OE Roslan Aris' Son's Kenduri- Ayer Tawar Perak 14 January 2017

An old school-mate, Roslan Aris, invited us friends to his son’s kenduri in Ayer Tawar, Perak. The kenduri was to be held on Saturday 14 January 2017. I have not been to Lumut area since 2009. I took this invitation as an opportunity to re-visit the town. I made the necessary reservations at Swiss Garden Damai Laut Resort. This would be my first time to stay there. Previously, I used to stay at the Orient Star Lumut.

I left KL for Lumut on Friday morning at 10.00 AM. The drive along the PLUS Highway was smooth and traffic was light. While driving, I was still thinking of the options where to exit the highway to head towards Lumut. There were 4 options – exit via Sungkai, Bidor, Tapah or Gopeng. I decided to exit via Bidor interchange and use the road to Teluk Intan. After that, I took the road to Bagan Datuk and followed the direction to Manjung/ Lumut.

It rained when I reached Teluk Intan area. Fortunately, the rain stopped after I crossed the bridge over Perak River, where I stopped at the BHP petrol station at Matang Guntong Baru for a toilet break. The drive to Manjung and Lumut was pleasant since the rain had stopped.

At the Lumut Waterfront.

I arrived Lumut by 2.30PM. Even though it was cloudy but the air was warm and humid. I stopped by the Waterfront to take some pictures. After enjoying the breath-taking view of the Manjung River, I went to the bazaar nearby to buy some snacks to bring home. After the purchases made, I headed to Damai Laut Resort, which is the opposite side of the Manjung River from Lumut.

I passed near Sitiawan, then, took the road towards Pantai Remis. The road passed a bridge over Manjung River. The scenery along the way was some shipyards, swamp areas and palm oil plantations. There was a new housing project being build. Since it rained earlier, the road was slightly muddy from the rain water flows. There were several lorries on the road so I was extra careful.

Upon entering the road towards the Resort, there was a sign warning all drivers of the many road bumps ahead. As I drove along the road, I understood why. The road was has many s-bends and the road bumps were to encourage all drivers to cut speed before the taking the corners. At one point I saw a Brahminy Kite (a bird of the Eagle family) perched on an electrical cable pole by the road side.

I reached the Resort by 4.00 PM. I saw several other guests arriving and checking in. Apparently there were two big groups that were arriving here that afternoon. After receiving my room-key, I headed for my room. It has a view of the sea and the gardens. The room was also near the Garden Terrace coffee house.

Window view. Pangkor Island in the distant.

I was tired to drive out to town for dinner. Therefore, I ordered fried rice and a fruit platter. I slept early after dinner.

Saturday morning, I checked out from the Resort at 10.00 AM. I headed to Lumut town again to buy some more seafood snacks. After the purchases made, I went to Ayer Tawar. I used the road that by-passed Sitiawan town center and followed the direction to Ipoh. The kenduri was held at a local hotel at Ayer Tawar town. I reached the venue by 12:15 PM. Car park space was limited, so, I parked my car by the padang at the housing area a short distance behind the hotel.  

As I approached the hotel entrance, I saw the host, Roslan Aris. We shooked hands and were glad to have met after over 30 years. Roslan informed me that several other schoolmates had already arrived. I walked towards their tables where they were seated. Those who have already arrived were – Jamaee, Ramli Yusof, Rozi, Azman “Iban”, Mas Kamaruzaman, Shaheri and Ahmad Salleh. A while after, Hanafiah, Razif, Mahyuddin, Mohamad Shah, Dzulhanan and Dr Noor Azmi arrived. The last to arrive that day was Ahmad Khairuddin. Amongst those who were present, several also I have not met for the past 38 years – Mas Kamaruzaman, Azman “iban”, Ramli Yusof and Rozi. Rozi participated in the karaoke, rendering 2 Malay oldies. We schoolmates cheered Rozi for encouragement. Hey! Rozi sang really well.

From left-Shaheri, Mad Shah, Mas, Azman, Salleh.

From left- Rozi, Razif, Jamaee, Dzulhanan.

From left- Rozi, Dr Noor Azmi, Jamee, Razif, Mas.

From left- Jamaee, Razif, Khairuddin, Mas, Ramli Yusof, Shaheri.

Rozi while rendering an M Daud Kilau song.

We spent the whole of the afternoon catching up with old times and getting to know how each other has been.

By 4.00 PM we had to leave. We thanked the host, Roslan Aris and bade our farewells.

 

Group pix with Roslan and the newly weds.

 

With Roslan Aris (middle, in Baju Melayu).

 

Hope to return to Lumut and Manjung area again.

Trip to Sungai Bayor, Selama 17 December 2016

On 17 December 2016 Saturday, I drove to Selama to attend my schoolmate's son's wedding kenduri.

It was a beautiful, sunny day and traffic flow was smooth along the PLUS Highway to the North from Kuala Lumpur.

I exited the Highway at the recently completed interchange at Alor Pongsu. From here, I headed towards Kubu Gajah, then, to Selama. The roads were the normal country road. It passes through several villages and plantation estates.

Upon reaching Selama town, I stopped for a toilet break at the Petronas fuel station and to buy a can of coffee drink. I continued my journey to Sungai Bayor which is about 10 KM from Selama. The journey brought back some sweet memories of my last trip to the small town many years ago in the 1980s. My dad, who was a Medical Assistant, was posted to the Government Clinic (Kelinik Desa) at Sungai Bayor for three years until his final retirement.

