My first hike up Maxwell Hill (Bukit Larut)1976.

Second hike - 1980.

It was in 1976, when I made my first hike up the Maxwell Hills. It was after our LCE examinations and we had a long school break. A few friends and I planned to make the trip which was to be on a Saturday.

 

When the actual day came, there was only two of us who were to make the hike. It was me and a close friend from Aulong, Khairuddin Mat Isa. After we safely parked our bicycles, we began our hike at 8.30 AM. Being 15 years old, we were young and eager to make the hike. We followed the normal road up, not daring to use any short-cuts through the jungle. There had been several people who had gotten lost while using those short-cuts.

We were not alone, though. There were many people who hike up the hill that Saturday morning. Other than many students or young people, there were also the elderly. Khairuddin and I walked slowly. Being our first time, our legs hurt but we took many rest, then, continue. As for drinking water, each of us had a container but we would consume the water quite fast (those days, there was no bottled drinking water other than fizzy drinks).

 

View of Taiping from Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill)

We reached the 12 KM station after three hours walk. The first thing we did was to refill our water containers from the Rest House toilet tap. Then, we look for a spot to rest. For lunch, I brought bread with sardines while Khairuddin brought instant noodles. We tried to light a fire but failed to do so. So, we ate the instant noodles raw and dry. Hah!

By 3.00 PM, we began our journey down. It was cloudy but it did not rain. The walk down was faster but we felt hurt in the knees. We rested several times and continue. Somewhere along the way, we spotted a scorpion by the side of the road. It was about 6 inches long and looked very menacing. After we passed Tea Gardens, a Land Rover came by us and stopped. Since it was not full, the driver offered us a ride down. We gladly took the offer. The driver asked us to get off just before arriving the Base Station because he did not want his supervisor to notice us taking the free ride.

 

From left - Rajisvaran (hidden), Karunamurthy, Roslan and me(1982).

At Tea Gardens with friends - 1982.

 

I remember I hiked up at least two more times in the 1980s. After that, I took the Land Rover because I usually I visit the Hills alone. On a few occasions, I tried to walk up but only up to the 1 KM milestone. Even that was very tiring.

(old pictures obtained from FB posts).

Old Edwardians KL Reunion Dinner 5 December 2015

The Old Boys (KL Chapter) reunion dinner was held at Darul Ehsan Club, near Ampang. I went together with Razif and Sanuddin. We rode in my car this time.We arrived at about 8.30 PM, just in time for the opening speech by the President of OEA-KL. Sanuddin joined a table with his group while Razif and I joined the table booked by Ramli. The MCE 1978 batch who came were - Ramli, Razif, ZamZam, Abu Zarin, Hariri, Huzir, Hamid, Hasmi and Aziz Hamdan. In attendance were represetantives from OEA Malaysia and the School's Principal. They came all the way from Taiping.

We were glad that the speech was over and it was announced that "dinner is served". Entertainment was by a two-man band. As usual they played the golden oldies of the 1970s hits. Between the food and the entertainment, the diners took the opportunity to chat of old times and catch up with updates.

There was a tribute to the former players of the school rugby team of 1978. The former Team Captain, Jalil, called upon these Old Boys to put their signature on a t-shirt. That t-shirt was put up as an auction item for the night. The proceeds would go to the OEAKL Tigers Den.

The 1978 Rugby Boys

The winner of the T-shirt

With the President of OEA Malaysia (middle, standing)

The function ended quite early this time because by 10.30 PM a number of people began to leave the hall. Some were travelling back to Taiping or Ipoh. Some of us gathered at a mamak restaurant to continue the chit-chat until 1.00 AM.

To Ipoh For Abdul Kudus' Son's Wedding Kenduri 29 Nov 2015.

There was another wedding invitation from another old friend whom I have not met since 1978. Abdul Kudus's son was getting married and the kenduri was to be held at his house at Bercham, Ipoh.

I left KL that Sunday morning and hoped to arrive at Bercham by 2.00 PM. This was my first time ever to Bercham and I depended on the map directions in my mobile phone. Eventually, I arrived at mosque near the venue but was not sure which house. There were several other guests who were arriving and I asked one man to confirm whether this is Kudus' house. "Yes", said the man. Then, I heard my name being called. It was Salleh who came from Taiping. Ah! What a relief.

We waited for the others to arrive - Mohamad Shah and Mohamad Nazari. We approached and greeted Kudus' together and proceeded to the buffet table.

It was good to meet old friends and I would like to use any opportunity such as this to meet up.

Agus Salim's Daughter's Wedding Kenduri 21 Nov 2015

Attended a  wedding kenduri for a daughter of an old friend, Agus Salim. It was held at a venue located somewhere near Titiwangsa Lake Gardens. A few other friends were suppose to attend but since I arrived first, I made my way to the buffet table and found my seat.

