GIRLS' DAY OUT.

We call our Whats app group "Travel Bugs." 

We are three work colleagues who became best friends. We used to go on "Cuti-cuti Malaysia" (Malaysian holidays) before Covid-19 disrupted our sojourns. We have not met for 2 1/2 years. Last Sunday was the MOTHER OF REUNIONS. "Aiyoh, you have put on weight," they said. "Yeah, all six pounds on my face and waist. 

We were off to Jack Creatus in Sri Kebangan, 32 km away. We had to use "WAZE" as it was in unchartered territories for us. After much "Are we lost? Why are we on this road? I think WAZE is taking a really round about route," we got there. Jack Creatus mainly sells woodwork items but we spent 3 hours in the succulent plant section.  Perri is the resident designer for many of the masterpieces.

With just a brush and  pot, he magically transforms single plants into  larger designs.

I bought this for my neighbour's 22nd wedding anniversary. I think my packaging/wrapping needs some tuition from Peri.

Moo Eng made Peri repot her selection twice before being a satisfied customer.

Peri takes succulents to greater heights. 

He cracks pots and then cleverly displays the succulent plants at step levels.

THE DAY THE EARTH RUMBLED

When it rains, it pours down by the buckets. And it did rain for 2 days without stopping. 

The hills behind this block of terrace houses 

have held on safely with lots of vegetation, shrubs and trees for 25 plus years. 

The hills have not been disturbed and no construction was carried out, thus no one imagined they would come crashing down. It was a roaring deluge as the hills tumbled right into our back entrances. 

It was amazing that the earth and debris stopped and did not engulf the houses and people inside but many of the back doors were damaged. A hardy "brick" wall is now being built to contain the hills. 

Around the same time, 2 other sites also felt the wrath of the storms. 

The hills surrounding my residential area just caved in all around. 

Thankfully, not a single resident was hurt. We heard the rumbles and ventured out during the storms with our umbrellas to shocking sights as one hill after another tumbled during the week. 

NO MORE RAINS please until the brick walls have been safely completed.

LIVING BY THE CANALS

LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT

 A KING stays in his palace and I stay in my little township - I am happy, safe and comfortable in my home.

 Life by the canals may look unusual and difficult but I believe humans can live anywhere. We need a roof and walls to keep us safe from the elements. 

Making a living by the canals

A shop selling provisions.
The boatman buying ice.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS.

TAT's MY COUSIN!

 

This was exactly how my cousin looked and felt every morning after staying in an Air BnB home in the country side. Last month, we thought it would be a great idea to book into a house in the country to sample some fresh air with NO pollution, NO traffic and NO city sky scrappers. Just green grass, trees and country folks. 

OH WELL, we got all of this and MORE for free! 

We got a FOLK of CROWING COCKERELS for neighbours. In Malaysia, there is NO law against cockerels crowing at unsocial hours, so owners here do not worry that their  "pets" crowing cause a statutory noise nuisance. My bedroom faced the back lane

 and the cockerels were up on the roof tops serenading sun rise every morning just outside my window.

 It would have been alright if their eyesight was at 20/20 and they started their crowing when dawn rose. But, these flock of cockerels needed to visit an ophthalmologist and get some prescription glasses. 

They started their roof top orchestra at 3am. Day light was still miles away, the skies were still dark and their symphony had already began. The orchestra went on till 9am without a hiatus. My goodness gracious, they had strong vocal cords. I was fortunate in having lived in dormitories with students prowling and playing their hi-fi sets at all hours. So after the initial overture of crows, I just slumbered back to sleep, quite oblivious to the ruckus.

But, my poor cousin heard every musical note in the philharmonic orchestra from 3am onwards. She is a light sleeper. We had already booked and paid for 5 days and 4 nights. Oohhhh.... she was a wreck by then!!

 But, I do think that even though we had an unexpected country experience, cockerels  come with country living. These birds have the right to crow whenever the urge takes them, be it at sun rise or at the Devil's hour.

If we city slickers are too slick to accept this, then we should stay back in the city and listen to our neighbour dogs howling! 

TO KUALA SEPETANG TO SEE THE KITES

 KUALA SEPETANG, a sleepy coastal town where the action is slow. Playing "candy crush" is probably the best sugar rush of the day.

This fishing village is about 74km from Ipoh, the capital of Perak in Malaysia.  

The residents make a living from catching and selling fresh and dried sea food. 

 Bumpy boat rides along the river  

and feeding the Brahminy Kites are main attractions that also bring income. When the boat man stopped to feed the eagles, there was not a single raptor in sight. We strained our eyes and asked, "where got eagles?" He cheekily answered, "they are waiting for my phone call!" 

And sure enough, when he sounded his horn, a soar of brahminy kites flew from trees along the river banks towards us. 

Boat rides go all the way out into the estuary leaving behind wooden houses, 

piers and boats

and mangrove swamps.

 The boat points into the mouth of the river 

 before finally entering the open salty waters.