A Super-Duper Trip

We went on a family get-away to Kuching last week. Saja nak tukar angin sikit. Budak2 pun letih sekolah / kerja.

The trip was rather fantastic actually. The accommodation was good, the rented car was brand new (and drove like a dream) and we did almost everything that are on the itinerary. And came home with the (coveted) souvenirs.

We stayed at a very modest (please read that as cheap) lodge called Furama. It was basic; but very clean and within walking distance to the Waterfront (but we, of course drove there). Lilian, the sweet proprietor, was apologetic because one of the 4-bedded rooms we booked was out of order (and gave a refund). If anything, I'll give the place a 9.5 for friendliness, cleanliness and keeping customers happy.

We found bla-bla-bla on the gps. I said, ni mesti GPS tak jumpa apa-apa. As it turned out, there IS a place called exactly that - bla bla bla - right in front of our hotel.

We spent the afternoon walking (aimlessly - sebab masih mencari bearing) along the Waterfront. And had dinner at TopSpot, a busy foodcourt-like seafood eating place. We tried umai (fresh fish salad with sliced onions and lime juice) and pansoh manok (chicken cooked in bamboo ala lemang) and the lauded Midin (which is actually the Sarawak species of pucuk paku). Yes to the umai and midin; not to the pansoh.

(clockwise from top left) There is only one Muslim seafood outlet here; the umai; he was sick (but funny how healthy he looked in the photo..); and the midin goreng belacan.

We went to Bako National Park; a great place to get back to nature. You need to take a boat there and that boat ride depends on the tide. Co-incidently it was low tide when we got to the pier and had to wait a couple of hours before the boats are ready to resume their services.

(clockwise from top left) The Bako terminal, about 45 minutes drive from Kuching; and off all the boats go when the tide came in; the local fish market and the boys who were bored waiting at the pier.

(clockwise from top left) The pier on the park - at low tide the boatman will drop passengers off on the beach not the pier; you need to register upon arrival; there are miles and miles of nature to explore; and you definitely need a map to move about.

Beautiful view awaits at the end of the trails; the park has many trails to follow. City dwellers as we are, we chose the easier ones - we didnt even get to the end of our trail - although the children did.


That's the mystical Mt Santubong hidden in the clouds (beautiful, dont you agree?); photo taken by the kids at the end of the trail they followed. We, on the other hand waited for them on wooden planks in the quiet and peaceful forest. It was cool within the trees and very hot once you step out of the forest shades.

We watched Korean tourists walked by and they oohed and aahed over the biawak that swam across the stream. I told my husband, biawak lagi besar dari tu pun ada kat belakang rumah kita. A group of French tourist came by after that and did the same (saya dan suami berkongsi senyum kambing..) But I was impressed with their guide who said he is from Sentul and spoke fluent French. Ooh-la-la!

There was of course that biawak. There were monkeys. And we also saw this wild boar when we got off from the boat and walked up the beach.

There should have been birds and iguanas too although we didnt notice any (maybe we had scare them off with our labored breathing..)

(clockwise from top left) The children completed the trail to Tanjung Paku; park map; and (more) signboard - just so nobody gets lost I suppose; Iman kata menyesal ikut adik2 who said she slowed them down; be cautious of sea creatures (the man in the signage look like an alien to me); lunyai - the children came back and reported letih giler.

But Bako was a worthwhile trip.

We spent our night at the Permai Rainforest Resort at Damai, maybe half an hour drive from Kuching. There are no words to describe the place - even breathtaking, best sangat or amazing cant do justice to its awesome-ness (which surprised me as it always showed up last on my google list).

(clockwise from top left) Permai Rainforest Resort; this beast takes care of your luggage to your door; that building in the tree shades is the reception; we get the novelty of walking everywhere up and down lanes and planks and bridges across small streams on the resort. In fact, the car park is located outside the resort main gates (it is guarded of course). You can only drive as far as the gates to drop off your luggage.

The resort is located in a forest by the sea. The way the accommodations are built whilst preserving the green forest is beautiful. The resort prides itself for embracing the green concepts from their no vehicle policy to forest preservation and everything else in between.

