MAY DAY HAPPENINGS

A. Jelajah Malaysia

1. The shade under the tree was a pleasant place while waiting for the cyclists to pass through. The whole stretch of road had been cleared of traffic to give access to the on coming cyclists.

2. Here they come. What? Only a small group that broke away?

3. The leaders that led the packs Could the third rider be the winner at the end of the course?

4. The second batch which trailed behind paddling hard to catchup with the leaders

5. The tail-end but still pushing hard. Not to worry there is another 90 odd kilometers to go.

6. Support vehicles in case of emergency following behind


B.

The case of visitors that came calling

c. Flowering Glory

Most glorious with a scent that filled the air unlike other orchids

MAY DAY 2010

Today being Saturday 1^st May it is workers day and a public holiday for the country. Since it falls on Saturday which is already a weekend off day there is no extra day as replacement. Still it is a beautiful day weather wise and at home I am pleasantly visited by activities that come out of the blues. Ordinarily more often than not you would have to step out of your station or area to enjoy such pleasantries or entertainments. Be that as it may the 'Jelajah Malaysia' cycling tour happened to pass right in front of the house about noon. I would have missed the race had it not been for sighting several policemen stationed along the route. Stopping to acquire why they were there late morning, I found that they were on duty to control safety and traffic because a cycling race would come our way. Not wanting to miss the event I hurried home to get the camera and then sat on the grass verge waiting for the leaders to come by. Yesterday we learned that Suhardi Hassan a 28 year old cyclist from Kangar Perlis won the stage IV race from Juru to Sungai Petani , a distance of 93.1km in 2hr. 6 min and 36 second. Today's race began at Sungai Petani finishing at Kuala Perlis. It should be a grueling race, over a distance of 195 km with one zone for climbing a hill and two zones for spurting at Menara Alor Setar and Arau respectively. Incidentally I am surprised to learn that 'Jelajah Malaysia' as a competition race had started as early as 1963 and has become one of the popular cycling circuit not only for Malaysian but also for cyclist outside Malaysia. That we hardly know about its route and timing does not help towards promoting and popularizing the sports and circuit. It would be encouraging if more spectators along the route had the opportunity to see the sports if they only know that it would be passing their doorways.

Sitting on the ground waiting patiently by the side of the road for the cyclists to come I could not help noticing and realizing the planning and arrangement taken to organize such competition. Firstly it would involve traffic control and safety. It meant that the roads ahead of the race are cleared and other traffic must be diverted or stopped. Policemen and volunteers have to assist. Police traffic on their motorcycles has a yeoman duty to perform. Ambulances and their crews plus several other transports have to follow. A small mishap among the racers would mean injuries to many as they would be travelling at high speed. The blaring of siren and the sighting of headlights from on- coming vehicles assured that the leading cyclists were fast approaching. 'Click'. 'Click'.' Click' was the immediate reaction, hoping that I would have recorded some good photos. They passed you in a jiffy and only six leading riders were in the front batch. A lapse of ten over minutes later saw the second batch of riders approaching all in a long line followed by supporting vehicles such as ambulances, buses and support crews. From Titi Gajah where I am it would mean another 90 plus kilometers before they reach their finishing post. That was one excitement.

What's next?

We do get the visitors almost every year. They come knocking on the glass window announcing their arrival. We do welcome them and certainly wonder how they found their way each year to come back to the same place. We guess they must be migratory birds stopping on their way to their other destinations. The excitement of catching them on film or card when they come knocking is much awaited. This time on one single day we managed to receive three visitors. See them as in the photos attached. If you should know their species or name please let us know. Much appreciated. The trees and bushes around the house seem to attract flying creatures not forgetting squirrels and monkeys.

Last but not least, 1 May 2010 also colors the day as the flowering orchids in the garden show their true colors.

These were exciting and pleasing moments for the day even without stepping out from the compound of the home! Syukur to Allah for His bounty and benevolence.

PERJUMPAAN KELUARGA

Sdr Abul As tak mahu melepaskan peluang merakamkan peristiwa ini

Dalam kesibukan atau tak ketentuan kita sering terlupa hubungan dengan saudara mara yang pada satu masa dulu cukup rapat perhubungannya dengan kita. Mengapa tidak kerana mereka tinggal sekampong dan dewasa bersama. Malah ada yang melangsungkan perkahwinan mereka di rumah yang sama.

