An eventful Sunday...

It was one of those Sunday [July 26, 2009] that was somewhat gloomy. Not the usual bright day with the sun shining bright. We woke up early to attend the Kelab Volvo Klasik Malaysia [Volvo Classic Club] AGM held at the Federal Auto on the Federal Highway [Jalan Syed Putra]. I thought even without this function we would have gone out, just to get away from the noisy carnival of sort been organized by the 1M folk at the Padang behind our house. By eight in the morning the roadside of the housing estate was already crowded with cars from outside the area and part of one of the main road [Jalan 4] was closed. They should not have closed this road and instead use the whole Padang for their activities. I notice that most of the folks who attend this function are from outside the area and the local are fuming hot for the loud music that disturbed their lazy Sunday; their day of rest.

Well that was what happened at Ampang Jaya that morning as I drove out to attend the AGM of the club on the other side of the city. Since it was a Sunday I decided to take a slow drive using the Jalan Ampang/Jalan Pegawai/Jalan U.Thant and then got into Jalan Tun Razak. From there took the old Sungei Besi road at Bulatan Kg.Pandan and then got into Jalan Istana and Jalan Syed Putra. As I drove on I saw the Federal Auto, the meeting place but because it is on the other side of the road it was not that easy to get there, especially for me who had not been to this part of the city for such a long time. After trying the old road I got lost into Siputeh and turn back and ask those folks who was walking along the road for direction and I was pointed out to the Mid Valley Mall. I then got into the Mid Valley Mall area and from there drive slowly looking for signboard that would lead us to the Federal Auto. After some tense and a rather exciting moment I eventually arrived at the meeting place. It was lucky that I did not drive the Classic Volvo that morning but instead drove the Honda. Had it been the Classic car I would have had a difficult time to negotiate the car without the auto transmission and the power steering to get there. I would surely be dead tired arriving for the meeting. With the Honda it was a pleasure driving. Nowadays I used the Volvo Classic for a short trip around the vicinity of my home only.

On arrival it was really nice to see familiar faces; some I had not seen for a year since at the last AGM I was away in the US for a holiday. Before the meeting there was the game for those adventurous drivers and this time it was the blindfolded driving game at the compound of the Volvo complex there. It went on for a while. Since I did not take part I just went to join the others for coffee and some snacks that had been provided for us there. We chat and yarns of old time and enjoy the get-together. There were not many ladies this time, I just did not know why. Anyhow my spouse found her friends and sat to enjoy her drink with the gang while I browse along meeting friends.

After the game was over, the AGM start with the Secretary of the Club taking the lead role. The first speaker was David the President of the Club with his usual charm of informal speech of thanks to those who have made the club so successful in its endeavor. Then the Secretary Noël Chua presented the Annual Report 2008 via a Power Point presentation that end with a fifteen minutes video of the club's visit to South Thailand. The whole presentation was done in an innovative way; done professionally. After that came the Treasurer Md.Rani who gave a brief on the financial statement of the club, which shows a very healthy situation indeed. Just before the election of the new office bearer start, a veteran member who was once the Secretary of the Club C.S Tung took the stand. After a short explanation suggest that the present office bearer be reelected for another term and this was accepted by the members. So with that all the main office bearer remain the same as in 2008/09 under the leadership of David Netto again. With thank to the Chair the meeting was adjourned and then we all head for lunch there.

With that done we headed home on that Sunday afternoon. We arrived back home with that loud music still blaring at the carnival side behind our house and cars parked on both side of the roads. I am glad that we went out from Ampang Jaya that morning. What a day!. Folk that has been our Sunday. Colorful indeed eh!.

Images of the KVK AGM are here. Do make copy if you need any of those images; Gratis. Have a nice day.

My Sunday!!!....

It was a beautiful Sunday morning [January 27, 2008] with the sun shining bright. I am suppose to join in for the Tiffin Run to Bentong organised by our Kelab Volvo Kelasik but could not made it for an unexpected reason. Last Friday I sense that I am going to get the Flu virus, starting with that sore throat. I am always dreadful of getting the Flu since you would be in a condition of sick and yet not really sick. By Saturday I had it full blown with sore throat, running nose and fever. The doctor says that I should start taking anti biotic which I dislike most. But what can I do when its the doctor's order. It is the only way I could get cured. So I have started on that medication yesterday and as usual you feel bad before getting better.

