A Royal affair!

There was such a grand build up to Hari Raya or as it is known in the rest of the world as Eid-ul-Fitr. The shops were jam packed with shoppers buying new table linen, crockery and cutlery. It is traditional for everyone to have a new outfit and the pantry to be stocked up. As Hari Raya, which translates into "days of celebration", fell on a Saturday and Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were public holidays as well.

We had been invited together with our Malaysian family to attend a luncheon at a local Palace to celebrate this esteemed holiday! I confess I was extremely excited and just a little nervous. Do you bow, curtsy, kiss the hand? Do you dare to "chat". What do you chat about? And of course the age old question what to wear.

 

 

There is no way anyone like me can compete with the wonderful outfits worn by the local Malaysian women. The outfits are stunning. I had a beautiful mustard yellow top given to me by my friend in Bangalore Cynthia which I had kept for a special occasion which I thought I would wear! Just hours before leaving I show it to Moira who laughs nervously and tells me that it is not appropriate as only members of the Royal family can wear yellow!! Back to the drawing board and out came my good old faithful red top which turned out fine.

 

We had to drive a way to get to the function and where ever one looked the buildings and fences had the National flag flying. It all looked so festive. In Malaysia it is traditional to have an "Open House" to which you invite special friends and family but really anyone can pop into. There is no pomp and ceremony, you eat as much as you like and you leave. Some people bring flowers and biscuits as gifts but most don't. As this Open House was being held by the local Prince and his family everyone in the district was welcome to arrive.

The tables were set and decorated with lovely white linen and there were tables of food on offer. But we were invited to dine right inside the palace with the Price and his family!! oh my what a beautiful room with blue carpets and blue chandeliers! His beautiful family were in attendance having flown in from all over the world and his wife hosted the party. There was no need to concern myself about what to chat about as she loves cooking and had personally planned and been involved in preparation of some of the dishes on offer.

 

 

Malaysian food is HOT and I only had a teaspoon of this and that. I do enjoy satay and endulged in a few of those! The array of deserts was amazing and together with a couple of glasses of lemonade I thoroughly enjoyed this privilege. My photos are few and not so good but it was decided to not appear too rude by snapping away at the Royals. The precious memory of this Royal affair will be with me for some time!!

 

Catching up.

It really is time I catch up with my blogging and catch up with our travels. Since returning from Malaysia last September life has been rather busy with short trips here and there. The main reason for returning was to celebrate Sarah and Adrien's marriage in Johannesburg. We had to make a fleeting trip home to get shoes, ties, bags and all those things on needs for a wedding. Giving the flat a good airing was very necessary after it being locked up for six months! It is always good to get home again after being away. I love all my creature comforts, my nick nacks and above all my fabrics I have collected from around the world! They all look at me and say welcome back!!

Catching up.

I have sort of fused my two blogs which I really wanted to keep separate. One for travel and one for my prattle. Anyone wanting to read about our travels this year can read Penny'sprattle.blogspot.com as I just don't have the energy or time to do both right now.

Catching Up.

At last I have the new computer set up, the photos loaded, the "know-how" (I hope) and it is time to catch up on all our travels. I could just skip a whole lot of things but I really do want this to be a journal of all our travels and adventures. I have promised myself that once I catch up I will never let things lapse for so long.
If I don't write when something has happened I don't really record true feelings and impressions and then this will just be a collection of pictures. I suppose that's okay but I would love for this to be a little more. I must add I got close to abandoning the whole thing as it seems an enormous task fixing up both blogs, but now that I have started it's going to be okay. So here goes......

Party Time

IMG_0141
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Sarah Jane and Adrien off to a party.

Johannesburg

IMG_0139
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Back to Johannesburg for a few days. It s Jacaranda season again.
This is the vew from Sarah and Adrens apartment.

Kruger Park

Kruger Park
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Warren, Penny, Molly and Diana enjoying their last trip into the park. Molly enjoyed watching the francolin scratching about in the grass and wanted to go and join it!!
Isn't she the most beautiful little girl in the whole wide world.

Kruger Park

kruger Octo6 020
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

So we come to the end of another wonderful holiday in the bush with family and friends.
From here we go to Johannesburg and then home.

Sabie Park

IMG_2524
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

What fun it has been for us all to be together. On return to Singapore Chris and Diana and Little Molly head for Brisbane/Noosa to pack up and head for Melbourne where Christopher takes up a post with Lonely planet.

