Felda Keratong 2

The nasi lemak was awesome. One of the most simplest, delicious and 'lemakest' nasi lemak I have ever tasted. (the artistes can vouch for that too)

Its 5 pod beras to 1.5 nyiok kelapa revealed the Makchik who insisted that we call her 'Mak'. She also invited us all to stay at her house to save our money on hotels which we had to politely turn down. Talk about rural hospitality to total strangers.

This is Felda Keratong 2 the 4th venue for Gempak Desa Astro with a turn out of over 7000 people which so far happens to be the biggest, involving over 60 polis personnel and 50 rela volunteers.

the artiste line-up with the locals posing for a photo shoot.

3 live wire of the group from Akademi Fantasia fame. Ustaz Dini uniquely using cartoons to preach while Ustaz Akhil sang to preach. Very appealing sermons.

It was again another exhilarating solo ride from KL to Keratong, Rompin Pahang totalling 212 km return.

Overall at this venue, the crowd was good, the food excellent, the hospitality very accommodating and the weather was well, made for riding.

Felda Chini 3

is the third venue for Gempak Desa Astro and its location is about 30 mins away from the mythical and legendary home of the Naga Seri Gumum (Malaysia's very own Loch Ness Monster).
Tasik Chini offers tranquil and peaceful surroundings and is believed to contain an ancient sunken Khmer city at the bottom of it as vouched by the local Orang Asli.

Black & white bodied squirrels, monkeys, wild cats can be seen running wild with the occasional horn-bills hovering across the tree tops.

As usual the locals came out in full force to enjoy the weekend with their favourite artistes.

Major mode of transport in the Felda Settlement is of course the motorcycle and it was a pleasant surprise to find that it comes in various forms and sizes.

The journey this time was made up of three bikers and a pocketful of tranquilled memories.

Felda Jengka 3

... is part of the Jengka Triangle (Segitiga Jengka), which is the largest FELDA settlement in Malaysia.

For this trip it was a solo ride from KL through the Karak highway exiting Chenor onto the plantation trunk road totaling a distance of about 176km, one way.

The lovely tree-lined road that leads into Felda Residence Tekam where the artiste and Mr Client stayed. It is situated in the middle of an oil palm plantation and is one of the six ecotourism and agro-tourism resorts managed by FELDA Agricultural Services Sdn Bhd (FASSB).

modern facilities with swimming pool in the middle of nowhere.

35 minutes away from this wonderful resort is Felda Jengka 3 which was the 2nd venue for the Gempak Desa Astro held on the 1st of Nov 2008.

Again scores of locals swamped the event in an effort to enjoy a musically filled carnival with their favourite idols which usually don't happen that often.

We were better organised this time and quicker in setting up since we have learned quite a bit from the experience of the first venue in Semenchu, Johor.

Indulgently, the ride back home was cool and relaxing passing through undulating hills of plantation territory with the occasional scampering of 'ayam kampung' running along the road shoulder while avoiding the unsuspecting cows and billy goats crossing without warning. It was full speed ahead onto the East West highways before meandering through the tight corners of Karak and heading onto the middle ring road on route for home.

GDA@Felda Semenchu

Gempak Desa Astro Roadshow

.....was successfully launched last Sunday at the very first venue (new season) in Felda Semenchu, 42km from Kota Tinggi Johor.

The weather was very kind indeed and the local folks had a jolly good time dressed in their best with children appearing as early as 7.00 in the morning.

Overall turn up was very satisfying, guesstimate around about 2000 people including the nearby Felda Ayer Tawar and its vicinity.

• Straight ahead to Kota Tinggi • partners in crime

Some interesting observations…

• The local folks tend to remove their shoes when they enter the thematic tents.

• The kids were literally lying on the floor sleeping and play fighting with each other while watching Ben 10 on 42" LCD screens generously displayed within the premises.

• There is no way one can implement strict rules on illegal vendors mushrooming at strategic areas as the RELA security guards happen to be their friends from the same kampung.

• The kids at an early age displaying profound skills (demands of a future mat rempit) in performing 'wheelies' on their bicycles

• The historic victory of Liverpool beating Chelsea was telecast 'live' witnessed by the locals. (hehehe... got to put that one in)

Geng-Geng Gempak

Our newly designed tents, artist t-shirts, mobile stage, environmental graphics & programes

A small show for us with a BIG meaning for the locals, and Mr client so far has been very cool...... as the sales were very encouraging. Who says the desa folks lack purchasing power?

One down, eleven more venues to go.... and the corners and bends snaking through palm oil territory makes the whole journey an euphoric 'kundiger' and challenging experience for a high powered two wheeler 'mat rempit'.

the show must go on

As the saying goes 'the show must go on' .