I was rather anxious to join that group of crazy folks with their classic Volvo 122, on this trip using the old country road to Bentong in Pahang, where we would have Lunch at Bentong Golf Club. Most of the cars of the Amazon series are forty years old but still working perfect. Mine as seen in the image above is forty two years old and I love this beaut although it is not as comfortable as the present car with the latest technology, like my other car the Honda Accord. The convoy would do a stop over for a few hours at the Bukit Tinggi Hot Spring and enjoy nature at its best there. The old winding roads is hardly used now after the construction of the Karak Highway, but it is still well maintained as an alternative route to Bentong, Raub and Lipis. It would be a beautiful trip down memory lane for it was through this roads that I use to return home to Kuantan from time to time before the opening of the Karak Highway.

This old road that connect the west coast to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia was constructed during the colonial era and run along the hills and valley of the main range. Where there are rivers, ferries were used to cross from one side to the other. Bridges was non existence then. It was after independent that bridges was built to connect the roads. The old roads was built by following the contour of the hills and valleys. So you actually snake your way up and down on those many cliff hanging roads with deep gorges down below. It was then the only road connecting the east coast to the west coast. A vital link indeed. In the mid fifties a bunch of us who were members of the First Kuantan Scout troop went on a cycling expedition from Kuantan to Kuala lumpur. It was an adventure that I still remember very clearly till this day. At that time the country was still infested with communist terrorist and many times buses were ambushed by the terriorists. Yet we boys were never afraid of the terrorist and venture on for four days and nights, with sleeping on the way before reaching Kuala Lumpur. Looking back it was simply a crazy things to do. Riding bicycle from Kuantan to Kuala lumpur through roads in the middle of thick jungles, crossing rivers and sleeping at school canteen when night comes and cooking our own food with whatever we brought was out of the ordinary. But then it was fun and we never thought for once of the danger, for we were really an adventurous group of Boy Scouts. It takes us another four days for the return journey and till this days it remain a memorable event in my life. Been sick today I missed yet another adventure, this time with the KVK group.

Last week I got my Volvo 122 in tiptop condition and was ready for this weekend adventure but then I got sick and could not take part in that adventure today. So early this morning I SMS the Secretary and another friend saying that I just could not made it for the trip. It would have been a nice weekend adventure with friends on that old country road to Bentong. At Bentong we would be entertained to lunch by the Secretary of the KVK, whose hometown is Bentong. Well, that is life and we can never know when we could get sick but as usual lives must goes on and here am I writing this posting to humor myself of the lost opportunity to enjoy with friends on that adventure of the day. Friends, that was my Sunday. Have a nice day.

A KVK dinner...

So what is this KVK. First let me explain what is this all about. KVK is a name of our club in the Malaysian national Language. It is an abbreviation of the Kelab Volvo Klasik or the Volvo Classic Club, whose members are those crazy folks who own old cars of the Amazon series, the Volvo 122, 121, that was produce in the sixties and sold millions of units all over the world. We are the owners of these classic and are very proud of it. There are now some hundred and fifty members as registered in the club manual but the active one are but a few. Anyway the club did well to gather those folks and from time to time held get together as a mean of meeting and exchanges notes. Like going on a trip to nowhere or to somewhere like the National Parks. At time we would have a breakfast do to just enjoy each other company. Most of the time our spouse would follow along making it a sort of a family get together. For those of us who has retired these events gave us chances to rejuvenated and enjoy a better quality of life. So in a way the activities of this club is actually a mean to an end and it served it purposes well. It keep us folks active, thus bring enjoyment that we would otherwise could not do it alone.

On the evening of November twenty seven, we all attend a dinner at the Lake Club, a club which is a reminiscence of the British colonial era. This dinner was organised as a sort of a farewell get together to the club president Mr. Simon Suresh who would be going on a new adventure in the white man land, to take up a new position and perhaps getting richer as well. A lawyer by profession he is the founder of the club and since he was rather young at the time the club was registered, other veteran took over the presidency until recently when the club decided that it is time that this now not so young lawyer take over leadership of the club. And as years passes by he decided to look for a new and greener pasture and eventually found one in the UK, the former colonial master of our motherland Malaysia. So soon he would depart for his new world and before he left we the club members decided to give him and his charming spouse a farewell party, thus this Dinner at the Lake Club. As usual with such event, it became a sort of a family reunion, part a happy occasion and partly a sad one. Parting is always like that. Anyway in life that is the nature of things. So for the enjoyment of everyone that evening we had dinner of Chinese food. As usual with such dinner some would not go without the wine and hard liquor. One such person that I believed enjoyed most is our friend the veteran owner of a classics is a Mr.Michael who were enjoying his drink to the fullest. I told him that if he drink too much he cannot drive. His reply was that he would just walk home. So that would solved his problem with the law and I believe by walking he must have arrived at his home in PJ early the next morning.

