The annual Hari Raya expedition

Hari Raya over the past few years have yielded many constants.  There is the last minute rush to spring clean the house, no doubt a tradition that will be imported over to our new home in Singapore. There is the trip down to Singapore for a round of visits to Mom (in-law)'s Singapore folks.

And finally, there is the trip to Muar, Johor - Dad (in-law)'s home town.

We just completed the Muar trip today and this leg of the annual Hari Raya expedition is no different from the rest.  Whilst Dad never makes a big deal of the trip down to Muar, I can see he is in a visibly better mood, cheery and boyish! I still recall clearly his excitement during my first trip to Muar; sitting in my car as we entered town, his boyhood memories came flooding back.  He pointed out where he went swimming along the river, where the book-shop he used to patronise, the small law firm that was still there, the primary school he went to, and the field he played in after school.  Through the recollection, he re-lived his earlier life.

Its a return to his hometown and many a times, Nisa and I wish we could do this trip with Dad more often during the year.  I don't have to look far to imagine my being away from Singapore for the entire year, only to return once.  And seeing that I have now regarded KL as my home as well, when we live in Singapore, vice versa.

Dad and Najat arrived at Muar earlier than us today.  Nisa, Jamie and I, together with the rest of the family, travelling from Singapore and arriving some 2hrs+ after them.  Nonetheless, Dad was in his usual high spirits and I was glad.

The house at Muar is huge by Singapore standards.  More significant is the fact that it had something that I could only dream about, whilst living in Singapore.  The backyard area is enormous, and this is where the family dining table is situated, next to the kitchen which is entirely opened.  The entire family is able to sit together, behind the house, in covered airy space.  The catching up of the year's going-ons would be conducted here, out of sight from the causal passer-by on the road.  I had always looked longingly at this part of the house, hoping that one day, our home would be able to accommodate something like this.   This will never be because I asked Dad if he realised that the entire backyard is the size of our (soon to be) flat in Singapore - he didn't but no matter.

Dad herded all of us into the cars at c 8.30pm for the return trip home.