Comes this Sunday the 26th October 2008 we will roll out the Gempaq Astro Desa road show with Felda Semenchu Johor as the first venue. It is scheduled in total 12 locations nationwide through felda's plantations and kampung-kampung bringing mini carnival and entertainment with a mobile stage presenting Astro's celebrities of AF and Raja Lawak Fame.

Of course the big deal is in the journey especially with the unpredictable weather which is surely gonna brew up a storm...... and I dont mean the show.

A big challenge for a two wheeler.

Beyond the horizon

If you look way beyond the horizon, you may not necessarily find what you're looking for. But you know its there, so you hop onto your bike and ride towards it and upon reaching your 'destination' (where ever that is) turned back and head for home. Its all about the journey. That's what I did last Sunday.

The hill in the distance at the center of the picture is actually one of the hills surrounding Karak highway. (yes clearly visible form Bukit Antarabangsa) Did I find what I have been looking for? Yes I did found my rhythm and balance in riding, very rusty since Ramadhan.

I need to gear up in time for the next road show starting from the 25th of October (every weekend) till early next year.

This is a new client. We have been working hard at it for the last many weeks and will continue pitching further (which should explain why the lapse in updating the blog).

Another worth while client is in the works as we have done presentations after presentations and finally awaiting their final push to the BOD.

We are already into the 4th quarter of the year and the gloomy global outlook for next year did not leave us much to be desired but to look beyond that horizon and capture what ever thats left of the limited economic opportunities.

If by now you still cant see the horizon, then start wearing glasses! (yang macam pungkok botoi tu).

3rd Raya - Kedah

In the spirit of 'berhari raya', we visited Malia's kampung to pay respect to her late father (Allah bless his soul) who passed away during the recent Ramadhan. The experience of serenity, peacefulness and tranquility greeted us with open arms by Mother Nature, reminding us of Allah's Greatness in all His creations. 

You don't get any better than this 'Raya di Kampung'.

Hopefully these pictures do tell a thousand words.

As we were walking back towards our car parked some 500 meters away carrying our 'buah tangan' (10 kg of freshly packed rice), I received some sad news from 'kampuong' Barulak in Sumatra that my dear mother's younger brother Mamak Autad Said has just 'pulang ke Rahmatullah'.

'Innalillahi Wainna Ilaihi Rajiiun'. 

On the journey way home I can't help thinking about God - who is able to give you anything at one time and take away everything at anytime'. - Allah is Great.

Bangkok Lane revisited

There are more than just food, architectural heritage and quaint homes along Bangkok Lane, Penang. A pleasant surprise, was the intimate atmosphere and artistic elegance of A2 Gallery founded by two artists namely Jeff and Alfred. 

The latter was kind enough to enthusiastically show me around the current exhibition by artist Jane Yap whose works were magnificiently enhanced by the interior architecture of the gallery. 

Along Bangkok Lane, sits A2 Gallery, where Alfred curates.

Staircase to more works, where young heart dreams of..

sitting where Jane's works are currently being displayed.

Worthwhile dropping by in Penang or in cyberspace. 

http://www.a2artgallery.com

some pix courtesy of   

a2 Gallery,

27 Bangkok Lane, 10250 Penang, Malaysia.

Tel: + 604 227 4985

2nd Raya - Penang

On the second day of Raya, without hesitation, packed my bags, jumped into the car, filled up petrol..

hopped onto the highway, and after about 3 1/2 hrs, Pulau Jerejak was in sight, drove across the Penang bridge... into the Land of Nasi Kandargh.

Enjoyed glorious food in Gurney Drive, enjoyed watching Rojak Mamak dance, then cruised  along Batu Feringghi... walked along the nite market and finally 

found my all time favourite band @ only rm4 , ended in my mothers house even though no one's home, got the house keys before retiring to bed, smiling  - Ahh... ini baru Raya !

1st Raya - KL

This is the first time we celebrated Hari Raya in Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Jelutong to be precise. This year, both my mother and mother-in-law happen to stay within a radius of 1 kilometer, courtesy of my brothers homes. True coincidence and convenience.

On Raya morning its the usual routine, prayers, salam salaman, distribution of 'duit raya' (stakes are higher these days according to the kids) paid respect to our dearly departed and a trip to Kuala Pilah to visit close relatives.

Prayers spilled onto the road with rows and rows of slippers, (quite a number are 'crocs') and the big turnout of teenagers in Bukit Jelutong makes me wonder whether these kids has still got kampungs?

Insya'Allah Mak. mudah-mudahan Allah mencucuri Rahmat ke atas roh Abah, Amin. 

Al-Fathihah...

My humble-most apologies to KLites, I soon found out that I got to leave this city because its not the same celebrating Raya in Kuala Lumpur :- 'sebuah kota Metropolitan yang dingin dan bukan nya kampung halaman ku'.

"Get back, get back to where you once belong" - Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones.