Holiday has never been enough, especially if you are
spending it in your own home country. Being expats for nearly 8 years, we have
always treasured our moment when we are back, squeezing as many things-to-do
and things-we-wanna-do all in the little time that we have. It is tiring, yet
satisfying! Even the kids love it.
Our summer break this time starts few days before Eid
Al-Fitr. Breaks for Eid are always big in Malaysia. The norm for Muslim is to
celebrate Eid for a day or two, but we'd do it for the full month! And of
course, the best is the first few days, where everybody is usually available
for family gathering.
Myself and hubby is quite lucky that our families lived
nearby, so most of us are there to celebrate together. Everybody are looking
lovely in their new 'baju raya' we call it which means new clothes/garments for
Eid. And the tradition is to shake hands asking for forgiveness from each
other, then giving away 'duit raya' to children which means money slipped in
colorful envelope. After some photos we'll then dine together to enjoy the
traditional food such as lemang, ketupat, rendang and lodeh.
The activities will continue as such for the whole day,
going from houses to houses of family and friends. It is not just the food that
we are after, but it's to continue and strengthen our siratulrahim (bonding).
So for a month, we've been enjoying this 'datang beraya' (visiting) to so many
places whilst taking some holiday breaks.
We have been up and down the peninsula, from Semenyih to
Seremban, Kajang, Tampin and then to Cameron Highlands for 'Raya' gathering.
Cameron Highlands is slightly higher thus chiller than other parts of Malaysia.
Being there with my siblings and their family giving me back my childhood
memories. Everyone enjoyed their time there. At night, we even lighten up the
place with some fire crackers and 'bunga api'.
In Cameron you can experience some strawberries plucking and having a cool
break in tea plantation area, at least slightly away from the hot Khatulistiwa.
We've also been to Kedah for a friend's wedding. The
special thing about this friend of my husband's is, he
was best man for 13 friends before finally tying the knot himself. Like that movies 13dresses right!??? Haha.
After few days, we continue with some more of
'raya' activities and went for day-trip to Singapore, visiting the Merlion and
Singapore Flyers. We then travel back to Johor Bahru for a night over. The next
day, we spent the whole day in Legoland and overnight at its super fun
hotel. The kids especially were thrill. It was our second trip to Legoland Malaysia, it was never dissapointing. Maybe I'll write up a special review for it next time, pray for my 'rajiness' k haha.
Packed with activities, we even flown to east coast of
Malaysia and spent 4 days and 3 nights in Kuching, mainly for marathon run that I have shared in my previous post.
There's an
end to every story, and I am truly sad to part with my home country again.
I can't believe our 6 weeks or so holiday is finally over. It was not enough.. never will. But hey, we have to go back to reality. :(
Till we meet again Malaysia.. lots of love from afar.
-Yeen-
