Muzium Tentera Darat, Port Dickson

Every time we pass by the camp area on the way to our apartment, we wonder what is there at the muzeum. Idlan always shouted about the big plane at the entrance. And the tanks there as well.

Since it was still early and we had already had our lunch, we decided to stop by. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. Keeping up to the army tradition, everything was neat, clean and in order. Since it was very sunny outside, we did not explore much. There is an exhibit about the role of the Armed Forces prior and after Merdeka. There was also a tunnel exhibit on the cruelty of the Japanese Soldiers during the World War. Some details about the Communist activities. 

Outside there is a monument area with names of all the soldiers killed in line of duty since Merdeka. The last names were from 2005. Maybe I did not venture to much. Is it safe to assume that there has been no casualties for the past 4 years? A highly recommended visit should you are interested. The museum is opened from Wednesdays to Sundays every week. And it did not cost me a sen to get in.

The place has so much potential, but I think if the Armed Forces make a bit more effort, it can be more of a success. Take the picture above for example. Rather than leaving the exhibit to rot into a derelict in the carpark, it could've been modified and reconditioned into a stall, selling ice-cream for example. It certainly was warm out there earlier in the afternoon. Another gripe was the maintenance. Bearing in mind that my father-in-law is a retired Army General, my mother-in-law was appalled to find that the toilet was left unattended. It won't flush and the sink was clogged. She was furious. I think somebody need to look into that.

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An early start

Got up early. The boys made us promise them that we will take them to the beach early in the morning. Anita and the maids were also keen to go on the banana boat today. Me with my bad back had to stay at the beach babysitting. The weather is warm and we are bracing ourselves for some proper sunburn!

Idlan finally in the waterAnita and the maids on the banana boat

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Kedai Kopi Pak Lang

The much-awaited asam laksa treat

Got my fix for asam laksa this afternoon. Unfortunately it wasn't as good as I remembered it to be ..... partly disappointing, but at least I got some me time. We left the kids at the apartment with the maids. Anita went shopping while I walked over to Pak Lang's.

Apparently this is a tribute to Aruah Pak Lang, a Navy Captain, who died in 2006. I don't know the whole story unfortunately. Maybe one day when I have the time, I can talk to one of the waiters and find out a bit more. From my observation, in the last few years, there has been a rise in the popularity of old-style coffeshops, affectionately known as kopitiam. I remember when I was a boy, kedai kopi is where the kampung folks gather. Where is granddad? At kedai kopi. Where to find uncle after Maghrib prayers? Kedai kopi. Where to catch the latest wrestling match on TV - used to be known as WWF, then changed to WWE? Kedai kopi.

Nowadays, there are the mamak shops. But people are clearly growing tired of it. There wanted to try something different from time to time .... hence the rise of the kopitiams! For the yuppies, there are Starbucks and the free internet. Bear in mind though, for the cost of a single mug of coffee at Starbucks, you can get yourself dinner for the night at the mamaks and kopitiams. If the mamaks has tandoori and teh tarik as their specialty, the kopitiams have roti bakar and kopi 'O'! But Pak Lang has asam laksa! Now, that is special!

A picture of Pak Lang

Got a text from my brother-in-law who was on the way back to KL. Apparently he was stuck behind a huge convoy of Negri Sembilan football fans driving up to Bukit Jalil for the Malaysia Cup Final tonight. It was a huge queue, but right at the front, there was a small car waving a Kelantan flag. No worries, there were no accidents!

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Lunch done, where's next?

Nice lunch although the place was rather crowded. Apparently there were a couple of meetings going on there. Contemplating what to do next. The boys want their Wii. Back to the apartment I guess.

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Lunch at Admiral Cove

The main marinaAfter the trip for groceries and toys, we headed for lunch. The in-laws are joining from KL. We had buffet at Avillon, Admiral Cove.

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