' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' A Rainy Weekend ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '

Abang is home this week after fetching him from school after solat Jumaat. Adik always looks forward to school holidays and what more if Abang is at home. Kakak will only be back on Wednesday this week together with Tok Abah, Tok Mama and Pak Su. Mostly all schools will take a one week break for the Chinese New Year holiday but not all sekolah agama follow the same step, many still observed only the two day public holiday..... but whatever the arrangement is, we've got to manage the time and find the best way to spend quality time together with the family.... it gets harder as the kids grow bigger and it requires a harder effort.

The boys had done their mengaji on Friday night after which we adjourned for a supper at "That Little Gerai" and we met Tok Uncle's family... it was nice to see everyone especially Uncle Len who went for Hajj together with us. The boys left at 6:45 am the next day for the 2 hours tennis session with Ustaz, Pak Lang and a few others...while ibu and nenek went to Pasar Tani Melawati buy some rations for the house. The fridge was already showing some available space and since it's school holidays and we are expecting some visitors later next week, the food stock need to be topped up...furthermore with the CNY holidays, it's always good to keep some spares since many shops will be closed. I took some extra sleep and woke up later to do some garden trimming before everyone came home.

The weekend has been cool and cloudy until the rain started to drop later in the afternoon and it has been rainy (until writing time) with low clouds and no sun since then...just like "musim tengkujuh" in the East Coast in November and December time. We enjoyed watching the Korea Open badminton semi-finals with some hot ubi keledek rebus (bought in Cameron Highland) to come along. We later went to visit Tok Wan in Ampang after they got back from holiday in Sabah and returned home after Maghrib to watch the Malaysian Super League (MSL) opener ie the Charity Shield between the Red Warriors and the Red Giants ... the Giants was convincingly slayed by the warriors! Adik was happy although he dozed off at half time! Wanted to watch the Asia Cup final game but the eyes couldn't stay opened...but it was an excellent and sweet Japanese goal though.

It was still raining on Sunday. We had to go to Pasar Tani Greenwood to get some fish (did not get to buy fish yesterday)...and we got what we wanted. After breakfast, we headed out for a game of futsal with the cousins at Sports Planet Ampang. The boys have been waiting for this and they loved to play soccer against each other..... Pak Lang, Uncle Shady and Tok Jae were there. It was a good 1.5 hour of running, kicking and having fun on the pitch....and it was really worth it. The boys are already asking for the next session...

The Sportsplanet

The Team

From Left: Faiz, Atif, Naif, Naqib, Aiman, Thaqif & Muqhis

From left : Tok Jae, Pak Lang, Uncle Shady, Abah

The team showing off their skills and talents

Lunch was home made laksa penang and ketupat ubi inti pisang....perfect for rainy day! Followed by the Korea Open final between LCW and LD.....excellent game but LD is still superior. Tok Wan and Tok dropped by later after Asar and to our surprise Tok Su and Tok Unggal also came over for a visit without notice..."Melawat orang balik Haji'.... but it was all under control and we have no complaint. We love to have guests at our home especially the elderly, we are honoured that they make the time and take the trouble to visit us all the way from Klang. They left after solat jamaah Maghrib and we later went out for dinner at our favourite mamak shop near Medan Idaman ie Deen.

The lovely couple, Tok Unggal

Tok Su and Tok Su Tahir

Having Laksa Penang & Ketupat Ubi

Enjoying their meals

It was still raining when we got home and got into bed and turned on the TV....chaos in Cairo and revolution is brewing in the Arab World, while in Tenang...BN won the by election with a bigger majority....revolution had not caught up with many of us.

A Brief Journey Back Home!

Our home in Guchil

We had a long weekend break last week when we took leave on Friday, a day after Thaipusam. Initially we thought of doing gardening since we have not done so since we returned from hajj. Some of the plants have overgrown the pots. But both of us were not in the right mood and we ended up resting at home and played with Dijah. Dijah and family stayed with us over the week to avoid traffic during Thaipusam since their new house was quite close to the area. Infact, we had both Yaya and Aaryz at home that week since Pak Teh and Mak Teh were having some problems with the maid. We had so much fun having the kids around. They also enjoyed themselves and Yaya even requested to stay for another night! It's been a while since we have kids running around, playing with toys, screaming and crying.