As usual over dinner we chat and yarns with jokes thrown in between making everyone laugh, especially so to those who had one too many. We chat on various subjects like the recent happening such as the Bersih, the Hindraf, the Proton and about the recent election in Australia where the ruling party lost and the opposition would be the next Australian government. Changes are always good and we always hopes for the best when things changes especially the government. I am not sure that would happen in Malaysia but in a democracy anything could be possible. Well let see when the next election come, maybe early next year and see what changes it would brought about. In the meantime we all could dream and dream of a better Malaysia tomorrow. Not that Malaysia is not better already but that has been the nature of our species, we always yearned for some changes, hoping for a better better. So while enjoying the sumptuous foods we yarns along and like any great time it has to end.

Before we parted one of the spouse on behalf of the club presented a mementos to Mr.Simon and he was asked to unwrap the present. To add some excitements to the evening and before the gift was given to the outgoing President of the club, Mr. David a veteran member and also the VP of the club gave a short colorful speech, which in a way trying to throw light as to what is in the package and at the same time trying to confused Mr.Simon as to the real content of the gift package. And because of this I believe it in some ways worried Mr.Simon in unwrapping the package in front of his spouse. What if it might contain some items that might embarrassed the ladies. Remember members often do such thing just for the fun of it all. So it actually took him some doing unwrapping it before it came to the real gift, which turn out to be a watch. I not sure why a watch was chosen as a gift, perhaps as a token to remind him of his friends in beautiful Malaysia if he ever got lost after a drink in a pub somewhere in the UK. Anyway it does not matter to me since a gift is a way of showing our appreciation of his tenure as the President of the club. Like a big Thank You with something solid like a ticking clock. And at the same time would made him to remember of the joke that I told of the man and his watch back in rural Africa in a era gone by. I believe he would laugh if he reflect on the hilarious moment at the party that night. Laugh on hearing the last part of the joke. I believe the next time he is in an English pub, this joke would makes others laugh as well. And of course it would remind him of the great time we all have had as members of the Kelab Volvo Kelasik Malaysia that evening.

Friends. the party went well indeed and we all really enjoyed the evening. To Michael, the angle I believe by now is quiet sober and would be able take his classic car for a spin around the town without flouting the law. That my friends was a great evening with the KVK members. Have a nice day.. [Please click on image to enlarge]

A Kelab Volvo klasik lunch..

Well, it was a Sunday [yesterday]. The weather had been a bit hazy, otherwise it is just another of those Sunday. A veteran member of the club, once a PTD officer, now retired after an oversea duty at the Malaysian Embassy in New Dehli, India, decided to invite the club's members to lunch at his new home in Klang, the port city in the state of Selangor. He had been away for quite sometimes and as such had missed most of the club activities and to refresh himself and his spouse of the club and meet the members again, he decided to organised a lunch at his new home. My spouse and I decided to attend this lunch, moreover we had not as yet met the person. Norsham is his name. I have spoken to him over the phone when accepting his invitation.

So just after eleven in the morning we left our house by taking the MRR2 and then the KESAS Highway toward Klang. The club organiser had given us a route to follow so as not to get lost. I followed the direction to the later and arrived at the home of Norsham without any hitch. Had it not been for the excellent direction drawn up by one of our members, a Mr.David, I think most of us would have difficulty in getting to our destination. By noon everyone invited had arrived at the sprawling bungalow recently built by the host. It is really a big bungalow in that part of rural Klang. I am actually surprise as to the size of this bungalow. It is huge compare to the rest of the Kampong houses nearby. He had it built as his retirement home in this part of rural Klang.

With everyone has arrived and without much a do, we all were invited to lunch. As usual it was a buffet. We all did enjoyed the buffet and all throughout the gathering everyone had plenty to tell. We chat and yarn on various subjects. It seem the subjects never failed to end, with one person talking about this and that, the others cracking jokes, that makes everyone laugh with joys. It is like that when we club members met from time to time.

