Thailand 300-year Old Mosques...

"The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works, is the family..." - Lee Iacocca

(Crossing the border at Pengkalan Hulu)

During our 4x4 trip from Betong to Hatyai from 26 - 28 July 2018, we visited many mosques along the route. Out of the many and not to be missed, are two historical and oldest mosques in Thailand situated in the districts of Narathiwat and Pattani.

(Masjid Wadi Hussein at Telok Manok, Narathiwat)

The first mosque was the 300 Years Mosque also known as Al-Hussein Mosque or Talo Mano Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Thailand. Located in Narathiwat, a southern province in Thailand, it is in use today by the large Muslim community in the area. The mosque was built in 1634 to serve the newly settled Muslim community during that time. It is the oldest wooden mosque in Thailand.

(Masjid Kerisik, Pattani)

Another old mosque was Krue Se Mosque also called Gresik Mosque or Pitu Krue-ban Mosque is located in Pattani Province, Thailand. It was begun in about 1583, but was never completed because of a power struggle between the sultan of Pattani and his brother. The present structure is on the same site and dates to the 18th century. It features a mixture of Middle Eastern and European architectural styles. The mosque is claimed by some Pattani people to have been built by the Chinese pirate Lin Daoqian. In 2004, during a period of insurgency, Thai military personnel attacked and killed 32 muslim during Isya prayer. The bullet holes could be seen around the main door of the mosque, a reminder of the unfortunate massacre.

Visit my travel blog for details of my travel at munmus.blogspot.com

A visit to an orchid nursery...

"A brother may not be a friend, but a friend will always be a brother..." - Benjamin Franklin

(Nasi berlauk breakfast at Kak Badar's house)

I have not met Kak Badariah since I left my SIC hostel in 1973.

When the hostelite sisters suggested to visit Kak Badariah's house in Rawang, I agreed to join them and this time, Kak Jon and I brought our spouses along. It was a pity that the rest of the gang could not join us because of other commitments. The spread of dishes were abundance, delicious and filling. Kak Badariah is as I remembered her, sweet, gentle and motherly. 

After breakfast we visited a nearby Orchid nursery and bought some orchid plants. I wonder how long will they survive under my care...    

(A heaven for those who love orchids)

(Varieties of orchid species)

(Vibrant colored orchids)

(Purple is my favorite color)

A fairytale Wedding....

"Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope..." -.Dr. Seuss

(A fairy tale wedding)

Every bride deserves to feel like a princess on her wedding day.

We attended Sidah' daughter's wedding at the Grand Blue Wave Hotel in Shah Alam. The wedding was attended by schoolmates from as far as Kota Bharu, an opportunity to have a small get-together. It was one cheerful gathering, very warming and comforting. One of the blessings of old friends is that you only remember and reminisce only the good old memories.

After the wedding, we were invited to Datin Maheran's house for high tea,

(Friends from near and far)

(The bride's mother in beautiful pink)

(Big 5, minus one)

Rambutan bountiful harvest....

"Silence make the real conversations between friends. Not the saying, but the never needing to say that counts..." - Margaret Lee Runbeck

(A good spread of Kelantanese dishes)

It wasn’t just another breakfast meet.

The hostelite sisters were at DS Zaidah's residence this morning for our first Hari Raya gathering. Besides the spread of delicious home-cooked dishes, we were served with other kueh-mueh brought by the other sisters. After breakfast, we visited Kak Dah beautiful garden. Her garden represents her devotion and patience. The charm and beauty of her garden is a wonderful enlightening sight.

It was a bountiful harvest for rambutan this year and we had fun picking the fruits to bring home.

(With Nik Fauziah, Bee, Kak Jon and Kak Sariah)

(Aiming for the ones at the top)

(A good harvest to share)

BP Guild Kelantan breakfast meet...

"In every success story, you will find someone who has made a courageous decision..." - Peter F. Drucker

(Hari Raya breakfast gathering)

A group of veteran scouts of BP Guild Kelantan arranged for a Hari Raya gathering at D&R Restaurant in Shah Alam. They had also invited Mr. Yee, a former Scout Master and wife to join us. Mr Yee was also the Choir Teacher for Sultan Ismail College team. He had trained us well and our school choir team was champion among the schools in Kelantan for two consecutive years . He had also led the team in two National Choir Competitions held in Kuala Lumpur in 1972 and in Penang in 1973.

At his age, Mr Yee is still his old self, humourous and sharp-witted. Surprisingly, after 45 years of not seeing each other, he still remembers me quite well.

(Mr Yee,, my Choir Master circa 72/73)

Open house and durian party...

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world...”

(A small gathering at Nas's house)

Durian is in season and in full swing at this time of the year.

And it's raining durian almost everywhere now. Because of bumber harvest, suppliers were throwing fruit parties almost every day. To celebrate the durian season, we organised a small get together of Applied Sciences gang and had a durian party by the pool at Nas house in Ulu Langat.

(Another round of durian party)

Doctors give me unnecessary anxiety...

“Optimism is the most important human trait, because it allows us to evolve our ideas, to improve our situation, and to hope for a better tomorrow…” - Seth Godin

(Appointment with my heart specialist)

They said, regular visits to the doctor can mean the difference between life and death.

To many, the rising cost of healthcare combined with busy work schedules means putting medical check-up to the very last minute. As for me, after my Angiogram procedures in 2006, I am under a specialist observation and need to visit my doctor every four months for checks and medications. I have adhered to my doctor’s appointments diligently since. 

I am yet to make appointment for the yearly full medical check-up. I have till December to do so.