Life begins with a box of breakfast. You never know what you are going to get today. Some of the very best "daily bread" by my lovely Chef Bobo. (Exclusive menu for Joe only. Tracy got lucky some days!) Now you know why I cannot slim down.

(Photo Taken: Another afternoon of cyber-reunion with our family back home in Singapore!)

 

My old ladies are not an easy bunch of lovies to handle. Amazingly, I have been nagged by them since 3 till now! And the naggy hit a new height when you have a combo of Auntie Amy, Zhu, Yi-poh and my own mum! I am smarter this time. I tried to keep under the radar and get Felicia to distract them. Haaaa…aa… Guess what? And when they aren’t nagging at me… they nagged amongst their own sister! Haaaa… now that is truly family entertainment ~ live! (Leon, you are evil, you should come to HK this week instead of last week!)

Really hate them for planning such a short trip. I could have cleared my awfully "a-lot-extra" annual leaves to accompany them. On the other hand, they did got a very very value-for-money package! It is a cheap and great package to fly to Hong Kong. And yes, Amy said this is her 5th and possible the last trip! I strongly differ that – cos’ there are a lot more nicer places here that you haven’t explored! Come back again.. this time, I have my ear-plugs and Leon. Haaaa.. Just kidding. You know how much we love you folks!

Yes. We are happy to have you folks here. Do stay longer the next time.

 
Back in Hong Kong now… It was such a fantastic week! Just finished uploading all the nice photos.
Please click here to view more:  http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/wahbiang/CNY2009MalaysiaTrip2329Jan#

It is not exactly “back-packing”. It is more like “back-cracking”. Town-hopping with big luggage bags wasn’t as fun as we imagined. Luckily, Uncle Lei offered to give us a ride to Malacca. We can move from door to door – less the hassle of moving our luggage up and down the bus.

The journey to Malacca was unexpectedly short. There is a new road connecting these 2 towns. And it is certainly faster than taking the usual expressway. Our journey took only about 40 minutes (from Muar) and we alighted at the famous Hotel Puri (the best 3-star boutique hotel).

Unlike Muar, Malacca is a historically-rich town. In my opinion, she is the “Matriarch of Malaysia”. Having survived many past colonists (the Dutch and later the English), Malacca was an important part of Southeast Asia history. Today, she is truly one rich authentic beauty.

For those who haven’t visit Malacca for the past 3 years, it is time for you to come back to revisit this place again. Malacca is expanding rapidly and undergoing a big facelift. The local authority has cleaned up the “smelly and dirty” swampy river. Now, it has been restored with beautiful riverside walks – where you can sit in cafes by the bank, enjoying the water view.

We didn’t forget to complete our last “secret mission” in Malacca. Felicia, Elkan and I gave my mother-in-law the “last CNY surprise” at the shophouse. And it was a big, successful, overwhelming surprise for her (and Stella!). Later that night, Leon joined us and we had our “Malacca Reunion CNY Dinner” (coincidentally with over 50% same food we had in Muar that very same day!)

After dinner, Cousin Ben brought us to Jonker Walk (aka “Antique Street”) where we strolled down the “red-lantern” street. Ben joked that this is also known as the “red-lights district” of Malacca – except there is 101% no hooker or brothels there. Along Jonker Walk, you can find many local gems – food, antiques and handicrafts (Chinese, Malay or Peranakan, Baba-Nyonya). There was also a street near Jonker Walk where you find 3 old temples sitting side by side (Chinese, Muslim and Hindu).

Malacca is indeed an eye-treat for many enthusiastic photographers. You can find many shutter-bugs walking around. It is also a food-haven for people like me! (Chendol, Chicken Rice Balls, Nasi Lemak, Nyonya Laksa, Belacan paste, Portuguese egg tarts Roti Prata etc) .. there is just so much for me to eat! The next morning, we roamed the “red house area” and explored the newly (almost completed) “replica fort”. The sun was great and the sky was so blue! And yes, we did had our stomach filled with those great local delicacies.

At 1pm, I decided to rush back to the hotel to snap “the famous bird nests” at Hotel Puri. Ben told us about this strange nature’s phenomenon. Normally found in high mountains or vacant buildings, the Swiftlets (the birds) actually nested the edible 燕窝 in one of the halls of Hotel Puri – in close proximity with humans! Check out the pixs!

Our CNY journey is finally coming to an end. We have met so many loved ones throughout the past 7 days. Tiring but worth every cent and effort spent. It is amazing how we managed to make the connections and meetings in such a short span of time.

