It was a quick flight from Phuket to Kuala Lumpur with very little to see out of the window due to the haze from the fires in Indonesia. My friend Vein had left a message to say she would pick me up at the airport, I was just to let her know when I had arrived and which gate I was exiting from. Her son, whom I had met last visit had just finished his studies in medicine and was now starting his internship. The three of us drove back to Seremban where I caught up with the rest of the family. We then went out to dinner before driving to the bus station to buy my ticket to Ipoh before returning to crash into bed.
Another restless night waking early again. I had plenty of time to upload my latest blog before going. I must have been so tired I wasn’t thinking straight as I deleted the blog twice by mistake before I finally got it posted.
Paul dropped me at the bus station for the bus at 8:15. I met and chatted to some Chinese Christians heading to Singapore to stay with family before a holiday in NZ. They watched my things as I went off to the toilet. I then loaded my case onto the bus and waited. At 8:15 we boarded the bus and by 8:45 the bus left. It seems being on time is not a priority here. The bus seats reclined which made sleeping more comfortable, unfortunately I hadn’t noticed the seat could go back further than I had it and after entering a deep sleep I woke with an ache in my side. The bus had stopped so I asked the driver when I could go to the toilet. He replied ‘Ipoh’ in a gruff voice. I assured him I would not be able to hold for that long. I hadn’t realised the bus had stopped just outside a very large bus station which I realised was the KL station. As I exited the bus the driver shouted after me “5 minutes!” One of the other passengers whom I’d spoken to when we were boarding the bus in Seremban agreed that he was very rude!
Not long after we took off again I decided to have the iced coffee I had prepared the night before. Wrong move! About an hour later my bladder said it needed emptying. No sorry, you have to wait till Ipoh, which is about 2 ½ hrs away! All I could think of then was how was I going to hang on and what should I do if I couldn’t. Then I reminded myself of the time I had to drink a litre of water and hold it for an ultrasound, this was a similar experience. I had actually thought there would be another stop after an hour or so but I was wrong. Well that taught me a lesson, no drinks until ½ hr before expected arrival time!
About 27 km out of Ipoh I messaged Angie my Couchsurfing host to let her know I was nearly there. We then pulled off the highway for a 15min lunch break. Praise the Lord my bladder had held out! Arrived in Ipoh and messaged Angie who was on her way. After picking me up we went straight out for lunch – Chinese spring rolls, Popia and the famous Ipoh noodles. That was the beginning of my Ipoh food bonanza. Angie and I seemed to eat all day, ticking off the food bucket list with all the local delights.
She then took me for a walk around Ipoh Old Town where the old buildings had been partly restored, leaving the old look. It was now a very trendy part of town which included Concubine Lane where many years ago the Chinese business men kept their concubines. We stopped here for some Chinese Rojak, a crunchy kind of salad made up of sour mango, Chinese turnip, pineapple covered with spicy black sticky sweet prawn paste sauce.
Back to her home where I was shown around and unpacked and had a rest before picking up her guests. Angie has many Couchsurfing friends who keep in touch. Tonight she had an Italian friend coming to cook pasta along with his friends from Spain and Yugoslavia. We had 5 countries represented. I must admit I wasn’t so keen on having Italian, I had already eaten so much in the way of Asian I was happy to take a small serve, then have an early night while the others went out to the nine god’s festival. That night I slept 9hrs! I was catching up on the past sleepless nights.
Friday we were out the door at 8am for our first feast of Yum Cha/Dim Sum, then off to Gua Kek Look Tong temple, which had been built into the caves. We walked into one of the entrances and out the other side into a beautiful garden park. Here there were several large pools where fish and turtles lived. There was a large sign saying “To prevent overcrowding, please do not release fish into the pond”. It made us laugh as it sounded like they meant overcrowding of people. There was a pebbled path to massage your feet, although rather painful if you didn’t have calloused feet like mine! We wandered around the caves admiring God’s handiwork hanging as stalactites and rising as stalagmites from the cave floor.
Next was my coffee fix before heading to the bus station to inquire about buses to Ayer Tawer. We found and bought my favourite preserved red ginger here. I and my sisters had been brought up on this kind of snack when we lived at Christmas Island. Angie then took me to where we had a round of Origin Point Therapy or better known as Chinese elbow torture. 
The son of the master started on me, telling Angie he would go gently as it was my first time. His father came in as he was finishing and told him ‘Harder’ then, unhappy with his son’s method took over and pummelled me. No pain, no gain as they say! The next day I had a huge bruise on my buttocks! I had asked for help with my knotted shoulders and what Mindy thought was Piriformis Syndrome. The Therapist said all my problems stemmed from my shoulders and affected right down my left side, including my sciatic nerve. He gave me a few exercises to do daily along with a hot ginger drink.
