Burgers, Fried Chicken, Steaks and Chicken Chops

Whatever fast foods that our youngsters take for granted nowadays, those were very unheard of during my childhood. Growing up in Taiping, most of the time I had my mother’s home-cooked meals and the monthly dinner of satay with fried koay-teow at the Casual Market (Dad’s treat after pay-day). In that bygone era, Taiping would be a quiet town after 10.00 PM, even 24 Hours mamak restaurants were not in existence yet. Except for one establishment, the Lake View Night Club. I am sure many of the older generation remember this night club well. It was one of the typical old night clubs with a band and a songstress, accompanied by a “troop” of dancing girls. Patrons would have to purchase tickets to dance with them.

Alright, back to the story of the main topic – fast food, steaks and chicken chops.

The first ever burger stall in Taiping came in existence sometime mid 1970’s. It was located beside the Chinese coffee-shop opposite the Kwantung Association Building (near Taiping Land Office). In that coffee-shop also, there was an Indian Muslim who sold very delicious murtabak. Those were the times before “Burger Ramly” and the burger patties were bought from the supermarket in Taiping.  Once, I bought a packet of the burger patties to cook my own burger at home. Somehow, my own cooked burger did not taste as good as the ones made at that stall. It was only in the 1980s, that more burger stalls began to sprout around Taiping and Kamunting. By then, the supplies could be obtained from “Burger Ramly” outlet.

As for steaks and chicken chops, the Yut Sun Restaurant was famed for its Hainanese style steaks and chicken chops. The restaurant still exist today and the beef and chicken chops are still tasty. The Western style of these food items was introduced in Taiping when the first ever coffee-house was opened in 1970s- the Comfy Corner Coffee House. Amazingly, that coffee house also has one of the tasty “nasi lemak and chicken rendang” that I had ever eaten. Of course, the price can be termed “expensive” for the people of Taiping in those days.

Back then, Comfy Corner Coffee House was considered a “First Class” establishment. Even the late Sultan Perak, Sultan Idris Shah, would patronize this coffee house whenever he was in town. Comfy Corner was known for its delicious steaks and chicken chops. I remember it was tagged with “The Best Steaks In Town” on its advert. Entertainment was provided by a one-man singer with the Yamaha organ. That time, no karaoke yet. This coffee house is now called the Nagaria Steak House.

                                        
The first ever fried chicken restaurant opened in 1978. It was the McDota Fried Chicken, a Malaysian franchise chain. It was located opposite the Lido cinema. MacDota introduced the crisp fried chicken to the Taiping folk. The restaurant was always quite full when it was newly opened. Two of my classmates worked there while waiting for their MCE results in 1979. That establishment lasted for several years until KFC came to Taiping in the 1980s. Of course, where there is KFC, there would be its partner, Pizza Hut and its rival, MacDonalds.

Nowadays, not only there are KFC and MacD restaurants. There is a MacDonalds Drive-Thru near the Taiping Lake Gardens (opposite the Library) and KFC opened its Drive-thru outlet near Simpang.

Despite the “invasion” of these fast-food chains, the local food scene like the Casual Market and "Bomba Padang" in Taiping remains resilient and survives. Even the sprouting of “kopi-tiam”s just add more choice to the growing populace and the younger generation who return to their beloved hometown. These places would become the meeting point for a good makan, coffee or tea and to chit-chat until past midnight.

And yes, Taiping now has several 24-hours mamak restaurants.

Memories Of Taiping Aerodrome

I lived near the aerodrome for several years while growing up in Taiping. The young people of today might ask, “What is an aerodrome?”. It was an old name for an airfield or small airport. In the old British Malaya and Borneo, there were many of these aerodromes built around country. Some were large, some were small. Many of the large ones were develop into commercial airports (Bayan Lepas, Ipoh, Kota Bahru) while some became bases for the Air Force (Butterworth, Kuantan, Sungai Besi, Gong Kedak). However, quite a few were lost to development into housing or industrial estates (Tebrau, Val D’or). A few small ones became a mix of a local golf-course and for small aircraft to operate (Bidor). In Sabah and Sarawak, the remote aerodromes were the only mode of access to the outside world.

 

Why were there so many of these aerodromes built around the country? In the old days, remote towns and estates were only accessible by long and winding roads. The British authorities used these aerodromes for quick transport for government officials, medical supplies, mail, payroll and medical evacuation. During The Emergency, these aerodromes became the forward bases for the support of the army and police fighting the Communist Terrorist in the jungle. From these aerodromes, the Air Force transport aircraft and helicopters dropped supplies, transported troops and evacuated the wounded. The Taiping aerodrome was one of them.

 

When I lived in Asamkumbang, near the aerodrome from the late 1960’s until the early 1980’s, I saw several types of aircraft that flew around the aerodrome. These aircraft were the Twin Pioneers, Dove, Herons (end 1960s), the DHC4 Caribous, Dart Herald (1970s), Cessna 402B and the C130H Hercules (1980s). The helicopters were the Alloutte IIIs and the S61A Sikorsky (Nuri).

