The Manila Saga

This trip to Manila was triggered by the prospect of meeting with a close buddy whom I have not met or in communication for the last 30 years. After trying

to establish contact which began in 2005 and finally knowing that Ben is some how connected to The Manila Yacht Club, I thought that at least I can pay the club a visit and take it from there. But divine intervention changed all that. Appended below is the sequent of events/communication that prelude the trip to Manila.
It began with this e mail.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Tue, Nov 11, 2008 at 9:40 AM, ben adam wrote:
Dear Ms Gladie A. Patawaran,
I am Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Rahman Adam (Retired) from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
I am taking the liberty to communicate with you in a long shot effort to trace my friend Vice Admiral Ruben S. Lista (Retired). We were classmate at SITS, Fort Bonifacio, Manila way back in 1979 where Ben was then a Lieutenant Commander. I have been trying to trace him since 2005.
When going through the Manila Yacht Club website I came across the name Ruben S. Lista (Director and Chairman-House Committee). I wonder if the gentleman is the same Ruben S. Lista that I know whose wife is the lovely Jenet.
So I am seeking your indulgence to extend this message to him. If he is my "Ben Lista" I am looking forward to renewing our link and my e-mail address is:
ar_benadam@yahoo.com
Indeed I am truly indebted by your kind assistance Ms Gladie A. Patawaran
Yours sincerely,
abdulrahmanadam
P.S.
My apology for gate-crashing through this contact e-mail not for the purpose it was made available for.
On Mon, 11/10/08, race myc wrote:
From: race myc
Subject: Re: Need Assistance to Trace a Friend
To: ar_benadam@yahoo.com
Date: Monday, November 10, 2008, 9:49 PM
Hi Sir, I will pass your email to the Committee Office. Apparently Gladie Patawaran is not working anymore at the club. its the same person your looking for. Will priority your email request. Thank you.
Best regards,
Pen Floren - AvilaRace
OfficeTel.526-7868Fax no. 523-7183
On Mon, 11/10/08, ben adam wrote:
From: ben adam
Subject: Re: Need Assistance to Trace a Friend
To: "race myc"
Date: Monday, November 10, 2008, 10:33 PM
Dear Pen Floren – Avila
Thank you! You are indeed a heaven-sent good Samaritan. Wau!! your reply is a cause for double pleasure for me because I was quite optimistic striking it right and my next trip to Manila would be more meaningful. Getting your response is a prayer answered.
Best regards,
ara
On Mon, 2/2/09, ben adam wrote:
From: ben adam
Subject: Fw: Re: Need Assistance to Trace a Friend
To: mycsailors@gmail.com
Date: Monday, February 2, 2009, 12:50 AM
Dear Pen Floren – Avila
I hope this mail finds you in good spirit. I am resending this since there is no come back after you have passed my message to the Committee Office. I am sincerely seeking assistance from your good self to pass this to Vice Adm (R) Ruben S. Lista. Alternatively, if you can furnish me with his e-mail address or telephone no, I can then write/contact him directly. I am planning a trip to Manila in the second week of April
Thank you for your assistance.
Best regards,
ara
On 03 11, 09, at 2:12 PM, ben adam wrote:
Dear Vice Admiral Ruben S Lista,
First order on line is for me to execute the time honoured military honorifics by standing at attention and salute you. Well Ben it is not everyday that one can claimed he's got a three star Admiral as a good buddy. Actually I do not know where to begin. I am so damn excited at finally seeing your sms. So I decided to forward to you the recent effort to trace you and share the high hope that I had and then followed by disappointment of sort when the lady that I gloated as a "heaven-sent good Samaritan" cannot deliver. May be its not that easy for her to get in touch with a three star Admiral I suppose. But then divine intervention took its course and another "heaven-sent good Samaritan" came a calling in the form of Lt Col Perfecto M Rimando PA. I met him and his Malaysian course mate at our Armed Forces Defence College, both of whom are under my supervision to complete their thesis