Kajang Town, Selangor, Malaysia: July 2007

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Broga Durian and Fruit Season

In July 2007 a group of friends were offered the opportunity to a durian party from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm at the durian orchard for only RM$ 10.00 per person. Our friends decided it was too early to start eating durian at 8 in the morning but we will come prepare by having a very light breakfast so that we will have durian feast later. Ten of them arrived at Broga Rukun Tetanga Post at around 12 and were treated to durians by Ah Leong (on the right) our durian seller cum chief cook of the restaurant (Restaurant 12-12) beside the Rukun Tetangga Post.

KC and myself decided to come in around 2.00 pm and it was the right decision as the first group had eaten almost 30 durian fruits of various type. By this time they started eating mangosteen (local fruit), rambutans and "dokong" a hybrid of "duku langsat". Sometimes human behaviour are predictable for RM$10 they want the money's worth of RM$100. We started enjoying ourselves and by 3.00 pm everyone was "surrendering" and "no more! I can't eat anymore!" but when Kenny another durian seller came to assist by choosing the better tasting variety. They could still eat a few more, greedy Malaysians at his best.

We took a breather and KC who brought a stove and tea pots to prepare tea for everyone. Chan Meng suggested pouring some water into the durian husk for drinking as this is known to reduced the "heat" from our body due to eating durians. Instead of water we used tea and coined a new name "teh O durian".

Later we proceeded to Dragon Fruit Farm (Broga) or Happy Fruit Land which is located about 2km from Broga Town towards Beranang Town to meet up with another group of friends from KL for a trek up Bukit Beranang. After durian feast we wanted to burn up the calories and what better way with a one and half hours trek. As we arrive at the farm our other friends were already eating fruits including durians. None of the first group dare to eat another durian no matter how they coaxed us.

We started trekking along a rubber plantation trail and followed a mark trail up towards a secondary forest and pass through many "lallang" (weed grass) before reaching the peak known as Bukit Beranang where you can view the Beranang Town, Semenyih Town and Broga Town. Later we trek back to the Dragon Fruit Farm, rested and took a bath at the farm and dinner from the fresh farm produce and karaoke away belting songs like Englebert Humperdink, Theresa Teng, Nat King Cole etc. We really enjoyed ourselves and plan to come again.

A video of a insect stick that looks like a twig.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Kajang High School - Class 77 Reunion

On 7-7-2007, 7.00pm at Prescott Inn, Kajang. About 100 of us gathered together after leaving Kajang High School 30 years ago. Many of us have not seen or met each other for the past 20 to 30 years. How many of us have change, gray hair, bigger face (receding hair line), big belly, heavier and what a laugh as we tried to recall their names.

In pursuit of better life each one of us went our ways discovering bit by bit about ourselves through new experiences. Some went to further their studies, some joined the work force and others venture into business. After 30 years leaving school most of us agreed that the 5 years we spent in secondary school KHS was the most memorable one. It is here the formation of our characters starts to take place forming the foundation and traits of our behavior that will give the uniqueness of each and everyone of us. The teenage years were the discovery years and the belief that we could do no wrong was a myth. Teachers played such an important role with them not realizing it but they played their part of a part time guardian teaching us, guiding us and punishing us when we break the rules. Teachers of those years are unique lots as we come to realize their commitment as a teacher. Teachers then was more focused without the interference and the stresses of todays' lifestyles.

As the emcee, Hock Hai congratulates each and everyone of us for being present in this memorable occasion. Then he proceeded to thank the teachers who were present and the Class of 77 gave a standing ovation and applause in appreciation to the teachers. The Headmaster Encik Mohammad Sani gave a speech, still as witty and humorous and yet commanding showing a glimpse of his past. Teachers that were present were Mr. Hong Foo Wah, Mr. Yong Bang Kuang, Mr. Chin Ket Poh, Mrs. Ong, Mr. Siwnan, Mr. C. Pelly, Mr. Jeyaratnam and Mrs. Sim. Later after dinner, all were treated to a slide presentation showing the past and present. Everyone was attentive as we went down memory lane and some shed a tear or two. As with each passing slide it dawn on us that those memories became clearer and it was a connection that all of us shared.

We took class photos but not all from the past were present and so we join classes for the photo shoot. Later, we had "down memory lane" sharing, Steven Hiew Ming Foong was the first to share his most memorable experienced when how he bit the finger of Mr. Siwnan and finally "apologize" now and a gesture by putting a plaster around Mr. Siwnan's finger. Another was Ragavan who was appointed by Mr. Jeyaratnam to be the class monitor. Ragavan after two weeks requested to resign from his post because he was bullied by the class. Ragavan continued after Mr. Jeyaratnam ticked off the class. Another class mate Heng Ken Ng share the many times he was being slapped ever since primary school till secondary school and he complained that it was a bad experienced. Everyone laughed and had very good feelings from hearing these personal sharing as we began to understand what a bunch we were during those school carefree days.

Finally in closing we requested that we meet again in 2017 and immediately the teachers requested an earlier date (obvious reason "age") and everyone burst out laughing and the committee jokingly promised transportation will be provided. In 10 years time we will be 57 and the teachers will be in the 70's to 80's, how time flies when old friends meet. To those who were not present please leave us a note or your contact here so that Tony Choo and Hock Hai can update the Class of 77 database.