Pahang: Riding to Cameron Highlands on Merdeka Day…

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us…”

(A rider taking a rest...)

Today Malaysia celebrates its 55th Independence Day…

We decided to celebrate with the whole nation by going for a Merdeka Ride to Cameron Highlands via Sg Koyan-Ringlet highway. The 80km route connects the inner Pahang to the Cameron Highlands and there is no R&R stop or petrol station along the way. The riding was fun with gradual climb for the first 45km. The scenery is beautiful with matured tropical jungle of the Taman Negara and scattered Orang Asli settlements along the highway. The road is generally good but riders need to be careful of sink holes due to landslide.

(A long and winding road...)

(Orang Asli settlement...)

We started from our Putramas Apartment early and reached Cameron Highlands just in time for western lunch at Equatorial Hotel’s Coffee House. We indulged in an hour of therapeutic, soothing foot reflexology at one of the many spas at Tanah Rata. Later we bought a few boxes of CH tea and freshly picked strawberries.
 

(Pick your own strawberries...)

We rode back via the same Ringlet–Sg Koyan route to avoid traffic on the PLUS highway because of the long weekend holidays. We stopped for dinner at Genting Sempah and took our leisure ride home to avoid the traffic jam, possibly made by those who are joining the gathering at Dataran Merdeka. Despite being declared illegal, thousands of yellow-clad supporters for "Janji Demokrasi" gathered at Dataran Merdeka for the Merdeka countdown at midnight.

Happy 55th Independence

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!...

Total mileage: 520 km

Route taken: KL - Sg. Koyan - Cameron Highlands - Sg. Koyan - KL

Belated Birthday Celebration...

"Life is like a film. It always has a happy ending. If there's no happy ending, the film is not done yet..."

(A birthday cake for the grandpa...)

When Sara called around 7pm to inform that she's still in Seremban, I know that they were going to be late. It was raining earlier and the North-South highway was crawling with heavy traffic since.

When Iwan arrived with his in-laws around 9 pm we straight-away had dinner of nasi empit with freshly cooked kuah lodeh and leftover rendang and satay.

(Hana helped to cut the cake...)

 The Ice-cream cake from Baskin' Robin was for the grandpa but it was Hana who blew the candle and cut the cake, on behalf.

(Alia wishing Tokbah 'Happy Birthday"...)

Salam Eid Mubarak...

S E L A M A T   H A R I   R A Y A

maaf zahir & batin

(Just the 2 of us on Raya morning @ Putramas Apartment...)

(Family Raya gathering @ Shah's house in Bandar Utama...)

Family iftar @ Bidara House...

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. Family life is a bit like a runny peach pie - not perfect but who's complaining?"

(My 2 dishes, the rest will be pot-luck style...)

(It's free seating buffet dinner...)

(Some prefer the garden cool air...)

(A minute-to-win challenge for a coveted prize...)

(My family photo with MIL...)

(A family group photo for the album...)

Blessed month of Ramadan...

"Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven…”

(Jurusalem, 2011)

Without us realizing, we are already into the second half of Ramadhan…

It is a blessed month of self-regulation, peace and tranquility, a physical and psychological improvement for my body and soul. My fasting days are mostly spent relaxing in front of the TV and napping most of the time. At night I’ll perform 8 rakaat of the terawih prayers, either in Masjid Wilayah if we are in KL or Masjid Kg Sri Minyak if we are in Melaka.

The effort of performing the prayers not only helps with the digestion but the mild movement of the joints is a better form of exercise for my ailing back. And, listening to the recitation of the Quran by the Imam brings tranquility of the heart and the mind too.

May Allah bless us with peace in our heart and accept all our prayers. Amin…