 

Of all those aircraft that I mentioned, the most common that I saw were the Caribous and the Alloutte and Nuri helicopters. They came to Taiping Aerodrome sometimes on practice runs or actual support operations. I would ride my bicycle to the aerodrome to watch all these activities. The practice runs involved the use of multi-colored parachutes or the use of a sling by the helicopters. These activities would go on every week. The Caribous sometime came with up to three aircraft. Sometimes, they were based there for actual support operations of the troops in the jungle.

 

The aerodrome was also used by the anti-aircraft artillery units for their practice on a few occasions. They would use the aerodrome for their practice for one or two days. Taiping would be rocked by the thunderous pom-poms of the anti-aircraft guns and the jets (RAAF Mirage and RMAF CL41G Tebuans) that flew by.

 

The C130H Hercules used the aerodrome for a while in the 1980s. However, on one occasion, a Hercules had its port-side wheels sunk into the ground during landing. It got stuck for a few days until the recovery team arrived from Kuala Lumpur. After that incident, the RMAF Hercules stopped coming to Taiping for practice runs.

 

I remember there were two major events that were held at the aerodrome in the 1970s. One was the show by the Rothmans Aerobatic team with their five Pitts Specials. The second event was the Taiping based Third Artillery Regiment anniversary celebration. The artillery regiment put up a splendid show of forward deployment supported by Nuri helicopters and a live fire support demonstration. That was my first and only experience of listening to the loud bangs of the 105mm M102 Howitzers.

 

During the annual Five Power Defence Arrangement exercise, a mobile anti-aircraft radar would be based at the aerodrome. For several days, I would see jets flew over my house during the maneuvers. The jets that I saw were the RMAF F5Es and CL41G Tebuan, RAAF Mirage III and F111 and RNZAF Skyhawks.

 

Ah! I just remembered one story. Sometime in 1969 or 1970, my late brother, Muhandes, had an interest in making his own boomerang. He had obtained the drawing plans from a magazine. For the wood, he had obtained several good quality packing wood crates which were easily obtained from shops. He diligently cut sawed and sand-papered the raw planks into the shape of boomerangs. To test those home-made boomerangs, we went to the aerodrome. The first few did not fly very well. After several more attempts, he made one that actually flew very well. He made three more based on the successful one. He gave two to his friends and kept two for himself.

 

The aerodrome was also used by the Army learner drivers who went there to practice driving in the “L” plated trucks. There were also civilians who used one end of the tarmac for driving practice. Also, there were a few regular joggers who actually ran around the whole perimeter of the aerodrome.

 

The aerodrome was also used by the Army Special Forces Regiment for parachute training. On one occasion, one commando landed into an old tin mine and was drowned. After that incident, there was no more parachute practice at the aerodrome.

 

After 1989, when the operations against the Communists Terrorists had stopped, the aerodrome was not actively used. Its old condition became bad to worst. The old main building and tower was torn down due to termites. Even the two concrete buildings had all its window panes stolen. Only the small section where the army based their guards were not spoilt which stands to this day.

 

In the 1990s, the aerodrome had some life return to it when the Police Special Forces (Vat69) began to use the aerodrome for the parachute training and practice. Later, when the Fire and Rescue Services formed their own Air Wing and Parachute unit, they would also come to Taiping Aerodrome for the training and practice. With the newer and latest square parachute, no life has been lost due to drowning. The Police and the Fire Rescue Services are the regular uses of the aerodrome until today. 

Also, the local RC modelers are the regular users every weekend.

  

KL Old Edwardians Reunion Dinner 30 Nov 2013

The old boys association of the KL charter had organised a reunion dinner on the 30 November 2013. It was held at the Mont Kiara Equestrian Club.

Invitations were sent out some two months ago and some 12 "boys" of the 1978 batch registered.

I went to the dinner with Lt Col Sanuddin and Ikram, who are my neighbours.

Approaching the entrance of the function area, I was greeted by a junior whom I have not met since I left school, Noor Suran. Suran is now a Police Officer and he appeared very much differnt from the that "small boy" when he was with the School Band many years ago.

Another junior who greeted me was Roslan, who played the clarinet.

My cousin from Matang, Din Majid, was also there.

There was a counter selling T-shirts and a special designed short-sleeve shirt with the school badge (made to order). I made an order for the short-sleeve one. I was told it will be delivered to me in one month time.

After the opening speech by the KL president, Organizing Chairman and the new School Principal (himself and OE), we began to makan.

The food was a mix of Western and local - spaghetti, fried rice, lamb chops, satay, fried calamari, grilled fish, salads and vegetables.

The entertainment was by a Police band from Seremban, courtesy of SAC1 Wuzir. We were all allured by the hottie songstress. As usual, the audience were called upon to participate.

The night was further filled with laughter from the jokes by Professor Joginder Singh. Only, this time he look a little bit frill unlike the previous years.

Several of the "boys" who came from out of town will be driving back home that very night. Azman and Sham (Zamzam's brother) were to drive back home to Taiping.

After the dinner function ended at 12.00 midnight, some of us went for tea or coffee at a stall near Sri Hartamas.

