Kluang, Part II

I decided to take 3 days off work and bring the kids back to Kluang during the September holidays again.

Considering the options, it worked out best for our situation cos I was not willing to spend on an air ticket for the helper, and air tickets for everyone just to Penang would cost almost a thousand.

We had promised Christian that we would take the train to Malaysia one day, and I took the opportunity to fulfil that promise. Taking the train in was definitely more of a hassle compared to getting my uncle to fetch us, especially since the station had moved from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands (2 cab rides in the morning to catch the outbound train cost us $60 already). It was definitely a memorable experience for the kids though, who were so excited to be on a railroad train.

It was such a pleasure to get away from the everyday distractions at home and work, and to enjoy the beautiful moments which seem to last just a bit longer in the slower pace of Kluang. I saw Calista as the 2 year old she is now, I witnessed what a true toddler she looks like now, and her cheeky endearing personality that warms strangers towards her.

 

My colleagues probably thought I was wasting my leave in Malaysia, but the trip brought me back to my childhood, when I could laze around and not worry about what I needed to do next. The main activity of each day were – go hiking, go to the hair salon, go for a massage. The time in between those and meals would be spent with the children horsing around in the bedroom, reading or motivating Christian to work on his writing exercises.

Hiking - I enjoyed the cool walk as we ascended the Kluang hill..

We had to leave Calista behind at the foot of the hill with my dad and the helper cos she kept wanting to be carried..Christian, my cousin, my aunt, mum and I proceeded to ascend up till the mid-point of the hill. It was wonderful inhaling the fresh air of the forest, and having the cool air brush against our skin. Christian was also thrilled when my aunt, a regular trekker, showed us the tap from which spring water flowed. The taste of that spring water was so cool and we could feel the energy of the mountain in that gulp.

Christian also loved the job of watering the plants in the garden with a spray can,

climbing up and down the steps with his sister hot on his tails

and horsing around with his granduncles who were so indulgent.

He asked if we could go back next holidays, to climb the stairs in Granduncle’s house and to drink milo.. Gosh. It is sometimes so easy to make children happy.