Readings@Seksan on 28 October (Sat), 3.30pm My Journey By Bus | Pahang . Terengganu . Kelantan - Lam Ching Fu Ready? *start the engine* Jom, hop on the bus now! 。 .。 The distance to the sea (Dungun – Marang – Kuala Terengganu) I remember my scenic bus journey along the coast of Terengganu very vividly. It was particularly so due to the constant change of scenery outside my bus window; mountains and rivers in one moment, idyllic kampung life the next and then a feast of the vast sea in store for your eyes. Do sit by the window to catch a glimpse of life in Terengganu if you ever find yourself on this route. The ride between Dungun and Marang served me views of marshes, beaches and villages. It was like a glimpse into the villagers’ lives as they dried their clothes and chatted in front of their lawns. There were also patches of mangroves, coconut groves and pokok Rhu, and stretches of beaches with azure waters and crashing waves along the ride. I opened the window and pressed my face against the panes whenever I could. I didn’t mind that the sea breeze messed up my hair, I loved the scenery outside very much. The ride from Marang to Kuala Terengganu offered blue seas and blue skies. It felt like the sea was within reach, especially the stretch between Kampung Rusila and Kuala Ibai. Somehow watching the sea from the bus felt even more exciting than if I was on the beach. I could hardly wait to jump into the sea for a swim! 。 .。 Farewell with loved ones (Terminal Bas Kuala Besut) A double-decker express bus bound for Kuala Lumpur was parked at the bus terminal. Whilst waiting for my bus to Kota Bharu, I spent some time observing one particular family. A little girl was amusing herself with the stray kittens. Her father was buying a ticket at the counter whilst her grandfather helped to load the luggage onto the bus. It turned out that the family was here to send the girl’s aunty off to Kuala Lumpur! Five minutes before departure, the lady held her father’s hand and lowered her forehead before kissing it lightly. Her father nodded with a smile whilst placing his hand to his chest in acceptance. She then pressed her cheeks against his three times alternatively before embracing in a hug. Her father whispered something in her ear then she repeated this ritual when bidding goodbye to every family member. When the bus departed, her family stood at the platform, waving till the bus was out of sight. It was heart-warming to see so much love being exchanged between this family. Their wholesome interaction clearly demonstrated filial piety between the family members. I learnt that Muslim men and women are not to have skin to skin contact unless they are legally married or related by blood. Keen to learn more, I proceeded to do some research after that encounter in the bus terminal. 。 .。 It is important to have small change on you (Kuala Krai – Gua Musang) The journey from Kuala Krai to Gua Musang is about two hours. Passengers getting on and off the bus along the way included a foreign worker who got on at the plantation estate bus stop halfway through my journey. He took out a RM50 note to pay for the ticket but the driver did not have change for that amount. He tried to ask a few other passengers if they had small change but to no avail. Seeing this, I quickly offered to pay for his RM2 fare which I handed to the driver. I remembered a lady performing this same kindness to me when I did not have change on me when I was studying Form Six in Kuala Lumpur. She paid for my bus fare and said, “RM1 is but a small amount, don’t worry about it, think of it as me buying you a cup of tea.” I was glad for the opportunity to pay it forward many years later. Hopefully we would all consider performing more random acts of kindness that might create big ripples through time. A warm reminder: do keep small change when you take the bus where possible. 。 .。 Malay songs I listened to in those years (Kuala Terengganu – Penarik) The S.P. Bumi bus from Kuala Terengganu to Penarik had the radio on full blast. I could clearly hear what was being played on the radio. “...Namun rasa ini dalam mencari erti Yakin ku kekal mu disisi takkan pergi Hadir dirimu memulihkan ku...” Two female college students seated behind me sang along with much gusto. I came to learn that this song is titled “Takkan Pergi” by a local boy band, Hyper Act. The song is about a pair of lovers who will never leave each other. I found the melody catchy and the lyrics beautiful. The next song to be played is one of my favourites, “Belaian Jiwa” by Innuendo. It was such a hit when it was released in 1997. This blast from the past was such a treat. Songs are quite a magical experience, they have a way of giving words to that which we usually find difficult to express. There are so many emotions and memories associated with certain songs. Music can be very moving. It tugs at your heart strings and gives you a walk down memory lane transporting you to a moment in time that means a lot to you. 。 .。 Afterword My recent trip was akin to Journey To The West. In this classic Chinese novel, a monk and his three disciples encountered many trials whilst meeting people from all walks of life along their way. I definately did not encounter as many difficulties as them in mine. Instead, I met many warm and kind souls like the hotel owner who helped me to Ayer Jerneh, both my hosts at Ayer Jerneh and Pasir Hantu, and finally the stall and hotel owners who bought me meals in Bachok. Priceless souvenirs were also generously gifted to me like the old ledger from the grocery store in Kampung Kolong Pahat and the out of print limited edition matchboxes from the Kelantan Match Factory. My renewed friendship with Lim Bee Ling is something I cherish. The journey itself, the opportunity to be one with MotherNature and to learn all the stories and lore that the land has to offer was the most wondrous of it all. These sweet memories made my travels and life as rich as the characters in Journey To The West. Like the characters from the novel, I forged many deep friendships on my own journey by bus to the East Coast. People often asked me what it means to travel? To me, it means an opportunity to observe locals in their element, how they choose to live and thrive in life. This glimpse into their lives helped my heart to open up and detach from certain “baggages” I carried for far too long in life. Travelling, like a bus journey, is a movement through space and time. It is an experience that changes our moods, world view and even soul. We become better versions of ourselves when we see things from someone else’s perspective rather than our own. When writing this book, I tried to capture and share all my experiences to the best ability. It was crucial to me that people learn more about the East Coast states, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan in hopes that this will spark a desire in them to make their own journey around Malaysia. Whilst Malaysia is not big, she has much beauty to offer and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Hopefully people will take the time to witness them for themselves and come back with their own amazing and fascinating travel experiences. Together these stories are what helps Malaysia make her mark in the world. It is in this way that we keep our heritage alive. Malaysia, Tanah Airku. 。 .。 That's all. THANK YOU. *switch off the engine*
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AuthorLam Ching Fu Archives
January 2024
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