as part of the requirement to graduate with a master degree to be awarded by my university. In less than 48 hours he accomplished what a lot of the people I consulted over the last 3 years cannot deliver. See my humble CV attached for an update on what I've been up to for the past 30 years. The good fortune really came at the right moment because Maznah and I shall be in Manila next month from 8 April-11 April. The Airasia flight AK 32 ETA Clark at 1115 hrs. We are booked through Airasia at Best Western Hotel La Corona. I thought as a last ditch effort I would go on the Philippines TV and appealed "for the admiral to come out of hiding" (lol). I hope to see you then Ben. I am going to post this one now and get to you later with more updates. Cheers.
With best wishes to you and Jan.
Ray
On Wed, 3/11/09, Reuben a Lists wrote:
From: Reuben a Lists
Subject: Re: Need Assistance to Trace a Friend
To: "ben adam"
Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2009, 2:04 AM
That's great! Clark is only an hour and a half from Manila. Give me your itinerary so we will know how and what to do. Do you play golf? What do you want to do? How about Maznah? Jennette is currently in Las Vegas but she will be back by then. Keep in touch. My cell phone is +639175478277.
Regards,
Ben
Sent from my iPhone
On 03 11, 09, at 7:11 PM, ben adam wrote:
Its great too to hear from you. Am making this quick response from my room at the National university. The system at my place of residence in KL was down for the past 3 days and still is. So I came to the univ after getting your first sms so as to get the Internet service. About the trip, we do not have any definite plan of our stay in Manila. I am totally out of touch with the happenings in Metro Manila Ben. We can probably work on it as we go along to include perhaps a foursome dinner afloat somewhere in Manila Bay I suppose!!!. Well I have given up golf for almost a dozen years since my back problem became a bother just after completing the 3rd hole. So I decided to give it up since I can't enjoy the game any more. Anyway I wasn't a golf addict to begin with. Whatever it is, meeting Jan and you is good enough and more like the icing on the cake.
With best wishes,
Ray
On Wed, 3/11/09, Reuben a Lists wrote:
From: Reuben a Lists
Subject: Re: Need Assistance to Trace a Friend
To: "Rahman Rey"
Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2009, 5:42 AM
Great! I have been looking for you for a long time. I met several of your Naval and military Attaches and gave them my contact numbers. They never tried hard enough probably. Anyway, it is nice to hear from you again. Hope your visit will be memorable particularly so that you are quite far from Manila. Clark is the former US Air force base in the province of Pampanga, north of Manila. It might be hard to commute due to traffics. Do you have anything to do at Clark? Why will you billet there? There is nothing to do there. Check with your travel agent and see the map too. Keep in touch. Regards,
Ben
Sent from my iPhone
Re: Need Assistance to Trace a Friend
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 10:48 PM
From: "ben adam"
To: "Reuben a Lists" rlista@yahoo.com
Hai Ben,
You must be at the golf course now. Am back in the office again. The system at home is still down. Well we both probably did not get the right candidate to help trace one another. I am surprised that the naval or defence attaché you asked do not know me because until 2005 I conducted/lectured the defence attaché course. They just do not think its very important. I had Anne Juloundo (not sure of the spelling) who was my student at IDFR and 2nd Sec at the Philippines embassy in KL to help out. But no result. Ok everything of that episode is moot now since we are back in communication. Ben I am billeting Best Western Hotel La Corona : 1166 MH del Pillar Corner, Arquiza,St. Ermita, Manila,Philippines. Its not at Clark. I have vague memories about Clark which I believed is closed to Angles City. So the hotel where we will be staying is smack in the heart of Manila I suppose. Have a nice day at the golf course.
Cheers
On Wed, 4/1/09, Reuben a Lists wrote:
From: Reuben a Lists

