Bukit Bendera

It must be about 25-30 years since I went up Bukit Bendera, Penang. And why not, the last train that was used in my previous journey up the hill is now in the museum (see photo). Nice place, windy but not necessarily hot.

There were performances as it was a holiday break and many tourist were expected up the hill and yes we had to wait for 2 hours before we board the train mind you. Udin had his hand in trying to be a magician's assistant. He was quite pissed when he found out some of the tricks were not not magic at all.... hehehe....."dia tipu la abah, Udin nampak" was what he said.

Then there was a performance by the son of the late Malaysian Ali Khan Samsuddin who was known as the "King of the Snakes" until one ferocious cobra decided it was time for a coup. His son performed some dangerous tricks including kissing the king cobra.

Some facts about Penang Hill:
Also known as Bukit Bendera, Penang Hill is the highest peak on Pulau Pinang. At 830m above sea level, it is one of the best places to catch a bird's eye view of the island's expanse, including the panorama of George Town, the Penang Bridge and the Straits of Melaka.

One of the peaks on Penang Hill called Flagstaff Hill, is accessible via a healthy hike up via several hiking trails, including one from the Penang Botanical Gardens. Alternatively, visitors may also opt for a more leisurely trip up via the Penang Hill Railway which stretches just over 2km long and departs from the station at Air Itam, a mere 10 minutes' walk from the Kek Lok Si Temple. The 30-minute ride on the funicular railway takes place every 30 minutes and makes its way up a thrilling, at times near-45 degrees angle, with spectacular vistas along the way before reaching the top hill station at 701m above sea level.

x-mas shopping at Mid Valley

Wowie Malaysia got snow meh... that was the impression I get when I was at Mid Valley. You see people in fur lined coat and we are not talking about Santa here. So the complex was redecorated ushering in X-mas and new year. I wonder if there is really that many Christians in this country because the celebration and decoration is like so 'over' or is this just the ugly hands of commercialism rearing its head.

Cukur jambul

I went to my cousin's place for the "Cukur jambul" ceremony for her baby. It is a Traditional Malay Ceremony celebrated for a new born baby.

This occasion is celebrated by Malay Community with a "Kendury" of "Aqiqah" . In this celebration if the baby is a boy, 2 goats will be cut while only one goat for a baby girl. In that ceremony the parents of the baby will invite all neighbors from the village for Quran recital and sumptuous feast.The peak of the celebration is whereby the baby will be pass from one person to another in their arm cradled cutely in the big circle and the baby will be sprinkled with holy water with "bunga rampai" , a certain portion of the baby's hair will be cut (cukur Jambul). While the above occasion is taking place, there will be a singing of " Marhaban" (singing praise for prophet Muhammad pbuh). After that, all invited guests will be invited for brunch or high tea and these guests will be given "Bunga Telur "as a gift while leaving the occasion.

Kopi Tiam - Uncle Lim

Another Kopi Tiam at Sunway Pyramid - Uncle Lim.

Uncle Lim’s Cafe is a modernized Kopitiam bringing you the best wholesome and traditional homegrown fare. Uncle Lim’s is also about nostalgia; it is about extending history and it is about preserving our unique culture. Kopi Kau in thick porcelain cups and sucers with the green floral motif, charcoal toasted bread with fragrant kaya and butter, half-boiled eggs, fragrant nasi lemak, laksa are some of the specialty available at Uncle Lim’s Cafe.Customers can enjoy Uncle Lim’s kopi in different ways, i.e. thick (kau), thin (pok), black (O), with condensed milk, with evaporated milk (si), iced (peng) or even mix it with tea (cham)!

Not bad but personally this can't beat Chong Kok kopi tiam in Klang. (read my earlier blog on Chong Kok)

Sg Kelah again

After the wedding my family went to the Sg Kelah resort again.. this time we went to both the mountain spring and the hot water section. We stayed at the Trolak Country Resort... well the facilities are OK lah for Trolak, good enough to sleep in.. clean room, air-cond and clean shower with hot water.

