HAVING BREAKFAST AT THE BUS TERMINAL

   25TH JANUARY  2026    ~ I had my breakfast very early at the Kuantan Terminal Sentral [READ HERE] and that gave me a lot of time to get breakfast right after Subuh prayer.

The bus terminal was empty and there were only two stalls operating at that time.

I opted for Nasi Lemak and Teh Tarik. The food was still hot from the pot .d just the right food to eat. Guess we Malaysians are never tired of Nasi Lemak for breakfast.

My gastronomic adventure in Kuantan started really early this time. That would be the introduction to many more episodes to come.

BLOGGING FROM TELUK CEMPEDAK, KUANTAN

I am now blogging from Teluk Cempedak, Kuantan. Will be leaving the city later in the evening, after spending some memorable time with friends during and after the wedding reception. I guess there will be no long distance domestic travel until after the month of Syawal/Eid.

Good bye, Kuantan. There are possibilities to come back to this place except the time is still unknown.

BLOGGING FROM KUANTAN TERMINAL SENTRAL

I took the bus from Larkin Sentral at 11:55 p.m. the evening before, and arrived at Kuantan Sentral Terminal at 4.45 a.m.

The bus terminal was empty with only a few people. I waited for the time to perform the Subuh prayer, and had Nasi Lemak for breakfast. My gastronomic adventure in Kuantan started really early this time

It is now time to get a Grab car and head to the transit hotel in the city centre. A friend will come to pick me up at 11:30 a.m. and drive us [other friend and her daughter from Bangi] to the wedding venue

My 3-day trip to Kuantan is about to begin.

ATTENDING A WEDDING RECEPTION IN PEKAN NANAS, PONTIAN

Today, I attended a wedding reception of the son of Mr. Jasman Sabtu, an ex-colleague of SMK Taman Universiti, in Pekan Nanas, Pontian. This is the first wedding held for the family.

The event was held at the Community Hall at Taman Emas Merah.

I got to meet a few familiar faces of ex-colleagues and teacher friends.

I was there before 12 noon and more guests seemed to be arriving after that. I had to excuse myself so I could offer my seat to the other guest.

Congratulations Mr. Jasman on the addition of the new member into the family. There are possibilities to be invited again in the future for his other children.

THE SUPPER SESSION WITH MADAM PRINCIPAL AND HER FAMILY

   11th JANUARY 2026    ~ Puan Zur'aiza Abdul Hamid, a friend of UPM TESL Class of 1993, proposed that we met for supper on my last night in Sungai Petani. Even though I was still full from the early dinner at Merbok [READ HERE], I would always be happy to meet up with her and her family members. This time, I would get to see my new friend, her husband, Mr. Ismail, whom I got to know by October last year. [READ HERE]

The chosen venue was Senja, in the heart of Sungai Petani town. I was here before with my ex-primary schoolmate a few months ago [READ HERE]

The place was still crowded with people having dinner at 9:00 p.m. and there were still people arriving as we were leaving after 10.00 p.m.

I just shared some of the fries ordered and there was no way I could eat again.

I was also introduced to two of Puan Zur'aiza's children that evening and my circle of friends is now bigger. It was just a short dine in session as it was getting late and they had to go to work the next day.

I got to thank Puan Zur'aiza and Mr. Ismail [and the kids as well] who had come all the way from Baling for the supper session. May we meet again one day, either in Kedah or Johor.

THE DINNER SESSION AT "BIG STONES" IN MERBOK, KEDAH

   11TH JANUARY 2026    ~ When I thought the road trip after the wedding reception in Jitra [READ HERE] was about to end, Mr. Fakhrul diverted his car into smaller road heading into a village area. At that time, all the food from the wedding feast had not yet been fully digested, I was now taken for another gastronomic adventure at Big Stones Merbok Food Garden.

What makes Big Stones special is its location. Located in the middle of nowhere, far away from the city, it has the concept of the restaurant complex in the village, by the stream and near the forest and mountain, I supposed. The prominent landmark is the Lembah Bujang Archeological Musuem situated beside it, the place I am yet to visit one day.

The ambience of this place reminded me so much of another eating place called Dusun Riffaa in Changloon which I visited in December 2024 [READ HERE].

All the food was super delicious. The Prawn Tom Yum gravy was thicker than the usual one that I had had at home. It was worth the time and effort to get to this place which was a bit away from Sungai Petani town. Definitely commendable and I am giving a 5-Star rating.

Thanks again to Puan Suhana Abdul Jamal [a friend of the UPM TESL Class of 1993 clan] and her husband, Mr. Fakhrul, for being the excellent hosts throughout my stay. God willing, I will be seeing them in Kuantan for the next wedding reception real soon.