Monday, May 02, 2005
12 hours
Yesterday, my homie and I attended a kenduri in Kedah. Sounds simple, eh? On the contrary, it was actually quite fun. Of course, my homie and I share the same passion, that is for travelling.We left Kangar at around 9am in his CRV. We pit-stopped at a nasi kandar outlet halfway on the road to Alor Star. We reached Alor Star after 10. We then proceeded to Langgar, which is at the outskirts of Alor Star (and quite semi-rural, I might add) to pick up my homie's lady friend. They were college-mates in the early days and this wedding was their lecturer's wedding. After that off we went to Sg.Petani through the highway.
There we picked up another lady friend and college mate, and we also waited for two other of their college mates (boys, this time) who came by motorcycle, from USM in Penang. After they all reached the rendezvous point, we went to the Sg.Petani's lady friend's house for another pitstop. She hadn't changed to the proper kenduri attire yet. The house was at Laguna Merbok Township. I have to say that houses in Sg.Petani are very nice. Along with their pricetags too,
After that we are off to the location of the kenduri in Kota Kuala Muda. it was a 30-minute drive following the old trunk road. Along the way, we were greeted by green paddy fields that stretches as far as the eye can see. Very very beautiful. The whole place was picturesque and I even wanted to buy a piece of land here. The road leading to the kenduri house winds across the paddy fields. We even saw storks lounging in the fields.
If you'd remember the 26th December Tsunami, you'd remember that one of worst-hit places in Malaysia was in Kota Kuala Muda. We got a reality check as we saw damaged houses, torn-down brick walls, houses that are half-standing, cement staircases that was a marker of a house that once stood there. It was an eye-opener to see the wanton destruction of the tsunami with our very own eyes.
But that was more than four months ago. Now, life returns to this coastal village. It was all color and excitement at kenduri place. As usual, the fun and the noise and the smell that defines the kenduri atmosphere were all there. And of course, the food too. We greeted the groom's father (the groom was their lecturer, and this was the groom's house) and we were ushered into the house. Usually, a guest was supposed to eat at the canopy in front of the house, but as the tables at the canopy were full, we were lead to the back of the house. Apparently, this was the best seat in the house. The veranda was facing the sea, and we got the sea breeze head on. And we also guessed that the veranda was rebuilt, judging from the fresh paint and new window sills.
We were a bit unlucky that the bride and groom were a bit late. So we just sat at the veranda and ate kenduri food. My homie and I noted that this was the first time in a long time that we had real authentic kenduri food. As far as we could remember, Kenduris in Kangar usually mean catering service. Catering service is easier in terms of manpower, costs, and cleanup. But real kenduri food means foods cooked by the neighbors in big kawahs. The real meat of kenduri food is not the food at all, but the spirit of camaraderie between the people.
So there we were, sitting on the floor, waiting for the bride and goorm to arrive. There was this makcik sitting there too. All of us engaged in conversation with the makcik. Apparently, the makcik was a tsunami survivor. Her house was just a stone's throw away form the kenduri house. She said her house suffered only minor damage, a broken door and broken windows. She said on the day it happened, there was also a kenduri happening. If you see the footage of cars stacking in Kota Kuala Muda, that was the kenduri patron's cars. She said black sludge covered the area. She said the waves come in three times. She said the waves were really as tall as the coconut trees.
It was interesting to listen to a first-hand experience from the makcik. I could only imagine the damage the waves did to the place, judging from the rubble.
After a while, the bride and groom finally came. Chaos ensued. All fun.
After we said our goodbyes, we spend some time at the beach to take some photos. After that, it's off to Merdeka Beach. We haven't been to the beach in a long time (as for me, I've never been there before). We spent some time taking up the breeze. After that, we went back to Sg.Petani to drop off one of the girls. Then we head back to Alor Star, but this time we took the old trunk road. It's been a long time since I've been on this road, so it was kinda fun. The traffic sucks, though. We got stuck once or twice because of accidents and such. But it was beautiful scenery along the way. Green paddy fields, and Gunung Jerai looming right beside me.
We dropped off the last girl at her home just as sky is turning black. Then we headed out of Alor Star. Finally we stopped at the nasi kandar place we stopped earlier in the morning for dinner. we drove back home and arrived at kangar at around 9pm.
Exactly 12 hours.
Gunung Jerai next beside you? Then, you musta passed through Guar Cempedak. ^_^