Muruku For Love

Deepavali had passed yet again but I can still hear thunderous firecrackers while sitting up here in the apartment. People are still celebrating it the best way they know how. And as usual, in Malaysia another common way to celebrate is through food. Ted posted some Indian favourites in Malaysia and on Deepavali day we got a homemade Gulab Jamun to feast on. Muruku is Ted's favourite, it is his thinking food and we got some today from Thurka after breakfast.

But Marina Mahathir spoke about the celebration which is closer to my heart, the way I would have like it be celebrated.... Enlightenment in the way we think and live. It is ironic considering what has transpired around the world and at home before this week of Deepavali.  Somehow we need to see what is beyond   in front of us so that we can survive the future. Please read about it HERE 

Happy Deepavali friends...

Project 365 No 9: Bentong

Nikon 200, 18 mm, f/3.5, 1/800 sec

This was taken on 3rd June 2011 on our way to Perhentian Island. Driving there was amazing as we stopped in Bentong, Kuala Lipis and few other places. I managed to take few amazing photos of places and people. I missed making such trips. The Dataran Bentong was empty and run-down that day but I would have like to imagined that it has seen better days, a place where people gathers and had fun. Nevertheless the blue sky and the white cloud in the background gave it a majestic ambiance.

Merdeka Raya 2011/Syawal 1432

In the last few years, Hari Raya in Malaysia has been having sort of double celebration. In 2003, we had the Kongsi-Raya. In 2005, it was the Deepa-Raya. Though a lot of criticism has been written over the years about this sort of double celebration which might deviate the true meaning of the Aidil Fitri celebrations for the muslims, I on the other hand always believed that a true muslim will know the deeper aspect of Aidil Fitri celebration and not be concern with whatever else that falls on the same day. It is after all a celebration of overcoming your triumph over hardship. And what better way then to celebrate it openly with your fellow men, muslim or non muslim, family or friends. In Malaysia, holding on to peace and harmony would be easier if we share whatever celebration we hold dearly individually together. So I always think that it helps us as Malaysians to have our celebration together, be it Kongsi-Raya or Deepa-Raya.

This year it is no different. Hari Raya falls on the same day as our Merdeka day. Now all Malaysians have reason to celebrate this holiday together....

Hat Yai Express

The weekend before fasting started, I took leave. Intention was to complete my diving course but that was not to be. Ted came home Friday afternoon and surprise me with 2 tickets to Hat Yai that night. We have been talking about backpacking across Asia for the longest time, ever since he got our Osprey.

So now we got the chance to do so. I was excited immediately. We tried to book rooms from  the internet but failed, so in Ted's words... we rock & roll to Hat Yai.

Everything about the trip was an adventure. Arrived in Bukit Kayu Hitam in the wee hour of the morning before we get to cross the border. Arrived in Hat Yai at 7 am and after 6 failed attempts to get a room, we ended up in a travel agency and finally got a room in Hat Yai Central. We got a room with no windows so day and night were no difference to us.

Too early to smile

For the next 3 days, we ate, walked, enjoyed each others company.....one of the best holiday I ever had.

everything fried and serve with pulut on the side

Trying to make the sotong kering

Our favourite shop in Hat Yai...7 Eleven

We even made new friends on our way back to KL. Ben (a musician, just like Ted) and Osla who were transiting in KL on their way back to UK got on the same bus we did. We became fast friends, and in KL for about 6 hours, Ted played host to them. They flew back safely that afternoon and hopefully had a nice memory of KL even if it was briefly.

Hat Yai was a wonderful surprise for me. I said it before, any trip can be wonderful, if you are surrounded by great company....

A New Skill....not yet

I thought last weekend was going to be a hell of an adventure for me. But I guessed what Ted said early, could have some truth in it.... Want to make God laugh, tell Him your plan!

