Chapter 11: Our Endless Trip to Kuching

                It has been quite some time and my routine does not change very much. I continue to visit my relatives and friends and keep in touch with them hoping somewhere along the line, somebody could shed some light to help me trace my roots and thereafter could show the extend of my big family. It was mid-day after a lot of packing, and excitement, off we go again on my son's firefly, a packed Produa Viva to spend our Hari Raya with my in-laws in Kuching. I could not remember the number of times we spend our Hari Raya there but I remember making our first journey using Siti's Kembara where we purchased petrol in Brunei D.S very cheap, which was more than 10 years ago. This journey of more than one thousand four hundred kilometers is always full of excitements.

                 We had to pass through ten immigrations check points from Kota Kinabalu before we could reach Miri, and a full tank of fuel could see us there, but I always stopped to refuel in Lawas, and also stopped in Limbang to change some Ringgits into Brunei Dollars, otherwise we could be in trouble as our Ringgits are not worthy in Brunei D.S. We break our fast in Jerudong with 'nasi Katok' and a cup of cappuccino, which is my favorites. One could always tell the different of the roads, over here in Brunei D.S have the best roads Borneo could offer, compared to our Sabah and Sarawak roads, which I honestly think is of below par by any standard despite the big budgets. My youngest son Tom always said, “Jalan kurang rata, and Jangan Kerja Rajin (JKR)”. Our roads are full of uneven surface and pot holes where driving could be a hazard to many, but we have few options. The scenery and especially of the modern long-houses always captured our attentions, many like double story terrace houses.

                Anyway, we managed to reach Miri where we spend the night, and Miri a modern city could confused many drivers, with the countless traffic lights, one-way circular streets and round-abouts, a typical Sarawak's road scenario, which reminded me of my visits to London, also a much similar roads scenario except over there the buildings are historic. Most Sarawakian and Sabahans road planners have yet to get out from their former Colonial's mentality, I guessed. Over in the United States the roads are parallel. With a good nights rest, the next day was driving day and after by-passing the towns of Bintulu and Sibu and many other smaller towns and breaking fast by the roadside on the way to Serian we managed to take coffee in one of the coffee shops on the busy Satok Road, just to ease our tiredness. My wife and our two other children had reach Kuching the night before, and my other in-laws, namely, Cikgu Mat and his family also just arrived in the evening, while my other in-law Supt. Johary and his family will be arriving sometime at mid-night. This gathering is always full of fun, although we follow some routines. We are a big family with grown-up children, a point we took for granted some ten years ago.

                Hari Raya here differed very much than that of in Sabah. Here we have to put on our baju melayu while going on visits (not like in many part of Sabah). But the rendang, ketupat and curry are all the same except here we have many cake lapis. During our visit to Semantan, a fishing village, there we were served with only cakes and soft drinks; not like in Sabah where meals are served to relatives who come to pay respect. From the third day of Hari Raya the lively atmosphere suddenly change, since many of our young children choosed to leave early to their destinations to follow their own programs. We have to stay longer as I have to stand as spokesman for the family as my nephew Zai is betrothed to his childhood girlfriend. But anyway the few days in Kuching was worthwhile as we met with our relatives, especially my wife's Chinese family.  So their family tree will have some adjustments.

                Came the sixth day of Hari Raya, as dawn breaks, after saying “goodbyes” we made our move to Kota Kinabalu, as usual, only this time there were five of us with me as the main driver. After spending the nights in Bintulu and Limbang, and visiting my uncle in Lawas we entered Sabah in the late noon. We stop at my uncles village in Kuala Mengalong, Tuah Awang Besar and Tengah Awang Buntar are among the direct descendent of Pangeran Yusoff, a brother of Pangeran Osman (grandfather of Dg. Ganti). We did not spend much time in Sipitang since most of my relatives were away, so we spend the night with aunty Aisah at Pimping, Membakut. Reaching Kota Kinabalu, was a relief and we were just tired after the long drive and some of us are looking forward to next year gathering again.

                            Decedents of our,
                                                great great grandfather O.T Bali bin Yussof

                          (yussof and osman are brothers). -Photos taken at Kg. Kuala Mengalong  

                                         Tengah A.g Buntar bin O.T Maidin (at the left)

                                                    Tuah A.g Besar bin O.T Maidin (at the right)

Episode 2: Three Generations

                 In this modern time in any undertaking we plan and then try to execute according to the plan. Going back in time my in-law Cikgu Mat always had the intentions of visiting Sabah , but I am getting old and could not do much let alone formulate or lay a plan. So I leave the planing, the coordinations to my daughters and wife. So the day came, and I felt honored to receive them in my humble home. The majority of the 3 generations headed by Cikgu Mat, Supt. Johari and retired Kamal our learned third generation Imam, came over for a holiday. These few days are very important to me in my aging state of mind, I could not write much but let the photographs contributed by them be part of the memories, hoping that more and similar trips will be made in future, but next year 2014 will be a very busy year, weddings year and all the family will have to make plans to attend, God Willing. It is gonna be fun.

                 “Kalau saya kaya, kali-kali saya sponsor, makan seafood, beli kereta baru supaya tak rosak dalam perjalanan, dan ada jet sendiri boleh terbang sana sini”

 

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Episode 3: Late Development

                After years of waiting, on 19^th of December 2013, my eldest brother Zulkifly also commonly known as Don, finally found the right lady by the name of Siti Ibrahim. I think they look well together. Engagements and weddings are very closely nowadays due to the high costs and different lifestyles. It has been the tradition among locals to celebrate engagements and weddings in a grand style. Such styles and 'kenduries' are not supported by any Islamic practices, but more of a show off and could resulted in difficulties to any couples and I think such practice should not be encouraged. My brother's engagement however co-inside with my cousin Awang Hassim Ibrahim's wedding and in less than ten days, my uncle Didi from my father's side also got engaged to a lady from Kota Klias. So the ball is starting to roll, and there will be a lot of planning, and hindrances and God willing I hope they will be overcome. There should not be in my opinion any quarrels with regards to engagements and weddings, its fun.

This year 2013 show many ups and downs and hopefully the year 2014 will have many expectations and we must look forward. As my dad said, "History repeats", but sometimes somethings have to be forgotten while others be part of our memories. Hopefully more old friends will come forward and help to bring back memories as time flies.

 
Contributed by- Edy Johariyz

Photos and writing

Episode 4: So What

I enjoy this life, and could not complain and nor regrets. I am not sad to leave this year behind as it just involve number. Though it has been a challenging and trying one the time have come to leave some things behind as in my opinion the coming year will spare me not much time. I have to be honest of my intent, that is, I have to change my style and I'm prepared for this but a very hard task to perform. For sure, I will turn 60 years old next March, again just numbers, and not that very much in life I have not gone through. Next year God Willing, I hope am in good health as my wife will be as we need to focus to go to Haj.

So as I see it, next year will be a challenging year for Malaysia. Economically speaking, it will be a struggle to sustain developments and rising cost on the other hand rising cost of living will continue to stand as a ghost to the government, and as I see it, it has nothing to do with financial management. Using that strategy will result in marginal at my current age it does not worry me, I eat less, sleep less and talk less. It will be fun. In politics it will be at equilibrium.