Unforgettable Diwali Getaway

Oil Lamps (Diyas) lighted on the eve of Diwali

Kolam, by Asha, Suguna, Dr.CJ and me

Oil Bath on the day of Diwali

From Left: Me, Suguna and Asha with bangles from Suguna as Diwali's gift.

Deepavali (Tamil), Diwali (Hindi) is the festival of lights celebrated by Hindus. This year, was happened to be invited by a friend to spent 3 days in Pantai Remis, Perak with her lovely family. Her house is situated inside a oil palm estate. I love the smell of boiling of oil palm fruits that smelled like boiling chestnut. My phone line(Maxis) didn't have proper signal there, so i just left it there and didn't bother to bring it with me. I even removed my watch as i didn't see the meaning of knowing the time when i was there. Serene environment and very calming and relaxing. We arrived a day before Diwali, helped with some cookies baking, had a wonderful ride in motorbikes traversing the little stoney pathway between rows of nicely lined oil palm tree. Cooling and refreshing breeze caressed our face. At the eve, we prepared kolam, for me, its the very first time.

On Diwali, i experienced the oil bath ritual performed by friend's mum, and was blessed, received a "pink" packet and got a new cloth from the parents. Then, i wore the Salwar Kameez (Punjabi Suit) lent by my friend for the very first time. I followed them to perform a prayer at a temple in the estate. After returning from the temple, we had our breakfast. I had 3 dosa and 1 Idly....together with lots of curry and chutney. After meal, we went to a friend place. On the way, my energy was drained by the fermented food that i had for breakfast. Feeling extremely sleepy in the car....Just couldn't open up my eyes. Then we visited Kellie's Castle. A beautiful castle built by a Scottish man in the early of 19th century in Batu Gajah, Perak. That evening, we made a quick stop at UTP before heading friend's place. Experienced thunderstorm on the way back from UTP.

Had wonderful dinner, and watched a Tamil comedy, Tamil version of "I Robot" named "Endhiran" It was super funny. Then we slept very well....The next day, had morning stroll in her house garden, donated some blood to the mosquitoes there, had breakfast, chit chat, and left around 1.30pm with packed lunch box that contained so many love. Headed to Taiping town as planned, but could foresee the coming thunderstorm, so decided to scrap the Taiping plan and had a impromptu picnic lunch outside of a closed restaurant with table and chairs on the front porch of the shop. Had the most wonderful lunch experience. Then, drove all the way back to Penang, reached home around5pm. Feeling tired and sleepy right after arriving home.

It was a wonderful experience indeed. Learned a lot and blessed with all the love in the world. We 4, Suguna, (Malaysian Indian), Asha (India Indian), DR. CJ (Nigerian, Christian) and me (Malaysian Chinese) are from different background, culture and some even nationality are a fantastic group together. Only thing similar is, we are all from PPTI USM, for now.