Bunga kemboja for our garden

We planted the pokok bunga kemboja in our garden this morning. Bunga kemboja, or frangipani (pulmeria) as it is commonly called in English are tropical plants which produce big flowers with nice fragrance.

It is said to be native to tropical and subtropical Americas. But as far as I can recall, there have always been many frangipani trees in Malaysia even during my childhood days.

I remember spending many happy hours playing under the shades of these trees at my Ashby Road Primary School in Ipoh (now Sekolah Rendah Seri Kinta). In fact one of the games we used to have was to play keep ups using an improvised “ball” which was actually a handful of frangipani flowers tied together with a rubber band. Just goes to show how creative kids were those days.

Being about five feet in height, our frangipani tree is quite huge. So it took us quite a while, and with a lot of hard work, to dig the hole in the ground and then heave the plant it into place.

According to my friend who got this plant for me this particular variety bears bright red flowers. Which is just as well, because the Mem Besar had fore-warned me that the common white-flowered variety is a big NO, NO for the garden.

The tree doesn't have any flowers as yet. So I'm kinda looking forward to see it bloom soon. But the flowers had better be bright red in colour, or else I'd be in trouble with the Mem.

Bulbs of lilies which had to make way for the kemboja


Bright red roses, doing well

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Why I ride in Putrajaya

Putrajaya was planned to be a garden city.

It was deliberately designed to see greeneries in abundance and where its citizens would have nature at their doorsteps, so to speak.

Such planning has seen Putrajaya developing into a city where nature is woven seamlessly into the urban fabric. The lake, wetlands system, the wooded areas and endless green corridors, as well as the promenade all add up to an urban nature sanctuary bar none, dare I say.

This means that Putrajaya has - inadvertently perhaps - turned into a heaven for cycling.

For, besides the Putrajaya Challenge Park which is now well on the way to becoming a "must ride" venue for every mtb enthusiast worth his salt, you also have the trails in the wetlands and the kilometers of promenade which offer interesting rides within cool, shaded environment with the sounds of insects and birds chirping in the background.

And, by the way, Putrajaya also hosts the monthly Putrajaya Critical Mass.

Enjoy some pics taken during my morning ride in Putrajaya Wetland today with three of my riding buddies: Pak Adib, his son Maher, and Maher's office colleague Henri.


Pak Adib and gang preparing for the ride

Cool, crisp morning air - fresh air!

The lone rider: being one with nature

Lake side wakaf stop

Tranquil, serene place for respite


Wildlife in the wetlands

Macho riders

Putrajaya Lake/wetland

Pak Adib: he walks, he cycles, and now he wants to sail too! Seen here looking longingly at a boat

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Glitzy Hong Kong

The iconic Hong Kong skyscrapers during dusk

The way to go

Hong Kong hospitality at its best. I'm personally greeted by the TV screen as I entered the hotel room and switched on the TV set


Hong Kong has been described as one of the most dynamic cities of the late 20th Century. It is a center of trade, light industry and finance.

Roger Tang, one of my former classmates and a close friend during university days stays here.

I've visited Hong Kong twice. And both times we had the chance to meet up, renew old ties and talk about the good old days.

Roger himself, together with family, has visited my Kampong Kepayang Fair Park and met with my parents.
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Charming Kg Kepayang Fair Park

A traditional village it might be, but sleepy, laid-back Kg. Kepayang Fair Park - my birth place - has its own rustic charms and attractions.

Enjoy some pictures from my recent trip back home.



The kampong's padang

Plentiful wild flowers near the railway line

The railway line which now has double-tracking. Quite a lot has changed here, compare this picture with the one at the top of this blog (masthead) which shows the same spot about 40 years ago



The bridge over Sungai Kinta - it links "Kepayang Dalam" and "Kepayang Luar"

The famous Sungai Kinta, after which comes the name of Kinta Valley which was once the richest tin mining area in the world

Façade design from Makkah?

Whilst in Wakaf Che Yeh, Kota Bahru recently I came upon a few rows of shophouses with façade designs resembling buildings one would more often find in Makkah and Madinah.

I thought it was quite clever of the architect to 'copy' the facade design and adapting it to our local shophouse design, what with Kelantan fondly referred to as Serambi Makkah.

Kembara Putrajaya hari ke-3

Approaching Tok Bali

Beach at Penarik with beautiful green sea

Approaching Kuala Terengganu

Masjid Kuala Ibai (Masjid Terapong)


Hari ini konvoi Kembara Putrajaya bertolak dari kota Bahru ke Cherating melalui Tok Bali (tempat Sakinah menyertai PLKN).

Jarak perjalanan hari ini adalah yang paling jauh dalam sehari, iaitu sejauh 300km lebih dan saya menjadi pemandu - sangat memenatkan.

Konvoi menyusur pantai Terengganu yang indah sepanjang perjalanan. Di K Terengganu, kami berhenti di Masjid Terapong Kuala Ibai untuk lunch dan solat. Tiba Cherating jam 5.40 ptg.

Esok konvoi akan sambung perjalanan ke Kuantan dan Temerloh sebelum pulang ke Putrajaya.

Saya stay on di Kuantan untuk dua hari lagi bagi menghadiri Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Perundingan Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan.

Kembara Putrajaya hari ke-2

The driver and vehicle owner, Hj Razaob

The co-pilot and second driver, yours truly


Hari ini konvoi Kembara Putrajaya bertolak dari Gua Musang ke Kota Bahru. Perjalanan amat mencabar kerana jalan ini sibuk dek kerana petempatan di kiri-kanan jalan.

Hentian pertama hari ini adalah Maahad Tahfiz di Kg Lak Lo', Kuala Krai.

Konvoi tiba di Wakaf Che Yeh, Kota Bahru jam 12tgh untuk program bersama anak yatim dan ibu-ibu tunggal.

Selepas itu ke Maahad Tahfiz Daril Naim, suatu petempatan pondok untuk pelajar tahfiz. Di sini juga terdapat pondok-pondok yang disewa kepada mereka yang ingin tinggal bersama untuk mengaji ilmu agama.