Subject: Re: A new Slate

To: "Rahman Rey" ar_benadam@yahoo.com

Dear Rey,
I forgot that it will be our Lent season when you are coming over. Can you move it after the 12th because we will be out of the country too. We will be in Guam for vacation because it's a long vacation starting this Saturday.
I can ask one of my drivers to help you out if you can not move your visit.
Regards.
BenSent from my iPhone
On 04 1, 09, at 4:22 PM, ben adam wrote:
A tiny setback Ben. I'll try for the move. But knowing how these people treat such request I am doubtful that we can get the date changed. What I have in mind planned after the Manila RV is to get you and Jen to come to KL. With the Manila meeting out its all the more incumbent that we do it in KL. Who knows that I can arrange a surprise golf for you too. Cheers
Rey
From: "Reuben a Lists" rlista@yahoo.com
To: "Rahman Rey" ar_benadam@yahoo.com
REY,If you can not move it, I will instruct my driver to bring you around. There's no fun in Manila during Lent. Take care. Ben
Sent from my iPhone
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What appeared above is the climax to the search. But alas the meeting do not take place because Ben had already planned to be in Guam during the Lent holidays. Thus the Manila Saga.We arrived by Air Asia at 1145 hrs and took the shuttle bus to Pasay. Paid 220 pesos for the taxi ride to Ermita where our hotel is. We were thankful that the reception upgraded our room and we were able to enjoy the better facilities. Try to sort out our itinerary since we were told that Manila is a ghost town during Lent holiday. We bought a local sim card at 7 Eleven and contacted Col Alex ex-student of MAF Defence College. Alex promise to meet us at 1000 hrs Thursday. Also manage to at last contact our DA on Thursday morning. BG Khlair ( I didn't know that he's a 1 star general until we were at his house that afternoon). Both Alex and Khlair make our otherwise boring sojourn in Manila into a memorable one. So also the Ambassador and his lovely and caring wife.
Both the DA's staff collected us early Saturday morning and drove to Clark Airport for our trip home. Arrived KL LCCT at about 1520 hrs. Rin drove us home to Ampang

The Bangkok ‘Saga’

This trip was planned by Ayu. She included M and I, her aunt Ani and her sister Onie. Four of us depart from LCCT Terminal in Sepang on Friday 27 March 2009 while Onie flew in from Phnom Penh. A mini saga began when we were delayed for more than two hours and I added to that by purchasing an exorbitantly priced iced tea at the coffee bean outlet at the terminal and drank it without sugar. Of course, you have to add the sugar yourself and of course, I did not know about it ha..ha..ha.!! As we disembarked at Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi International Airport, we heard a group of fellow passengers complaining about the delay and planned to get compensation from Air Asia. Air Asia staff pointed out that the delay is 1 hour 59 minutes thus implying that we are not eligible for compensation since its less than 2 hours. What bulls since the delay is more than 2 hours.
We took a taxi to our hotel the Millennium Hilton at 123 Charoennakorn Road, Klongtonsai, Klongsan, 10600, Bangkok 10600, Thailand. The Millennium Hilton is located along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, one kilometer from the Grand Palace and is not far from the Airport. At a glance, the place around Hilton is interesting to travelers. The main markets and malls are close by and well connected by public transport. The other side of Hilton is the river where there is a cozy open restaurant and few meters ahead is the point for catching ferries/boats to navigate along the Chao Phraya.

Millennium Hilton Bangkok operates its free shuttle boat from its own Pier just beside Flow restaurant to Saphan Taksin BTS Sky Train Station or River City Shopping center from 0630 to Midnight. The Millennium Hilton Bangkok is a 32- storey hotel. We checked into an adjoining room on the 29th floor with a magnificent view of the River, the Bangkok skyline and beyond. The rooms are decorated in hues of beige, white and black and feature stylish furnishings and a combination of stone flooring and carpets. En-suite bathrooms have jetted tubs, rain showers, bathrobes and complimentary toiletries.

We stayed at the hotel for 2 nights. The breakfast buffet is simply AMAZING - huge variety and fantastic quality in almost everything. But for us we have to be selective as to what want to eat since there is no 'halal' certification . We enjoyed the breakfast nonetheless by just having those without the non-halal staff. The boat service to the Skytrain is good and you never have to wait more than 15mins for the boat, whilst the skytrain is frequent and reasonably priced. We were also informed that on the weekends, it is nearly as easy and cheap to just take a taxi to the major attractions, as the traffic is not as bad. We did just that after our solat and headed for the so-called happening place in Bangkok – the Siam Paragon. It is the biggest shopping mall in Bangkok, and touted as one of the biggest shopping centers in Asia. Its here that Onie is to RV with us.