Next stop lunch, chicken rice and a plate of duck, followed by chendol, then back to the house where I rested. Angie later picked up her second little dog which was having a haircut. Later that night her husband Derek returned from KL where he works. Together we went for mukan (food) at one of their favourite Chinese shops.
Saturday morning was a slow wake up, our normal breakfast then a search for preserved ginger and walnuts for me and Angie, my coffee fix and a drive to Sitiawan. I have been so blessed meeting Angie and Derek who have become good friends in such a short time, they decided they would like to drive me to Dr Chua and Dr Wong’s home. I have known this wonderful Godly couple since my very first ministry trip to Malaysia in 1986. (23 years!)
On route to Sitiawan we stopped off at Pusing a small town well known for its Chinese kuey or desserts made from rice flour, cassava and coconut milk. Then onto a newly opened highway, making it much quicker. We also wanted to stop for lunch at a renowned seafood restaurant, Villa Laut which Dr Wong had taken me to in the past and highly recommended. It was well worth seeking it out as the seafood was fresh and delicious. Our one dislike was the swarms of flies that came in black clouds dive bombing our food. After this I was dropped off at the shopping centre where Dr Wong was waiting while her Philippina maid, Maria, completed the shopping.
Back to the house to drop off my things before heading out again, this time to a children’s party at McDonalds. Here I met Aileen from Sydney and her friend Jasmine from Singapore. Both Chinese ladies were guests of Dr Chur and Dr Wong, leaving for home early Monday morning. By the time we returned to the house that night I was exhausted.
The following day, Sunday, we needed two cars for church. Dr Wong’s daughter-in-law, Mary whom I hadn’t seen since 2015 came to collect Maria, Ps Vasanta and myself. Ps Vasanta is the sister of the Pastor who I was working with when church planting in Ayer Tawer in 1983. On route to church we stopped off for an Indian breakfast. One more food ticked off my bucket list – Upham or Hoppers. I had been looking for these since visiting the Indian restaurant in Fremantle in June.
After church a group of us came back to the same restaurant, and Dr Wong’s other guests to another restaurant to catch up with friends. The menu had changed since the morning, there was only rice, curry and vegetables dishes. I’m told this is because the other dishes are cheaper and to get people to pay more they are not on the menu. Shame as I was going to have Roti Chani, crispy fried Indian pastry instead of rice.
Dr Chua returned home with Maria dropping Ps Vasanta home on the way. Dr Wong’s driver, Micky picked us and the other guests up for a drive around Sitiawan shops and down to the Navy base and Lamut. On route home we stopped off for satay. It was nearing 9pm and I was far too tired to eat, jumping into bed after a quick shower when we returned home.
Monday the ladies left early. I’d woken at 12:45am and couldn’t sleep so I was glad when I finally fell asleep and slept till 6am with a lazy day ahead of me. Washing, writing this blog and snacking on the kuey we had bought yesterday. That afternoon there was a sudden thunderstorm which flooded the lounge floor and blew the power. Fortunately the power just needed the switch to be flicked to bring it back on.
After my hectic few weeks I decided I’d stay in that night instead of joining the Bible Study group which I knew meant a late night as there is always a meal afterwards.
Tuesday 8th October I actually slept in to 7am, 10 hrs sleep. I felt much better for it too. I would have loved to be able to go for a jog here but firstly there was an electric gate and secondly the mob of dogs both inside and outside the gate were not very friendly. Instead I went through all my photos which should load automatically when I plug my phone into the laptop but since the update it’s not been syncing as it should.
Around 10am I went out for a long walk. I walked down the driveway past the neighbours dogs to the main road when I realised I had my thongs (flip-flops, slip-ons) on. I have been using my thongs as inside footwear and my sandals for outside and had forgotten to change before leaving the house. I messaged Maria to open the gate to make the change. I’m not good with wearing something between my toes and needed comfortable footwear to walk any distance.
I walked down one side of the main road then crossed over halfway down till I reached the overpass near the school. Then back the other side as it was a little more shaded. It seemed most of the shops are mechanic shops for either cars or motorbikes. There were also Chinese, Malay and Indian food shops, fashion, bags, grocery stores as well as two petrol stations a police station and a post office. I called into the post office to see how much a small parcel to Australia would be, 100gm was about $30 Aust!
On my return walk I stopped to get a roti chuni with dahl costing me 42 cents. I had taken my umbrella for shade but it was still very hot and humid. I definitely needed a shower and a change of clothes when I returned. Not long after this Maria called me down for lunch, fried fish, rice and vegies.