Bapak saudara saya Almarhum Hj Ismail b Abdul Raoff, abang kepada ayah saya Almarhum Hj Mohamed b Abdul Raoff sebenarnya mempunyai sepuluh orang anak. Ya semuanya merupakan 'sepupu' atau ' first cousin' saya. Dalam tempoh lebih lima puluh tahun yang lalu. tak sekali pun kami dapat berjumpa serentak.Maklumlah masing-masing dengan urusan dan keluarga tersendiri. Kalau dimajlis khenduri, kadang-kadang dapat juga kesempatan tapi tidak pula berjumpa dengan semua. Tanggal 21 dan 22 April 2010 lapan orang daripada mereka turut berada di Alor Setar dan kebetulan pula berkunjung ke rumah kami. Syukur. Kami merasa amat bangga kerana mereka berusaha melakukan kunjungan silatulrahim. Datang dari jauh - Hulu Langat, Shah Alam dan Kuala Lumpur. Terima kasih kepada saudara Dato ( Bregadier General bersara) Abul As kerana merancangankan kunjungan tersebut dan jesteru menyambut pula hari ulangtahun ke 70 Abdul Satar Ismail salah seorang adik lelakinya. Dua abang yang sulung telah pun kembali ke rohmatullah dan kini tinggal tiga lelaki dan lima perempuan. Kunjungan mereka bersama keluarga masing-masing turut membawa makna dan erti yang besar.

Kita berdoa moga-moga perjumpaan dan kunjungan seperti ini kerap diusahakan kerana mewujudkan perhubungan yang intim dan rapat. Alasan sibok, berjauhan itu rekaan sahaja.

Bergambar di rumah kayu Titi Gajah. Semuanya warga emas kecuali seorang anak muda

Air Tembikai dan Tomyam menjadi tumpuan bila semua duduk semeja menjamu selera

Kami pernah pada satu masa dahulu berlari-lari diatas rumah ini, menjalankan tugas yang dimajukan oleh ayah dan bapak saudara.
Jesteru rumah ini akan terus menghimbaukan kisah-kisah lama.

PROGRESSING AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT

AS IT WAS IN EARLY APRIL 2010

SOME OF THE PIECES THAT BECOME PART OF THE JIG SAW PUZZLE THAT FORMED PART OF REBUILDING

THE VERANDA IS NOT THERE YET BUT THE VIEW OF THE BAMBOO CLUMPS BY THE SIDE OF THE RIVER ASSURES THAT THIS WILL BE A FAVORITE SPOT LATER

BY LATE APRIL THE STEPS FROM THE VERANDA IS ALREADY AT ITS PLACE

AS TODAY 24 APRIL 2010 THIS IS THE STAGE OF COMPLETION. NEXT WE WILL SEE THE WINDOWS FIXED AT THEIR PLACES. SEE THE FACADE AT THE VERANDA.

THE RAMBUTAN TREES BY THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE NOW HAVE FLOWERED AND SOON WE WILL SEE THE FRUITS. A WELCOME INDEED WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE HOUSE

MY COUSIN SATAR

Like me you too would have a kin or a friend by the name of 'Satar'. Mine happened to be a first cousin who lives in the same town but I guess he must be wandering all over the place since I have not met him for quite a while. Now with our sons and daughters earning their keeps away from the home town, parents too have the golden opportunity to visit places. I know he has a son working in Kota Kinabalu and I am not surprised that he is there most time.

Continuing on our recent visit to the East Coast, we were surprised to meet 'Satar' at most places in Trengganu. Now this is no 'Pak Satar' but a name given to one of Trengganu's delicacies. Being on the fringe of the coastlines, people are not far from the sea and therefore fish is abundant and ingenuity comes to mind to prepare all manner of dishes. On the road heading towards Kuala Trengganu passing idyllic Malay kampong and alluring named resorts, we came across this banner which prompted us to stop. We had to take a U turn to get back to the stall.

The above picture shows 'satar' as it is cooked and prepared for purchase. It is a fish dish cooked wrapped in a banana leaf over a low fire barbecue. Fish meat preferably from 'ikan tenggiri','kerisi', 'gelama','selar' with 'kelapa parut' onions etc is wrapped coned shaped and sandwiched between bamboo sticks before cooked over the charcoal fire. We had a taste of it but prefer the 'keropok lekor' and the dark red sauce that comes with it awaiting at Losong in Kuala Trengganu. The 'keropok lekor' is about the best you can find there though you will find 'keropok' sold all over the place.

Our brush with 'satar' though brief signified the earnest desire of the people to earn a living. The lady that attended to us while preparing and serving 'satar' also managed the next door shop selling crafts. Handicrafts especially of bamboo and 'mengkuang' made by the neighbors are left at her shop and you have a good choice to buy not-often available items at a very good price.For sure you will be surprised when compared to offers at tourist complex or up markets. More ever the items are not mere displays but of utilities value.