The mall was opened on December 9, 2005. From the brouchre we found out that the Siam Paragon housed a wide range of stores and restaurants as well as a multiplex movie theater. It also boasted the largest aquarium in South East Asia, the Siam Ocean World (Underwater world) aquarium and an exhibition hall and the Thai Art Gallery and also an opera concert hall. It also has a large bowling alley and karaoke center.

We purchased a few items here and I got a surprise i-phone leather cover for 520 Bhats. When Onie arrived, we decided to have dinner. I was so famished and ordered a sea food platter for myself (look at the photo)

At Last Tanjong Piai

Yes I made it at last. The intention to visit this small enclave in Johor famed for its status as being located at “the southern most tip of mainland Asia” was many many moons. It was finally realized also by the yardstick of my current way of decision-making style – spur of the moment. After solat suboh I suddenly thought of making the long awaited trip to Tanjong Piai. Called Hashim if he would like to come along. But he was the casualty of my decision-making because he could’nt make it since he’s got something planned in Ulu Tiram. So there goes my potential guide for the day. Anyway I roped in Narimah to accompany M and I for this long awaited trip. Narimah intimatewd that she had been there with her school childen a long time ago and may not be a good guide. Its ok I said since we shall make it with the available sinage.
Yes we did make it the earliest arrivals and apaid RM3/- only since we are warga Emas. Had a short briefing by Anne from Sabah who had been working the counter for the past one year. We made our way to the southern most tip of mainland Asia. Take a few pictures.and the retract our way to the other side. By then the crowd is already building. Plenty of siput and lokan.

Kem Iskandar: A Nostalgic Visit

I decided that probably it is worthwhile to make it happened this time around. First and foremost there is no rush this time and more importantly the man that could make it happened may not be around any more. So I sms Col Jamaluddin, the Chief of Staff of Iskandar Camp, indicating to him of my intention to pay him a visit. The camp is located off Sri Pantai Mersing

The Singapore Saga

Left for Singapore today. A quick whirlwind trip after Hani's birthday bash at home. Six of us: Ani; Maznah; Ayu; Onie; Mika and me, we left Ampang around 1500 hrs with Ayu driving and M reminding her not to speed. We made good time and were on the second link by about 1820hrs. We stopped for prayer and petrol. The Singapore cars had a field day filling up their tank and I just took some pictures. To add to this saga one dishonest Singapore driver just scoot off without paying after filling up his car. What a jerk!!
We made our crossing my first on this expressway. We made it without a hitch not that we expected any. With Ayu driving and at odd with the GPS directing we went from on place to another with ease. Stop at Kinokunyia and I purchased 4 books one of which is authored by Dr. Karminder Singh ( a colleague from IDFR days). We had our dinner at the food court at Newton Circus and we ordered two Sup tulang takeaway.
After dinner we checked in at the Holiday Inn Atrium. We were at the 23rd floor and looking through the windows we can admire a spectacular views from this atrium style hotel which is strategically located at the crossroad of Outram and Havelock Roads. It is just a short drive from Shenton Way financial centre, fascinating Chinatown and the fashionable Orchard Road shopping belt. Across from the hotel is the island's renowned Singapore River where entertainment spots bring vibrancy to the nightlife at Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. All guest rooms and suites provide stunning views of the city or Singapore River and are equipped with facilities such as broadband Internet connectivity, individually-controlled air-conditioning and electronic locks to meet the needs of the business and leisure traveler.
After breakfast on Monday we packed and checked out and that's when the "Singapore Saga" began. After about 10 minutes M realised that we've forgotten our sup tulang. Afew frantic call to the hotel was made before we make our way back to the hotel. M went first but no sup tulang in the fridge in the room that we occupy. We lamented and passed it as 'tak ada rezki'. But then we make another try because we realised that we could make a mistake by not checking the lost ang found section as had transpired during Onie's pone conversatiion with the hotel staff. Another round to the hotel and Onie went in after alot of haggling. Surprise!!surprise!! she came out swinging the bag of sup tulang. Thus the saga ends with a seigh of relief and on a happy note. We then went for several missions including a little shopping at Carefore and our final flings was having lunch at suntec before making our way back home.

