HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ANNY CHUNRAEM

What does it take to be and to stay married? Getting married is the easy part except for the whole list of administrative procedures to comply and in my case, endless visit to Syariah court for getting married 'without permission' outside of Malaysia which is of course, a story of another blog.  I always thought the only permission and blessing I needed was only from my parents but not in Malaysia. 

Unbeknown that I needed the Malaysia religious department's approval to get married in Bangkok, my brother Amnan Bazli Pahamin and son, Aaraf Armin left for Bangkok a few days before the 10 January, a month after I broke the news of getting into another marriage to my parents. No, I would never do anything without my parents consent and blessing but unfortunately, my parents were not available to attend my akad nikah on the date we were scheduled to get married. My parent however, organized the menyambut menantu and the wedding reception at the Royale Chulan, Kuala Lumpur on 1st March my birthday, a few months after the akad nikah.

So we were solemnized the year I turned 40 on 10 January and it was so simple without the traditional ceremony unlike those akad nikah done in Malaysia.

As I turned 40, I learn so much from the past especially the period when I was single, being a divorcee (No, I am not embarrass to say I was a divorcee). One important lesson that I learn was that I cannot live without a women... without a wife (notice the singular, not plural). I dont know how any other single man does it, but I cannot. I cannot live with many wives too, I am bad at multitasking. Without anyone to share with, everything has no meaning. I lost the drive, the ambition and the direction in life. Everything including money and businesses has no meaning.

EUROPE EXCURSION

19 December 2014, the whole of Bustanu Pahamin residence except for the 9 maids, 5 guards and 4 drivers, left with 30 luggages weighing 270kg in total for a 17 hours flight inc 2 hours transit in Doha on Qatar flight from Kuala Lumpur to London Heathrow. Prepared for the expected coldest winter in Europe, we brought along 5kg rice, three rice cookers and 2 bags of food including sambal belacan, big huge bottle of already fried salted fishes (ikan kering) and anchovies (baso darak kato oghe Kelatae).

Sambal belacan, Ikan kering, all snacks & food, the 270kg of luggages, 22 passengers + 2 infants safely arrived in Heathrow London at 130pm and were greeted by the friendly English Parlo tour guide to a big coach to bring us to Elvedon Forest, Centre parcs in Suffolks. The weather was friendly without any rain but twice colder than the average aircondition room in Malaysia.

After an almost 2 hours of drive, we arrived at Centre Parcs around 5pm and the weather was less friendly.... Colder!! 

We checked into a total of three 3 bedroom cabins and one 4 bedroom cabin and had Anny's hot home cook meal to end the day. Anny, Aaraf and I was in the same cabin with Wawa, Doc Ta, Shazrai & Shazrhy. Wawa, Shazrai & Aaraf went for a walk in the coldest weather to collect our £30 per day rented bicycle which was the primary source of transportation in the 400 acres of resort. They also went and did some grocery while Anny & I retired as early as 7pm.

Jet lagged, we woke up at 3am and cooked fried rice and sausages. By 7am we were ready for our first activity for the day.

We had pre-booked all activities at the Centre Parcs. Each of the activity cost approximately RM180 or £30 exc 20% VAT. 

Our first activity was High Rope, Jacobs Ladder. Secured by a harness, we had to climbed up on team work basis, 7 levels up. Team work means, we had to support each other to climb each step up. The height vary from one step to the next. The heights from the third to the fourth is about 5 feet and the highest step is as high as 9 feet (I think, maybe more).

 

   

 

 

 

Anny Chunraem, Aaraf Armin, Rafel Rhiza, Raina Rhiza, Rees Azhar and I only managed to reach the fourth level and had to abandon when Raina & Aaraf gave up. 

We continued our activity with wall climbing. I had my first taste of wall climbing at Camp 5, One Utama with Rose Emini Pahamin many years back. Being height phobic, I didn't enjoy as much anything to do with height.. Gayat wei!!!! ...but Rees reached the peak twice. Aaraf & Rafel managed to reach mid point and Anny had 2 attempts.

 

It was a great experience climbing in the cold weather and the soonest we completed the two activities, we went back to our cabin for Ibu's homecook hot Nasi lemak!!! That's heaven especially in the cold.

Anny, Aaraf, Rafel, Rees, Leona and I proceeded with our 3rd activity with the Segway adventure. We impatiently cycle to the outdoor activity area but Rees & Leona was declined entry being underweight. All participants must be more than 7 stone in weight. For once, I was grateful with Aaraf's weight. Both Aaraf & Rafel were all smiley.

  

The Segway was a good experience. We should get that for transportation in Bustanu.. 

We rode into the forest but was pre-warned not to speed. Rafel & Aaraf was not pleased. Have it their way, they wanted to rammed the Segway to its maximum speed.

After the Segway, we cycled to the club house of sort, parked our bicycle and walk around enjoying every moment.

I have not cycled for many years since I retire from those dualthon & triathlon activities. Cycling in the forest, brought back those good cycling memories when we used to clock 200km mileage a week. 

This year marked our 10 years anniversary since we cycled our first longest distance from KL to Port Dickson. We were a bunch of crazy gym-goers then whom started out with RPM classes at the Fitness First gym. Everyday, we would attend to 3-4 RPM classes as part of our training before we actually ride outdoor. That Port Dickson cycle was also the period when we were hit by the biggest tsunami. Masya Allah time flies and Allah swt protected us.

 Our day ends looking forward to the next activity!! But of course, after a good food... A man got to do what a man has to do...

After makan... we hang out near the fire to keep us warm.

To be continued..