Semalam Di Malaysia* 2010

I landed safely in frozen Birmingham at 11.40am. I switched on my mobile and had a quick wash before joining the queue at Immigration. Thankfully the queue for non-British passport holders was much shorter but I observed the Q&A was much longer. Thankfully everything went smoothly for moi. I was only asked how long I was away. Babe called while I was waiting for my luggage. It took ages before mine popped out. At Customs, we were asked to open our luggage and popped it on the conveyor belt. Thankfully, I’d folded my clothes properly and they just gave it a quick glance before waving me through.

Called Babe again and waited inside the freezing Arrival terminal. It was bustling and heaving.  In less than 24 hours, I was vaulted from 35C to -5C. I started having coughing fits again. Before leaving Dubai, I’d put on my thermals, a polo-neck sweater and a scarf. It was still freezing!!! Babe arrived and we met halfway. He gave me a lovely warm bear hug and lots and lots of kisses and told me that I looked like I’d just walked into a freezer. It bloody felt like one.

We drove slowly through the very icy roads. Mountains of snow and black ice laid side-by-side. It was crazy to see drivers speeding on these roads. Nothing’s changed. It was good to be home. The casa welcomed me with delicious smells from the slow-cooker and a huge bouquet of red roses. Thank you darling. Mwah…mwah. Made a quick call to Abah to inform him that I’d arrived safely. After a hearty lunch, I’d a quick wash and was out in seconds. I was soo exhausted :-).

I was away for nearly 3 weeks. I left a frozen –5C Birmingham on the 6/12.  We kept on checking with Emirates to make sure that the flight wasn’t delayed. The plane took off at 1.25 pm and the flight to Dubai took 7 hours. The plane was full and nearly a quarter were children. I made myself comfortable and watched 2 movies : Eat, Pray, Love and Avatar Special Edition. I didn’t get the first movie but I thoroughly enjoyed the second very much. My companions on this trip was a South African couple who had their first experience with snow here. They couldn’t stop talking about it. Don’t blame them.

We reached Dubai late at about 12.15 am local time. There was so much air traffic that we spent half an hour circling in the air. By the time I got into the terminal there was about 2 hours before my next check-in. By now, I’d a splitting headache and was searching for a pharmacy. After taking 2 Panadols and downing a litre of water, I’d a quick wash and went straight to check-in. My next flight was at 3 am. It would take another 7 hours to reach Kuala Lumpur. Thankfully, I managed to fall asleep on the first half of the journey.

Reached KL at 1.45pm on a bright, stuffy afternoon. I wished my Maltese companions Bonn Voyage. They had to endure another 8 hours trip to Melbourne!!!. The monorail was undergoing repairs so there was a loong walk to the airport bus to take us to the Arrival terminals. At Immigration, I put my magnetic M’sian passport in a tray, pressed my thumb and hey presto, I’m out. I just love this… 

I’d another quick wash. By this time, I’m getting good at this. At Baggage, it took forever for me to locate my luggage. Every luggage looked the same to me. Next time, I’m going to put a Union Jack strap around mine. I took so long to be out that my sister was panicking!!! She thought that I’d missed my flight…She was there with my 3 boisterous nephews and their dad. The journey to Port Dickson took us another 2 hours.

In PD, Abah greeted me with bear hugs, tears and kisses. I went in and hugged and kissed Emak. She looked well. Abah said prayers for my safe journey home. Amin. Called Babe to say that I’ve arrived safely. It was 11 pm UK time. We kept in touch daily. I called Babe at 8 am(UK 12am). As usual, we were always confused because when I say good morning, it was Babe’s bed-time.

Abah waited to have lunch with us. My favourite food was spread out on the table. There was goreng ikan sembilang berlada, kerabu pucuk paku and masak lemak udang cili api. Hot..hot..hot but yummy. Then I’d a quick nip into town to stock on some essentials. Dee and family left that night for Puchong and they will be back again for the weekend.

I spent the evening chatting with my parents and Eriq, my eldest nephew. There was soo much catching up to do. I also called up my aunts and close friends informing them that I’m back. So far, I’d no problems falling asleep as I’d the air-conditioner on when I’m sleeping.

