THE GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE AT A FAMOSA RESORT, MELAKA

   18TH OCTOBER 2026    ~ I am always happy to get the breakfast package when putting up a night at a hotel or resort.  Most of the time, it would be cheaper compared to the walk-in price. We were among the early birds to drive to the Club House of A Famosa Resort for breakfast, the place where we stayed and the same venue for the wedding reception attended the night before.

Omelette

Puri

Pancake + Honey

Tom Yum Noodles

I met two old friends, the ex-Fourth Collegian of Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, who also attended the reception.

All in all, I was happy with the breakfasts served, especially when there were two rare items found for breakfast: Puri and Tom Yum Noodles. Besides, there was a wide variety of food to choose for breakfast from the stations and counters.

THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE LAST MINUTE DINNER DATE

It is true after all things that are planned last minute are more likely to happen. And I was meeting my old friends couple, Mr. Ismaznizam J. Azyze and Puan Hazlina Aziz [ex-coursemates of UPM TESL class of 1993], at Azo Murtabak Kampung Melayu which is near my place. It was good in a way that I didn't have to drive all the way to Puteri Harbour/Medini to meet them. 😀

The dinner session this time was shorter as they needed to get the Murtabak delivered to other people waiting at the hotel. It was time to bid farewell and hopefully I could see both of them again some other time, here or in Kuala Lumpur.

"It takes a long time to grow an old friend."
~ JOHN LEONARD ~

TEH TARIK SESSION AFTER TERAWIKH PRAYER WITH A LONG LOST FRIEND

We are both from the same place and yet we have never met here in Johor Bahru, not even once. The last time we saw each other was when we were in Universiti Pertanian Malaysia more than 20 years ago, and only recently we got connected on Facebook. We decided to meet for supper after Terawikh Prayer at Yassin Restaurant in town, and I had my "teh tarik" and tosay [or some people spell it "dosai"]. The chat was of course interesting, reminiscing the time we spent in 4th Residential College and the people we knew. We could not stay that long to keep ourselves updated  as it was already midnight and we had to go to work the next day. However, it is not surprising when people our age talk about the sickness we [might] now have and our friends who have passed away.

Now that Mr. Mustafa Hussein is back to work in Johor Bahru, I guess I will have more chance of meeting him in person for supper, or other meals.

WHEN AN EX-SCHOOLMATE WAS IN TOWN

27th MARCH 2021 ~ Mr. Abdul Razak Sapian, an ex-schoolmate [of SMS Muar] was in town. He was in Johor Bahru to attend his niece's engagement ceremony. A date was set so that we could see each other before he went back home to Kuala Lumpur.

As he wanted to get Murtabak [flat bread filled with minced meat] for dinner, the only place I know was Murtabak Kampung Melayu which was near my house. He was accompanied by his son, Mr. Afiq, this time.

It was only a short meeting but it was great to see an old friend once in a while. I am sure Mr. Abdul Razak will be coming to JB more frequently and I am looking forward to many more similar meetings in the future.

"Remember that the most valuable antiques are old friends."

~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr. ~

UPM TESL CLASS OF 1993 POTLUCK GATHERING 2019

8th DECEMBER 2019 ~ A pot luck gathering was organized for the members of UPM TESL class of 1993. This time the person playing host was Puan Wan Aisyah Haris who was kind enough to welcome us to her house at Presint 11 in Putrajaya. The last time we met in a bigger group was last year during our Reunion Gathering after 25 years graduating, which was held at  Sunway Putra Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. [READ HERE]

A few people came earlier to help prepare the food for the gathering. 

By 12 noon, food was laid on the tables and more people started to arrive. In the end, there was just too much food for everyone. How could we finish all this in such a short time, and people had to spend the precious moment to gossip too.

I am quite sure the neighbours would be wondering what was happening at the house at that moment when suddenly there were noises and laughter of the highest decibels. But why was I not surprised at all?

I decided to join the gathering as this was the time I could see many friends at one place - which was something not easy to do. Friends need to be cherished and friendship needs to be celebrated. It was not just the food, but to be able to meet one's old friends once in a while is something money cannot buy.

Thanks again to Puan Wan Aisyah Haris and family for the hospitality, and sorry we did not help to tidy up the aftermath after the pot luck.

Thanks to all my UPM TESL class of 1993 who had made the effort to come to Putrajaya for the meet up. May we be blessed with good health so that we could always get together for similar event again soon.

“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.”

~ Elisabeth Foley ~

THE POST EID VISIT 1439H [PART THREE]

15th JULY 2018 ~ My ex-coursemate from UPM TESL class of 1993 arrived in Johor Bahru for work-related matter, so that should be a good opportunity for her to come visit me as it was just only 2 days after the month of Eid. Better late than never.

Puan Aliza Alwi was accompanied by her daughter and her daughter's friend. With the invention of smart phone, GPS and navigation apps, getting to my place was never a problem.

Thank you Puan Aliza for coming over, even though you and your company had just arrived from Kuala Lumpur about an hour earlier.  But the timing was just right, we still managed to feel the joyous spirit of Eid even after it was officially over.

"It takes a long time to grow an old friend."

~ JOHN LEONARD ~