Sabie Park Pool

IMG_4956
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

On the really hot days we took refuge in the club pool. The water felt rather chilly in comparison to the outside temperatures.
It is the only way to cool down.

Sabie Park

IMG_2314
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Aunty Sarah andUncle Adi came for the weekend. SJ had to learn to multi task!! we had lots of fun together.

Kruger Park

IMG_5087
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Molly enjoyed meeting her Uncle Giles, the best looking game ranger in the business.

Kruger Park.

IMG_5114
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

In between baby sitting I went for a drive with the family to visit Giles at his new camp and we came across these delightful warties.

Sabie Park

IMG_2042
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Basil, Pam, Olive and family came out for the day to see us and catch up with the family.
Molly charmed them all and BUBU just loved her.

Sabie Park

IMG_1932
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

It was good to get back to Sabie Park and soon the family arrived. Little Molly is the dearest little girl imaginable. She walked at ten months and got her first tooth as they arrived off the plane on her eleven month birthday.
My sister Robyn and Dudley popped out to meet the little darling.

Kruger Park

kruger Octo6 022
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

While traveling down the road we were so lucky to come across three magnificent cheetahs. They came right up to the car, licked the roadsign and were totally chiled.
Then they spotted a whole lot of impala and were getting ready to stalk them. Unfortunately we had to journey on as time was against us.
I trust they had a delicious dinner.

Kruger Park

kruger Octo6 023
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

What luck. Soon after entering the park we came across a leopard in a tree and then spotted two cheetah below. They walked off and disappeared for awhile.

Kruger Park

kruger Octo6 029
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Soon it was time to return to Sabie Park via Kruger Park. We entered at the Malelane Gate . The Park is looking pretty dry.

Toti

mixed 053
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Anne Hollman came for a few days and we were able to get her quilt for Alistair completed.
I am sorry I don't have a picture of the completed quilt.
It was great having hours to catch up on chit chat.

Sarah and Adrien

Sarah and Adrien 002
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Sarah and Adrien came to Toti to chill out. It was great having them for a few days.

Sunrise at Toti

sunrise Toti
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

I am back to my daily walking. Bernie and I like to leave as the sun is coming up, before it gets too hot! Our longest walk to date is 14.6 kilometers!!!
This was taken from the flat.

Toti

mixed 054
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Back home again after a seven month break.
We do miss having broadband access but enjoy keeping up with Molly's progress every Sunday, on Skype.
Warren the Techno kid.

Kruger Park.

IMG_0009
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Guinea Fowls.
I love to watch these birds as they scratch for food. They are such a lovely subject for art.

Kruger Park- Lake Panic.

kruger Octo6 005
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Just one of the many beautiful and peaceful spots we like to stop at. I have decided my ashes can be strewn here one day!!

Kruger Park

IMG_0023
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Ground Hornbill- Just some of the magnificent birds in the park.

baboon wreckage

baboon wreck
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Off to Sabie Park for a few days just to check up on things. Lois and Neil Crichton came out to join us and unfortunately we left a window open when going out for breakfast and guess what? A family of baboons entered They ate everything they could get hold of including rattex, medicine,soap bars etc. Fortunately some of the important liquid refreshments remained as they could not open bottles....and to show their disgust they pooed and wet everywhere. It took two days of scrubbing to get the place clean.

The Law courts Johannesburg

The Law courts Johannesburg
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Just another amazing view from their temporary digs, the Law Courts of Johannesburg. It was so interesting watching the comings and going.s from the court buildings

Warren

Warren
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

All packed up and ready to go.....overweight? no chance.

EATING FROGS.

Frog on a Lily Pad
Originally uploaded by Mrs Ramsey.

As a treat,for our last night in K.L. we were invited out to Thomas and Susan's Chinese Malay home for dinner. I have been working with their son Kenneth and they wanted to treat us!!
What a lovely spread...Crabs,pork ribs, duck (my favourite) lovely veggies and then Thomas said he had a BIG surprise just for us!!! I just knew what was coming.
With much pride and pleasure he came out of the kitchen carrying this huge dish of cooked frogs.....oh my word. Keeping up our reputation for being intrepid travellers we had to soldier on and try this dish.
It is very like soft chicken, in fact they look like tiny chickens if you stretch your mind just a little. One or two were enough for me!
Thanks to Flickr (Mrs Ramsay) for this photo.