PANTAI TIMOR - KOPITIAM

Sesuai dengan tempatnya, nama kedai pun dipapar dalam tulisan jawi

Hai Peng kopitiam merupakan sebuah kedai yang unik dan dihiasi lengkap dengan barangan lama. Kita seolah-olah berada di zaman lima-puluhan dan tidak kurang hingar bingarnya

Satu sudut kecil penuh dengan barangan untuk dijual dan pameran. Kami diberi tahu ramai pekerjanya terdiri orang Melayu Trengganu

KELANTAN, TERENGGANU, PAHANG DAN JOHORE merupakan empat buah negeri terletak mengadap Laut China Selatan dan sering menerima musim tengkujuh. Apa pun dua buah negeri di utara sahaja memiliki unsur-unsur budaya yang menarik dan menjadi pilihan para pelancong dalam negeri atau luar negara. Heran juga mengapa kelebihan itu terbatas kepada sempadan Terengganu - Pahang khususnya.

Ramai antara kita berkunjung kesana, masing-masing dengan tujuan tersendiri; baik menziarahi, menemani anak-anak yang terpilih mengikuti pengajian atau rombongan kahwin dan sebagainya.Hubungan silatulrahim adalah digalakkan dan jesteru berkunjungan dan berjumpa dengan ahli keluarga dan rakan-rakan lama menjadi satu ikhtibar. Jesteru kami mencari masa dan kesempatan pada hujung minggu lalu melawat Cerating, Kemaman, Kuala Terengganu dan Kota Bharu. Seperti biasa bila dah lama tak berjalan-jalan banyak yang kita lihat mengkagumkan.

Pertama sebuah kedai kopi di bandar Cukai Kemaman mendapat perhatian. Ianya merupakan antara 'kopitiam' yang terkenal di Malaysia dan salah satu yang terawal, dibangunkan pada tahun 1940 . "Old Town Kopitiam" satu-satunya berasal dari Ipoh kini menjelma di semua bandar besar nampaknya ingin 'ride on the bandwagon' atau menarik peminat yang kini gemar minum kopi dan menikmati nostalgia lama. Apa pun mari kita lihat apakah kecanggihan 'Kopitiam Hai Peng Kemaman? Melihat gambar-gambar berikut ini jelas memperakui kehebatan kedai kopi ini di bandar Cukai Kemaman dan seringkali mendapat perhatian khusus dalam majalah terkemuka. Sebenarnya kami pernah kesini beberapa tahun yang lalu. Jelas keistimewaannya masih kukuh dan hebat. Pelanggannya bertambah ramai. Bandar Cukai pula membangun dengan pesat.

Meja bulat marmar menghiasi ruang utama Hai Peng. Nampaknya pelanggan datang bukan sahaja dari Pekan Cukai tetapi dari berbagai tempat. Banyak juga pelancong disini .

Boleh pilih! Nasi dagang, telor rebus setengah masak, roti bakar, mee, beehoon goreng, pulut inti, nasi lemak antara yang disaji




Bersama dengan anak saudara yang menetap di Cukai Kemaman. Kelihatan dibelakang Bangunan Hai Peng.



Kesempatan berkenalan dengan Pak Mansor orang Trengganu yang sering ke Hai Peng bersama rakan-rakannya. Orangnya kaya , memiliki 17 orang anak dan 32 orang cucu. Masa muda kakitangan Jabatan Perikanan dan kini kerap juga ke laut memancing ikan. Kami berharap akan berjumpa lagi . Kalau kita ramah dan ingin tegur menegur banyaklah kawan baru. ( lihat paip dibibirnya)

(apa sekali pun kita sedar perniagaan ini telah berlangsung selama 70 tahun dengan mencapai prestasi yang baik dan tentu sekali menarik pelanggan sepanjang masa. Jesteru begitulah pendekatan berniaga, sabar dan berusaha dengan layanan yang sebaik mungkin disamping kebersihan tinggi. Ingin menemui kedai kopi Melayu menuju kearah ini - Zam)


(Brief summary esp for a friend in Canada who may recollect some old memories)

(Last weekend we were on the East Coast, after an intended trip to the National Park did not come through. A stop over at Cerating saw us crossing just across the border Pahang/Trengganu to Cukai Kemaman for breakfast at a 'kopitiam' already famous on the East Coast. Intended to put up at Club Med Ha,Ha, but made no earlier reservation. Instead at Cerating Impiana. Pl see the photos to view the uniqueness of this old kopi shop established in 1940 yet thriving with the combined modernity of recent time and offering home delicacies served with with fresh coffee of the house.)

notice the tin containers used for serving half-boiled eggs

The open terrace and our coffee maker man at his job

FOR MY CONNOISSEUR FRIENDS

The house as seen from the front

back view with the bedroom at the nearest corner

The house from the back with more open space surrounded by greenery

These are the latest photos taken on site. They show the structures completed with pillars, 'rasuk' and roof trusses fixed and now waiting for the roofs to shade and cover the whole house. Signs around shows that the rambutan trees are starting to flower and bear fruits. It won't be long before we can pick 'nyior gading' as this is the type growing by the side of the house. Imagine what the children and grand children can do under the house. They will certainly have space to run around. We just thought of a space to keep all our books too and perhaps operate a small library for the community.

