gone astray.Our previous plan was to go back to Kelantan right after the id so that my kids could go for tuition during this hols, especially the ones in boarding schools since hols is the only time for them to get extra coaching.However, there are so many unpredictable pulling factors here, like weddings ,birthdays ,shopping and not to mention my other half corporate suite ,so I am still hanging around here.
Yesterday, after much persistence and insistence from my kids, we went for a show "The day the Earth stood still".I like it ..my kind of show.Actually,this was my second show this week and the previous one was Cicakman 2 where I fell Zzzzz .Let s not make any comment or comparison between the two movies for criticizing film is not my area.
Apart from the two movies, I have not been to any cinema for ages.The last film I watched was "Gandhi" way back in the mid eighties.Amongst other films that I watched during those days were Lady Chatterley's lover, Officer and Gentleman,Friday the 13th,The Natural,Pretty in pink and a few others.The ticket at that time was only $ 2.00Yesterday was RM 8.00 because it was a Lady's Day, if not the normal price is RM 10.00.
The cinema in Malaysia has gone 200% changes from the 70 s era( the last time i went to a cinema in Malaysia ).It was dirty, stuffy,with damp and musty smell lingered in the air and at times stink with urine.You could even see rats scurrying and sometimes rays of sunlight could filter in through the leaking holes.Of course that was the cinema in a small town.However,it s very modern now,very systematic,clean , comfortable and has a very up to date sound system where I think at times it s too loud and could burst my heart.
Definitely , show biz has come a long way here...
Anyway, I guess this is the kind of entertainment the city folks would go for on weekends or after office hours.I did not feel comfortable actually to be amongst those mostly teenagers patronizing the cinema.I was too self -conscious with a feeling of guilt since I am already a hajah.But for my kids sake, I just follow them...after all it s holiday time...
Tonight I m going back again to Muar since tomorrow is my nephew's birthday ,so we are going to have a little celebration.For my hubby, another hard day tomorrow for he is now planting oil palm trees in his new piece of land..his new acquired hobby.That s why he doesnt mind to have a few trips back to my kampung in a week.
Merry Christmas to all the Christian folks!

SARAWAK EXCURSION

Puteri Santubong, puteri Sejenjang..
Penjaga gunung negeri Sarawak..
Manis sik ada dapat dilawan..

Anak dak dewa turun kayangan....

Sarawak.. a land of beauty and diversity...

27 th Nov 2008 -The eight of us left KLIA at 9:45 am.Thanks to Airasia for introducing a low fare ticket.It was a smooth flight and we disembarked at Kuching International Airport at 11:15 am.At the immigration check point,my youngest son had to come out with his signature for the first time.He was so excited.After claiming our luggage,we went out.My friends were already there waiting for us.That 's the beauty of friendship..once a friend,always a friend.

My youngest son,my other half and me on the flight

We reached Crown Plaza Hotel which is overlooking the famous waterfront at 12:30pm.To our disappointment our rooms were not ready, so we made a move to walk along the waterfront.Of course, it was not an enjoyable walk on the hot,breezeless afternoon.

My sis, ada,me,eldest son-ewan,daughters-amira and afifah taking a rest at the waterfront.

Famished... we decided to have lunch at Khatulistiwa..For a glass of teh tarik we had to pay rm4.50!
After lunch we walked back to the hotel,still our rooms were not ready yet.We just sat in the beautiful lobby,witnessing guests arriving and leaving.Seeing that we have waited for 3 hrs,the General Manager approached us and invited us to the VIP room at the top floor..maybe to shut our mouth from making further complaints.From the room we could see the Sarawak River flowing through the greeneries and the passenger boats dotted along the river.Such a calm and serene view.The GM briefed us on the tourist spots around Kuching and their economic activities.

So much for the VIP room...When we asked for cold drinks they could offer us only tea or coffee..when my daughter asked for the muffin on the glass shelf,it was only reserved for the VIPS.
30 mins later our rooms were ready.After unpacking,it was almost evening and there was very little time for excursion.So my kids decided to head for the swimming pool.

Kids are kids..where ever they go,they will surely head for the pool first..

For dinner, we had a feast of sea food..fish,crabs, 'siput 'bamboo,squids,umai and a variety of vegetables including the famous pucuk midin.For drinks we tried almost everything..kelapa longan..tebu laici..bandung longan..calamansies and a few others.

After so much food, we decided to burn off some calories.So we went for night-strolling along the waterfront.Here you can just walk miles after miles without feeling tired.I was mesmerized with the beauty of the glittering and glimmering lights and the gaiety of the surrounding.Throngs of people of different characters can be seen walking and loud music can be heard blasting from the many stalls there.What more,the delicious aroma of the famous NasiAyamPenyek..burgers..fried chicken filled the air.It s happening here even at 12:oo midnight.We walked until the light house..

28 th Nov 2008-We planned to go to Sarawak Cultural Village

Sprawling on 17 1/2 acres of land at the foothill of the legendary Gunung Santubong is Kampung Budaya.It potrays the cultural diversity of Sarawak with 7 authentic ethnic houses; the Bidayuh Long house, the Iban long house, the Orang Ulu, the Malanau, the Penan,the Chinese and the Malay house.Visitors can sample the rich variety of activities from the handcraft making,traditional games,house hold chores,ceremonies to rituals.There is also magnificient cultural perfomance in the modern theatre.Traditional Sarawak food are served at the restaurant and fine Sarawak handicraft are sold at the souvenirs shop.
At 10:00 am we were all set for the excursion.My friend had left for Semenanjung leaving us with 2 cars to roam around.The moment we saw a mountain we headed towards it thinking that it was Gunung Santubong.We kept on looking for a signboard but there was none.We drove until the foot of the mountain but still there was no sign board labeling the place.So we stopped at one of the villager's house to ask.To our surprise that mountain is Gunung Serapi, and Gunung Santubong is at the opposite direction!We retraced the way, stopped twice, made a u-turn a few times until we finally reached the correct place at 12:00 noon.One thing for sure, Kuching is lacking in signboards and this could really gives problems to tourists.The JKR should do something about this if they want to promote Kuching as one of tourist destinations

Posing with the Bidayuh lady in their traditional dress on the verandah of Bidayuh longhouse.The Bidayuh, accounting 8.4% of Sarawak population is also being called the land dayak.