Surprise Visit to Kuantan and Kemaman

Today 31, January 2009, we made what was supposedly to be a surprise visit to see Maheran at the Kuantan Specialist Center, admitted for typhoid the last three days. The idea took shape in KL after a number of phone calls among the sisters and nieces. So a surprise visit was decided to uplift the bed ridden “aunty tok Yan’s” spirit. The need for the group to make the day trip in one transport, for obvious reason, singled out the service of uncle Azma to ferry the group to Kuantan and a side trip to Kemaman.
Seven of us, Azma, Munira and Atira; Mahani and Abang and Maznah and me push off at about 0700 hrs. Not too much traffics along the MRR2 at this hour. It was a little foggy as we passes along the Karak highway. Stop over at the “‘d Paya Serai” food court at the Petronas station. It was a second stopover for Maznah and I in the last three weeks. We know how to maximize our order now after our experience on 9 January on the way to Ita’s wedding reception then.
We bumped into Dato’ Hussainy and wife who were exceptionally forthcoming in their greetings and exchanging small talks. We finish our breakfast and say goodbye to the Datos and continue our journey East. With the highway it was a pleasant drive despite some driver displaying their speeding stunts. Oh! these Malaysian drivers.....they should abide by the truism " the speed that thrills is also the speed that KILLS".

We exited at Gambang. I visited the rest room and found it to be in a very clean situation. I was very impressed and took a few snaps for this posting.
After a few phone consultations we got back on to the highway and proceed to exit at the Kuantan Toll. Abang sort of guide us to take the right route. We finally arrived at the specialist center and parked at the staff parking area and after short searching landed ourselves in room 115 and surprise surprise Maheran was expecting us and no surprise at all. She told us Mohd revealed that “your sisters are arriving shortly to see you”. Anyway Maheran was obviously happy for the visit. We spent about an hour and then left for our lunch date with Mohammad in Kemaman.
After the sumptous lunch we then lepak and performed our solat at Mohammad's place. We also enjoyed some of Nadia's homemade cookies and took advantage of their hospitality by packing some takeaway too. After saying bood byes we proceed to the newly opened Mesra Mall in Kemasek. The mall complex remind me of those shopping malls that we patronised during our holiday in Australia three years ago. The sad part as we were told is the MB's order for the hypermarket the Giant not to operate its buismess there despite it being ready to open for buisness. Be dammed with the MB and their politics.

Obama's Inauguration

Despite my flu and aching joints I stayed up in the early hours to watch the inauguration telecast lives on CNN. It gave me the de javu feeling watching the crowds that swell the Washington malls and those who were also packed along Penn Ave for the motorcade that follows the ceremony. 20 years ago on 20th January 1989, I was one among the thousands braving the cold winds to witness the inauguration of the 41st American President, Bush S,. I was accompanied by Col Douglas my sponsor while I was attending the 31/2 months course at the then Defense Intelligence College, Bolling AFB. Washington DC. I remember packing some canned drinks and those huge American hotdogs from the outlet operated by an Eygptian (2 pieces to be exact). Well that was good foresight on Col Douglas for you tends to get hungry pretty quick in that kind of weather. Watching the crowds munching away on the CNN live telecast brought back the beautiful memory.
Now on the subject in the centre of the inauguration that is Barak Hussin Obama. No doubt, that the personality concerned display a very articulate demeanour followed by eloquent delivery of the speech and display of overall finesse that the world euphoric responses clearly indicated. But whether or not Obama is a deliverance to lead the U.S. away from past foreign policies misadventures is something that I questioned. His meteoric raise is something that cannot be achieved without what I would called “strong hidden scaffolding”. I suspected that the hidden hands of Mossad was and is pulling the strings. My suspicions is further strengthen by the article that appears on this URL forwarded to me: http://www.truthquestonline.info/NEWS_VIEWS.html page of the Truth Quest website.
This is very interesting for two reasons. First it added more ‘pointers’ to my belief about 9/11 being a Bush deception. Second and perhaps more importantly in terms of the scheme of my current thinking on Barak Obama, is the odds on that Obama is a Mossad plant! I made a passing remark on this possibility after my presentation on “The Obama Presidency and its Impact on Asian Security” at the MKN Geo-Strategic Roundtable Session at Pulai Spring Resort in JB on 17 November last year. I may be wrong but I am keeping a close tab on this issue. This article you forwarded certainly gave me more reason to keep on course in my research.