It was planned a month ahead. It started of as a spur of a moment thing when I saw the deal in Groupon - PADI License for Open Water Diving classes for half the price. Without really thinking twice, I bought the deal for Aiman and I. Ted & I have been talking about diving a long time ago and I thought why not do it now. Half a price for a license and a holiday package of 3 days and 2 nights in Perhentian was a deal hard to let go. So Aiman & I were off to our theory classes and close-pool classes in the next few weeks. Theory was a breeze for me but Aiman struggled. As for the practical, we went on the opposite directions. Aiman was a natural and I struggled with my fear for the deep open water. Not wanting to give up, we went ahead with the trip to Perhentian to finish up the last part of the course...the open water.

We had a fun trip driving up to Kuala Besut, stopping in Kuala Lipis for lunch and enjoying the view as we drove along.

Arrived in KB early in the evening and checked into one of the local inns. After dinner at a local restaurant that cost a bomb ( RM 21 for a tom yam soup and fried noodle), Aiman & I parked ourselves in our room, revising the theory of diving. We slept early....

The boat ride to the Island was another thrilled for me. We got a quaint chalet near the reception and near enough to the beach, I could here the sound of the waves constantly. Peace and serenity......

Well we were in heaven on earth. Everything was beautiful, everyone was friendly and I was surrounded by the people I love.

Our first class in the open water started that afternoon...and everything stopped, at least for me. I did not survive the 5 meter descend. Being that deep in the open vast blue ocean SCARRED the living daylight over me. Suffice to say that I spend the next hour on the boat while Aiman continued with his new adventure. Ted kept me company. The next day while Aiman and Ted continued their adventure underwater, I stayed beached on the shore, contemplating my new found fear while practicing my old hobby...photography.

I took a lot more than I could imagine....had the whole day by myself to horn my technique and artistic impressions. But the whole time I was thinking about not being able to dive. It was a revelation. Always thought of myself as a water baby....love swimming and the water. But it has always been in the surface. being deep in the water was totally new and scary. I was not even excited. Talked about it that night with Ted, and I decided to not give up. I am one of those people that will have to take the long journey.

The next day, Aiman completed his course and got his license. I was so proud and happy for him. The amazing part was he passed his theory with flying colours....sat for almost 3 hours doing the test while the questions were translated to him by our instructor Zamani, word for word.

Last day in the island, I chose to not give up. I gathered my courage and went in again with Zamani for a one on one practical coaching. We didn't go far and I managed to stay underwater for a good 40 minutes without surfacing. Mind you, I was still scared but I managed to control my fear. It was a relieved.

I will do this again next month....I will get that Diving Licence. It is a skill and a hobby that I would love. It may not be now...but soon.

Frangipanni In My Hair

Bali to say the least was amazing. It was a dream holiday for me. My whole life, there are only 2 places I dreamt to see... saw Paris... and now Bali.
We arrived late afternoon and I was geared up to see more. But that first day was spend enjoying the quiet quaint Seminyak Suite's pool and people. It was lazy.... and relaxing. Balinese are very friendly as in any resort place but they were pleasant as well without being intrusive. I like that.....

The next day we saw a batik factory. It was only natural because we were in Indonesia... and we girls do what we do best....shop. But the highlight of the day was having lunch in Ubud . We had a heavenly view of Gunung Batur.... I didn't want to leave the place.

We went snorkelling the next day and I got stung by a jellyfish. That didn't damper my spirit and I set forth to discover the colourful world of marine life. Sadly I had no pictures of them cause I didn't have any underwater camera....but trust me.... they were beautiful. Our trusted snorkelling guide were agile underwater and made the experience unforgettable.

We visited the turtle sanctuary but I thought it was sad because it was unnatural to see such peaceful creature caged up. Lunch was at Kuta beach..... view of the rolling waves was all I could take as I was not brave enough to try surfing.

Had a lovely Italian dinner in Kuta beach , walking with a Frangipanni flower in my hair.... it was the best pizza I ever tasted. Who knew that I could have the best pizza in Indonesia. I went mad at shopping for souvenirs the next day in Kuta beach.

Second last day was spend doing the most famous Balinese tradition.... head to toe spa. It was just what the doctor would prescribed.... Shirodara treatment is the best treatment for stress..... you would never look at Valium ever again. i think I am already addicted to spa. I would definitely go back to Bali....one day....