Charming Muar

 Stories from the royal town of the Southern state.

From of old, the town is known to many as Bandar Maharani ; the Queen's town. So it has been accorded a royal recognition then. Many years later, the town has grown in leaps and bounds and the charm has increased too.

 In the night, the breeze is strong as the town fronts the Muar river. It is true that is is difficult to find a location to replace the breeze, serenity and peace. You have to be here to experience the tranquility as though time has stood still. It is an old and good feeling.

 Despite the lack of space, my old mother will never live apart from some greens. They go with her wherever she goes. So mum takes them in as her pride of life. Even mangoes grow on potted scenarios. Some trees on grounds never even fruit. The potted greens are so healthy and fresh that you want to take them home; but sad to say they turn yellow the moment they land in my hands.

 See, everything grows well under the care of my mum.I don't know the name of the species on the left but it looks rare to me. The periwinkle on the left is pretty and flowers non-stop.My periwinkle finds it challenging to flower.So, it must be the air they breathe in too.

 But most of all, in this charming place I find my parents. Last weekend, Grace and Aaron made a special trip to see them and to carry out the traditional practice of serving them tea; a symbol of being accepted in marriage. The old folks were pleased and grinned in joy. They did not make the trip to Singapore but the younger ones came up to do the dutiful. It was a good gesture.

 Muar also boasts of good food. We cannot leave without consuming this concoction of noodles.

 This spinach cooked with century eggs has a different taste and it's palatable indeed.

 An orchard town, Muar is flooded with durians. We went further south to Bukit Pasir to look for them and had a whale of time selecting them. They were inexpensive and the vendors were especially approachable and willing to compromise in the price.We had a jolly time picking them and the durians were opened for our final checking.

 We had many fruits packed and came home happy ; really finger licking good ... all for only RM80.00

 It's not frequent you get to enter an orchard and pick fruits yourself. We had the privilege to visit and orchard to pick 'langsat' fruits. I must confess that that was the first time I see a langsat tree. It's good to touch them and better still to taste them  fresh from the tree.

 We had 3 sacks of that; in bigger amount than that shown and had a gala time sharing them out. Grace brought a sack back to Singapore. It surely is a refreshing change from the city; charming.

 Each time we are in town, my parents will frequent this corner and tell us stories of the fruit of hard work. Kong and Por recalled from the days of past how the vendors struggle from manning a tiny corner selling noodles and how from sheer hard work and determination, they are today the proud owners of a couple of shop lots. It is a good story for it relates meaning and reality. It is encouraging to see people succeed. It gives strength to the observers and also serves as an inspiration to many.

It also says you do not have to be academically inclined to succeed but you need good values to thrive.

In fact, I can safely conclude its truth when I see my parents.

Yes, the town is especially charming and meaningful because my father is in town.

His grit and positive outlook in life puts me to shame.

He cheekily told me that he has just renewed his driving license for the next 5 years.

My father is an inspiration in town.

That's why I love the town.

Charming Muar.