As of last night, Wifey was still contemplating whether to go back to Johor or not. She almost decided not to go back and that would have meant the three of us (including my eldest daughter, Hana) to hole ourselves up here in the KL Crib. Fazira is back in Kedah with her mom, Nisaa and Farhan are in Klang at their maternal grandma’s place, Ali has gone back to Kedah with his father. Medina and Yunus are already in Batu Pahat.
Just the three of us left.
This morning, it was decided that we are going to spend our Hari Raya in Johor. So in less than an hour, we’ll be making our way back South. Last year, I made my way Northeastwards to the Perhentians. I somehow wish I could spend this Raya on an island somewhere…diving.
Anyway, for the past two nights, Wifey, Hana, Ali (for the first night only), and I have been breaking our fast outside. The first night was at The Curve after failing to find a F&B outlet that wasn’t full at the Subang Parade.
Wifey’s Phad Thai Thalay
My Black Pepper Soft Shell Crab
Later that night, together with Liverpool Babe, Neomesuff and her husband, we went out shopping at the Ramadhan Bazaar along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
Wifey and Liverpool Babe checking the authenticity of the original imitation clothes
Neomesuff: “Yang, make sure you buy for me these things one lorry load!”
Wan: “Hait!”
Finally…4am was when we all headed back home…and my vision went blur
After sahur, Wifey and I woke up late, rushed to do some work, then went to pick up Hana. I spent some time with Nisaa and Farhan before we left for Ampang Park because Wifey had to shop for some clothes for Medina and Yunus. Then I though I’d give Wifey and Hana a treat, berbuka puasa outside for the final time this year, by taking them to al-Rawsha. The queue was extremely long, and the food sucked big time. They should stick to ala carte.
If these had alcohol, they would have been labelled as Barbarian
Food at al-Rawsha
Food at al-Rawsha
That night, Hana and Wifey made Hazelnut Suji for Hari Raya at another Hana’s place. I had to rush off to the Havana Club for a business meeting with Orang Kaya Besar Laxamana Gempita Gemgem al-Qohol, and the Forlorn Soldier.
Watching TV or making suji?
What’s cooking, Honey? And I don’t mean what’s in the oven!”
Hazelnut Suji – my favourite
Meeting location
Gemgem and the Forlorn Soldier in serious discussion
And today, we left KL for Batu Pahat at 3.45pm. Woke up at 10.45am and Wifey quickly made some rendang to take back with us. We got caught in the crawl just before the Sungai Besi toll, then between Nilai and Seremban. After that I was whacking between 140 to 150 on the highway. We made a quick stop at the Ayer Keroh R&R to buy some KFC chicken and to refuel.
We made it as far as Parit Yaani, or half an hour from Batu Pahat, when it was time to break fast, and we broke fast inside the car for the last time this year.
This has been a remarkable and wonderful Ramadhan for me – the first Ramadhan that I’ve been truly happy.
Hana SMSing with Fazira who was in Kedah
The usual crawl
Finally, almost there
Wifey having her KFC Zinger for berbuka puasa
So, my friends, Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir dan Batin. Drive carefully to and from wherever your destination may be. With that, I leave you with P Ramlee’s original version of the all-time Hari raya favourite: DENDANG PERANTAU.
SeaDemon Says 