Just an insight to what is available: web site

Hot Springs Swimming Pool, Cold Pool & Therapeutic Pools -make full use of the natural Hot Springs Swimming Pool or the classic Cold Pools swim alone or with family and friends. Try the Giant Octopus Water Slide and the pools are Large and spacious, the pools offer an entertaining diversion from the hustle and bustle of your everyday routine.

Water Reflexology Course & Natural Hot Springs Boardwalk - unique experience on its own. Reflexology is known to mainly improve and enhance blood circulation in the body and improve overall general health and well-being. As you walk the path of smooth stones, the hot springs water that runs the course provides warmth and greater relief to aching feet and joints. Feel a new sense of fresh and rejuvenation after your relaxing walk.

Family Baths & Hot Springs Egg Boiling Activity - try out the family baths and enjoy the privacy of this special treat. And try the hot springs egg-boiling experience. Many come to the park, some with baskets full of eggs which they then boil in the natural hot springs for its therapeutic properties. The world’s egg-boiling world record was achieved at this very park! 50,480 eggs were boiled here in the hot springs over a span of 43hours in 2006!

There are exclusive villas available in the Sg Klah resort and come with the choice of one-bedroom or two-bedrooms ready with facilities that include a natural hot spring jacuzzi tub, but with a price lah kan.. I think its about RM 800 a night.

Directions to Sg Klah: Drive about 1 ½ hours North on the PLUS highway and exit at Sungkai. This is in Perak, after the Tanjung Malim, Behrang and Trolak exits.

From the Toll Plaza, turn LEFT onto the trunk road. Proceed down the road until you see the first left turning at some food stalls. There will be signs for “Sg Klah Hot Springs Resort”. Turn left and follow the road and the signs. You will pass through a FELDA kampung etc etc but there are sign leading to the resort. From the toll plaza it will take about 10-15 minutes.

Wedding in Sungkai

Laila invited us to join her family for her sister's, A Teh, wedding in Sungkai. Oh I can't say NO to the prospect of having Kok-Kek (large prawn with tempoyak) on my plate, oh so yummy and the beef in the black sauce, I don't know the name but I do love the taste, yum yum. We gave the wedding cake as a present, look at the cake in the pic.... not the normal cake you can find at the cake shop ok. Really beautifully done with all the deco.

Oh not to forget the night before the actual wedding they had the bersanding ceremony accompanied by the local 'band', I think its called 'hadrah' singing Quranic verses.

Wedding at Putrajaya

19 Nov 2006, my bro in law wedding at Putrajaya. His wife is from Bangi maybe a good idea to have the wedding ceremony in Putrajaya. It seems that every precinct has its own community hall equipped with swimming pool and other facilities... not bad.. lucky them government servants.

Prize giving day

Aini and Aina was made busy during their school prize giving day. Aina missed out on the academic prize being number 4 she just missed the cut. However she was on stage for a nasyid performance. Aini did better as she was in the top 3 in her class.

me.. 1966-7

2 hospitals, 2 relatives

What was supposed to be a Raya Open House visit turned out to be our visits to 2 hospitals today. First we went to Pantai Pandan Hospital. My sister in law is down with blood infection and warded in ICU. Next to General Hospital KLumpur to visit Mak Long who is semi paralysed waist down for quite some time now and she is really weak and she can't seems to remember much beyond the 1990's. She kept asking about the funeral of aruah Ucu (that was in mid 90's), about have we paid for the batu nesan, all of them are there now.. even abang is there, maybe tonight selesailah.... sent a chill on my spine. So sad that I can't bear to be there long.

Insyaallah, I hope everything will be OK very soon.