As usual, Abah did all the cooking and I helped with the chopping, washing up and cleaning. Abah would go to the market with a list of things that I would like to eat. I’d written a very long list of food. Soo much food, soo little time :-). I spent the morning stalking the feathered species around our casa with my camera. There were plenty and they looked and sounded soo different to what I’m used to. I bet my parent’s neighbours think I’m loco…The birds on these blog were those that I managed to photographed.

Apart from the obligatory siesta, I spent the afternoons reading Stieg Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”. It was really thrilling that I managed to finish it in the first week.  How I wished I had brought the whole trilogy with me. Also completed another set of Sudoku. I managed to pop into town a few times to get some postcards and books, checked out the night and farmers market, met a few friends and said hi to the neighbours. It was also Abah’s 77th birthday. He had a huge smile when his 5 grandchildren sang happy birthday down the phone. Eriq bought a cake and we’d sate for dinner. Happy birthday Abah and many happy returns.

In the evenings when it was much cooler, I popped down to the beach with Eriq to get a few shots.  Thankfully, this time no more resorts and hotels have been added to the coastline. But near the town, more sea have been reclaimed and lots of construction works carried out. I bet on my next trip, the coastline have altered yet again.  We checked out stalls for souvenirs  and I bought a PD t-shirt for Babe and a fridge magnet to be added to my collection. I wanted to admit my mistake on my previous trip home about dolphins. They have been spotted at Tanjung Tuan which is famous for its light-house. I thought there were NO dolphins in PD seas.

On Friday night, Hanim and family picked me from my parents and we went back to our kampung (hometown). My grandma died last year and it has been my wish to visit and recite prayers at her grave. On the same night too, another Auntie was holding a doa selamat (prayers of thanks) for my uncle’s successful Hajj to Mecca. It was a wonderful time catching up with the whole tribe again plus more delicious spread.

It was very strange to be back at my birthplace. I have not been back ever since I left for the UK 14 years ago.  But it felt the same. I’d a good night sleep in my late grandma’s house surrounded by fruit trees that I used to climb when I was young. Early in the morning, armed with my camera, I walked to my great grandmother’s house which has fallen to pieces. Just look at this grand house with its tiled steps especially imported from the UK, if I’m not mistaken. I’d fond memories of this house with its huge wooden attic. The intricate carvings were still there. Will my grandma’s house be abandoned like this??? 

I walked further down. The padi fields were no longer there. They have been reclaimed and replanted with various things. My uncle had planted a few dragon fruit trees and starting rearing goats. Good luck with that. At least, the land hasn’t been totally abandoned.

After a quick cold shower, we went to the farmers market in search of breakfast and lunch. There was soo much to choose from. For breakfast, we bought nasi lemak and some local delicacies. Hanim bought some fresh produce to cook for lunch. After a long, leisure breakfast, we drove to the cemetery. We said prayers for my grandmother, poured holy water and strewn flowers on her grave. RIP to a very wonderful woman. We also did the same to other family members who were buried here.

Then a quick visit to another aunt, Bibik. She wasn’t feeling well and we wanted to make sure that she was ok. I think our presence did bring her smile back. Later in the evening, we popped into the famous Rembau night market in search of more food. It was food galore. Both my aunts, Hanim and Ateh, and I chose what we liked and then we went over to Ateh’s house to eat what we’d just bought. My oh my, the table was groaning. There was soo much food and we’d a wonderful time polishing them up. Life was just good.

We only spent a night here as Hanim had to work on Sunday. Before we left, another pit stop at Cik Alang’s house. They had just retired and enjoying a much calmer life in the countryside. He had just became a grandfather and brought the house down with tales of his grandson antics. That was one proud grandfather. 

On the drive back to PD, my sister called and asked us what time will we arrive. The tribe was in PD and they were having a BBQ and a cake for Abah. I told them to go ahead and not wait for us. By the time we arrived, it was on full swing and Eriq had invited several of his friends. We’d a wonderful time polishing the delicious spread. Ooh my poor tummy :-). Hanim and family left quite late for Subang Jaya. Thank you and have a safe trip home.