Umrah Ramadan 1429

This second umrah was to accompany our daughter Rahayu. We retain the services of Andalusia Travel. Took Ayu to the first briefing and all the administartive need. We decided on a Ramadan date. 4th September 2008 that also concided with 4th Ramadan. We left early to KLIA for our 3 oclock flight with Saudi Air straight to Medinah. 2night in Medinah. So much changes taking place. New building surrounding Mesjid Nabawi. We stayed at a hotel opposite the one that we stayed in 2004.

The Spain, Morocco and England Escapade

The Planned Itinery

Jan-17-08
ETD KUL – SIN/ETD SIN - LHR
Jan-18-08
ETA LHR/ETD LHR – AGP/ETA AGP
Jan-19-08
ETD AGP-ALGEIRAS
Breakfast
ETA ALGECIRAS/ETD ALGECIRAS-TANGIERS
ETA TANGIERS/ETD TANGIERS – RABAT/ETA RABAT
Dinner & Overnight
Jan-20-08
ETD RABAT-CASABLANCABreakfastETA CASABLANCA
ETD CASABLANCA-MARRAKECH/ETA MARRAKECH
Dinner & Overnight
Jan-21-08
MARRAKECH –Breakfast/Lunch
Overnight
Jan-22-08
ETD MARRAKECH-MEKNES(Breakfast)
ETA MEKNES/ETD MEKNES-FEZ/ETA FEZ
Dinner & Overnight
Jan-23-08
FEZ-Breakfast/Lunch
Overnight
Jan-24-08
ETD FEZ-TANGIERS (Breakfast)ETA TANGIERS/ETD TANGIERS-ALGECIRAS/ETA ALGECIRAS
ETA AGP
Overnight
Jan-27-08
ETD AGP-LHR/ETA LHR
ETD LONDON – LANCASTER/ETA LANCASTER ETD LANCASTER - LONDON
Overnight
Jan-28-08/Jan-29-08/Jan-30-08
LONDON
ETD LHR-SIN/ETA SIN/ETD SIN-KUL
ETA KUL


Regarding this travel bit am leaving for Morocco on 17 Jan, and since we are transiting Heathrow we decided to break journey in London and take a drive to Lancaster. My daughter is planning all this and she wants to refresh her memories of her short stay in Lancaster.

As I can recall, I parachuted into Susan's office that fateful day last week. She was having her sandwich lunch. I told her that my being there can either be a wonderful surprise or a paralyzing disappointment! Spent about 20 minutes with her and then she accompanied me back to where Maznah and Ayu were waiting.
The truth of the matter is that the trip to Lancaster is planned by Ayu and she unloaded the idea to us that we shall make the trip when we were to break journey for a few days in London. We were enroute home from a week holiday in Morocco.
It was a whirlwind getaway. We landed at Heathrow about midnight, picked up the rental car that Ayu had arranged online and drove all the way to Lancaster, arriving at about 0730 hrs after 3 pit stops along the way. Thanks to GPS technology, we were able to get around without difficulty in Lancaster including shopping at Asda. We headed back for London at 1500 hrs. I was happy that we made the trip despite not having proper rest since we left Fez at 0400hrs the previous day.

