KC and CS used to take turns playing lead and rhythm and each specializes in certain songs or tunes. But because they came by train, KC brought along his sound effects gadget only. So we ended up: KC played lead, myself bass (selected songs only), CS drums and Ken keyboard as organ without the accompaniments.
We played only instrumentals rather than songs (last minute found out microphone was out of order) which were familiar to us – Reflections of my life, Peace pipe, Theme for young lovers, Rise and fall of Fingle Bunt, Apache, Black Magic Woman, Woolly Bully, and so on. Ken just came back from a studio session in Singapore with the two Chuas of The Quests fame, so our efforts were 'ho hum' to him.
But it was fun whenever former classmates got together... without pretence.
For food, we had to forego some good choices because of certain dislikes, avoidance for medical reasons or allergies. For eg. I had in mind, seafood lunch or dinner in Tg. Tualang and Kg. Baru Ayer Tawar but KC tried to avoid them because of gout. As soon as they arrived, my suggestion for banana leaf lunch at Ganapathy (opposite the old train station) was not taken because Ken had mouth ulcer. We recommended the good old 'melon powder' available at Chinese medicine shops. So we had a simple Hakka 'pan mee' in Plaza Batu Gajah instead.
Ken used to read my blog in Sydney and reminded me of those foods mentioned on my local travels. But since we had planned for a night stay in Damai Laut, Kuala Gula and Kuala Sepetang were out of the way and especially when KC was trying to avoid seafood. Since Ken's favourite was steamed fish, we tried having one at Wong Kok (BG) but using imported cod instead; then in Lumut at an old Hainanese restaurant; then in Menglembu at Pin Sum restaurant which turned out best for him (probably because he liked the ginger sauce)!
Though they came by train, on their return journey, each of them were laden with pomeloes (direct from a farm in Tambun), Ayam Garam (salted chicken) and biscuits!
For three persons, it is debatable whether it was cheaper by train or by car. The return fare for 3 persons was Rm126 which was probably the same as paying for petrol and tolls. Out of the three, only one was entitled to senior citizen's rate (less 20%) while the other two were just shy of 60, and even if of age, one was ineligible anyway because of his foreigner status. The most important factor which made them travel by train was the nostalgia. But they had to rely on my transport on arrival and for touring.
Link
No comments:
Post a Comment