WHEN THE ELDERS MEET AGAIN

 Excepting the Alma Mater (SAHC) which is a centenarian, the general attendees  are at no account youths or persons of agility and steadfastness for many are grouped as octogenarian,  sexagenarian and the seventieth , though there were a sprinkling of football or rugby loving youth at the SAHC or SAHOCA Bangsawan theme gathering held at Dorset Subang Jaya on 1 November 2013. Our table attendees are surely not by accident members of the seventies all having finished schooling in the mid 1950's as the invitation came from one member of the association and a classmate. Tunku Yusoff and wife came down from Kota Bharu and we arrived from Alor Setar to be with colleagues whom we would not have met otherwise. A get together the likes of former school associations, bring about the best of the school with former students meeting associates whom they may have missed for years and no surprise if you could not recognize many of them.

The theme for the night 'Bangsawan' obviously was a reflection of the time when stage shows the likes of 'bangsawan' was in the offer. Dramas, comedies, singing presentation took on temporary stages as theatres for such presentation had not found their existence. The music, singing and presentation that night had all the offerings of the best with multimedia effects at its assisance. The function graced by the presence of Yang DiPertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong and other VVIP surely added lustre and orderliness.  Members who contributed by buying tables and issuing invitations to friends not only assisted the association's coffers but helped to strengthen comraderie.

        
At the main table is the patron of the association Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah the Sultan of Kedah and the Yang DiPertuan Agong of Malaysia, one of the senior students of the College. Besides Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Hanafiah Hussein were also on the same table, both being students of the College at the time Tuanku Abdul Halim was in school at SAHC.

I had the opportunity to meet Tan Sri Hanafiah earlier on and reminded him that he was one of my teachers in the Special Malay 1 class of 1948. He was then a temporary teacher and laughingly he asked whether I was 87 years old as he was. Moments as this brought us back to reality and days when we were growing up.

Tun Mahathir Mohamad was surrounded by younger admirers as he was leaving the hall.A golden opportunity for the youthful SAHC group to meet and be photographed with the 'negarawan'. 

Five classmates crossed paths again 

                                             

With another classmate Dato Khalid Halim

Naturally we came with our spouses and a golden opportunity for them to know each other

                    

 When you come with your camera at the ready, you would likely capture some of the candid moments. Here the line out shows several members of the old collegian. I would not  leave home without my trusted small box.

Here the theme of Bangsawan becomes a record and recognizing that we were there that night at Grand Dorset Subang Jaya with former students of the Alma Mater Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid ( SAHC) Alor Setar Kedah

THE PAST AND THE FUTURE

DATE LINE 4 MAY 2013  SATURDAY

What hides behind the result of the PRU13? No one knows now. But it will become obvious before midnight Sunday 5th of May 2013. The candidates and their political parties would no doubt feel confidence of their success. However nothing is sure until the ballot papers are counted. 222 and 505 Parliment and State seats respectively are in the offer to the chosen candidates. Who are the winners?

However the past has gone behind us and we can still recall the moments, the anecdotes especially with photographs that capture those moments in time. Let me share with friends some of the wonderful attractions which I have managed to fall back while shifting through the files of photos in the meantime afforded by the good weekend of the 3rd and 4th of May 2013..

A photo taken on one of the beaches at beautiful Langkawi. A tent set especially for a special sunset dinner by the beach.

     An old house, with the distinct roof feature you would recognize where it was seen. Yes at Bukit Tinggi Sumatra.

 At the Mine outside Kuala Lumpur, if you should wander into the exclusive area you would notice this house, home to DR M and his wife Toh Puan Siti Hasmah. 

 When we were in Kuantan a few years back, caught this photo of this colorful building. Interesting to note ways or actions taken to make things extraordinary.

 One exacting feature at the entrance to Tangkak town, which catches the eye as you exit the toll gate and enter the town.

Two pictures, that help to remind that the trishaws were once
the main transportation mode for people in the towns. Pix taken at Malacca.

