4 Days 3 Nights

Salam all,

4D3N .... this is neither a vacation package nor an umrah package (mana mungkin umrah dalam jangka waktu sebegitu). This is more like a visitation package (as I called it). 4-7 February, there goes our last long weekend for the year. The first long weekend was during the Chinese New Year and during that time we were sprawling at home enjoying the holidays. This time round, its our turn to pay a visit to the elderly, parents and mother-in-law.

4 days sound so lavish, but actually, I barely have enough time to enjoy it. Reached Sg Petani at almost 2pm, by 3pm I hurriedly to Alor Setar, Kedah for the Karnival Jom Masuk U at the Stadium Darul Aman compound. On our way back, we paid a visit to Teluk Kechai, Kuala Kedah for the well known, Laksa Kedah. I cannot remember the last time we visited the place. I guess it was 17 years ago. One significant difference of this famous dish is that it was eaten together with the coconut mixed with chilli ('sambal nyoq' as the Kedahans called it). We bought some to bring home for the family in conjunction with the 'surprise' birthday celebration for Mak Tok.

Only Pak Uda & family, and Pak Cik Li were around. We enjoyed it anyway. It was eat till you burst. Mak Tok was surprised but we cannot capture the surprise moment as Mak Tok was not in hijab then. We had Satay, and some Pasembor too. Mmmmm ... delicious!!!

Next early in the morning, we rushed to PakCik Li's restaurant for a breakfast with Tuan Guru. Well, the actual agenda was for the Tuan Guru to have breakfast with his group there, but as busy body as always, we tagged along. And Farhan was the luckiest as they requested the Tuan Guru to perform 'tahnik' on him. Tahnik is an islamic ritual as a symbol for the baby to face the new world by feeding them with something sweet (normally dates were used) and the holy water zam-zam. And tahnik is best done by an 'alim and for Farhan, it was done not only by an 'alim but also an ulama'. (an Islamic Scholar).

Late evening we head to Kg Pertama to my parents, and to our surprise, K.Nah was already there. It was almost ages since we last met. K.Nah is my eldest sister who stayed in Rawang, but our busy lifestyle prohibit us from visiting one another often, only during eid. Something that I am not proud of, but shame of. We chat till late night, continue in the morning and dragged till noon. K.Nah and family left for Penang Island while I headed to the kitchen to prepare lunch and later prepare a special dish called 'serabai' for tea. After 'asr prayer, when it was almost 5.30pm, I asked bapak whether he wants to go out for sight seeing. And to my surprise, his answer is 'No'. That is his dama time, he is an ardent fan of Indonesian drama which aired from 5.30pm till 6.30pm.

As I have already promised my kids to go out, we went. We went to a never been before, Sg Dua for the mee udang. What? A Penangian has never been to Sg Dua for mee udang? Yup. It's me. Born in Penang but I spent most of my life away from Penang. So, its only a Penangian on IC.

Many people were there, it was delicious, we bought some for folks at home. It was really a feast when K.Nah brought home some roti jala and kuih muih. We have table full of food. We later enjoyed it together when Abang and his family joined in later.

It was truly a wonderful holiday. Being with the loved ones was always a moment to cherish. Thank you Allah for this beautiful moment in life. Alhamdulillah, we managed to make our parents happy and put a smiling face on them.

Early Tuesday morning we started our journey back home to avoid any traffic congestion. Could not wait to go back again.

Wallahua'lam.