No your e mail did not bother me. I had a special folder made where I stored all the copied one for reference. Come to think of it, on the same subject, when we were discussing you, grand children and all and her imminent retirement, Susan did mentioned that you sometimes posted cheeky emails. Ha..ha I did my lol
Well some more update.Dept of politics is no more at Fylde but moved to County South and I spent almost an hour to locate it. Almost gave up in fact. Trevor and Mick Dillon are still around but when Susan checked both were not in. Thats when she lamented that I should've communicate first. Its just my good fortune that she decided to stay back in the office at lunch time, for according to her she normally take a walk during that time. I told her that the Almighty is kind to me.
We visited Portland St, Marji store and Ali still remember Maznah. Spent about 45 mins in town. Took photo of all the schools the children went to when we were there. With the GPS Ayu manage to locate Lancaster High, the school she went to that was moved to a new location. We then make a beeline to Morcombe and Quernmore and stop by the school that Jaja went and spent some times at Heathercroft and Ivy Cottage.

One Week in November

It began with the invitation to my cousin's daughter wedding in Changlun. I decided to "key in" a few activities into this trips up north to fit in my own version of 'Jejak Rasul". Changlun itself has a niche in my early adventure as a young sulbtern in 1967. Wau that long ago! First, have to sell the idea to my other half which can be a hairy experience. Then come the planning. A one week sojurn is the ideal. Mula2 ke Cameron Highlands. We push off from Ampang at about 1030 am. My two seater is in fine conditions only my other half constant reminder of police road block kept me within the speed limit ( yalah, come to think of it this time around no speeding ticket). As we exit the Simpang Pulai Toll and began the slow drive to Cameron Highlands we began to relex and enjoy the picturesque landscape. With the help of good signage we reached our hotel slightly less than two hours after stopping for a takeaway lunch at the pasar tani stall.

The one night stay at the hotel is gratis as part of my new membership entitlement of a Tour company. It was'nt something that we did not expect but it rained the whole afternoon and we had to stay indoors until we decided to brave it out when it stop pouring to buy some CM produced vege as buah tangan for our hosts along the way up north. Nothing much to do and we decided to have early dinner at the stall specializing in Kelantan food. Not bad the sup tulang. Despite the rain the stall was full of diners, probably taht attest to the quality of the food there. We saw a large group of school children at a restuarant/hotel in front really enjoying themselves. Gave me that dejevu feeling of those years gone by.
Day 2
Breakfast Indian restuarant. sat table with schoolchildren from Bentong Pahang
Push off early to Seberang Jaya our next stop.
Lunch KK rest area. New setup. cool sembahyang. Bought a keris for RM100/- a gift for my former OC Major Tan Sun Aun "the Samurai"
Arr SJ stay my cousain place

Day 3
Seberang Jaya
Day 4
To Sg Petani Rv Mej Rosli to go to Samurai's House. That was a real emotional reunion. to Yana house. Lazim was there already. to pantai bought all the seafood watch sunset at the pantai. bach to sg petani took wrong turn . we bought lokan 5 kg
Day 5
To Rahmah's daughter wedding. met all the sedara mara meriah sungguh upacara ni all the kampung people helping Lepas Zohor balik ke Sg Petani
Day6
To Pengkalan Hulu final destination but enroute Pokok Sena Kuala Nerang. Look at my former Hq Now occupied by Wataniah. Stood over the bridge while Yana snap a few shot of me. Padang Senai. Gambar dekat Police Station. Drink at the stall had roti canai the wife from Pontian.

We took the road through Pedu Dam. Convoy three cars with Yana joining in. A real test of man and machine because rhe road was so bad due to the upgrading of the road. It was a real chellange all the way that took us more than 4 hours to reach Pengkalan Hulu. The car too changed colour, from black to yellow, by the time we reached Pengkalan Hulu. We called Major Chamrat our hoast who came to pick us up. Nice dinner malam tu put up at Chamrat little bunglow.

Day 7
Breakfast To Betong Pass he stretch where PFF was ambushed in 1968?. Spend about 5 hours in Betong shopping

Day 8
Journey back to KL. Took the new highway better than what I use to experience 40 years ago. Took the wrong turn on M advice. Back to the highway. Lazim part company to stopover at Ipoh. We went ahead and arrived home at 9.00pm tired but happy, Syukur alhamdullilah everything turn out well'

Note: Shall add more detail later.