I arrived at Sungai Bayor and found the location of the kenduri easily. It was located by the main road near the town. After I parked my car at a safe spot, I walked to the venue. I found Mohamad Noor and he welcomed me to join the buffet table. Another schoolmate was already there, Jamaee and his wife. I joined Jamaee for the lunch and we chatted away of our old buddies. He mentioned that another OE, Azmi, was also present but he had to leave for awhile for some errand.

Azmi did come by to join us afterwards. I have not met Azmi since 1978 and was really glad to be able to meet him. Later, Hanafiah and his wife arrive and joined us at our table.

Mohamad Noor invited us to his house which is a few meters away from the wedding function. At his house, we were served tea, kuih and fried Koay Teow.

Azmi and Hanafiah had to leave by 4.00 PM. By which time, I received a phone call from another OE, Zoulkifli. He had just arrive Sungai Bayor and asking for the location. I described the directions to Mohamad Noor's house. Zoul found us and joined us for tea.
By 5.00 PM, Zoul and I made our leave. We thanked Mohamad Noor for his hospitality and bade him farewell.

Zoul had to go to Kulim while I drove to Taiping for an over-night stay. I would return to KL the following morning.

OE Zamzam Son's Wedding 3 December 2016

(Standing from left - Asri, Hamid, Zamzam, Ramli, Syed Sharifuddin, Rohaizat.
Sitting from left - Azman Azuar, Agus Salim, Zoulkifly, Myself, Hariri)

There are several wedding kenduri invitations this December 2016 from my Old Edwardian friends.

The first one this month is of Mohamad Zamzam's son wedding. It was held at a function hall near Kampong Sungai Ramal Dalam, Kajang, Selangor.

The weather was fine, no rain, which made the drive from to the destination very pleasant.

Several of my old school-mates were present at the function. As usual, the gatherings of old friends made the atmosphere into a mini-reunion. A few others arrived much later, Abdullah, Razif and Zulakmal.

Several of us stayed to chat until the function was well over.

8 November 2016 - My 55th Birthday

I celebrated my fifty-fifth year of my life in this year of 2016. Since I had a heart attack in 2007, I am thankful to Allah for have provide me this life with lots of blessings and love of my family and lots of good friends.

One news shocked me though. My wife informed me that she has received the invitation for the Hajj pilgrimage from Tabung Haji for the year 2017. This put me in a surprised mode because I was planning to perform the Hajj in 2018. Now, I have to write an appeal to Tabung Haji to allow me to accompany my wife for the Hajj in 2017.

It took me a few days to accept the fact that the time has arrived for my wife and I to go for the Hajj. I had shared my fears with my good friends. They had advised and encouraged me to put my fears aside and just proceed. Have faith that Allah has opened the right path for my wife and me.

This fact also makes me realize my life and mortality. From the years of my childhood, to my life at school. The growing up years from my teen to adulthood. The early years of my entering work force, progressed into my present position. My marriage, having kids. Watched them grow. My daughter got married. The birth of my first grand-child. Watching my grand-son grow.

My life has come almost the full circle.

Teh Tarik Session Ipoh - Dr Noor Azmi's Treat

On 12 November 2016, a group of OE 1978 had a meet-up at Casuarina@Meru, Ipoh on the invitation of our school mate, Dr Noor Azmi. The occasion was to celebrate his appointment as Chairman to the Malaysian Highway Authority and the conferment of Datukship by His Royal Highness Sultan of Perak.

It was raining heavily when I arrived at the Hotel car park by 4.30 PM. While awaiting for the rain to subside, Hanafiah and his wife also arrived and parked is car next to mine. When the rain was lighter, we made our way to the Hotel with our umbrellas. The group was already enjoying their tea, cucor udang and mee goreng. We exchanged greetings and sat at the table.

From Left- Ramli, Dr Noor Azmi, Agus Salim, Khairul Anuar.

Zoul Don, Nazari, Mat Shah, Basir.

Hanafiah, Syed Nasir, Dzulhanan, Rohaizat.

Ahmad Salleh, Aminuddin.

Jamaee, Rahman, Azman Hussain, Hariri.

After the the marvelous tea and food, we gathered outside the hotel for a group photo.

Congratulations, Datuk Dr Noor Azmi.

Looking forward to the next gathering.

Search For A New Home at Ipoh

For several years already, I have planned to move to Ipoh after I retire. I seriously began to search for a new house to purchase in 2016. A friend suggested to look at the PKNP’s project at Suria@Meru. In my initial enquiries, I was informed that they were sold out. I was advised to wait sometime in October when several units could be available due to rejected loans application.

October came. I noticed an advertisement in The Star newspaper that there was a YTL project near Tambun which has several lots still available for sale. I contacted the sales office to make an appointment. On a Saturday, I went to Ipoh to meet the sales person at the Dahlia show house.  I was interested to book one unit. However, a friend suggested that I re-check with PKNP about the Suria@Meru properties. Even my wife urged me to do so.

I made an enquiry at the PKNP sales office and was informed that there were a number of units re-opened for sale. I made an appointment to meet the sales person. On a Friday, I made another trip to Ipoh. The trip was very fruitful. After discussing with my wife over the telephone, I made a reservation for a unit.

After the payment of the deposit, I was to wait for the Developer’s legal office to call me up for the signing of the Sales and Purchase Agreement. The project in now at its 40% construction phase and will be completed by end 2017. My plan will be a reality in the next few years.