I shed tears...

"Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen closely..."

It’s nearing the end of Ramadhan. I thank Allah for His help with the month-long act of patience and self-control.

This morning, I searched high and low for the rendang cili api recipe. While peeling the onions for the rendang, I shed tears to no end. But they may as well be tears of happiness and sadness. I am happy to still be alive and blessed to witness and complete yet another Ramadhan and to celebrate the coming of Syawal. But I am also feeling sad, for this Eid would not be as joyous as previous years. This year we would not be able to taste my emak’s rendang and kuah lodeh any more.


(Rendang cili api on the stove...)

I have been spending my weekdays in Melaka since my emak fell sick. I am back in KL for the weekend and would be cooking the rendang for the family. I miss my emak's cooking and would give up any elite recipe for my emak's dish anytime.


(Hana helping in the kitchen...)

SeLaMaT HaRi RaYa EiD-FiTrI

maaf zahir & batin

Melaka: Ramadhan Charity Ride...

"Today, I gave a stranger one of my smiles.  It might be the only sunshine he sees all day..." 

More than 100 bikers rode in a charity convoy jointly organised by JAKIM, Welly Advance Bikers and Kawasaki to Rumah Seri Kenangan Cheng in Melaka. We were also accompanied by the press and media crew.

The Centre provides care and protection to poor senior citizens aged 60 and above and ensure their well being and quality of life. Majority of them do not have relatives and do not have a permanent residence.  The Bikers had the opportunity to mingle and beramah mesra with the elderlies. We later had the jamuan berbuka puasa with them and performed the Magrib prayers together.

Later, the bikers joined together in Takbir Raya and were recorded to be featured later on TV on Hari Raya day.

(Motorbikes parking in neat rows...)

(Bikers listening to a tazkirah...)

(Beramah mesra with the elderlies...)

(The ladies being interviewed...)

(Recording of Takbir Raya...)

(Takbir Raya next to their motorbikes...)

(A group photo with some of the lady bikers...)

Total mileage: 330 km
Route: KL- Cheng Melaka - KL
Riders gang: Welly advanced Bikers

Johor/Melaka: Durian and Seafood Ride...

"They said people come and go. But the truth is, no one really disappears from your life..."

(A group photo with En. Atan, the caretaker of the kebun)

We went out earlier and stopped at NLTJ warong in Desa Petaling to have nasi lemak breakfast and to meet face-to-face with En. Aziz Mat, the owner of the warong and an fb friend of mine. The specialty of NLTJ is nasi lemak and ayam perap goreng.

We met up with the rest of our bikers gang at Seremban R&R at 10 am and started riding on the North-South highway towards Pontian.

(The handsome gentlemen...)

(And the pretty ladies...)

First stop: Kebun buah, Benut, Johor

When we reached the caretaker's house, we were served with nasi briani and cold drinks. After solat, we feasted on varieties of durian, manggis and rambutan, followed by air kelapa muda. We felt at home and were very grateful for the hospitality and friendliness of the caretaker and family.

(Abundance of fruits from the kebun...)

(Feasting on varieties of durian...)

Second stop: Limastiga Resort, Umbai Melaka

Limastiga Homestay is a cosy resort situated in Bukit Tembakau Umbai, Melaka away from the busy hustle bustle of the city. The resort has many rooms with modern facilities and 2 swimming pools. It is a place suitable for family holiday or friends reunion. We were there for a short rest and were served with Mango juice and keropok goreng and had the opportunity to meet with the owner of the resort and his wife.

(A cosy kampung resort in Umbai, Melaka)

(Tranquility and serene, a place to rest the mind...)

Third stop: Muara Sungai Duyung, Melaka

Our last stop was at one of the seafood restaurants at Muara Sg Duyung for a sumptuous seafood dinner. Although we were quite full, we managed to clean up the ikan bakar, butter and spicy prawns and sambal sotong.

It was nearly 9.30 pm when we started riding back to KL.

(Many more dishes to be served...)

(Too full to ride back...)

Total Mileage: 650 km

Route taken: KL - Pontian - Umbai - Muara Sg. Duyung - KL

Riders gang: Mus & Mun, Din & Yati, Keef & Nesla, Fazli & Koes, Nazeli & Sham, Azim, Zali, Rahim & Rahim

Thailand: Betong ride Just the two of us...

"Don't be afraid to try. Be afraid to regret not trying..."

(Betong Hot Spring)

'

Betong II, Thailand

(July 17 - 19, 2011)

Total mileage: 900 km

Route taken: KL - Gerik - Betong - Tapah - KL

My Overseas Travelogue: munmus.blogspot.com

Next Trip: Thailand 2011: Kanchanaburi Monsoon Ride...

Terengganu: Ride to Trengganu and Tasik Banding...

"Life is a book. Don't jump to the end to see if it's worth it. Just enjoy and fill those pages with beautiful memories..."

(Tasik Banding)

Saturday - 8 July 2011

More than 30 big bikers gathered at Welly Batu Caves from 8 am but the bikes only started to roll only at 9.30 am. The group met at Karak Toll where we began our ride in a closed convoy.
'

(The start of the convoy)

We took the route to Kuala Trengganu via Ajil and stopped at Pekan Muktafil Billah for refuelling and lunch. The ride was smooth, if not for a few road constructions at several places along the way. We reached Anees Resort at Pantai Telipot around 4.30 pm and had ample time for a short rest. Later, about 20 KT big bikers came to lead us to 'rempit' around KT town with a few stops for photo shots at Taman Tamaddun Islam and the River Side Esplanade.

(Taman Tamaddun Islam, Kuala Terengganu)

It was already dusk when we rode back to our chalets. The KT bikers then joined us for a BBQ dinner after the Isya prayers.

Sunday - 9 July 2011

Early morning we had nasi lemak breakfast at a nearby restaurant before we rode off towards Jeli to cross the East-West highway to Tasik Banding. It was a hot and sunny day so on the way, the bikers stopped for a short rest and had a round of cool air kelapa and nira to quench our thirst.

(A neat row of easy riders)

We had nasi goreng lunch at one of the restaurants before we checked-in at Banding Lakeside Inn. While some bikers went for a boat ride around the lake, some others shot off to Betong, the nearest border town, escorted by one of the experienced marshalls. We chose to stay in our air-con hotel room and took a most needed nap till it was time to join the rest for the BBQ dinner by the swimming pool.

The rest of the night was spent either in the karaoke Lounge or a trip somewhere near for yum-cha. Some just sat around chatting and getting to know each other better.

Monday - 10 July 2011

Breakfast was served in the dining hall over-looking the beautiful serene Banding Lake. After a short briefing, the convoy started off at 10 am riding the winding hilly road and stopped for a durian feast by the road side before we reached Grik.

(Riding on the Tasik Banding bridge)

We stopped for lunch at Simpang Pulai R&R. Later, some bikers split from the rest of the group to ride off home on their own...

Total mileage: 1,500 km
Route taken: KL - Raub - Muktafibillah - KT - Jeli - Banding - Grik - Spg Pulai - KL
Riders gang: Welly Advanced Bikers