We chatted right until about 1.30 AM at which time we bade our farewell.

Feeling Homesick of My Good Old Taiping

Lately, I feel really homesick, remembering of my good old home town, Taiping.

To cure the blues, sometimes I would google for images of Taiping in the net. Anything of Taiping that I could think of, I would google, Bukit Larut, Maxwell Hills, the Lake Gardens or the Matang, Port Weld/ Kuala Sepatang.

I found there are many images of Taiping in the net shared by many people, whether they were residents, former residents of Taiping and visitors or tourists.

I only have two and half days of my Annual Leave left for 2013.

When 2014 comes, I will take one week leave.My plan is to travel around Perak, Penang and Kedah.

Perhaps, I would drive through  Batu Gajah, Parit (stay one night) than to Ipoh (stay one night), to Penang (stay one night), to Gunung Jerai, Kedah (stay one night), stop at sister's house in Sungai Petani (stay one night), then, to Taiping (stay two nights), finally return to KL.

Got to put this plan on paper.

Cinemas In the 1960s and 1970s

Recently, I purchased a DVD of a very old classic movie by Disney, “Mary Poppins”. Why buy a DVD of such an old classic? You see, “Mary Poppins” was one of the first movies that I watched in a cinema. The cinema that I went to was an old one in Sitiawan. There was a local live band that performed a few songs before the show started. That old cinema, unfortunately, was destroyed in a fire. My dad drove me and my brother to watch. We saw fire-fighters were still dowsing the smoldering ruined building with water. It could have been in 1968 but I could not remember exactly.

During the 1960s, when we were staying at the medical staff quarters at the Taiping Prisons Department Housing compound, we used to watch movies at the Prison Officers Club badminton court. I am sure many of the older generation still remember the experience of watching movies at the padang at the kampungs or government quarters. For many of us in the old days, going to the cinema was not that very common. The only other movie that I watched in a cinema was James Bond’s Thunderball. It was at the Lido cinema in Taiping.

The olden days cinemas back then had no air-conditioning, only ceiling fans for comfort. The seats were separated into four classes – 3^rd Class (the few rows nearest to the screen), 2^nd class (middle), 1^st Class (back rows) and the Reserved Class (balcony above the 1^st class).

The 3^rd and 2^nd Class seats were made of wood while the 1^st and Reserved Class were cushioned seats.

What about the price of the tickets? The 3^rd Class was 65 cents, 2^nd class was 85 cents, 1^st Class was at 1.50 and the Reserved Class was at $2.50.

Back then, while TV shows were in “black and white”, movies in the cinemas were in “techni-color”. Color TVs entered Malaysia in 1979 and they were big expensive TV sets.

The old cinemas in Taiping were fitted with air-conditioning only in the end of 1970s. Cathay Taiping was the first to be air-conditioned, followed by the Lido. The seats were all cushioned and the ticket prices were increased. The Cathay was also the first in Taiping to be fitted with Dolby stereo and “Sensurround Sound”. I remember I watched the movie “Battle of Midway”, the cinema seemed to shake with the sound of the aeroplanes and the rumble of battle.

Cinemas in Taiping faced the decline of movie goers when the age of VCR came. By the time VCDs came into being, all the cinemas in Taiping were closed. Some were converted to game centers while the Lido became a furniture store. Others were torn down to make way for new shopping centers.

With the new age cinematic technology of today, to watch movies in cinemas is very exhilarating experience compared to the yesteryears.

I still enjoy watching movies in the cinemas today, especially of the action movies genre. However, I would still remember what it was like to watch movies in the old days.

 

Balik Taiping 13 Oct 2013

To cure my Taiping blues, I made a quick trip to Taiping recently. Stayed at the Flemington Hotel but I was not able to get a room facing the lakes this time.

Met a few of my old school mates after dinner - Karunamurthy, Ban Heng, Kok Wai. Ban Heng brought a junior of ours Joe Woo (alias Ext Pow). Knew this guy in the OE Yahoo forum and Facebook. Finally got to meet him in person.

After breakfast the next day, took a walk at the lake gardens. Good to see that the frequent rains have brought back the water levels to normal. However, my walk was cut short due to approaching rain that morning.

Checked out from the hotel at 12.00 noon and return to KL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My New Almera Got Scratched - Arrghh!

I had started this day with a little bad feeling this morning but I went to work anyway.

At lunch time, while I drove out approaching the exit gate of my office basement car park, my car front lower spoiler scraped the mid-divider a bit. That was still alright.

Went to mid-town KL to settle an errand and had a sandwich for lunch at O'Briens.

Upon exiting out of the narrow winding slope of the parking ramp, my right rear side had scraped the edge of the parking lot wall (the spiral kind of parking ramp). Oh no! What a stroke of bad luck today.

I reversed my car into a vacant parking lot and tried to catch a breather. I really felt like crying out loud. Why oh why?!

After 10 minutes, I began to drive out the car park and returned to office.

Oh! My heart still hurts when I look at the 8 inches of scrape lines on my new Almera. Just only one month, already got scratches on its body. Arrgghh!