On Sunday, I followed my sister back to Pucong. We were going to take the Komuter from  Seremban to Bandar Tasik Selatan. Her elder sons had already gone back with their father. Abah gave us a lift to the bus station where we took the bus to Seremban. I used to take this route when I was studying in Seremban but everything was soo unfamiliar. We’d an ice-cream while waiting for the train to Bandar Tasik Selatan. It was an hour’s journey and by the time we arrived, K was waiting for us.

On the way to their home, I bought Thai seafood tom-yam and telur bungkus for dinner.  After dinner, K and Dee drove me to CY’s casa in Shah Alam. It wasn’t easy finding it in the dark but we arrived safely. They dropped me here where I’ll be staying for at least  2 days. CY’s mum was also in the house. We’d a wonderful time yacking until 2am!!!

It was very late when we got up. After a light breakfast, we decided to check out the SACC Mall. Lots and lots of stuff but we came out with nothing. We’d lunch at the De Palma. We’d a good laugh cos I ordered Mee Mamak and CY ordered chicken chop. I’d local food while CY ate western food…The portions were small but they were delicious.

Then we walked through PKNS, which used to be our hang-out. Nothing’s changed although there were lots of small stalls cramped into the concourse. We checked out every stall and I bought a pair of white pants with linings (?) and 2 packets of serunding (shredded meat). I was hunting for calendars with a Malaysian theme but there wasn’t any. We stopped at a drink stall and I’d the coconut shake. It was fresh coconut juice with the flesh blended in ice cubes. It was delicious and it was my downfall. Up to now, I still have this very nasty, irritating cough.

The next day we drove into KL. We were going to drop CY’s mum at her brother’s house  before heading for the famous KL twin-towers. The number of toll booths we’d to drive through and pay was unbelievable. High-rise buildings mushroomed everywhere in KL. I had a hard time finding my bearings. Everything had changed soo drastically that I felt like an outsider in my own country. After dropping her mother, CY’s sister, sister-in-law and niece joined us for our trip to the twin-towers.

Guess what? The tickets have all been sold out since 11 am :-( :-( :-(. We were there at 11.30pm. I knew we’d to be there early…but never mind. There’s always next time. We checked out the souvenir shop and I bought another tee for Babe and a fridge magnet. Then as usual pose for pictures. We then checked out the uber-expensive Suria KLCC. Couldn’t afford anything so we decided to have lunch at the food-court. I ordered a claypot meal but it came out without the claypot and it was soo bland. What a let-down. Since I was hungry, I requested the famous Penang kuay-teow which was utterly delicious.

Then we checked out the Xmas decorations and I couldn’t resist asking the girls to pose outside M&S.  It was so tempting to go in and buy something. How ridiculous was that? At Isetan, I fell in love with 2 very beautiful, expensive top. I wanted to buy only one but somehow ended buying both. One, I’m going to wear on the way back to the UK. The other one will be for a very special function. I couldn’t wait…

Then we decided to chill out at the beautiful lake and fountains outside the twin-towers. It must be a favourite hang-out cos there were hundreds of people waiting…Waiting for what!!! Then at 7pm, everyone was looking towards the towers. They were waiting for the lights to be switched on. It started at the base and the whole floor started lighting upwards one by one. It was just soo beautiful. About 7.30pm, we joined the crowd to go home.

The next day, CY and her nephew gave me a lift to PD. I was a lovely drive although we were nearly  lost on the way out. I called Abah saying we were on our way and that CY and nephew were joining us for lunch. There were still a few more tolls along the way. Travelling must be very expensive in Malaysia. We arrived in PD and had a wonderful lunch prepared by Abah. Thank you Abah and thank you CY for a wonderful time. We will do it again in 2 years time, Insha’allah.

It was nice to be home. Eriq told me that he got his results and passed all his papers. Well done but his CGPA was only 2.85. Must try harder next time. Later that night Abah and I watched the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup between Malaysia and Vietnam. Well-done to Malaysia for scoring 2:0 but they still need to win for the return league in Vietnam. Thankfully, they did. Malaysia was to meet their arch-enemies, Indonesia, in the finals. It should be interesting especially when there were a few thousands Indonesians migrants living and working in Malaysia.

