Weekend Getaway: The Journey

We managed to spend some time together in Perak last weekend. We spent a night in Taiping and another in Ipoh. Here are some things that we like to share

A direct drive from Kuantan to Ipoh ranges from 6 – 8 hours, depending on the route and traffic. If you’re looking for cheap travel, use the old trunk road. However, it will add 2 hours to your trip (compared to highway).If you take Lebuhraya Pantai Timur (LPT), enter through Gambang toll. The toll fee from Gambang to Karak is RM16.90. The LPT is in a bad state. Driving on it is a horrendous experience. If you drive too fast you can get ‘melambung’ all over the place. Plus, there’s nothing much to see and I get sleepy easily. Thus, the trunk road is my option. It has nice bends to add some zing to the drive. Then there’s the occasional ‘beruks’ (monkeys) running around or lying on the road (as in ROADKILL). You can also get an adrenaline rush by getting tailgated by 8 wheeled-lorries. There are some nice places to stop as well. If you feel like taking a dip, you can get to Berkelah waterfall. However the road leading to the waterfall is gravel. Perfect for practicing rallying moves but not good for your car’s suspension. Bear in mind that some 10 minutes of hiking is required to get to the 1st waterfall. Then there’s the Gambang waterpark which opened recently. When approaching Temerloh there is a particular pisang goreng stall on your right. It is located after Temerloh Hospital (HOSHAS), before the Petronas station. The pisang is tasty and the air kelapa is refreshing. If all is well you will be able to reach Karak in 2 ½ to 3 hours.

The next phase of the journey is between Karak and Genting Sempah. The Karak highway is a joy to drive on. The bends are not so sharp and you can take it at relatively high speeds (90km/h). You can really test your car’s handling here. It does not require that much gear changes though. However do be cautious of the road condition and traffic. You’ll meet up with just 1 toll plaza which will set you back RM 3. Once you reach Genting Sempah, take time to fill what needs to be filled (tank, perut) and empty what needs to be emptied. Enjoy the cool air and relax for a while.

Next is the journey between Genting Sempah and Batang Kali. This is the shortcut route to Perak. It will save 1 hour and RM 30 fuel (in comparison to going through KL). This route is particularly dangerous. Avoid driving at night and when it’s raining. The roads can get really slippery. The bends are really sharp. Be careful not to lock your wheels, once you do your car will go out of control and you’ll either hit a tree or go into the drain. Make sure the breaks function properly before attempting to take this route. Once you reach Batang Kali just follow the signs to Ipoh or Tanjong Malim. Near Tanjong Malim you can decide to enter the PLUS highway. Toll from Tanjong Malim to Simpang Pulai is RM 16.40. It takes less than 2 hours to get to Ipoh by taking the highway. If you decide on the trunk road, it will take up to 3 hours. There’s lots of places to stop along the way. In Sungkai, there is a hot springs (never been there yet) while Bidor is famous for it’s jambu batu.

After Simpang Pulai, just head straight to Ipoh – my home town. The next phase is from Ipoh to Taiping. I was in quite a rush then so I just took the highway. The toll from Jelapang to Changkat Jering was RM 6.40. The journey was barely an hour. After exiting the highway I made my way straight to Hospital Taiping to pick up my wife…I was glad to see my wife then. We were both tired, she had an 8 – 5 shift and I just drove 650km. But we were both happy. It’s been 2 weeks since we last met. It was wonderful to be with her again.

2nd Monthly-versary

3rd November is and important date for my wife and I. I still remembered that night way back in 2007. It was a Saturday night. We've been texting each other for weeks. I was already in love with Akmar, but was too shy to tell her. It's like the lyrics to the 'cute Ella song' (Ku Merindu). I was careful not to appear desperate. I gave cheesy texts such as 'u look hot today' and 'no wonder hari ni panas'...very crappy indeed. She found it amusing though. That very night we somehow chatted about relationship and I popped this question:

Me: 'have u found THE 1?'

It was an innocent question but quite bold of me...I was surprised when she replied:

Akmar: 'i think i found him but i juz need his clarification'
Me: 'that guy must be really lucky...'
Akmar: 'u r such a pessimist :) '

My replies were not exactly romantic. Since then our relationship bloomed. We started planning for marriage. 1 1/2 years later, we got married on 16th May 2009.
Today we celebrate our 2nd Wedding Monthly-versary. Although we are far apart (Kuantan - Taiping), and can't celebrate it together it is still a special day for MY WIFE and I. Baby,i f your're reading this

HAPPY 2nd MONTHLY-VERSARY, I LOVE YOU :)

The Next Chapter

I hugged and kissed my wife for the last time at 12.40 p.m. at the departure hall entrance of Kuala Terengganu International Airport. Its going to be weeks or months before I get to see her again. It was one of the saddest moment in our 1 month 3 weeks marriage. I wiped her tears away even though I was holding back mine. I have to be strong for her. Its hard for us to be apart. Even as students, we were always in the same class. I would watch out for her and occasionally flirted with my future wife. But life is never a straight road.

After 5 years of 'good lucks' in medical school, I ran out of it on the final professional exam. The first failure in 5 years (not including minitest fails)...at the end of 5 years. I don't blame anyone for it and I'm done thinking of the 'what if's'. Several lecturers say it was just blind luck...and I accept it. Not as luck but as fate. I was fated to get a high fever on exam day and go blank. As fate goes, I have to extend another 6 months in medical school. I have another 5 months to go now. The next posting being surgery.

Meanwhile, my wife just completed her induction course at Kuala Terengganu. I stayed with her thorugh the weekend, even attending the closing ceremony with her. Beginning 13th July 2009, she will be posted at Taiping Hospital as a houseman. She has to go through it alone as she is the only IIUM graduate posted there. And thanks to the 'little Napoleans' at MOH she has to fly to Kajang, pack her stuff and set off ot Ipoh in half a day (Sunday). Then report for duty at Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri and make a trip to Hospital Taiping on Monday. Unfortunately I am not able to take her there to report for duty. Fortunately though I have wonderful parents to help her go through it.

I have no idea how life will be like in the next 5 months. I initially planned to be a weekend husband and be with her on weekends. But 7 hours drive from Kuantan to Taiping would be too taxing. It'll burn a whole in my pocket and the long journey would use up my study time. I can only pray that all will be well. Allah knows what's best for everyone. baby, if you are reading this...I miss you so much T_T

...every little things

Its at moments like these that I learn2apreciate every precious shreds of time that i get2spend with my beloved hubby...being apart is soooo difficult...so far not a single day has passed without me crying to myself at the end of the day....but Allah does not burden His slaves with anything more than they can handle...inshaAllah what duznt kill us will make us & our love stronger...may Allah give us strength & guidance 2 face this tough challenge...& may we be more righteous & become better Muslims along the way...Ameen