(clockwise from top left) We stayed in a 2-bedroom cabin; that's our cabin, deep in the forest - dont you just love it?; the view of tall trees from our verandah - you can see the sun shining on the water between the trees; if you look closely that is a view of the moss-y river bank, we were on our way to breakfast.

The resort is quite sizable but all employees walk. The are no motorbikes, no buggy. And bicycles are for patrons' recreational purpose only. Amazing. It comforts me some to think that although I am wallowing (konon) in the comfort of the resort, I am still doing my bit for the environment.. (Delinn ~ you may go yeah, yeah here)

(clockwise from top left) The cafe looked warm and inviting in the evening; breakfast (we were lucky that breakfast comes with the room - a roti canai costs you RM10 (!) here, my friend; Eirfan on the cafe balcony which has this vast view of the sea; the menu (do enlarge to see that nasi goreng costs RM20 per plate); more view; he stared and squinted at the (unbelievable prices on the) menu - you can see the sun setting in the trees at the back.


(clockwise from top left) We also had a map for the resort; we surely need that as we were on foot all the time to everywhere; I like the no nudity signage!;the trees in the photo has a tree house in it- do you notice that? The tree house is amazing too (but rather pricey for our group stay).

This is a larger view of the tree houses - arent they marvelous? They face the sea so you get all that view at tree level. The mat sallehs all stayed in these. I told my husband it's so cool and nice and shady that it feels like walking in a Canadian forest (I know - whaaat?)

There is a beautiful, unbelievable and amazing jungle pool with cold (yes, cold) water in the tree shades over those wooden steps; and we had diving competition, jumping competition and shouts in the jungle pool (I like the sound of 'jungle pool' - almost like jungle book and at any moment you might just see Baloo or even Shea-Khan!) The children definitely enjoyed this unexpected treat.

We followed the route to the beach. It was through more trees dotted with pretty flowers. The beach was long, clean, with white sands and decorated with clear blue skies (I wish we could have stayed longer at the resort).

We visited the Cultural Village too (although we think the tickets are very expensive). But I came here in the 80's. I liked it and wanted the children to see it too. Bila lagi? We watched the cultural show; which is rather interesting actually. And then we walked and walked and walked; and walked some more, in and out of the long houses.

(clockwise from top left) You are given a passport - when you visit the long houses you can get the passport stamped there; you get a sticker too (like when you are in any amusement park); more signage; a walk on the bamboo bridge - a popular attraction; this tall long house belongs to the Orang Ulu; Mount Santubong at the back of the village theatre.

The Melanau long house (and I always make the children do ** interesting ** stuff).

At the rumah Melayu we found a swing which reminded me of my parents' house in the old days. We took photos and then the kids had a go on the swing. Someone fell down thus the big laugh.


We also spent a night at a place called Basaga. It looked gorgeous on the internet; and is actually quite lovely too (but unfortunately nothing can compare to the resort nestled in the rain forest).

.. even the orange juice tasted better at the forest..

It actually is a lovely place.

We went to Serikin, a border pasar with lots of Indonesian stuff on sale. We didnt buy much. But baju sulam Indon and telekung are aplenty. The locals sell these colorful iguanas, called 'potet' locally, in plastic containers. Kesian. Do they have to?

We also visited the museum and other Kuching must-sees.

At the museum - the boys are always up to something good, funny, maddening etc etc.

(clockwise from top left) The Astana - the official residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak; the Square Tower - built in 1879, originally used as a prison, it even had dungeons; the new Sarawak state legislative assembly building behind us; and the old court house.

While shopping for last minute goodies to take home at the Waterfront, I asked where to get the yummiest kek lapis Sarawak. The lady recommended kek lapis Dayang Salhah - seberang sungai je, naik bot tambang tu pun 40 sen je (we had to take the challenge).

(clockwise from top left) We went looking for the boat tambang at the pier in front of the Hilton; the boatman must have thought we are the most peghak tourists ever!; this boat has got attitude, I'd say; looking out to the other side.