Election of Yang Di Pertuan Agung

Got this in my mailing list, maybe not many of us know about it.. in relation to the announcement that the Sultan of Trengganu Sultan Mizan will be the next YDP Agung come December 2006;

Actual election of YDPertuan Agung berasaskan selection hanya pernah berlaku pada awal Ogos 1957 di mana YDPB N.Sembilang (ketiga senior) dipilih Majlis Raja-raja sbg YDPAgung dan sbg TimbalanYDPA Sultan Selangor (keempat senior) mengikut tarikh naik-takhta di Negeri masing-masing terpilih, mendahului Raja-raja yg lebih senior iaitu Major-general Sir Ibrahim Abubakar (Sultan Johor) yg naik takhta pd 1895dan Sultan Sir Abu Bakar Phg. yg naik takhta pd 1932.Kedua-dua baginda tidak berkenan utk seterusnya selepas 1957. Jadi Raja Perlis (1945), Trgganu.(1946),Kedah (1958),Sultan Yahya Petra Kelantan.(1960), Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang.(1974), Sultan Mahmud Iskandar Johor(1981), Sultan Azlan Perak (1984) mentakhtai Kerajaan Malaysia secara bergilir.

Secara tak rasmi kitaran mengikut susunan tsb disambungkan pada kitaran kedua Maka YDPB NS menjadi YDP I > X, Selangor II > XI, Perlis III > XII, Trg IV > XII.Pilihan kena dibuat sebab Perlembagaan menghendakinya sbg syarat mutlak. Pada amalannya seseorg Raja itu akan memaklumkan sang Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-raja, samaada baginda berkenan utk dipertimbangkan utk jawatan YDPA atawa TYDPA. Kalu tak berkenan, maka tidak akan dipertimbangkan.

YDPA akan bersemayam selama maksimum tempoh 5 tahun kecuali kalu mangkat lebih awal atawa disingkirkan oleh Majlis Raja-raja. Itulah gamaknya sebab Majlis Raja-raja bermesyuarat setiap kali dua hari di mana hari pertama tak dihadiri YDPA. Mana tahu kut-kut agenda yg termasuk penentuan kedudukan YDPA, mungkin berpuncakan kpd kedudukan/kesesuaia n mental fizikal perilaku dan seumpamanya. Dalam kes tertentu, seperti keperluan YDPA berada di luar negara (selain drpd melakukan Lawatan Kenegaraan) melebihi 15 hari, Timbalan akan melaksanakan tugas-tugas YDPAgong. Yg dmkn itu telah berlaku ketika almarhum YDPA XI gering dan berada di Singapura dan Sultan Trg memangku jawatan YDPA hingga 12 12 2001.

More issue on Tambak Johor?

it started with Tun M, then the Sultan...

Sultan of Johor causes stir (from the STAR Saturday November 4, 2006)

JOHOR BARU: Johor Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail caused a stir during his address at the launch of the South Johor Economic Region (SJER) today when he digressed from his written text and said the Causeway should be removed. To the shock of the 2,000 people present and thousands of viewers at home of the live telecast over RTM 1 and TV3, the Ruler said it was built by colonialists who had used dirty tactics to deceive his ancestors.

He said the building of the causeway was to deliberately prevent ships from passing local waters, resulting in the development of Keppel Port in Singapore instead. "The causeway has to be removed to allow ships to pass," the Sultan said before launching the multi-billion SJER. At this juncture, the audience broke into laughter and applauded.

In his address the Ruler, who was clad in a T-shirt, said that he would not "give face" (bagi muka) to the foreigners (Mat Sallehs)and urged the people not to hold them in high regard. He also reminded locals and their children to be wary of them as they were vultures. This is the second time the Sultan had created a controversy within two weeks.

Last month, after performing Hari Raya prayers he said that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had already retired and should not interfere in the Government. In the impromptu speech at the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, he called on Johoreans to continue supporting the Government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

and then Pak Lah replied...