Aaryz, the cute boy...

Yaya smiling with her paper doll

Dijah smiling ear to ear!

But when they left us on Friday, things were back to normal, quiet and settled down. After returning from the mosque that morning and sending Adik to school, Abah suddenly came up with a wild thought! Let's go back to Kuala Krai!!! So, we started planning what we need to do. There were just too many things happening in the next few days!

We started by informing Ustazah Sek Agama that Adik would miss school that afternoon, cancel tuition and cancel mengaji. One problem left is our normal routine of visiting Abang and sending him his laundry every saturday. Since it was friday, we decided to perform friday prayers at Masjid Al-Ghufran and meet him there. Nenek immediately got all his things packed and we rushed to Giant to get all his stuff before we left for Taman Tun. Of course he was delighted to see us not knowing that he couldn't come back home the next day! After solat, we sent him back to IQKL together with his laudry, one week ration of food and drinks and of course pocket money. So, all settled and we are ready to make our journey back home.

We left around 4.30pm and was contemplating whether to fetch Dini that night or wait until the next morning. We wanted to give her a surprise but dare not take the risk. By the time we reach MTS, it would be close to 11pm and there was high possibility that she would not be allowed to go out of the school. While we mulled over whether to go or not to Tanah Merah, she called! Very unlike her to call us on friday night. So, no more surprises and she was full of life, overjoyed and delighted to know that we were coming to fetch her from MTS. It was worth the 6 hours journey to see her cheery face, smiling ear to ear when we arrived. We had a late dinner at Sri Thai and finally reached Krai around 12 midnight, exhausted after a long trip and hectic day!

The next day, we went to Pasar Pagi to get some rations. This has been our routine for the last 17 years whenever we are in Krai on saturday. We hardly miss Pasar Pagi, the place where we normally buy our stock of ikan kering, keropok, bawang, rempah, nisan, fruits and veges. Sometimes, we even bought plants and other stuff there! The fruits and veges come from southern Thai and are fresh and cheap! They are being sold in bulk by the Thai old ladies, one of them are fondly known as "Mak" by the locals. Sometimes we came across stuff that we never seen before. This time round we stumbled upon Buah Susu, round and purple in colour, Tipin, some kind of mussel but are caught in the river. Of course we dare not try them...

Asyura sold in pieces

Adik and buah susu!

All kinds of colourful keropoks

Variety of kueh Kelantan sold at RM1 for 5 pieces!!!

Ikan sungai...Patin

Kelantan Sweet Delicacies

Ready Packed Food RM2 only

Eel size M or L...alive and kicking!!

Cili Kering...different species!

Pasar Pagi Sabtu

Etok Salai ! Adik and Abah's favourite! Only found in Sg Kelantan

Ikan Patin, Dini's favourite masak tempoyak

Sayur kampung and Ulam2

Tippin from Kelantan River

Pasar borong sayur

The famous "Mak" selling veges to the locals

Makan place after marketing

After lunch and solat zohor, we went to Econjaya, the only supermarket in town and the pride of Kuala Krai. It is also a "must visit" place whenever we are in town. Dini buys her stuff here from stationaries to food, sometimes clothes in case of emergency. Ibu also get her kitchen and household stuff here cheaper than in KL! You will be amazed at the range of things sold here, almost everything under the sun! Our next stop is usually Pasar Krai to get our supply of beras siam. We always have enough stock at home and only in emergency cases, we buy rice in KL. We also get our stock of serunding and other dry stuff we miss from Pasar Pagi. Before we reach home, we must stop at the junction to Krai from Gua Musang (opposite KFC) to buy home made kueh ondeh2 or buah melaka. Prepared and cooked on the spot, nice, sweet and hot!

Econjaya, the pride of Kuala Krai

Krai Town

Pasar Krai where we get our stock of beras siam!

After asar, we made a move to Tanah Merah to send Dini back to MTS. Parting is never easy and this time, it is even harder for Dini. Probably she was too stress with her studies and her new role as the Exco for Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar in charged of economy. Anyway, she will be back soon for the chinese new year break. We finally said goodbye to her and made our journey to Labok to attend solat hajat and kenduri. It was another day full of activities and excitement!