On Friday, my niece, Emil, and her friend came over to spend the weekend with us.  Later in the evening, we went to the beach cos they wanted to have a swim in the sea. Eriq and friend tagged along. I didn’t join them cos I was too engrossed stalking a sea sparrow. On Saturday, Dee and her younger sons came over to PD. The house was back to chaos again:-).

My relatives also dropped by and brought more food. It was wonderful catching up with them. That night we checked out PD’s night market and Abah requested Yong Tau Foo. There was excitement in the air when hundreds of bikers turned up. Traffic was at a standstill. Luckily, we lived at the top of the housing estate and managed to get home safely.

On Sunday, my childhood friend, RMN, invited me to join her to meet an old school mate, AK, who had just returned from performing the Haj. We drove to our old haunt in Seremban where we met AK and hubby for  brunch at Kopitiam, Seremban 2. I had the lovely Mee Rebus with iced lemon tea which was a huge, huge mistake. My cough flared up again :-(. Apart from that, we’d a wonderful time reminiscing the good old days.

Dee left for Pucong that evening. Emil and friend stayed behind and will accompany me when I leave on Tuesday.  I spent Monday packing and spending quality time with my parents. Emil then got an e-mail saying that she was accepted to further her studies in UITM, Penang. Congratulations. She’d less than a week to get everything sorted out. So we went through her check list to make sure that she doesn’t missed anything. Good luck to a lovely niece.      

Babe and I kept on checking the news because of the snowfall that had grounded UK’s airports when it was time to fly back to the UK. It was very sad saying goodbye to my elderly parents. But I promise to call them every weekend and see them every 2 years. All I can do is pray that Allah will look after all of us always. Amin. Eriq’s friend drove us to Dee’s casa in Pucong. All I need was pay for the fuel and toll charges. We stopped at Sepang F1 circuit where I wanted to get a Lotus tee for Babe. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any and you can only purchase them on-line,

We’d lunch at Dee’s casa before I asked Eriq and friends to give Emil a lift to her boarding school in Klang.  She needed to have her school certificates authenticated. After they left, Erif accompanied me to the hair-dresser to have my hair hennaed. I wanted to surprise Babe. And he was really surprised :-).

That night, Induk and Susi came over to wish me a safe journey. They brought sate for supper which we thoroughly demolished. We’d a wonderful time catching up and Induk bought me a lovely green sequined baju kurung and some local delicacies. Thank you soo much. Dee later asked Susi whether he could drive her to Penang because K will be away in Sabah due to work commitments. Thankfully, he agreed. A big thank you again.

The next day, Dee and I with her 2 younger sons plus Emil and friend, made a trip into KL.  I wanted to get a specific kind of tote. We took the bus to KL Central, then a Monorail and then the Komuter into Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Apart from the girls, we have never been on a Monorail and what an experience it was. At JTAR, we checked out all the shops but I still couldn’t find my tote. In the end, we bought stuff for Emil’s. We later joined the queue for lunch at KFC.

The girls need to run more errands while we decided to call it a day. Thankfully, we were on the bus on the way home, when the heavens opened. You don’t want to get stuck in KL during the monsoon rains. We arrived home drenched but safe. Then I packed my things and got ready for my trip back to the UK.

I called Abah when I’m on the way to the airport. Hanim and family were already there.    We’d a drink and a chat at McDonalds before Z and family joined us. Thank you for seeing me off and may Allah bless you all. At 12pm, I bid everyone goodbye and checked in. 

I boarded the 2.10am flight from KL. I was soo tired that I fell asleep and had to be awakened for my meals. I reached Dubai at 5.10am local time and the azan (call) for Subuh prayers was booming through the terminals. I bought a bottle of water and went straight to check-in. Depart Dubai at 8.05am. Watched Shrek: The Final Chapter and Russel Crowe’s version of Robin Hood.

When we flew over Europe, I could see that it was totally blanketed with snow. Europe was totally frozen. I’m glad that I wasn’t stranded in Dubai. That would be my worst nightmare. All in all, I’d a wonderful time in Malaysia, with my lovely parents and sister plus family, friends and relatives. I missed all of you already and I hoped to be back in 2 years time, Insyallah.

*Night in Malaysia