The kek lapis house is a busy place rupa nye. Tourists in buses came to buy cakes that are specially packed for travel. And there are lots of flavors to choose from. Chances are if you can name something that you like, they would definitely have the cake for you. The tasting area is like a feast during hari raya; no kidding. We bought a few and got out quickly of the busy place.

We actually did have the most wonderful time in Kuching.

But after all said and done it is always a pleasure to be home. The hotel air-cond can be too cold at times. The pillows are too fluffy. The quilt too downy. The linen too soft and smooth (like puffy cotton blowing in the air!) The (drab) things at home are just simply perfect.

*****

Season For Reunions

It seriously felt like a season for reunions.

First I met up with girls from the long-ago 'toxic' office (I dont think I'll put any link to posts on the subject. It wasnt that fun of a subject anyway). We went for dinner at The Loaf and had the most enjoyable time. We re-tell stories of the (I cant decide if they are good or otherwise) old days. Good stories. Bad stories. Of drama queens. And iron ladies. We always have great stories to tell - and laughed about - when together.

Then I met up with old school friends and had a blast at the TMGS reunion.

A week later there was a wedding where college friends gathered. Chat and Ana's son Anas got married and we all came to celebrate. The last time we met up after college was in x (I, actually cant remember when we last met!)


There was Chah, Meen, Arah & Hasiah when I got there. Mila came later and omg, I seriously could not recall her because she looks so very different now. Which is still alright I suppose, considering that someone did not recognize her own ex house-mate! (haha) And Elina was there too.

We talked even after the food and tables were all cleared up. And took a long time to say goodbye.

I always tell friends we should get together more often whenever we meet up. I seriously think we should.

*****

Keeping The Friendships Alive

There was never any doubt I was going to the school reunion this time. The last one was fun.

This time around there were even more friends from the class of 80 that came.

(The girls. But Phang, where are you?)

And although there was not as much screaming as the previous (first) reunion, this one was equally fun. The theme was Bollywood and many came dressed in gorgeous attires.

Najee & Shaharizad - they had on these amazing ala-Bollywood clothes (I hadnt thought of taking full shots, which is a shame).

Swee Bin, our class monitor (she's been holding the esteemed position since wayback and who's responsible to bring us all back together after all this time.. thanks Bin) had proposed that we sing Chal Mere Sathi, to go with the theme of the event (which we did; and then embarrassed ourselves on stage! But we were there to have fun and we did).

Like the super-efficient class monitor she was, SweeBin had all the lyrics printed out for us.


The pretty Norma & ever-young Seong Chooi.

As usual, we, the class of 80 will make our own agenda without paying attention to the emcees at these occasions (haha). And when Dancing Queen was sung on stage, we sang and dance at the back of the ballroom (somehow we always get a table at the back).

(this year)

(this is from last year)

Cheerful Li Yin & Min Choo (she was the head girl - so you dont play, play.. And I found out what big and amazing heart she has. You go, girl! You are an inspiration)

With carefree Phang. I can always count on her to let our hair down.

I simply love the fact that I am from an all girls school..


Finale. Min Choo is already planning for our next girls' meet-up. Thanks girls, it was seriously fun to meet everyone.

*****

Trivial

Did you happen to catch Jenny (on the block) crying when /after she had to tell some participants they wont be the next idol? It was sweet. And then I laughed because she cried worse than the rejected participants did. I think the session had to be cut short; that's how upset she was. But still sweet nonetheless.



And more here.

While talking about nonsensical stuff, let me also share this glee s2 ep 8 video with you. I saw it first on the dvd then on Zana's tumblr. Then again later when I was going through what to watch. I thought I'd share it here too. Totally agree with Zana on the episode (I have the s2 ep1 till 10 on external if anyone wants to borrow)

At the same time found this also and thought it is rather fun (maybe the original idea for the tv episode).

Yeap, I do realize I am being totally, hopelessly frivolous today.

*****

Rumah Anak Yatim / Kebajikan Darul Taqwa

There were flurries of emails before we finally confirmed we were going. It wasnt really a planned thing, rather more of an impromptu of yeses from those that wanted to go.