The next day, Tok Mama made capati with potatoes for breakfast. It's Abah's favourite. Around 9.30am, we started our journey back home via Gua Musang - Cameron Highlands - Tapah - Gombak. All in all, we spent almost 10 hours in the car with pit stops at Gua Musang Econjaya and Petronas, Brinchang, Tringkap, Tanah Rata for lunch and Tapah for solat. As usual, the boot was full with veges, flowers and fruits from the highlands.

Although it was a brief journey back home, it was all worthwhile...

Ziarah Waris & Tetamu Allah di Makkah

Setiap kali kami menjejakkan kaki ke bumi Makkah ini, kami tidak melepaskan peluang menziarah waris2 yang tinggal di sini. Tok Abah mempunyai ramai waris2 yang menetap di tanah suci sejak 50 tahun yang lalu, bilamana mereka datang mengerjakan haji dan tidak kembali ke tanah air. Antara waris2 yang masih menetap di Makkah ialah Makcik Rahmah, Makcik Halimah, Makcik Faridah dan Tok Su Samsiah. Mereka tinggal bersama anak2 kerana suami masing2 telah meninggal dunia. Mereka adalah sepupu kepada Tok Abah dan Tok Abah sering mengingatkan kami supaya mencari waris2 semasa kami ke Makkah bagi mengeratkan silatulrahim.

Setelah selesai haji, pada 22 Zulhijjah 1431H kami mengambil kesempatan untuk bertandang ke rumah Makcik Halimah yang terletak berdekatan kawasan Tanaim. Semasa mengerjakan umrah pada tahun 2008 and 2009, kami tidak berpeluang menziarah rumah Makcik Halimah tetapi dialah yang membawa kami ke rumah Makcik Rahmah. Makcik Halimah masih muda berbanding yang lain dan mempunyai 9 orang anak2 yang sudah dewasa. Kebiasaannya, mereka akan datang mengambil kami di hotel kerana risaukan keselamatan kami sekiranya menaiki teksi. Itu pun terpaksa meminjam kenderaan jiran2. Banyak kejadian2 yang tidak diingini berlaku kepada jemaah haji dan umrah sebelum ini yang menggunakan perkhidmatan kereta sewa di tanah suci. Pada kesempatan ini, Makcik Rahmah turut bersama kami ke rumah Makcik Halimah.

Kami beruntung kerana ayah Makcik Halimah, Pak Harun yang berumur hampir 120 tahun ada bersama2nya. Dia baru sahaja datang dari Labok, Machang untuk tinggal di sini selepas kematian isterinya. Walaupun sudah terlalu tua, tapi Pak Harun masih sihat dan penglihatan masih baik. Hari2nya dipenuhi dengan membaca Al Quran dan berzikir, MashaAllah. Kami dihidangkan dengan Nasi Mandy Ayam dan Kibas yang dimasak sendiri oleh Makcik Halimah. Memang sedap, Alhamdulillah. Sesudah solat, makan dan berbual, kami dihantar pulang ke hotel. Terimakasih kepada mereka atas layanan istimewa setiap kali kami menjejakkan kaki di bumi Makkah. Setiap kali sebelum kembali ke hotel, Makcik Rahmah selalu berpesan untuk kembali menziarahnya. Makcik Rahmah yang tinggal bersendiri sudah menetap di bumi Makkah sejak berumur 30 tahun dan sudah 50 kali menunaikan haji, MashaAllah.

Menunggu di Mayor's Office di tepi Jalan Ibrahim Al Khalili

Tok Mamie dan Makcik Rahmah di ruang tamu wanita sambil menikmati nasi impit dan kelapa manis