My sis trying to be the medicine man






This is how they get rice from paddy.What a tough job!






Me at the Bidayuh conference hut.This was where the heads had their meeting.Trying to beat the gong calling for a meeting...

Swinging on the veranda of the Iban longhouse.The Iban once known as sea dayak made up one third of Sarawak population.The long house made up of several units.The open veranda where they had community and domestic activities.There were several doorways which lead to the inner verandah.This is the village street; and the individual family rooms front the village street.

With a Penan man trying to use a blowpipe or 'sumpit'.The Penans known as shy nomdic people live in the dense jungle of Central Boneo.Some are coming out and learning to farm the land,others prefer their roaming life-style.Their shelters are quickly constructed to last for a few weeks or months only.Sago is their staple food.Their speciality is the manufacture and accurate use of blowpipes.

Me and family taking a break on the staircase.Background.. so high up is the Orang Ulu house







Me and hubby trying to find the right tune for Do re me..One of the orang ulu's traditional musical instrument..

Be careful kids.. going down a notched log which serves as a staircase to orang ulu house

A full view of orang ulu house..Orang Ulu or up river dwellers.Total population is 5.5% of the Sarawakians.Orang Ulu comprise the Penan,Kayan and Kenyah.In the past they were famous sword-smiths.Orang Ulu house was built to last, made from solid ironwood designed for many generations.

This was what they called technology..of course for that particular time..a technique to fan up the fire.


'A Melanau family' taking a rest..sitting on the notched log staitcase..









My daughter trying to have hands on experience in Melanau traditional game

My son trying to spin tops.Careful along...you are only throwing tops not a criket ball.

29 th Nov 2008 - At 10:00 am, we left for Serikin.From the hotel we drove off trying to find a signboard labelling Serikin but there was none.So we drove and drove heading towards Sri A man.45 mins later still we couldn't find any sign of the place.I called my friend and was told that we should be taking a road to Bau and not Sri Aman.So we made a u turn .Again we were wasting away our time.We reached a small town called Bau.About one km after passing the town, then only we saw the sign Serikin..It was a two -hour journey instead of 45 mins!

Shopping at Serikin..Things here are a lot cheaper compared to Wakaf Che Yeh in Kota Bharu.You can find lots of imitation goods from Bonia to Louis Vuitton to Boss.My daughter bought a jeans for rm 70 in Wakaf Che Yeh but here it costs only rm 35..Crystals sold at Sogo could also be found here and the price..its really amazing..

Shop and shop till you drop..shopping ..a form of therapy to me..

Coming back from Seriken, we had a hard time to find a place to eat..I mean halal food.We couldn't find any restaurant, so we finally ended up in Bristo at one of the shopping complexes.I was quite confident with the food for there was the word 'halal' written.After eating we looked for a surau but after asking around we were told that there was none.We were still in Malaysia not some foreign country, yet it was difficult to find a surau Isn't it very ironical?

Quickly,we left the building and sped up to find a mosque.We found An-Nur mosque and stayed there until after maghrib..

That night we took a boat crossing the Sarawak River for dinner.We had the famous mee kolok and fresh barbeque prawns..Then we went bowling..

Eating mee kolok at the bank of Sarawak River

30 th Nov- Since our flight back was at 7:00pm, we decided to go to Sunday Market or 'Tamu'.It was just like the Morning market at Ketereh except bigger and of more variety.Vendors and hawkers busy selling their goods from fresh food to the famous Sarawak cake .T-shirts ,souveniers of various kinds,ornaments,jeans of almost all brands can be found here etc..etc..

Me buying ikan terbuk masin..I ended up buying 40 ikan terbuk masin to be distributed among friends and relatives..

That afternoon we had lunch of Beryani rice and Laksa Sarawak at my friend's house..

Looking tired..checking out time

Our flight was delayed 30 mins due to bad weather.We took off at 7:45 pm instead.It was not a smooth flight at all.In fact it was the worst flight I had ever been..20 mins after the take off, the plane experienced a turbulence and was shaking for 30 seconds before it dropped drastically.My kids and I would have jolted and thrown forward if it was not for the seatbelts that kept us fastened..The cabin turned chaotic at once.The plane was sort of swaying to the left and to the right.I hold on to the seat in front of me tightly asking my kids to read some holly versus..The cabin crew hurried for their seats,children were crying , people were shouting and there were endless noise.. My son hid his head in his jacket while my daughter was whining..scared..The only thing on my mind was when would this giant balloon going to drop and explode.It was not a night mare but a real thing happening to me..I was not watching a movie or what..

After 15 secs, it stopped shaking, I guessed we had passed through the worst ..but the girl behind me was still crying..pity her..

Then I remembered my friend's message a day before I left..he wished me luck and to be very careful since the weather was not good nowdays..instead, I advised him to be careful too and don't get caught in flood since he intended to 'ronda-ronda'Malaysia.He told me that on land and in the sky are two different situations for the sky has no mercy!I took it lightly then..but now i surely agree with him.In a split of second anything can happen up there...So..that was the end of my Sarawak excursion..it turned out as both good and bad experience.