STOPPING BY AT AL SHAHAB MOSQUE IN KEPALA BATAS, KEDAH

   11TH DECEMBER 2026    ~ The driver, Mr. Fakhrul, and the navigator, Puan Suhana Abdul Jamal, who took me to the wedding in Jitra [READ HERE], decided to stop by at a mosque along the way via Alor Setar. Masjid Jame' Al Shahab was located by the main road and we got to perform our Zohor prayer there.

I was glad that I managed to be in Kepala Batas in Kedah. It had always been the other Kepala Batas in Pulang Pinang a.k.a Penang.

The mosque looked new and it was well taken care of. Congratulations to the committee members and staff for the great effort.

THE BREAKFAST DATE WITH AN EX-PRIMARY SCHOOLMATE IN SUNGAI PETANI

   11TH JANUARY 2026    ~ I contacted Mr. Akhbar Yahya, a ex-primary schoolmate of Sekolah Temenggong Abdul Rahman [2] Johor Bahru, telling him I would be in Sungai Petani. The last time I  met him was last year in May [READ HERE].

The chosen venue was this place called Roti Canai Kari Kambing. We were at another place initially but the restaurant was full of people eating breakfast and there were no empty seats, so we adjourned to one other spot.

This place seemed popular as there were also many people that morning. [It was Sunday and a working day in Kedah, mind you.] There was a variety of food to choose from for breakfast. However, the attraction should be the Roti Canai [paratha] that went together with Mutton Curry.

It was just a short get together over breakfast, and I had to get ready for the wedding reception later in the afternoon. Thanks to Mr. Akhbar for spending his time with me again, and hopefully we could do this again when I am back in Sungai Petani or he in Johor Bahru.

THE DINNER DATE WITH TWO LADIES AT SUNGAI PETANI

   10TH JANUARY 2026    ~ The first gastronomic adventure happened when a dinner date was set with two ladies of UPM TESL Class of 1993 on the evening when I arrived in Sungai Petani. I first met with Puan Suhana Abdul Jamal, who is now a resident of the town, at Kopi Bunga Cafe.

mantou + salted egg sauce

rice + lamb dish

We started the chat session while waiting for another member of the Gossip Girls Club, Puan Zur'aiza Abd. Hamid, who had to be in school, doing her job as the Principal before the new session started the next day.

I would categorize Bunga Kopi as a hipster cafe that offered modern menu for younger people at higher prices. The only setback for people who have knee problems was that I had to go up to the dining hall on the first floor as the seats on the ground floor was very limited.

fish and chips

Three friends were united again at Sungai Petani on this day, but this was just the beginning of more gastronomic adventures to come.

THERE IS ALWAYS A THIRD TIME AT ORIENTAL KOPI IN SENAI AIRPORT

   10th JANUARY 2026    ~ The reason Oriental Kopi was visited again:
[1] I arrived at Senai Airport at 5:45 a.m. and my flight was scheduled at 8:20 a.m. I needed to kill time with a beneficial activity.

[2] At this hour, there was no queue to get into this popular restaurant.

I had the same coffee, Kaya Toast and half-boiled eggs for my early breakfast, like what I had had during my first and second visit at this place.

This time, however, the service was much faster than the last time I came [READ HERE]. I wonder if the management read my review of the restaurant in my blog.

GOING INDIAN FOR THE LATE BREAKFAST/EARLY LUNCH IN GEORGETOWN

   10TH JANUARY 2026    ~ Puan Aishah Aboo Bakar, a friend of UPM TESL Class of 1993, and Mr. Arif, the husband, picked me up at the airport when I arrived at about 9:30 a.m. They wanted to take me for breakfast/lunch before I made my way to Sungai Petani.

We went to this Indian restaurant named D Krsna Villas located at Little India in Georgetown. There were still many people eating breakfast when we arrived.

I had my Masala Tea and all the Indian food available: Idli, Puri, Vadei [I just realized I don't have this very pic] and a variety of Tosai with different kinds of gravy and two chicken dishes.

Thanks to the lovely couple for the first gastronomic adventure in Penang, but that was just the beginning. I would be seeing them again before flying home to Johor Bahru two days after.