Last stop: Kuala Lumpur and flying back to Hong Kong.

This year, we decided to give our relatives a surprise visit. Unlike the past 3 years, this year is a bigger gathering. Cousin Leon, who hasn’t been back to Muar since 2004, flew in from Xiamen on Saturday night. We met at Kuala Lumpur and left together for Muar on Sunday. We will be reuniting with our parents “secretly” later on Sunday night.

Waiting for the bus was a nightmare. Lucky we have Johnny and Ming to bring us to the right spot. The bus to Muar was an hour late. Congested, hot and smoky, we found ourselves surrounded by hundreds of locals who are also rushing home for CNY holidays. It was quite an experience for most of us.

There was a small confusion on the bus. There were a group of commuters who has the same tickets as us (with the same seat numbers!) Speaking to us in Malay, none of us understand each other. The bus driver was extremely friendly and thoughtful. As we didn’t get our bus tickets at the same time, Leon and we were sitting apart. The old Malay driver came and “instructed” the poor girl to give up her seat for Leon. We were pleasantly surprised as we didn’t request for the change of seating.

Muar is an old rustic town of little changes. This is the place where time stopped for 15 long years. This is where my mother grew up and where most of my Malaysian relatives reside.

The journey to Muar was smooth and comfortable. I managed to catch some sleep on the 1.5-hour ride. We finally arrived at 6:45pm and Uncle Benny came to the bus depot to pick us. We had our mini-Singapore reunion dinner that night.

Early next morning (1st Day of CNY), we decided to give our granny a surprise! Our parents arrived on wheels and the rest of us walked to the house. It was indeed a pleasant surprise for my Malaysian relatives, especially my granny.

We spent 2 short days in Muar. Friends and relatives arrived from all parts of Asia to meet. The spirit of CNY is so ever-important. “It was worth the long journey”, Leon said. I couldn’t agree more.

Elkan had so much fun with the kids in the house (er… those were actually his uncles and aunties). Most of my young cousins have grown up and I couldn’t even recognize a handful of them! The house was so packed with loud children laughter and old wives’ noisy chattering.

When it was time to say goodbye, I felt a tingle of sadness in my heart. Reunion and departure always come hand in hand. We came and left the same time. When our cars left granny’s house yesterday, I sensed the emptiness of the house. Time paused in silence once more. It won’t be another 365 days before we meet again.


Next stop: On our way to Malacca for our last surprise! This time, it is Felicia’s mother! 

Many were surprised when I told them that I will be heading to Malaysia this CNY instead of heading back to my Singapore home. “Aren’t you a Singaporean?” they asked. Yes, but I am also a half-Malaysian. Both my mothers were Malaysians.

Ever since I left to work in Greater China, I haven’t been back regularly to visit my granny and relatives in Malaysia during CNY. Also, dad doesn’t own a car any more and our families expanded (sister and I). We have to spend a tiny bomb (like SGD800) to rent a SUV (for 8 pax) to travel up. Moreover, the notorious and highly publicized car accidents during CNY discouraged our plans to travel. There were so many considerations and barriers that we have to gave up the trip. (I felt really bad cos’ my absence deprived my families a chance to gather with their own families in Malaysia.)

Working overseas made you miss your family and all those traditional customs a lot. Like a seed that grows in your heart, it bore fruits of memories of those good old days. At times, during work, I just wondered about the folks back in Malaysia. More powerful than the lure of good durians, this annual reunion of families (chatting and dining) fill our hungry hearts and minds with warmth and joys. One wondered, how many more chances do we have for such gatherings?

Thus, this year, we gave up our plans to travel elsewhere during CNY break. (We originally wanted to go to Vietnam or China.) I decided to go back and meet my old folks. Instead of stopping by Singapore, I decided to make Kuala Lumpur my pit stop. I wanted to meet Johnny and Ming (especially their baby princess). Also, I wanted to bring Felicia and Elkan to beautiful Bukit Tinggi. At the same time, I can stop by Malacca to visit Felicia’s family. (Haaa… one stone so many birds!)

6 days, 5 stops. This is indeed one of the “busiest vacations” we ever had. Over the next 6 days, we will be busy traveling on the road, packing and unpacking. Every day is a new destination (hundreds of miles away) and we will be checking in and out of hotel daily. Johnny and Ming were our first hosts in Malaysia. They came all the way to the airport to give us a surprise welcome! Our first stop is Bukit Tinggi. It was a 3-hour ride from the airport. Ming managed to “mobilize” her relative to drive us up the mountains. This made our lives easier – cos’ Felicia and I were carrying over 40kg of baggage. Plus another 22kg boy.

