VISITING DUSUN TOK DIN TOK DIN HOMESTAY IN THE ORCHARD

   1st JUNE 2024    ~ After attending the wedding reception of an ex-classmate's sons in Tasik Gelugor [READ HERE], Mr. Shamsul Akmal and Shamsuddin and his wife asked me to join them to visit their friend's homestay nearby. They were quite persistent so I had no choice but to agree.

I was already impressed the first time the car entered the compound of the homestay. The concept used was Homestay in the Orchard. The place was really huge and there were four types of accommodation available which I would do some sort of review extensively.

There was also a huge swimming pool here which should be good news for family with small kids who love to swim and play in the water.

There were also many fruit trees like durians, rambutans and mangosteens.

We were lucky as the were ripe durians that just fell from the tress so we had a small durian feast at the homestay.

I will take you on a tour around the accommodation available at Tok Din Homestay in the next posts.

THE ACCOMMODATION AT DUSUN TOK DIN

THE COUNTRY HOUSE
THE CABIN
THE BUS

ATTENDING A WEDDING RECEPTION WITH THE GROOM'S FAMILY FROM KUANTAN

   22ND JUNE 2024    ~ I was again invited by Puan Suriana Ali [a friend of UPM TESL Class of 1993] to join her family from Kuantan for a wedding reception. I was also with them during the engagement ceremony last year in November [READ HERE]. Puan Suriana's son was the groom of the day and the reception was held by the bride's side.

The event was held at Amansari Hotel located in Bandar Seri Alam, Pasir Gudang.

First of all, the parents of the groom and the relatives gathered outside the hotel lobby. They chose lilac as the theme colour for the group.

the proud parents of the groom

Then, at 12:30 p.m., the floor manager of the event came to brief us of the programme that was about to be executed in the hall.

the kompang boys

The was a small procession into the hall, accompanied by the Kompang, the traditional hand-held drums like the tambourine without the metal pieces.

At the gate, the groom was stopped by the "toll gate girl", asking for money packets from the groom so as to let them enter the hall. There was some sort of bargaining process happening here of how many packets were necessary to let him in. This was a custom that was practised in Johor, to tease the groom, just for the fun of it.

As usual, we had a prayer recitation and followed by a speech delivered by the bride's youngest brother.

There was also a slot for "Tepung Tawar". The parents and relatives of the groom were invited on stage to give their blessings by sprinkling "Air Mawar" [TRANSLATE: rose water] on the couple's palms.

Then it was time to enjoy the food that was specially served on the VIP table. Not only that, we still went to get other food on the buffet tables.

The [literally] one and only wedding violinist of Johor Bahru, Mr. Aqmal Daniel, was also invited to entertain the guests.

 

It was a grand event and I had to thank Puan Suriana Ali for inviting me to join her family for the reception. By 2:00 p.m., most of the group members had to excuse themselves as they had to travel back to Kuantan right after.

However, this was not the end. I am yet to attend the reception of the groom's side in Kuantan this Saturday and I am so looking forward to it.