Causeway to stay, says Abdullah (from the STAR Monday November 6, 2006)

ISLAMABAD: The Johor Causeway will remain, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said. “It’s obvious that ships will be able to pass through the Johor Straits if the Causeway is removed. “But we are concentrating on developing South Johor into a quality trade and investment centre. “This will also provide economic opportunities for not only Johoreans but all Malaysians. More spin-off activities can also be derived for the benefit of the country,” the Prime Minister told the Malaysian media here yesterday on the sidelines of the World Islamic Economic Forum hosted by Pakistan.

Abdullah said this when asked to comment on a remark by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail, at the launching of the South Johor Economic Region (SJER) in Johor Baru on Friday.

“Causeway tu, bukakan ... baru negri Johor ni maju (the Causeway has to be demolished, only then will Johor develop),” the sultan had said before launching the project.

Young Malaysians honoured for daring to dream

Proud to say that my friend Dr Fikri is one of them


Sunday November 5, 2006

KUALA LUMPUR: Success may never come easy, but dare to dream and never give up on your goals.

These words of encouragement come from internationally-renowned singer and composer Michael Wong, who is the Cultural Achievement Honouree recipient of The Outstanding Young Malaysian Awards (TOYM) 2006.

The Awards are a project of Junior Chamber International Malaysia (JCIM) and organised by its Kuala Lumpur Mandarin chapter.

Open to youths aged between 18 and 40, the awards, which have been around since 1985, are the Malaysian leg of The Outstanding Young Person’s (TOYP) World Programme.

It recognises achievements in 10 different categories – including business, cultural and entrepreneurial accomplishment.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, who presented the awards, said the TOYM programme served as an excellent motivational and acknowledgement vehicle for young Malaysians.

“The need to excel should inspire everyone to go into unchartered waters and think outside the box. Youths must be bold, confident and adventurous. The sky is the limit,” he said, adding that RM4.1bil was allocated under the 9th Malaysia Plan for skills development.

Dr Mohd Fikri Abdullah, who was recognised for his cardiovascular medical innovation, said one should always give back to the community regardless of achievements in life.

Local actor and producer Rosyam Noor stressed on the importance of remembering God in everything as “if you don’t remember God, you will not succeed.”

ROLE MODELS: Recipients of the TOYM Awards 2006 in the Honouree and Certificate of Merit categories posing for a group picture with organising chairman Alexis Choo (seated fifth from left), Liow (sixth from left), JCIM president Senator Tony Hsing (seventh from left) and JC KL Mandarin chapter president Eric Chin (eight from left). Wong is seated fourth from left, Vun is at far right and Dr Chong is standing in the back row (fourth from left).

Go toon's army

YSB 10 years celebration

We were invited to a celebration dinner last nite to commemorate the 10th anniversary of YSB Yayasan Sultanah Bahiyah or Sultanah Bahiyah Foundation, a charitable organisation which takes its name after its founder and first royal patron, Almarhumah Tuanku Bahiyah Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Incorporated 20th August 1996, the Yayasan is managed by a Board of Trustees and the present Chairman is YTM Dato' Seri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz binti KDYMM Tuanku Sultan Haji Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

The foundation performs two key roles. The first function is as an agency of change through our work in the community through education, community development, health, youth and training initiatives. The second function is to colloborate with other non-governmental organisations and private companies on social projects. We also provide financial grants to other non-profit organisations in Kedah to help them conduct their activities. All programmes are financed by its fund-raising efforts and donations received from the public. Our projects and activities cover a broad spectrum and involve all age group.

The Sultan and Sultanah Kedah together with the Kedah kerabats were there. We were honoured to be invited by theChairman as her personal guest and after performances and dinner we adjourned for supper till late. Had a chance to meet my idol (during my younger days) Bro Ramli Sarip (I met him at the lounge after that, shook hands with him and told him that I skipped school 20 years ago to go to Ipoh to watch Sweet Charity perform hehehe) who performed 3 songs and even got the chance to take photos with Adibah - what a powerful voice. I was waiting for her 'Kau yang teristimewa' song. Managed to buy a signed copy CD after the show from her. Way to go Adibah.I think the dinner was a success and thanked the chairman for her invitation. Hopefully I will be able to help a bit in their good cause.

