Tuesday 31 March 2009

Reminiscing The Past (3)

Images of the old Batu Pahat

I've to thank Yeo Ah Chew, a retired teachers for emailing these scanned photos of the Batu Pahat of 1955.

This is the view of Jalan Soga in 1955


Jalan Soga in 1914




Jalan Rahmat in 1955



Another part of Jalan Rahmat in 1955







Monday 30 March 2009

Reminiscing The Past (2)

Images of the old Batu Pahat


Kim's Park, the amusement park at Jalan Mohd Akil. Once a focal point for families, it gave way to a number of office blocks




This cinema was demolished to give way to Odeon cinema at Jalan Jenang


This photo shows Jalan Edrus in 1914. There are Japanese flags all over the place, indicating the increasingly powerful Japanese presence in the country. What were the Japanese doing here in 1914? The Japanese occupation only began in 1942. According to some sources, the Japanese were already operating an iron ore mine at Sri Medan and later a bauxite mine, which is the site of the present Tasik Bukit Pasir.



Saturday 28 March 2009

Reminiscing The Past (1)

Images of the old Batu Pahat

Taken in the fifties, these photos show a Batu Pahat that is long gone. I am sure that many young people have no inkling as to what it looked like in the past.



A view of the Batu Pahat river. On the left are presumably buildings housing the customs department


A ferry transporting buses filled with passengers to the opposite side of the river. In the foreground the building with the prominent cupola still stands. Before the bridge connecting both sides of the river, transportation was by boat and ferry


Waiting for a boat


An overloaded motor launch





Friday 20 March 2009

Ceramic Tableware Galore

After the Malay wedding lunch in Johore Bahru, we took the old road by way of Simpang Rengam to Batu Pahat, stopping by at ClayTan at Air Hitam to look at some ceramic tableware. Of course you could choose to visit the branch at Jalan Kluang, Batu Pahat, but this main warehouse has a greater variety that are sold for a song. Those intending to set up houses will find this a good place to pick up stuff at bargain prices.















Thursday 19 March 2009

A Malay Wedding Feast

We attended a Dato's son's wedding in Johor Bahru recently. He is a former District Officer of Batu Pahat. Of course being a Dato, the kenduri which took place in his house had to be commensurate with his status. Unlike a Chinese wedding dinner, a Malay wedding feast doesn't encourage you to stay longer than you should; guests streamed in, partook of the food and moved on to allow other guests to take their places.











Tuesday 17 March 2009

Country Living (6)

I could see that perpetual gleam in his eyes and sense the passion as he talked about his vision for his farm; his ideas kind of flowed as he rattled off: a herbal garden, organic farming, farm chicken fed on corn, palm wine trees, spas to accommodate two people, foot massage, and food. He used us as a sounding board to clarify his vision. Everything must be natural; no plastic tableware or chairs, no metal, but unfortunately most things natural are expensive and he had to settle for a dilution. His completed gazebo is vision dented by the reality of cheap plastic chairs and the high cost of attap roofing.

Anyway, Mr Lim invited us to try out a couple of dishes at his gazebo which could accommodate three medium sized tables. He wanted us, as he put it frankly, to comment on his food. He prepared two dishes: curry fish head and a chicken dish cooked with ground leaves of a native Sarawak plant called 'pokok ma' or the 'ma tree'. The leaves are said to be used in cooking by the indigenous people to fortify their women after childbirth. His second wife is a Sarawakian of Chinese descent. The food was washed down with Royal Stout and fresh palm wine obtained from a palm estate in Yong Peng. Quite a potent combination for me.


The recently completed gazebo


The delicious fish head curry cooked by his first wife. It looks like he is going to rope in his two wives into his scheme


Chicken cooked in white wine and the leaves of the 'ma tree'. The chicken are fed on corn.
It is distinctly different and delicious; it reminds me of the traditional Chinese chicken cooked in white wine and ginger for Chinese women after childbirth.


Some guests tucking in


Unfortunately I did not take any picture on palm wine tapping. This image is to give you a general idea about palm wine


Chilled palm wine. Mixed with Royal or Guinness Stout, it could be a potent combination


After the lunch, guests enjoying the palm wine and the serenity of the farm


A Hindu Religious Ceremony

Images of a Hindu Religious Ceremony

The temple in an estate


The musicians playing devotional music


Queue of devotees offering prayers


Hindu priests presiding over the rituals


A deity


Indian youths gathering to partake in the ceremony


Tents set up for a free lunch after the ceremony


Folks enjoying their banana leaf lunch


A mother and her children tucking in


Indian cookies on sale at the temple