Visiting the Pusara

After an overnight rest at Sungai Petani, we stopped again at Kepala Batas on the way back to KL. And we stopped again at the mosque to visit my Uncle's grave.

It rained heavily shortly after the visit, and we hang around at the mosque while waiting for the rain to subside. Got to meet some of my old friends there who I haven't met for many years.

The funeral took place the evening beforeClose by was the grave of my grandfatherIdlan went along as well and at the grave, he kept on asking about his Great Grandfather and Mother, Grand Uncles and others. He seemed overwhelmed.

It soon rained right after we got indoorThis used to be my playground ....My Mum decided to visit her orchard - she had plenty of ripe rambutan to bring back to KL - after Kepala Batas. We decided to head straight back to KL. Had to be on call the next morning.

Pasar Malam

After spending the best part of an hour at the ICU talking to the nurses about my Uncle, I went straight to Kepala Batas. It was time for pasar malam. I just couldn't resist it. Being Saturday evening, the place was packed. It didn't help when I got there just after half past 6. The crowd were really in a rush to get their chopping done.

Didn't get to do a proper browsing. It was pretty much smash and grab, before rushing to Sungai Petani, arriving there just in time for berbuka.

It was undercooked. We had to cook again at home.Spent the rest of the evening catching up with the family gossip and talking about my Uncle. He remained critical, and the journey for him would be a long one. It also looked like he might have to be on dialysis at the rate he was going. Big challenges ahead.

After the talks died down, I really need to get some sleep - and catch the football a bit later on. It would be a subdued game with the two semifinal losers meeting for a third placing match. But still worth the watch ....

At Seberang Jaya

Made my way up North right after the clinic was done, arriving 30 minutes before the visiting hours started. The road was empty but I must confess that I was right sleepy halfway. A stop in Tapah sorted that out, feeling fresh after prayers there.

Getting around the hospital was easier than expected, although the car park was half full. During weekends, the ward visiting hours stretched from the morning until 7 pm. For the ICU where my Uncle was, the visiting hours only started at 5pm. That gave me time to have a quick sit down. I'll be heading to Sungai Petani next as my Mum was there. Should be enough time to get there negotr before berbuka. Or maybe a quick stop in Kepala Batas to buy some food.

Waiting to get inLet's see how long they let me stay at the ICU.

A New Addition

On the way back from the kenduri in Penang, I stopped by at Kepala Batas to visit my cousin who had just had a baby girl. Her first.

That gave me an excuse to stop by my hometown. Again, the rain spoilt the trip, but visiting her and her baby made it worthwhile.

The old kampung house I was born in remained in disarray. Nothing much I could do as my Uncle inherited it after my Grandfather passed away, and they lived right next door. Sigh!

The Spice Shop

Every time we land in Kepala Batas, my Mum would go to this shop without fail. Apparently, this spice shop had been handed down a couple of generations and they now have a shop, being previously selling their wars from home. 

It was more of a one-stop place where all the ingredients were available, including the recipe should you wish for. They were available as printouts. You can get all the materials, from onions, ghee, ginger etc. you name it, hey got it. 

Anita asking for his latest mixAfter sussing out the quantity, he would then start the mixingHis brother would then make sure all we perfectly mixed upAnita started coming here since last year after tasting my Mum's curry. And every time my Mum went back to Kepala Batas she would order some spices. And now, Anita was buying them for her friends as well. 

This is the way!

According to the owner of the shop, they had started supplying their spices to restaurants around KL for the last few years. What you do when you get to the shop was to tell him what you were planning to cook, and he would mix the spices up to your taste. These were all freshly grounded, and the Biryani mix was my particular favorite.