ANOTHER FAREWELL GATHERING FOR TWO MALE COLLEAGUES

SMK Dato' Jaafar will be losing two more male teachers and we the male staff of the school are losing two dear friends. Mr. Wan Mohd. Hafiz and Mr. Firdaus Abdullah had their transfer application approved, going back to Kelantan and Pasir Gudang, respectively.

As a tradition a farewell gathering was held for them at our favourite spot, Infusion Cafe at KSL Hotel. We had also ex-Jaafarians who came to say goodbye: people from the State and District Education Office, as well as friends who are now teaching in other schools.

There are now less male colleagues in school but life has to go on. Wishing both of them the very best of luck in their new working places and may we see each other again when our paths cross.

Hoping that we don't have to throw another farewell for the member of this group again this year.

THE GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE THAT HAPPENED AT THE CHICKEN RICE SHOP

     26th MAY 2023     ~ The early dinner session took place at the Chicken Rice Shop in the Mall of Medini. We were already starving after the visit to Legoland Sealife.

The Chicken Rice Shop would be the place for a complete meal at a reasonable price. My guest seemed to enjoy his dinner a lot.

There was not much to see though at the Mall of Medini. There was nothing new even though the place had been operating for many years already. The nearby Legoland did not seem to boost the business at this mall unfortunately.

INTRODUCING PASAR KARAT AND STULANG LAUT TO A VISITOR

    25th MAY 2023    ~ The next tourist spot in Johor Bahru my friend from Labuan had to visit was Pasar Karat. Do not be surprised this should be the tourist guide first visit to this place. Guess I had to thank the tourist or else I would not be here.

How would I describe Pasar Karat? It was another night market that one could spend time at up until late at night. If you have visitors, this place could be an option and one could buy something to take home from here. However, we didn't buy anything.

The last spot visited was Stulang Laut. The reason: to see the night view of Singapore just across the Strait of Johor.

Those were the activities for my friend that I managed to plan for my friend for the day. Glad that he had quickly recovered as he was not feeling well in the afternoon so we could be at the city centre.

DINNER, SUPPER AND BREAKFAST WITH A VISITOR - PART TWO

   25TH MAY 2023    ~ When the visitor was feeling a bit under the weather and requested to have soup for dinner, the place to take him was ZZ Sup Tulang. I was glad the request was fulfilled and my friend was ready to be on the move.

That night, we went to Pasar Karat in the heart of Johor Bahru city and with all the walking, the tummy needed to be filled again. We stopped for chapati at a restaurant near the hotel for supper.

   26TH MAY 2023    ~ The gastronomic adventure continued the next day for breakfast. As I was taking Mr. Zaman to visit my place, so I took him to a restaurant near Kampung Melayu Market to get the morning dose of Nasi Lemak.

I just hope he enjoyed the food served at the places that I took him to throughout his stay in town.

DINNER AND BREAKFAST WITH A VISITOR - PART ONE

   24th MAY 2023    ~ A dear friend from Labuan decided to come over to Johor Bahru after finishing his course in Port Dickson. Mr. Zaman Abd Kadir had been my driver/guide/travel companion when I for my Labuan and Kota Kinabalu/Kundasang trip, so it was my turn to play tourist guide this time.

Mr. Zaman arrived at Larkin Sentral at about 7:00 p.m. from Melaka Sentral, much earlier than expected. After performing the Maghrib prayer at the mosque at the bus terminal, I took him for dinner at my favourite Ayam Penyet restaurant: L.C. Catering.

That should serve as the introductory session of the gastronomic adventure for a first time visitor to Johor Bahru. Unfortunately, I don't really know too many places to take my friends for meals, and I just take them to eating spots that I am familiar with.

As for breakfast the next morning, I managed to get the permission from the Principal to go out for a short while to accompany Mr. Zaman. The buffet breakfast was taken at the hotel Mr. Zaman was staying, Hallmark Regency Hotel, which was near the school actually. Initially the breakfast package was not included in the hotel booking but an ex-student who was a receptionist there was kind to give us a breakfast treat for the first night stay at the hotel.

That was how my first task as a tourist guide in my hometown was completed. And that was just the beginning.

ATTENDING THE WEDDING RECEPTION OF NAZURA ZUNNURAIN

   27TH MAY 2023    ~ I was invited by Dr. Norhanim Abd. Samat to the wedding reception of her daughter, Ms. Nazura Zunnurain Zulkepeli, who happens to be my ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, Johor Bahru.

The reception was held at the Community Hall in Taman Pulai Ria.

I had a visitor from Labuan on that day and he had no choice but to tag along with me to the event [and two other events too, after a lot of persuasion].

I have to thanks Dr. Norhanim for her kind gesture to invite me. And wishing the newly wedded couple a blessed married life ahead filled with endless love and joy.

the parents of the bride