..............................................................

MORE OFTEN WE REFER TO PERSONS WHO KNOW ESPECIALLY ABOUT FOOD. But this is of art and specific to Malay home and its building. Only last week we saw the house arising again, with its high pillars taking their positions fulfilling a dream of seeing an old home where we grew up as children taking shape again. Perhaps I should reveal some of the hidden secrets behind the home. I remember my father enlisting a neighboring carpenter or 'tukang kayu' to build the house in 1949. Pak Eid a stout and well-built man was certainly the right person for the job. An ex-prison personnel he was strong enough to cope with the hefty job. We cannot compare present facilities as available to the house builders. Then it was brute strength and skill. The blade of the plane or axe sharpened to its best was the modest tool required by most carpenters. Even the saw of varied sizes was the needed tool. Now machinery or electrification helps to solve most matters. Pak Eid was assisted as far as I can remember by no more than three persons. It was not an easy job constructing a wooden home of that size. All the wood had to be selected and bought from Baling, Changlun or Kuala Nerang where the best were then available. You can imagine those towns in 1949 . Timber supply was their resources.

In 1949 I was in Special Malay 2 at SAHC. Too young to appreciate all that was going on. Now where would my father Mohamed bin Abdul Raoff ( Allah bless him) found the resources to build a home at that time? He was a clerk at Sultan Abdul Hamid College and teachers included did not have salaries to think of home building. One bright day, we learnt that a group of teachers at the school had struck rich.They had won a lottery. Amongst the teachers were Pak Hassan, Pak Zain, Pak Radzi, Mr Kit Fang and a few others plus the school clerk. Next we saw several of the teachers driving Austin cars. That included Pak Zain. My father and Pak Hassan left behind for their children a treasure.They built homes. Pak Hassan's home still stands at its original site quite near the College though I guess no one lives there now. Pak Kit Fang, a teacher from Taiping chose a better turning point. He left for Britain to study law and returned home as a lawyer a few years later. I believed he set up his practice in Taiping.

Now with that heritage and background, how could I let the old home disappear.It is mandatory that it has to live on and continue with its traditions and richness/'rezeki ' it has provided the family. The sweat and toil of Pak Eid and more specifically of both my parents must live on, continuing to remind the children and grand children of days gone by. They were hard days. They invested well. When my father died in 1955, we had shelters above us. Imagine otherwise especially during the emergency years.

Cukuplah kisah latar belakangnya.

What has happened in the last ten days or so ? I can only say that the builders have been working hard and fast. Then again most of the pieces are there. It takes the skill of assembling aided by the construction method that we inherited from Pak Said and his friends. See the pictures below to see the current development. I believe it will not be long when we can move in and enjoy peace and quaintness in kampong surroundings.

Earlier the wooden flooring were put in place; the original wooden floors being used again

The original bolts came back at its old place

Spaces for the walls and air holes ( jerejak angin)

How exciting and relaxing. Ducks swimming by just infront of the house.As if already welcoming us to a sanctuary.

Standing steady and firm for the next generation . Hard wood like Cengal was the order for the home

RELOCATING AND ON THE GO

Absence on the blog since the last publication meant that one has been preoccupied. In this case it can mean only one thing: seeing to the reconstruction of the old house.

After being relocated to its new site, the work began only in early March and surprisingly the speed and achievement was a joy to see. It speaks aloud of the Malay home construction method or approach. Yes without nails ever used, the pillars and beams etc for the house framework came up just like a jig-saw puzzle, exacting where they would be placed with speed. Only the heavy pillars and beams took the full strength of the workers to heave them where they would be slotted in. With the main frames in tact, it would not be long before the walls, flooring and window etc take their positions as part of the house.

One of the last picture of the house taken before it was fully dismantled. Here part of the back wall has been removed and the small lorry was there to remove the parts.

It was fortunate that the new site is adjacent to a river meaning that before pipe water could be supplied to the site, river water is utilised for the start of the work.

Four workmen placing the beam where it should be

Observe how the pillars and the main beams stand together holding the house on its new site. With a height of six feet from the ground, it could still mean that the boys and girls can still play to their delights under the house.

One of the beam measuring 33 feet is being pushed upward to take its original place. It would be a surprise to find such quality and size of wood now.

Two rambutan trees stand by the side of the house. With the fruit season approaching it would be a delight to pick the fruits about the time the house is ready for us to move in