Bukit Tinggi is beautiful. Except for me (who came with Kal back in 2006), this mini replica French town is a first for everyone. Sitting at 2500ft high, the weather is so much cooler and fresher here. It was a very peaceful and “quiet” retreat for us. The resort on Friday night was pretty quiet. We had buffet dinner and later that evening, I went for a very relaxing Balinese oil massage.

Next morning, Saturday, we went to visit the Rabbit Farm and the Japanese Teahouse Village. The sceneries and landscaping are so beautiful. Elkan had lots of fun…feeding rabbits and fishes! (Guess what he fed the rabbits? He was picking up the black round rabbit dung – thinking it was rabbit food!)

Next stop: Meeting Cousin Leon and heading down to Muar!

Cousin Tai and I first met when I was only 14 – he flew from Pakistan to visit us (with his high school friend, Omar). Together with my uncle-in-law, we visited a lot of tourist’s places in Singapore. The old Satay Club and Seletar Reservoir were one of those places we went. I even remember watching "Ramboo III" with them in the cinema. And he taught me my first advertising English term – "TV Commerical".

The second time we met was when I was 18. I was going to army the next month. Father and I brought him to new Haw Par Villa (Tiger Balm Theme Park). Felicia and I were just attached.

The third time we met was when I was 27. I have just acquired shares in VOXmedia – my early entrepreneur’s days. Felicia and I were married. We have just moved into our newly renovated Eunos flat. Felicia and I met Tao with Cousin Bin. He was staying at Marina Mandarin and we had dinner and drink at the new Esplanade. Later that night, we walked him back to his hotel and he gave us a few bottles of drinks (that I carried home – man, darn heavy!)

Last Sunday, we met again – our 4th encounter – and this time in Hong Kong. I am 33, father of a very pretty 4-year old boy Elkan. Tao is considering to relocate to Hong Kong for a 3-year assignment. And if this is so, it will be the first time we be living and working in the same country (provided fate allows that.. mmm.. or it will be another case of me moving away when he arrives…)

We are from the same Chua family…yet our fathers and us have been living apart for so many years. Despite the distance, the bond and brotherhood of yesteryears remain so intact and strong. For it is very true… blood runs thicker than water.

3 days ago, my mother-in-law finally left for Singapore. Elkan cried really badly at the departure gate. For me, I decided to skip the whole "departure drama" – for I am also as sentimental as my own flesh and blood.

It wasn’t easy for the adults too – I am sure my mother-in-law misses him as much. 2 days prior her departure, Felicia and I painted "white tales" to pacify his innocent mind.

"Elkan, poipoi is leaving soon" Felicia told Elkan.

"Cannot…. I want poipoi to play with me?" Elkan looked at me with his sad eyes. "Where is she going? Why?"

"Elkan, poipoi is going back to Singapore to take more money – so she can come back and see you." Felicia pacified him.

"Mmmmm……Okay, then she come back ah?" He asked.

"Yes…" sighed Felicia "…and Chups yiyi will be accompanying her back."

The last 48 hours went by calmly. Elkan was mentally-prep and he seems to accept this "short departure". He trusted the white lies and was confident that poipoi will be back soon. For Elkan, Oct-Nov was his happiest month abroad. For the past 1 year,
he was always asking for his granny. Whenever we have visitors, he
would asked his mummy if it is his favourite "PoiPoi".

The time finally came when poipoi hugged him goodbye at the airport. Instinctively, Elkan knew this will be another long departure. He broke down and cried at the gate. He waved sadly at Poipoi. A long sad heart-breaking 2 minutes. Poipoi left and things were norm again. Felicia and Elkan went home, feeling very very sad.

3 days passed. Elkan still has that "hangover feeling". Whenever we mentioned "poipoi" or "Singapore", his eyes redden and turn watery.

Last night, I asked him "Elkan, do you miss poipoi?"

He paused, nodded his head and  gave me a very big warm smile – with tears of affection in his eyes. I expected him to cry out loud. Instead, he jumped on me and gave me a big tight hug. No, he didn’t cry last night. Both of us knew the answer. For I do miss my own late granny very very much.

23-year old Sweetie Chups is our 23rd visitor in Hong Kong! Another lovely guest for my little monster to terrorise.
Glad to have you here, Chups… you sure bring home closer to us ~ again. We sure miss you a lot!