  An old Malay home at Balik Pulau Pulau Pinang. Notice the zinc roofs, once a popular perhaps lasting roof choice for the substantial saving on the annual house repair.  

  

Above two picture of a Terangganu house lovingly restored with the intricacies of Malay craftsmanship. Came across this building while on a journey from Kuala Terengganu to Kelantan

  A kris in my collection captured with the palm leaf as a background.

This beautiful mosque must be a sure visit when you are in the historic town of Muar Johore.

Took this photograph back in 1954. Yes this is the famous Pekan Rabu where Dr M had his earlier business when he was a youth.

Sorry. You will find it hard to come across such buildings in Mekkah or Madinah now. The intricate window frames which formed a special feature together with the old buildings have been pulled down to make way for modernity. 

Back in 1956 had this photo taken in England. Sdr Abdul Wahab ( left) was a classmate in the Standard IX, who was on training in the navy force in England and Sdr Syed Annuar ( centre) was at Kirkby College. Sadly I have not met Sdr Abd Wahab since, though came across Syed Annuar several years ago. 

 A Malay house at Alor Setar, turned into a cafe and hotel. Back in 1955 P.Ramlee and Saloma were here and performed on a special stage put up in front of the building. I was one of the spectators at the show . Alas the building too has been pulled down.Fortunately after the photograph was taken.

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The interior of Balai Besar in Alor Setar, once the ceremonial hall for investiture etc . Now the building has been left unused, remaining only as a feature in town.  

The 'Padang' in the centre of Alor Setar. Pix taken in 1964 when the Royal Malay Regiment then stationed at Kepala Batas formed the ceremonial parade.It is adjacent to the Balai Besar and the Zahir Mosque though not a trace of the turf can be seen or found at its place.

 This seems to be true to features of the past, hardly surviving and being exchanged for modernity or totally disappearing to make way for what are terms modern. Yet on the other hand we fight to restore the old, on the indicators given by UNESCO. As if we could never realize the importance and values ourselves unless international bodies vouched for their credits. 

       

DISCOVERING A NEW APPROACH

Our recent visit to Perth was delightful in many ways. The friendship of the company that constitutes the group, the cycling expedition if you can call that, the tours that complimented it all added to its success. However we found one approach without taxing oneself , never to walk around but sitting comfortably at a cafe while having a nice cup of coffee or tea a sure way of learning about the new place and picking its tradition and culture.

That we did. Anchored ourselves at a cafe in the centre of the city without any traffic breezing past we stopped to rest our tired feet and delightfully discover an approach of seeing things. Naturally we had to order refreshments for otherwise it would not be fair to the cafe owner who must have paid a high levy to start a business at such a strategic place. 

Yes this is what was once said as watching the world pass by. Our mistake maybe for not ever sitting down just a while and see what goes by. I guess this is what fashion photographers do as well. They look at persons around and notice amongst thing dresses people wear. For the moment that we stayed at the cafe, less than an hour, we could notice many things. It was just like a display of the city's culture at its best free of charge.This part of the city was devoid of traffic except for people moving around, in and out of the arcades, malls and shopping centres. Naturally the sidewalk cafes become a feature of the city too. Added to the beautiful spring morning, fresh flowers gracing their facades no wonder the seats were taken most time.

For the respite given as we rest our tired feet while savouring fresh brewed hot coffee and tea added with baked scones, we were entertained to an exposure of the city's culture of activities enveloping its people. My small camera helped in capturing those moments.

Spring Time in Perth AUS

       

09.04 hrs  stopped at the bike shop for maps etc before getting on the track

 
I am in a bicycle shop at Perth. We rent our bikes here. It seems there is a big demand for rental of bikes from visitors and tourists that come into the city. Besides rental new bikes and accessories are also sold. The bike shop is a stone's throw from the apartment we were staying. Rental for 1 week is AUS $ 50.00. complete with a helmet, hand gloves and lock.