It started from Hanim's email on the rumah anak yatim. One thing led to another and then we were there already this morning. I drove (with Mala, Hanim & Yat); not that I know where the place is exactly; only it is somewhere in Sungai Besi (like I've been there at all). The home does not show on the map when googled. The makcik we asked do not know the place. Luckily a young man came to show us directions. Zah came later on her own.

The place is quite decent actually, sitting on reserved land. Tak lah dhaif. Large space for the children. Looks like fully equipped. Cuma nya the railway track sits right behind the home and there is only mesh-wires that separates the two (but I suppose there are bigger worries).

There are 16 boys and 11 girls from poor families. Yang tak ade ayah; mak-bapak bercerai. But kids being kids, they look happy enough. There were a few volunteers there to paint the boys' room and they were having tahlil too today although we didnt stay.

This is taken in the girls' room / dorm. It is big, clean, airy and looked like new.

The girls laughed when we asked if they always get the same questions when anybody comes for a visit (I suppose that means they do) and that they should have an FAQ board somewhere in the dorm for this.

If you are thinking of visiting, the address is on the bus on the photo above (if you can read it, that is..). It is actually at Batu 7 1/2 Jalan Sungai Besi. If you come from Ampang on MRR2 (heading south) take the exit to Besraya. Follow on Besraya and turn back towards city center. You'll see Pangsapuri Permai on your left (and some PPR flats); but go straight till you come to a u-turn. Make that u-turn and head back towards Sungai Besi. The home will be on your left; after the PJ exit. Go slow (we almost missed it).

It was a good morning. The girls are already talking about other similar visits.

*****

A Multitude Of Blessings

We were reading the Quran (this particular Quran has many other information embedded within it) the other day when we came across this ~

Orang yang mengajarkan al-Quran kepada anaknya mendapat pahala sepadan dengan berhaji sepuluh ribu kali, berumrah sepuluh ribu kali, berjihad sepuluh ribu kali, memerdekakan sepuluh ribu budak, memberi makan sepuluh ribu kaum muslim yang lapar, memberi pakaian kepada kaum muslim yang tidak memiliki pakaian, dan setiap huruf yang diajarkan diganjar sepuluh kebaikan dan dihapuskan sepuluh kejelekan. HR Sa'id bin Musayyab

So I asked the boys, agak nye mama dapat pahala macam ni ke? They all said, ye lah mama dapat pahala macam ni (the children are always ever so sweet, Masya'Allah). Insya'Allah; I quietly echoed their doa.

*****

Get Well Very, Very Soon (Please)

I was at Prince Court the other morning. It felt like I was entering a hotel when I walked into its foyer. There is a concierge at the corner. Doormen in Baju Melayu and Songket. The receptionist was friendly. And the parking was like Pavillion's.

The patient is a 15 year old girl with SLE. My heart goes out to her. But she was smiling lying on the bed. She rather looked like Rapunzel - from the movie, with hair short - actually (seriously). Her eyes are large and the smile never left her face. She made funny faces too when her mom told us things about her.

To her mom, we never can really comprehend your worry nor anxiety looking from the outside. But our doas are with you. For patience. Redha. And her speedy recovery.

Sesungguhnya tidak Allah menduga kita jika Allah tahu kita tidak tertanggung dugaan itu. Tiada jua kesusahan atau kesengsaraan tanpa Allah memberi balasan terhadapnya.

*****

Books, Books & More Books Part 25

I finished this sometime back. It wasnt as good as the others the author had written, though. It wasnt compelling enough. Or gripping. Or spellbinding. Or good enough for a best seller, if you ask me. Enough said.

This is the first book I finished this year. Last year I blogged 5 times about books that are read. In actual fact I finished more; only I didnt blog about them (they are the ones you keep in the closet or those you thought should be better kept to yourself ~ interpret that as you may).

Zana and I did plan to finish a book for each month last year. I dont think I got that many done. Although I think I did better in 2009 with 10. This year I've got no plans concerning books at all. In fact, no plans about anything at all; come to think of it.

If asked which book I like most I have to say Kite Runner. I remember crying while reading the book and crying when I even thought about the story AFTER finishing it. Dan Brown is rather captivating too. I should read seriously again.

*****