Books

Books
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Many hotels have a collection of books left by travellers and you can swop yours for one of theirs. This is great as it certainly broadens one's reading choice. These are some of the great books I have enjoyed.

I loved Geoff Dyers book Yoga for people who can't be bothered to do it.
A quote to introduce the book "Everything is unique, nothing happens more than once in a lifetime."......


The girl in the picture...Denise Chong. This book helps to understand what went on during the Vietnam war.

Gantsara by Ian D. Robinson. The epic journey across Outer Mongolia on horseback by a New Zealander. Having been to Mongolia it was very meaningful for me.
Just some worth mentioning and now I am trying to complete the story of the Royal Dynasty in Nepal "Blood against the snow."

Books

Books
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

When traveling, we use Lonely Planet as our guides and rarely find them inaccurate.
They contain such sensible advice as to wear to stay depending on your budget, where to eat, what to see etc.
We find them indispensible.

Moira

Moira
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Back in K.L. Moira prepared a lovely traditional meal with a leg of lamb, veggies and mint sauce!! Delicious....the new oven works.
Moira also baked rusks.....a first for sure. It is lovely to be back here and now the packing begins as we are scheduled to leve Malaysia on Saturday!!

Singapore

IMG_0109
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

It is time to leave Singapore and return to Kualu Lumpur.
Singapore is a great place, very clean, efficient, lush and green. The people are friendly and always so beautifully dressed. The shopping malls are wonderful too. During our several visits here we have enjoyed the many sights and explored Sentosa Island.
We are privileged to have been able to have so much quality time here.
In particular, I will miss my twice daily walks pushing little Molly in the pram round the suburbs.

Molly in july

IMG_1471_3_1
Originally uploaded by bodech.

Poppie Warren and Molly. Pops keeping her busy while Mum and Gran get ready to go out.

Molly in July

IMG_1477_4_1
Originally uploaded by bodech.

Diana and Molly all dressed up and ready to go shopping.

Molly in July

Molly July 028
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Granny Penny just loves to dress little Molly in pretty outfits and then, together with Mum, they go off shopping. Molly LOVES shopping and chatting to all the friendly faces she meets.

Molly in July

Molly July 003
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Father Uncle Nick just loves to come to Singapore whilst working in J.B.to visit his niece. He and Molly have loads of fun together.

Molly in July

Molly July 017
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Now our little girl is seven months old she sits in her high chair to have her solids.

Molly

IMG_0040
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Granny's job every day, is to take little Molly for a walk . She finds all this so relaxing and just dozes off! The birds sing, the trucks rumble past , the taxis whizz by and guess what, nothing disturbs our sleeping girl.

Molly

IMG_0041
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

When Dad got home from work he was delighted to see his "baba in blue." They match don't they?

Molly

IMG_0048
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Molly is a typical Boden and needs to know just how much was paid for this book.

Molly

IMG_0043
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Molly loves reading. She has been introduced to books at a very young age which pleases Granny very much after all "reading is the gateway to knowledge".

Molly

IMG_0036
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

This is little Molly in Singapore . She is just seven months and managing to sit for a few minutes. Granny and Poppie found this cute little outfit in K.L.
Isn't she a beaut!

Shibori

IMG_0024
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Eddie Yapp a well known Malaysian, Batik artist joined us and he tried out many different fabrics. This is a piece of wool he dyed. It was great meeting Eddie and hopefully I will be able to see his work one of these days.

Shibori

IMG_0023
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

I went on a course at KLCC doing a Shibori course . It was great fun and I met lots of interesting people. It is similar to tie dyeing except that we used chop sticks to secure the fabrics. I suppose that it gives it the Asian feel.

shoes

IMG_0032
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

I cant wait to wear pretty shoes after all these sensible sandals I have worn while traveling. I could do with some of these in every colour.

Kualu Lumpur

IMG_0028
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Some of the beautiful tops sold in the markets. Similar tops are also worn in Bali with wrap around skirts.
The local name is "Kebaya".

Kualu Lumpur

IMG_0027
Originally uploaded by thebodens.

Malaysian schoolchildren being taken out on a school excursion to see the Twin Towers.