Grandfather

I found this old photo while rummaging through my grandma's house in Pulau Indah (was previously known as Pulau Lumut) during Raya. Photo of my grandfather's family with his father Hj Sulaiman. I guess the photo was circa 1930's as he look really young then. He, Hj Harun bin Hj Sulaiman standing 3rd from right.

VOLVO 122 - 2 door

How about this, a 40 year old Volvo car and a 2 door version seen at the VOLVO mechanics shop in Alor Setar selling at RM 23,888.

Some info on the VOLVO 120 taken from http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/prof_120.shtml

Volvo 120 Series is known generally as the 'Amazon'. Half a million were built by Volvo between 1956-1970.

Brief production history:

September 1956: 121 four-door saloon introduced. Fitted with a 60bhp B16A engine, two-tone colour scheme. In early 1957 the car goes on sale at 12,600 kroner. In December the 5,000th car is completed.

November: First 122's imported to UK. £399 (including purchase tax).

August 1961: New engine fittedB18. The single carte version B18A (a Zenith) produces 75bhp. The B 18D with twin SU carburettors, 90bhp at 5,000rpm, 12volt electrics are introduced and an uprated front suspension. The 122s with the more powerful engine is fitted with front disc brakes.

October 1961: Two-door saloon introduced.

August 1969: The estate discontinued. The remaining range is only two-door saloons with either engine option. Front seat headrests and rear seat belts fitted.

July 1970: Production ends.

Totals: Four-door saloons 234,208; two-door saloons 359,918; estates 73,197.

There is a great deal of confusion over the numbering system adopted by Volvo for the 120 series. Four-door saloons are designated P120, two-door saloons as P130's and estates as P220. However, one sees a two-door badged as a 121 and can be badged as a 122's. The badging is generally an indication of the engine originally fitted ie 121 indicates a single carte engine, 122's twin, the 'S' for sport.

Balik Kampung 22 October

While people were celebrating Deepavali, we made our way at around 3:45 pm to Penang to celebrate Idul Firti with my parents-in-law. I expected heavy jam right from Sg Buloh but from the photo you can still see that traffic was clear....... until we reach Rawang where the road narrows from 3 to 2 lanes and there was when the traffic crawl started. We reached Ipoh Selatan at around 7 pm broke fast in the car just after paying the toll and we finally ate dinner at around 8:30 pm at the Bukit Gantang rest area. Finally reached Penang at 10 pm.

Udin in Montesorri

Heirlooms & Antiques

I found the regulator type wall clock and the brass bed belonging to my grandparents (mom's side) at my (aruah) auntie's house in Shah Alam during the house cleaning. The wall clock made by Meiji Clock Company an old Japanese company located in Nagoya, Japan which started making clock from around 1895 and was among the last to manufacture mechanical clocks in Japan. In addition to Seikosha, the Meiji (pronounced like MY GEE) Clock Company affiliated with the ANSONIA CLOCK COMPANY in New York to produce Ansonia type movements for their oriental clocks. The Meiji Clock Company produced many different styles of clocks, most of which were based on American designs. I was told by my mother that the clock was purchased just after she was born so I guess the clock must have been from around early 1940's. I took it home but it was my dad who went around trying to find clock repairer that eventually cost me RM 400 to refurbish the wall clock.

The brass bed was from around end of 1940's, it was rusty but it was repainted and given the black & gold brass look. Problem is a 'single' mattress is too small but a 'double' mattress is too big for it.

Concert Udin

Udin and his gang finally got to show their stuff during the annual Motessori Concert held at the Klang Executive club yesterday. He was doing his twist and singing, the steps and lyrics he practise everyday without fail :)

Tae Kwon Do: Grading

Aini and Aina going for their Taekwondo grading recently. Aini going for Blue - 2nd and Aina for Blue - 1st