A Day In

We had to spend the Raya day quite literally recovering. We started the day off visiting one of our friend for a second breakfast. They happened to be in Sungai Petani at the time, and more importantly, they had food ....

We then went to my Aunts where my Mum stayed, had some more food before heading to the mosque for prayers. We then got stuck with nothing to do and after the ordeal driving up yesterday, we could do with just a day chilling in the hotel room.

And that was just what we did.

We didn't even bother to go to the pools, we ordered some afternoon snacks to the room before going to one of the hotel restaurant for early dinner before turning in early. And the dinner turned out to be a delight. The Japanese restaurant at the ground floor of the hotel was a great find ...

Everybody was happy and full by the time we were done, and I was asleep soon after ....

Back to KL

We were hoping that the journey back would be easier compared to the journey up North. We were partly right. Usually the journey would take around 4 hours. Going up was around 10. Coming home took us 7 and a half, with a couple of short stops en route.

They are yet to be really awakeChecking outStill it was tiring since I will be at work on Monday despite it being a public holiday. The boys would get an extra day off however.

Quick stop at Sungai Perak R&R

There were no major accident. It was just due to sheer number of cars on the road. So, of the 4 days break which I had, two of them were spent on the road. All in all, not a great break ...

Balik Kampung

It was a good opportunity. The boys just started school. It turned out that Monday would be off for them as well as announced after the great showing at the SEA Games. So, we left KL on the Merdeka Day for a three nights relaxing stay back North.

We didn't stay at the island this time as my Mum came along as well. The journey up however turned out to be a long one.

The long queue after IpohWe set off at 9 am after beakfast. Reached the toll at Jalan Duta without much hustle, but the moment we hit Sungai Buloh, the crawl started. It was slow moving all the way to Ipoh. But the big delay was just after. I was stuck before entering Terowong Menora for a good couple of hours. Apparently there was an accident before Sungai Perak stop and the lanes were blocked.

By the time we passed through, everything was already back to normal although there were plenty of JPJ vehicles still at the vicinity. It was smooth sailing after that, however I supposed the damage had already been done. It was almost sundown when we finally reached Sungai Petani and since my Mum was fasting, she ate in the car.

Enjoying a drink after checking into the hotelWe had a quick dinner at my Aunts while dropping my Mum. Next was the hotel about 10 minutes away. I was glad that the hotel was still as nice - if not better - than what it used to be. I slept like a baby and missed breakfast the next morning ....

ETS to SP

My aunt was in KL over the weekend to attend the kenduri at my Mum's place. She came here this time by train (ETS for Electric Train Service) and was impressed with how quick the journey was. So, on the return leg, my Mum decided to follow along.

So, after lunch at Restoran Rebung and a quick stop at my apartment - the first time my aunt had been there - I sent them off at KL Sentral. She took the 1611 train and at arounf 8.30 pm, I received a call from Mum that she had already arrived at Sungai Petani. That was only after 4 hours.

I was impressed. The train was understandably packed and she had to book the ticket a day before the planned journey as they tended to be sold out. I could see more and more train be added to this service in the future. It certainly was time-saving and hopefully if they could stay punctual would revolutionise the journey up and down the Peninsular.

But it would have been greater if similar services could be extended to both the East Coast and Singapore. How great would that be? ....

Back in Sungai Petani

Yesterday afternoon, while in a meeting, I received the news that my Uncle passed away. He was getting worse overnight and by the morning, it was inevitable that he couldn't hang on for much longer. The Doctors spoke to the family again this morning and from the tone of their voice, the end was near.

By 5, my parents, Anita, the two boys and myself were back on the road. A quick stop near Ipoh for berbuka and we reached Kepala Batas by 10 pm. My Uncle's body was laid to rest earlier in the evening. So we went straight to his house to meet my cousin and Aunt.

Next was checking in into the hotel - it was in Sungai Petani to be near my other Aunt. We plan to go to the grave tomorrow morning on our way back to KL.

I'll be on call on Wednesday. So, I'd better get some rest. I had just had my sahur while I drafted this entry, waiting for Subuh. Would be catching on some sleep after that. ‎