Manisan Arab yang dihidangkan

Pakcik Harun

Makan tengahari di ruang tetamu lelaki

Nasi Mandy Ayam dan Kibas

Abah berbual2 dgn Pakcik Harun

Menikmati juadah

Makcik Rahmah, Makcik Halimah, Tok Mamie & Ibu

Di luar rumah

Jalan menuju ke rumah Makcik Halimah

Kali ini kami tidak berkesempatan berkunjung ke rumah Tok Su Samsiah di Ajyad kerana beliau demam selepas selesai mengerjakan haji. Tapi kami sempat bertemu bila Tok Su dan anaknya, Akmal sudi datang menziarah kami di Ummu Hane. Pada kesempatan kali ini, kami banyak berbicara tentang salahsilah keluarga dan pertalian darah antara mereka dan kami. Abah sempat mencatat informasi mengenai ahli2 kelurga yang menetap di Makkah supaya pertalian antara kami tidak putus. Maklumlah, mereka pun sudah semakin tua dengan Makcik Rahmah mencecah 85 tahun dan Tok Su sudah lebih 70 tahun. Anak2 mereka pula ramai yang tidak fasih berbahasa "jawi" (melayu) dan mereka jarang2 bertemu dengan waris2 di Malaysia. Ada antara mereka yang telah berkahwin dengan orang2 nusantara yang menetap di sana.

Tok Su Samsiah, Akmal dan Ibu di lobi Darum Hane

Kami juga turut mengambil peluang berjumpa dengan tetamu2 Allah swt yang sama2 dijemput ke sini. Pada 19 Zulhijjah, Ibu ada bertemu dengan rakannya yang sama belajar di Huddersfield, Hajjah Nabiha (pengapit Ibu) di Starbuck yang terletak di Abraj Al Bait Shopping Center. Hajjah Nabiha datang bersama suami dan ibunya dengan pakej Andalusia dan tinggal di Aber Garden, berdekatan dengan hotel kami di Misfalah. Di sini terdapat banyak kedai2 yang menjual pakaian berjenama seperti Next, Debenhams, Mothercare dan banyak lagi. Di tingkat empat pula terdapat food court yang menjual berbagai jenis makanan dan fast food seperti KFC, Pizza Hut, Burger King etc. Di sinilah kami makan malam selepas solat isya' di MH sekiranya bosan dengan makanan yang disediakan di hotel.

Di Starbuck Abraj Al Bait

Ibu dan Hajjah Nabiha

Abraj Al Bait Shopping Center

Lobi Mall menjadi tempat jemaah bersolat sekiranya ruang di MH padat

Di hadapan Abraj Al Bait

Pada hari yang sama Ibu juga sempat bertemu dengan Srikandi Tun Fatimah, Hajjah Neng dan Hajjah Neeta. Mereka berdua datang bersama suami dengan TH Travels dan menginap di Dar El Iman, bersebelahan dengan Al-Safwah. Kami berjumpa di D'Saji sambil makan2 dan bila tiba waktu zohor, kami bersama2 ke MH untuk bersolat di basement. Kami tidak kerap bertemu kerana masing2 sibuk dengan urusan masing2.

SK Hajjah Neeta, SK Hajjah Neng dan Ibu

Srikandi 1981-1985

Masih rapat setelah 30 tahun berkawan

Lobi Dar El Iman

Lobi hotel yang mewah

Setelah beberapa kali cuba menziarah Tok Su, akhirnya kami berjaya bertemu dengannya di hotel 2 hari sebelum berlepas ke Madinah. Alhamdulillah, Tok Su sihat dan dapat mengerjakan ibadah haji dengan selamat. Tok Su yang tinggal berjiran dengan Tok Abah datang bersama anak saudara dan cucu saudara dengan pakej KAA Travels. Hotel mereka sangat hampir dengan MH dan terletak betul2 di belakang Abraj Al Bait bertentangan dengan Hilton. Walaupun hotel tersebut agak lama tapi sangat selesa dengan bilik yang luas, cuma lif hotel agak menakutkan kerana mempunyai 2 pintu! Di bawah hotel Tok Su terdapat sebuah restoran bernama Al Abrar yang menjual roti nan dan kari kambing yang memang power. Kami beberapa kali singgah makan di situ apabila menziarah Tok Su. Memang sedap dan mengancam!

Tok Su dan Ibu

Anak saudara Tok Su

Abah dan Azam

Lif di Hotel KAA Travels

Abah & his favourite food

Kari ayam memang best!

Jemaah Pakistan yang memberi kami air zam2 semasa makan di restoran

Pakar roti nan

Restoran Al Abrar

Pakar ayam tandoori

Di luar restoran tempat makan bersila