Weekend Trip to Cameron Highlands 16 June 2012

It has been four years I have not been to Cameron Highlands. My nephew, Ezham and I made plans for a family weekend trip to Cameron Highlands since May this year. Due to our busy schedule and the availability of Ezham’s holiday apartments, we could only make this happened in June.

On Saturday 16 June 2012, we left our homes separately to meet at Simpang Pulai Rest Area. Here, we took a break for a Nasi Lemak lunch and a fuel top-up before the journey to Cameron Highlands (the next available fuel stations are at the town of Brinchang). Even though some areas were affected by hazy conditions, the air at Cameron Highlands was clear. It was also a very bright and sunny day that afternoon.

The journey up to Kampong Raja was smooth. We stopped at the Bharat Tea Shop near Kuala Terla for tea, scones and brownies. There was quite a crowd at the shop and the car park was full. We had to park our cars by the main road.

As we continued our journey, we encountered a few traffic jams when reaching Kea Farm and Brinchang town. Cameron Highland was crowded with thousands of visitors. Improper parking of buses and vehicles had caused several bottlenecks on the road at these areas. The traffic flow improved with the existence of the Traffic Police.  We arrived at our apartments at Heritage Hotel safely at about 3.30 PM.

For dinner, I had prepared  lamb chops and chicken, Ezham brought  sausages and meatballs while my niece Elaini contributed spaghetti  bolognese. The lamb, chicken, sausages and meatballs were cooked with an electric grill which Ezham had brought along. Very handy that electric grill, I think I ought to get one. Good food taste better with good company of relatives and family.

After dinner, we voted to go out for coffee at Starbucks. The place was packed with people that night. However, we were able to get four small round-tables and  chairs as some people was leaving. So, we chatted over a round of coffee, latte and hot chocolate. We returned to our apartments by 11:45 PM.

Me with my sister.

That Sunday morning was misty and cool. Ah, such fresh air you could never get living in the city. My wife, sister and my niece headed to the local garden at Tanah Rata. There was a small group doing some exercise with a young instructor in lead. I took a walk and used the opportunity to take pictures.

My family checked out by 11.00 AM. We visited a strawberry farm and a vegetable shop. We stopped by at the Bharat Teashop for tea, scones and brownies. Along the way past Kampong Raja, we stopped at a vegetable and flower farm to get a close view of the sunflowers.

Aah! Cameron Highlands, I will be visiting you again soon.

School Band Fund Raising Concert 9 Jun 2012

My former school band had organised a concert to raise funds and I had bought a ticket for the show.

The concert was to be held at the new Hotel Taiping Perdana.  My departure from Kuala Lumpur was delayed a bit due to my car had needed to be sent for its engine oil change and maintenance checks.

Despite the delay, I made the journey home to Taiping and arrived safely at the hotel near Kamunting by 6.45 PM. Two of my friends, Ban Heng and Abdul Rahim inquired of my situation. I informed them I had just arrived and will meet them at the venue of the concert.

I went to the Hotel Taiping Perdana by 8.00 PM, where I met Ban Heng and Abdul Rahim. The main hall, Dewan Perdana,  looked impressive. We were ushered politely to our seats by some students. Afterwards, we were invited to move to the VIP seats where we met the President of the Taiping Old Edwardians Association, the President of the PTA and the school’s Principal.

The evening began with some gratitude shown towards the major sponsors and donors. The concert was to be performed by King Edward VII School band (BEATS – Band of Edwardian Tigers) and the guest band from Nan Hwa Secondary School from Sitiawan (Perak state’s marching band champion for several years).

BEATS repertoire started with “Seagate Overture” (theme from movie Star Trek), movie Titanic’s “My Heart Will Go On”, some mix of Malay oldies and 1980’s rock “You Give Love A Bad Name” and ended with “I Got You (I Feel Good) of the late James Brown song.

The Nan Hwa School Band played renditions from “Sound of Music” (which brought beautiful memories),  a Mexican tune “Children of Sanchez” and closed with a solo xylophone performance.

BEATS’ performance was splendid and just as good, if not better than the champion Nan Hwa School Band. It was really a good show and a job well done by the boys, teachers and instructors.

BEATS truly had grown to be a high performance marching band from its modest and humble beginnings in 1974. As one of the pioneer members of the band, I feel proud to see BEATS beautiful performance at the concert. Pity, many of the former members were not present to witness this event.

Pioneer Band 1975.

Orchestra 1977.

Sports Day 2011

On formation - 2011.