That afternoon I remembered I had promised to visit the family of my dental assistant, Ray, in Perth. I had been discussing with him my trip and he had asked where in Malaysia I was going. Not many people have heard of Ayer Tawer as it is a small town so I was surprised when he knew it. He had grown up in a town not far from there. Dr Wong rang Ray’s father who invited us to visit. Micky picked us up just as it was about to pour down. Dr Wong said she didn’t want to go in the storm but I persuaded her as I felt it was the right time to go. We reached the town and rang Ray’s father who came to show us the way to the family home. He and his wife invited us in. He told Dr Wong that he had called Ray to see if it was true, that he knew a woman called Sally from Perth. We had a laugh knowing he had checked up on me. Ray’s parents are Methodists, their forefathers had come to Malaysia from China bringing the gospel to this area. Although they were speaking in a Chinese dialect I gathered the gist of the conversation and Dr Wong translated the rest. Before we left Dr Wong prayed for the family and their children, two of whom are in Aust and one in Jahor Bahru. After praying, Ray’s dad told her it was a powerful prayer and was she praying in tongues? That led to another time of sharing which ended in us praying for them to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. What an afternoon. Our drive back was one of joy in what the Lord had accomplished.
Wednesday I joined Maria who took a taxi to Sitiawan, dropping me off at Aeon to see if I could find some more dried ginger as this is where I thought the shop where I bought it last time I was here but I was mistaken or it had closed down. I then waited for Maria at the Bakery Coffee shop not far from Aeon. I remember going here before too. The coffee was first class and a nice quiet place to sit and catch up with online friends. I contacted Angie in Ipoh to see what she was doing on Thursday as I was thinking of going back to Seremban via Ipoh and KL. She welcomed me back inviting me for another night of feasting, now I needed to find a bus from Ayer Tawer to Ipoh leaving in the morning. Maria rang me to say she was in Aeon so I returned to Aeon then together back to the coffee shop for Maria’s coffee. The one she had been waiting for in Aeon didn’t arrive.
From here we took a Grab taxi (similar to Uber) to a Korean restaurant ‘Running Man’ for lunch. Lots of vegies and kimchi. While waiting for our original taxi, a friend of the Chua family, we popped into the Avon store for a look around. There had been a bit of a mix up with the taxi driver and now he was busy so we waited about an hour to take Dr Wong’s lunch back to her. Back at the house I told Dr Wong about my plans to go to Ipoh in the morning, stay a night with Angie and then the train to KL on Friday. Dr Wong said she also wanted to go to Ipoh tomorrow so we would go together. Once again the Lord has provided.
That afternoon was filled with workmen, returning a fridge, collecting the washing machine; still under warranty which wouldn’t spin, cleaning the gutter which had been blocked, causing the rain to leak into the lounge, cutting the grass which goes crazy during the wet season and Micky replacing the cracked shower rose and door handle to the bathroom.
I was going to have an early night but then I got stuck on the computer writing up my blog so not into bed before 10pm. How time flies when you’re immersed in something.
Thursday up early to get things organised and bags packed for the trip back to Ipoh. I showed Dr Wong and Maria how to do the kefir, Dr Wong gave me a box of Lacto-5 probiotics sachets. After breakfast Maria helped to pick rumbutan, some of which we took with us for Angie as well as home-grown greens. Micky was running late as we had hoped to leave by 10am we finally got on the road by 11am. By this time I was hot, sweaty and irritable with a razor sore throat and start of a headache. On our way we were rerouted as part of the highway was flooded, I saw a clip later and was shocked at how rapidly the waters were rising across the road.
Reaching Ipoh we first stopped at the train station to book my ticket then lunch before getting lost on our way to Angie’s home. Finally arrived safely, warm good byes then inside, a shower to cool down as the old car had begun to get overheated so no more air conditioning.
Around 7pm Angie and I headed out for our dinner, a shop to see if I could find some rojak paste to take back to Australia, hoping I can get it through customs without a problem. I now have a few things to declare on entry. We stopped off at the supermarket to get some milk for my and Angie’s Kefir, when we arrived home to make it we realised the bottle had been opened. So back to the shop to exchange it. What a hassle! Another late night.
I slept terribly that night, in fact I don’t think I slept very much at all. After finally falling asleep around 1am, I tossed and turned till I finally gave up at 4:15am when I got up and packed my bags. Angie and I were out the door by 7:30am for Indian breakfast, Upham. I was surprised Angie had never had them before but glad I could introduce her to them as they are one of my favourite Indian foods. Then to the train station, where she waited with me for the train. I was determined not to have to wait to use the loo this time. I also wanted to sleep on the train but as I had an aisle seat and the recline was not much I didn’t. At least I could have my previously prepared iced coffee when I wanted.
My arranged meet up with a KL Couchsurfer fell through as I had sent him a message on Couchsurfing to say I wasn’t coming then a few days later thought I sent a WhatsApp message to say I was coming. Unfortunately he saw the ‘not coming’ after the ‘I am coming’ and thought I had changed my mind! Oh well these things happen.
