WELCOMING THE MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1444H

Ramadan is here again and do you remember the time when we had to stay at home, not only there was no bazaar but also we could not go to the mosque in the holy month? Now that the pandemic is gone, we have to celebrate and cherish the normal life we have.

I was an early bird to be at Kampung Melayu Bazaar Ramadan at 4:00 p.m. I just hate the crowd and the hassle of finding a parking space. We are having two public holidays today and so lucky that the weekends are extended for four days until Sunday. I went early as I was expecting a huge crowd at the market when everyone was on holiday. There were already many people when I arrived at the market.

I was only trying to get some kuih [the food eaten before/after the main course] and at the same time, recceing the choices of food I could buy when I come back to this place some other time.

 

MY REVIEW: Surprisingly, there was only on stall selling "Nasi Campur" - rice and the the variety of dishes that go together with it. And not many stalls were selling the colourful iced drinks in big containers. Was there only one? Perhaps they had not started business on the first day of Ramadan. I will have to come again later to prove my theory is correct.

VISITING RAMADHAN BAZAAR AT KAMPUNG BENDAHARA

16TH APRIL 2021 ~ This should be the newest Ramadhan Bazaar near my house, located in Kampung Bendahara. I decided to visit and see if there was anything interesting. The bazaar was operating on a road which was not yet opened to the traffic. There is still construction work nearby, building apartments.

The place was spacious and the stalls were far apart so people should not worry about physical/social distancing. Other than that, finding a parking space was not an issue. However, there were not many stalls so there would be less choice of food and drinks.

 Good thing I now have one more bazaar to go to, just in case I am too lazy to get to the more popular ones which are always crowded.

VISITING RAMADHAN BAZAAR AT KAMPUNG MELAYU

Ramadhan Bazaar is back. There was no bazaar last year because of the pandemic. This year, permission is given for the bazaar to operate with strict SOPs supposedly. The first day I came, there were just too many people and social/physical distancing was not observed. Yesterday, when I was passing by this area, I saw a long line forming at the entrance so I guess actions must have been taken to address this issue.

I was there as early as 4:00 p.m. right after school so as to avoid the crowd. There was already a queue forming at the check in "counter" and the staff on duty were more serious this time and allowed only a few people to get into the bazaar area at one time.

At the time I was there, everything looked under control and people were not yet arriving in huge number. They must have not got back from work yet and at the same time, it was raining. The only way to be safe would be to visit the bazaar as early as possible but some sellers were still setting up their stalls.

I got the curry puffs I was looking for and the rain was about to get heavier so I made my way home quickly. I would have to be more adventurous and visit other bazaars nearby next time.

SPOT THE ERROR 80

Found at a Ramadhan bazaar.

Thanks Puan Adila Ahmad for the feed.

WHEN EID IS AROUND THE CORNER [PART TWO]

I would like to propose a longer break given to the employers BEFORE the Eid celebration, let's say one week, so that more things could be done during that particular time. Doing too many things and going to too many places in one day, what more with the very hot weather during day, could be very challenging. Let's have a look at some of the activities that I did today outside the house.

7:45 a.m. - Pasar Tani [translate: Farmer's Market]

Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium

And I just hated the crowd. Finding a parking space was already an issue here.

8.30 a.m. - Kampung Melayu Market

[relocated temporarily to Taman Suria]

I bought vegetables for Eid earlier as this place will be another mad house tomorrow. But still, I will have to come here very early in the morning, right after the "Subuh" (dawn) prayer to get fresh coconut milk to avoid the long queue. 

9:45 a.m. - Plaza Angsana Johor Bahru

I was here earlier so that I could get a parking space beside the main building, and there was no need to get into the multi-storey parking lot.

When I thought I was very early, there were other people already crowding the entrance when I arrived.

4:45 p.m. - Giant Hypermarket Taman Suria

I had to exchange the light bulbs that I wrongly bought last week and to get something for the aquarium from the pet shop there.

5:45 p.m. - Ramadhan Bazaar at Taman Suria

My first time visiting the Ramadhan Bazaar here, on the 28th day of the fasting month.

One more day to go... Please God give me strength. :)

A VISIT TO THE RAMADHAN BAZAAR

I can only go to the Ramadhan bazaar during the weekend because school ends quite late. With the crowd and difficulty to park the car, I don't dare to trouble myself and not be able to break fast on time at home. The nearest one to my house is located in Kampung Melayu and every year, people will flock this area.

Basically, during the bazaar, there will be lots on food put on sale. Fasting should be an activity that abstain a person from spending more than what is necessary but looking at the variety of food, the temptation could be just too strong too resist. And I have to confess today I was a bit extravagant, the first time ever in this month but it was alright as I needed to eat more after the hard work I did at home in the morning.

One of my favourite stalls is the one selling curry puffs (Malay: karipap) and there are just curry puffs with different fillings - sardine, potato, chicken etc. The curry puff is good because the pastry will remain crispy even after many hours after it is fried. There are many other stalls selling any food that you heart desire.

ayam percik

sata

Malay dishes

drinks, and the green one known as Katira is a favourite for fasting month

variety of kuih (Malay delicacies)

asma rojak

more kuih

dates

laksa penang

ayam percik

murtabak

grilled fish

By looking at the photographs, you will understand why it is important to have a very strong will to restrain yourself from buying everything. The best thing is not to go, or at least not frequently.