The MC went from table to table to ask the guests for their well wishes and greetings to the happy couple and our hosts. Eventually, the MC came to my table where I was the only one there. There was no way for me to escape when he passed the microphone to me. I made my un-scripted greetings, by first introducing myself as an old friend of Agus Salim and wished the young couple the very best in life.

Afterwards, I met the others, Ramli, Razif and ZamZam. We continued to chat until almost the end of the function and took a group picture with Agus Salim.

Meet Up Old Friends - Urban@Istana Hotel 10 October 2015

A group of friends had planned a gathering at this restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. It was a fine dining setting at the Istana Hotel which I have not been to in years. I had arrived rather late because of the rainy evening. Further more, I was involved with the Community Carnival that day.

The dinner was hosted by Dato' Azhar Hamid, one of our school-mates. It was a splendid dinner and what made it more splendid was we got to spend time with old friends. We talked of personal health, family and the good old days.

We plan to hold the next get together on the 23 January 2016 at Taiping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remembering The School Cross Country Runs

I began to know what Cross Country Run was when I entered the King Edward VII Secondary School. It was a sport introduced into the Malayan schools by the British. A cross country course would cover the open country with natural terrains. Schools in Taiping town do not have much open country but we have the vast and beautiful Lake Gardens.

The old Red Bridge, one of the main route.

Even though I was not a strong runner, it was compulsory to participate (except for boys who had a medical excuse). I ran for my colour house - Raffles (Red). There was the monthly cross country practice runs before the Annual School Cross Country Race. The practice runs and the Annual Race were held on Saturday morning. We were to assemble at the Start Point (which was also the Finish Point) at 8.00 AM. The Assembly Point was where the children's playground is, which is at the bottom of the District Officer's Residence hill. After we assembled according to our House Colours, the Race Master would announce the course for the day and the checkpoints. We were also warned about the penalties of cheating the course. The race would start at 8.30 AM and would usually finished by 9.45 AM. I think the whole course could have been 8 KM.

The "little causeway", one alternate main route.

Over my five years of secondary school, the course covers the same route except for minor changes in one or two. That was either we had to run over the "China Bridge" way pass where Flemington Hotel is now or we had to pass through the "Little Causeway".

The "China Bridge", another alternate main route.

Whether it rained or sunny, we ran. In my first 3 years, I would usually complete the race past the qualifying time. However, in my fourth and fifth year, I was able to finish within the time and was able to score some points for my Raffles House.

After the race, we assembled again and the results were announced. When we were finally dismissed, a few of us would gather at our friend's house. Malik Ridhwan lived at the government housing which was near the Taiping Penghulu's Office (behind the Taiping Magistrate's Court). We bought cold drinks from the hawker stall and stayed there to chat. I remember a funny incident, Khairuddin had almost choked when he swallowed a small ice cube. Fortunately, the ice cube cleared his throat and he was able to breath normally.

Nowadays, when I see students running along the roads near my housing area for their cross country runs, these beautiful old memories came to my mind of my old running days.

Meet Up Old Friends 22 August 2015

Hamid had invited us for a high-tea at his house at Bandar Tun Hussein Onn. When I arrived near Hamid's house at 5.00 PM, I met Agus Salim near the gate. I contacted Ramli, he informed that he was waiting for Hariri to guide him into the area. Only six of us OE1978 batch could make it. The Old Boys who came were - myself, Agus Salim, Aziz Hamdan, Ramli, Suhaimi and Hariri. One of our school senior also came. He is Azizi, who was our school rugby team. The food fair was other than the main spread (nasi beriyani, Laksa Johore, satay), there were also several stalls of Ice-cream tapai pulut, Ais Batu Campur and cakes.

From left, Suhaimi, Hariri, Aziz, Me, Hamid (host), Ramli, Agus Salim.

The function ended by 7.30 PM and we made our farewells.

Both Aziz and I had another function to attend at Puchong. A dinner organized by another old schoolmate, Eric Ong.

We arrived at the venue past 8.30 PM and the approached the group of friends who were already at the table. A few of them whom we have not met for over 30 years - Azhar Hamid, Long Seng, Lai Chee Leong. The food was of Japanese cuisine and we ate some more.



From Left, No1, Heng Gaul, Eric,No2 , Chee Siong, Chee Meng, Beh Ah Chee, Long Seng, Chee Leong, Irene, Alex, Eddie, Aziz, Azhar, Me, Azman.

We continued to drink and chat until 11.20 PM. Someone suggested to plan for the next meet-up on 10 October 2015. Well, until the next time.