2/5/11 BUDDIES (Original topic: Kawan)

(Two roses, two colors that come together, that made me remember of another friend, though in the hot day of Serikin)

Since last Saturday, I recieved a visit from buddies from my former University. We met last year at Cameroon Highland, after departing since 1984, for most. Though, not many made it on this trip, the six families, made me occupied for the last two days break.

(2) Engku Husien-Norly and son, Halim Hamid and family, Zainal-Azilah and family, Datuk Matnor-Mahani and family, Datuk Zaini and family, and Hamidah Omar and family. Datuk Matnor and Hamidah Omar are additional to the previous Cameroon trip. By accident, Datuk Matnor was a geologist student graduated in 1982 when I began to gain serious into Campus politic. Now he is a District Officer at Lipis, Pahang. Hamidah is an Officer at LHDN in Ipoh.

(3) Engku Husein and Halim are my regular buddies for Cofee at KLCC when we have time as I frequent KL. Husein, Halim, Zainal, Hamidah (after much luring) and me (Azilah as backbencher) were forefront in our student days (1982) campus political activities. The most crazy among all, was Halim and sometimes myself, whom with some of us, being the 'Russian Mafia' doing lots of 'propagandas'. We really enjoy those 'growing and maturing' campus life. As for Husein son's, Safiq, he was still in pampers when I used to visit Husein when he was in Pandan Indah. Both Husein and me pinned up his favorite cartoons: Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck in his room then. He is now doing accountacy at the Monash University.

(4) For this Kuching trip, I just want to put on record on one rememberance, not only for them but for all of us. The Tour Guide, by the name of Robert, narrated a legend of the Mt Sandtubong. This folk story, as I would call it, I would say worth to remember. Never mind about the truth, since the moral of the story is great.

(5) Two sisters, Santubong and Sejinjang were involved in a jealous fight over a young man named Serapi. While on a cradle, one evening, with ill intent, Sejinjang purposely pushed Santubong cradle too fast flying that made her fall down and lay broken into nine pieces. She laid there helpless and that, today made the Mt Santubong, with nine crack (creek) areas. Santubong from a distance, resembles a lady lying on her back. The head is directed to the south toward ths Satubong River, and her breasts and tummy right at the center. The legs made to the South China Sea, the Pantai Damai.

(6) I have climbed to the top of Mt Santubong, and the journey up there is much toughter than making to the top of Mt. Kinabalu. Lime and sand stone, I would believe is the main structure of Mt Kinabalu.

(7) Nonetheless, as Santubong was falling, she managed to strick Sejinjang with a stick that she carried. That blow rested on Sejinjang's head, and that made it split off. Today, Sejinjang made Sejinjang Hill just across Santubong with Pulau Kera at a distance as Sejinjang's splited head.

(7) Interestingly, Santubong was a weaver, thus she loves beauties. That makes, what Santubong today a real beautiful and serene from a distance (with some scars now start creeping due to some landowners activities at the foot hill). While Sejinjang, she loves gardening, that makes today Sungai Buah, a small stream nearby, where she dedicated herself farming, is full of the best durians in Sarawak. The durian test milky-fatty with strong aroma. These durians fruit around October every year. Somethime, the price could fetch upto RM30.00 sizing about 1.5-2.0 Kg each.

(8) Today, part of Sungai Buah is being turned into a Family Park. I hope this could be completed by July, 2011 as a gift, especially to those Kuching folks whom seem to be lacking of family get together facilities. I believe everybody understand this intention, for the good emotional health of our own people her in Kuching.

(9) Nobody ever told me about the legend of Serapi, but I just want to make mine, ie upon his sadness to see the quarrel of the two sisters, I believe he just want to stay a little further away, crying to this day, loosing his love one, Santubong, I would guest. That's the very reason why he is best to serve as Watercathment Area for Kuching-Samarahan and as well as the best Telecomunication Structure site. The blinking red light from this telco tower and nice drinking water from the mountains complex, is a semblance of the red and tears of his eyes. He just continue to cry, and his colapsed makes others to take benefit out of his failure. And those, are us, the population of Kuching-Samarahan, who benefit from the Matang Water Treatment Facility.

(10) Probably to add more spelndid to the storyline, the Satubong river was created by the blood bath of Santubong and Sejinjang, while the Matang River is formed by the nonstop tears of Serapi. Those river system within the Serapi-Sejinjang and Santubong form a very serene ever green mangrove forest. This mangrove forest is a good habitat for our friends: the crocs and their symbiotic udang galah.

(12) Hey friends, I hope you guys love that sliced and smoke udang galah with cheese. Nonetheless, I just love the boiled small "senik or empunok', because I would love to chew the shell together as antidote to the high collestrol intake.

(13) I've been visualizing, to put up a nice WaterFront Family Restaurant at Pasir Panjang, facing Mt Santubong, flank by Sejinjang Hill and a distance Serapi. In the mid full moon night, at high tide, I visualise a very romantic scene, that one day, could be a remembrance to all, how one, with jealousy, with bad deed, will always be a looser, now or later.

(14) Thank Robert, and my visiting friends. We surely must always pass on something good for our future left ones. May you guys have safe and pleaant journey back home. See you again probably in Tahan National Park.

Kuching, Sarawak
2 May, 2011