I organised a locker for my heavy bag and wandered off to see the Mall, stopping for a frape coffee on route. I was seated here when a Chinese man started chatting to me. He was from Taiwan and also a Couchsurfer. He was waiting for a lady who had studied Mandarin in Taiwan. When she arrived I left them to chat and walked every floor of the Mall to fill in time before catching the 3:10pm arriving in Seremban around 4:30pm. I sent off a message to Veni who was in court, then needed to pick her daughter up before collecting me. In the meanwhile I munched on my Indian snacks and chatted to Angie. By 5:55pm I had been picked up and was heading to the house for a quick shower to wash off the grime of the day and a relaxing evening before an early night, falling asleep exhausted.
I decided it was a relaxing day I needed, washing my few things and entertaining Annette or was it she entertaining me. Meanwhile Veni had some challenging cases to attend to and Paul was at the clinic and away all day too. Aaron, their eldest son arrived that morning, it was good to see him as I hadn’t seen him since my last visit. He is married now and is a successful lawyer like his mother.
That evening Paul, Veni and Annette attended a wedding dinner. I didn’t want to be out late so Aaron and I went out for dinner. We had chicken and beef satay, the beef was delicious! We finished off with ice kacang but unfortunately the bean and corn were off so we didn’t finish it
Sunday was church, where I helped out at the very end with the children, relieving the children’s ministry leader for prayer before meeting Paul’s family and church friends. Veni, Annette and I then had lunch, finishing off with Annette and I sharing an ice kacang before returning to the house where I was persuaded to play some games with Annette who seems never to run out of energy! I then retired to my room where I started going through my things to organise packing for the morning.
In the evening Paul, Veni, Annette and I went out for our dinner and to buy for Veni’s mum who lives with them. Once again I found it difficult to sleep and woke at 3:20am and decided to stay up to pack for the last time. I was well ahead of time and ready waiting at the front gate 15mins before the arranged time. Paul had called a taxi friend who had arranged to come at 5am. It certainly puts my mind at ease when I know someone is coming, mind you he was 15mins late, which didn’t help my nerves. A quick good bye to Veni then a rush off to the airport. I’m not sure if he understood the red traffic lights meant stop as he just slowed down and kept going as did everyone else at this time of day! I hadn’t needed to worry about being on time as the flight was delayed 45mins. I thought it might be dues to extra flights being put on due to the cancelled flights from Japan due to the typhoon. I was glad to be able to check in my bag and relax at the terminal where I also ate my breakfast. I sent off a quick message to Glenda via email and Elaine via WhatsApp asking if she could please call Glenda as she was not on WhatsApp and I was concerned she would come to the airport too early.
Unlike other airports where we go through the baggage scan as we leave immigration here we went through it as we entered the waiting lounge. I was also surprised that once we had entered this area there was no access to toilets. Fortunately we didn’t have to wait long before boarding as the other toilets were quite a distance from our gate and had a long cue. Those closer were closed and had, I’m told been closed for some time.
As I was checking in I had been asked if I would change my seat. They were giving me which on boarding I saw was just behind first class and had lots of leg room. A young couple with a 14 month old baby were my travel companions. They asked if they could have the window seat as the bassinette would then be out of my way. I was hesitant to swap as although I preferred the aisle seat I also wanted to rest against the window to sleep. Fortunately the baby and I slept even though not as comfortably as I had hopped but any sleep was better than none. I was so pleased the baby was quiet most of the trip which was a credit to the parents.
Not long now and I’ll be landing in Perth.
Photos: 1. Angie’s flowers 2 Coffee with Angie 3. Gardens beyond the cave 4. Overcrowding sign 5. Massage stone path 6. Path in garden 7. My massage 8. Angie, Derik and I feasting 9. Seafood feast 10. Kid’s party 11. Aileen & Jasmine 12. Ray’s parents 13. Indian breakfast 14. Mary, Maria and Vasanta 15. Upham 16. Ice Kachang 17. Veni, Annette, me & Paul 18. Chelliah family and me
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for an amazing time I have had throughout my whole six weeks away. For his provision, leading and safety as well as the many opportunities for ministry. Not forgetting all the new friends and adventures I’ve had.
Please pray for the Lord’s leading and guidance as I seek Him for confirmation to return to Phuket next May.
Thank you for your prayers for doors to open and open hearts as I’ve travelled around Asia. (Col 4:3)
I still can’t believe how the Lord has answered prayer in regards to accommodation throughout my trip and especially in Malaysia.
Please continue to pray for the salvation of my three sisters, Tricia, Jen and Kat and especially for reconciliation and forgiveness between Tricia and the rest of us.
Thank you for your continual prayers for the business, Senior’s Benefits and Rewards. Grace has been sending me updates of the app which look very professional and functional.
Please continue to pray for the trademark application to be accepted this time. We hope to start the app trial soon with seniors and coffee shops in Sydney. Please continue to pray for the success of our venture.