In Loving Memory of K.V.Muthu

Filial son, patient husband, loving father, respected teacher and superstar friend.
After 32 years, these are the things I know for sure about my father.

He died at the tender age of 40. His children were 9 and 6. His wife was 34. He was an only child of Kathan and Kamachi. Both survived him to see their only 2 granchildren grow up. These are numbers I never forget.

His death made no sense, a massive coronary right after umpiring a hockey match. In those days, we didn't know the things we now know about heart disease. Even though she doesn't ever say it, I know that my mum is anxious for both her children to reach the age of 40, alive. My brother made it to 40 last year and I have 2 years to go. It was a turbulent year for him (my brother) and all our plans for a big family celebration were shelved. Tickets had been booked but we never made the trip. Well, I will be more than happy to plan a big bash for his 50th. After all, "He ain't heavy, he's my brother".

My father, Muthu or to be exact Veeramuthu @ Mondi Andi s/o Kathan it would seem, left so suddenly leaving nothing more than a family in mourning. That, I know for sure, he did not do. He left us the precious gift of friendship. A legacy of friends, who till today, stand by us, the family of Muthu.

The other things I wonder about my father, I am not sure of. And so, my quest to know the person he was continues. I tread carefully for all his friends do not speak of him often. Although its 32 years later and they are almost or passed 70, it is not easy for them to speak of the late Muthu without getting emotional. They do not know that I have hung on to every word they have said about my father in my presence. I've been putting the pieces of this puzzle in my mind for years. My work is not done; I want to know so much more.

I thank God for all the blessings onto my family which has grown from 3 to 10 thanks to the 5 grandchildren God gave my mother. I know for sure, my father has been looking out for us from above.

For everyone else, 31st August is Merdeka Day but for me, it is also the day my father was buried. He passed away on 30 August 1976.

Papa, know that you are loved.

Highlights of our Malaysian Road Trip

I know that this post is long overdue. We had a great time on the road trip and we think the kids (except for Mishya) will remember it for a long time to come. They They have now been to all the states in Peninsula Malaysia. Hooray! On this trip, we went to 7 states; Pahang, Trengganu, Kelantan, Perak, Perlis, Kedah and our all-time favourite Penang. Since, I am too lazy to write about the trip in full which is what I planned to do if I had brought along the laptop, I shall instead post highlights of the trip. Yes, always the lazy way out! Please note that highlights are according to merit which is why I am starting with 10.

10) Pantai Batu Buruk, Trengganu - Balan and I really loved the beach here the last time we were in Trengganu which was about 10 years ago. But this time we didn't find it as beautiful as we remember but sometimes I think we're just too nostalgic and dislike any kind of development to the places we love. I don't know, I think we need to go back and re-look this beach again with a different eye.

9)Kheng Pin Coffeeshop, Penang - The children enjoyed the hawker food at this coffee shop on Penang Road. Our oldest child especially, does not like to eat in coffee shops because he deems it dirty and noisy but on that day, the food won him over. They were sweating, their cheeks were flushed, they were cramped (bec its always crowded) and yet, they were so deliriously happy. It made our day because this is the kind of thing we want them to appreciate about Malaysia!

8)Ferry Ride, Butterwoth to Penang - This was a first for the kids and our helper. Rohen (always the sceptic) told the father that he was afraid the ferry would sink as he had seen it happen in the news! So, we assured him the ferry services in our country are very safe. The last time I took the ferry from Butterworth was in the 80s' so things have definitely changed so much. Everything is so neat and tidy now, not the chaos that reigned in those days. I remember how long the queues used to be and how it seemed like an endless queue because no proper system was in place. But now, things are being done so well. Hats off to the people at the Butterwoth/Penang Ferry services! The kids and Kakak (our helper) enjoyed the ferry ride so much. Mishya, our youngest missed the whole journey bec she decided to take a nap. Poor thing! We'll take her again when she's bigger. They enjoyed the view of the bridge, Penang Hill, Komtar and looking across to Penang Island. Also, they were hoping to see some fish! Fat hopes!!

7)Snacks, Kelantan - Driving to Pulau Banding, there were lots of stalls by the side of the road selling kuih bahulu and other snacks. We were pleasantly surprised bec everyone in the family loves bahulu (my mum-in-law makes lovely bahulu) which we get to enjoy during Deepavali and Chinese New Year. But here it was, bahulu seemed to be sold everyday, by the roadside and after passing many, many stalls, we decided that we just had to stop and buy some. First of all, I must say that we met the nicest people in Kelantan. Everyone we came across at the hotel, in the restaurants, food stalls, at the beach, at the Pengkalan Buloh market were so nice, polite and pleasant to us. The lady at this stall was no different. She let me try everything before I bought anything. She had different kinds of bahulu but I settled on the normal egg bahulu and the ones made out of gula melaka. I also bought a bag of mini curry puffs which she said had smoked fish in it. Those little curry puffs turned out to be heavenly! Because the side of the road was so narrow, I had to make a quick exit and didn't get a chance to take a photo. We're definitely going back to Kelantan. We've decided that its going to be a stand alone trip the next time we go. We love Kelantan!

6)Road Side Stall, Tanah Merah, Kelantan - The reason this was so memorable was because we never expected to have such a hearty meal in the middle of nowhere. Our lunch of steamed rice, fried chicken, salted egg, fried cabbage/long beans and samble belancan was simply superb! Simple, sumptous and cheap!

5)Chief Minister, Penang - Meeting YB Lim Guan Eng at the Parkroyal Hotel lobby.I think I looked like a BN supporter (must be the civil servant upbringing) so he sort of was trying to avert his eyes until I stopped him in his tracks (I think maybe his bodyguards panicked! he he!)by saying, "Can I shake your hand?". Immediately, he put his hand out and I shook it while congratulating him. He was extremely gracious, humble and down-to-earth. If only all our wakils rakyats were like that. Hope he stays the way he is.

4)Parkroyal Penang - After so many days on the road, our two nights here were pure bliss. We ate, slept, relaxed, swam, ate, slept, relaxed, bought cheap DVDs, ate, slept, relaxed and that's about it. We had trouble with one of our air-conds but that got sorted out by the 2nd day. Service was good, as usual. The kids love music especially live bands so on one of the evenings, we took them down to the lobby lounge to hear the band. They really enjoyed it and Tishya even had the singer serenading to her.

3)Sungei Petani, Kedah - We spent night at my Jee Ee's (2nd maternal aunt) place. Her grandchild, Andri was there for the holidays too. The stop in SP was meant to be a very short one as we were supposed to arrive late in the evening and leave early in the morning for Penang. Turns out, we arrived early in the evening and left late morning the next day. The kids got on like a house on fire. It is always a joy to see the counsins together, getting along and having fun. Also, they had so many things to do as they had their own little blackboard in the frontyard and had lots os space to round around. My Jee Ee's husband whom I call Jee Tiow (husband of 2nd maternal aunt) took the kids round on his motorcycle. He made it interesting by riding throught he nearby villages where they saw chickens, ducks, cows, goats and even a turkey. So, it was quite an experience for them. The stop in SP turned out to be a very pleasant one with good company and lots of laughter.


2)Hai Peng Coffeeshop, Kemaman - Balan and I love Malaysian coffee. Everytime we travel out of KL, we make it a point to try malaysian coffee from all over. So far, our favourite coffee joint is the Kluang Station Coffeeshop (not the franchise but the original). Well, now Hai Peng is Numero Uno! We left Kuantan sharp 6.30pm. Kids were in their pyjamas when we bundled them into the car. When we arrived Kemaman at 7.20am, the morning air was fresh, Kemaman hadn't been polluted by the smoke from all the holidaymakers and the coffeeshop seemed to consist of only locals. This was how we wanted to visit it; at its best without the ugly kiasu tourists! Okay, I do realise that my family and I were also tourist but we're not kiasu! We ate nasi lemak, nasi lemak ikan (oh so delicious!), roti bakar kaya, half boiled eggs and the wonderful coffee. It was superb. Not too sweet, not too bitter, not sourish (like some malaysian coffee); it was JUST NICE! Everyone enjoyed their breakfast but of course it was more special for Balan and I because we had FINALLY made it to Hai Peng. We will, of course be back.

1)The Road Trip namely Jeli-Pulau Banding & P.Banding-Sg Petani through Baling & Pengkalan Hulu - Of all the wonderful things we experienced during our trip, what tops our list is the journey itself. From the time we have been together, Balan and I have loved travelling. For us, our holidays begin with the journey. Our journey begins the moment we leave home. Balan was excited to be seeing and driving on the East-West Highway for the first time. I was excited for him. But both of us were more excited about the road trip from Pulau Banding to Sungei Petani through Baling and Pengkalan Hulu. We have read about how beautiful the landscapes are in these 2 isolated towns. Being the only one who has been to this part of Malaysia, I was obsessed about telling them everything I remember about my last 2 journeys from memory. I went on and on about the elephant crossing. We planned to take photos at the elephant crossing but the volume of traffic along this stretch of the highway is so heavy these days, its almost impossible to stop for a photo shot especially with kids. That said, of course, it was impossible to get me on the bridge at Pulau Banding with my hands across like I did in 1991 and 1993! There was no way to stop at all. That night, we stayed at Belum Forest Resort at Pulau Banding. It is newly-opened and is quite nice for a short stopover. The moment we started the drive in Pengkalan Hulu/Baling territory, the landscape completely changed from flat, green and humid to hilly, all different shades of green to airy. The roads became windy and we were climbing and then we would go down a valley and then climb again. It was so quaint and romantic. It reminded me of the roads around Kuala Pilah only much much better. That journey alone, made the trip for us.

I miss them....

Its been 4 days since we left our two older kids in Melaka with their grandparents. Its important to us that they spend quality time with their grandparents. Their Tata (paternal grandfather) and Pati (paternal grandmother) are wonderful doting grandparents. They indulge them not to the point of spoiling them and just savour all the time they spend with them. They are patient and take the trouble to teach and show their city "cucus" (grandchildren) lots of everyday things which they would not have had a chance to experience staying in a concrete condominium block high in the sky! I digress. I am missing Rohen and Tishya so much. This is what I wanted to say. Can't wait for Friday; they'll be back and of course the noise levels in KL will go up again!! :-)