Believe it or not on the 8th of September 2012 I managed to cycle 35 kilometres from Perth to Fremantle in Western Australia. We rode in a group of seven persons, five men and two women all Malaysians. Actually we had joined a small group of eleven for a five day trip down under with the express condition to cycle there. Earlier planning was to bring our folding bikes along but possibility of renting bikes there make things easier.

The episode, I consider an achievement for a person of my age. The rest of the members, die hard cyclists from Putrajaya were younger 'youth' of 65 and below. Tired, exhausted after the return from Fremantle, yet we had the satisfaction indeed. However we cycled one way only and returned by train. However a day earlier we had a good exercise with cycling around the city of Perth and the Swan River. That alone must have made us clocked about eighteen kilometres. 

Weather wise in September and the terrain at Perth Western Australia were perfect for cycling and good cycling tracks all over the place would surely induce you to cycle at any time.

Let me take you on the track with several photos taken along the route. Should you feel like giving a test at cycling on such a route do feel free to contact. Perhaps we can plan one ahead. Nevertheless the early spring weather would be a good choice to descend on Perth or Western Australia.  

The two pictures above shows how the residents and visitors to Western Australia and especially to Perth took to the great weather during early spring time. Families gather at parks for picnics and to see the blooming flowers in the gardens and parks.

Perth in Western Australia offers cycling facilities many countries can adopt and put into practice. Malaysia especially the Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur area can definitely see to the facilities and planning done there. Be assured however it must take a strong and determined objective to carry out such a project because it needs dollars and cents besides contributions and commitment  from the public at large and all the relevant agencies. Cycling has to become a way of life again. Young and old, men and women cycled before. How much better if we could go back to that mode of transportation helping in many ways to curb some of the current issues that continue to plaque us.

                   
 0828 hr 8/9/2012 in front of Mont Clare on Hay Street with a Mongoose bike

                                              
0907 hr at the bike shop on Hay Street

     

 1005 hr We had just crossed the bridge with the sign indicating that it was the highway from Perth East

1010 hr   We are set to cycle along the river bank on good cycling track all the way, passing fields, housing estates and parks.   

      1014hr.  As described above, with scenes like these all along the route you cannot feel tired far from being exhausted. While holding on to the handles, one arm naturally is positioned to click the camera.

  1140hr Our first halt for a breather and a good cup of coffee before the second stage to Fremantle . A restaurant cum facilities area by the cove allow all to enjoy the breeze from the Swan River and see people boating, para gliding water skiing etc.

               

1210hr The sign shows that it is 8 kilometers away from Fremantle but it will

  pass along some 'good' route as we moved through hillocks and natural countryside scenery.

1217 hr Sdr Hasnul ready to step on the peddles along the track set on this small hillock with a great scenery on its right side.

1216 hr the great view along the hillsides as we cycled on to Fremantle several minutes away.

1238hr . Just after noon as we near the Fremantle Port with scene like this representing the live styles of the people of Western Australia. Though there are large open space around, Parking of boats, yachts etc has to find a good approach. Deck parking is one sure way.

     1317 hr All seven of us two ladies and five men arrived at the Harbour 4 hours after our initial start at Hay Street Perth. Two ladies came by train and joined us here.

                       

1334 hr Fish and Chips the favourite dish at the Harbour was our choice too

 

 

     1452hr after a short rest and brief visit to places at Fremantle we caught the train back to Perth. One compartment is always reserved for cyclists to board the train with their bikes. Ticket price was AUS$4.00 only one way.

This was a holiday break different from any we had had in our senior years. However it was good to know your 'capacity' and whatever else that make your body ticks. It is one sure way of not getting on to the doctors! 

Thank you to all the members of the group that make the brief visit down under to Perth especially a memorable one. Do I understand a trip somewhere else is being planned? With bicycles in mind too.

Zainal Abidin Mohamed  14/09/2012