Personally my spouse and me did have a great time at this gathering. We get to meet the host and his charming spouse, as well as meeting new faces, including a young couple who brought their kids with them. As usual kids are kids and they seem to be enjoying themselves care less of what the adult were doing. Actually it reminisce us of our younger days when our kids would tack along wherever we go out. Now that they have grown up and on their own, it is no more like that. Those were the days. The beautiful and colorful days of our past. Well life is like that and we shall continue to enjoy life as we move on, on our journey of life. As usual event like this ends with photo takes and above are some images of the lunch event at Norsham. Norsham and his charming spouse are indeed a perfect host. Friends, Have a nice day and take care.

A breakfast outing....

Time passes so fast nowadays. This happen a few Sunday ago. To be exact it was Sunday the 9th July. Wake up early to another beautiful day. That beautiful Sunday morning we went for a breakfast do, together with the other members of the Kelab Volvo Klasik. This time the breakfast would be at the NZ Restaurant at Wangsa Maju, not far from our place. I have decided to sponsor this breakfast gathering today. Got up early and clean the Volvo classic, so that it would really look great among the other Volvo that would be there at the breakfast site this morning. After getting my Volvo done, got dress up and together with my spouse and three of the grandchildren left for Wangsa Maju. The grandchildren love to go on a short excursion like this and would surely enjoy the breakfast. Since I am organizing the Breakfast do today, I had to get to the site early before the others arrived..The other members are been told to gather at the Merdeka Square at eight in the morning. Together with my spouse and the three grand children we left the house at eight thirty and head for Wangsa maju.

Before that I call the person in charge of the gathering at the Merdeka Square as to their position now and was told that many cars had arrived and they are still waiting for the others to arrive before proceeding to the Wangsa Maju. They would assemble again after the toll boot on the elevated Highway and then take the Jalan [road] Jelatek to Wangsa Maju.. A senior member of the club, a former army colonel by the name of Col.Lee would lead the convoy of the Volvo classic. With him doing that I was confident that everyone would get there and not lost on the way. After about twenty minutes I arrived at the NZ Restaurant, parked my car and went to organized a place for the breakfast do. While waiting our grandchildren and my spouse, their grandma order the usual breakfast. i.e. The teh tarik, tosei and roti canai.. I look around to see whether the convoy of Volvo cars had arrived and while doing that got a call from a member whom I am yet to meet.. A club member and a stranger to me...

Well two days before that I was at Ampang Point and was parking my Volvo Classic and just after got it right into the lot and out of the car. I found there standing beside my car, a young fair lady admiring my classic and said that they had one just like that and it is at the workshop now.. As usual with me I got into conversation with her and one thing leads to another.. People who own classic cars have some sort of a chemistry and often we click. She had a funny accent and could speak a little bit of Malay and good English.. I wonder!! For she could not be Chinese, she did not look like one, so I ask her where she is from and she replied that She is a Japanese and married to a Malaysian. Her husband now work at one of the five star hotel in the city. Well as usual with me we continue talking and as the time pass on I told her that I am inviting the Volvo Classic club's members to breakfast Sunday the 9th July, at the NZ Mamak Restaurant at Wangs Maju and would love if she and her spouse could come along. We exchange name cards and I move on to get going with my daily ritual at this shopping area, near our house..

Where was I before I was lead away into another subject along the way. Well I remember now. I was at the NZ Restaurant waiting for the other members of the KVK club to arrive for the breakfast do that Sunday morning. Oh Ya! The telephone call from a stranger whose spouse I met a few days earlier. I told him where we were and invited them to come on and join the breakfast... As I was talking to him, the convoy of Volvo classic start to arrived. I guided them to park their cars and them brought them to the table already arranged for them. In the mean time our new friends also arrived.. We shake hand and introduce them to the others. With everyone had arrived for the breakfast, we all sat to order the type of breakfast we like. like 'roti canai' tosei, nasi biani' and the other delicious foods available at his large Mamak Restaurant...

Since this is the World Cup season, the whole restaurant complex were decorated with banners and bunting all over the area. Two large TV screen were set up for those that patron this place in the evening to enjoy watching the live telecast of those program.. As usual in a gathering like this we saw a joyous mood in everyone.. We chat while enjoying the breakfast with almost everyone enjoying their foods with a hot steamy teh tarik. Malaysia would never be without the Teh Tarik [Specially prepared tea with condensed milk served hot in glass]. We share jokes in between enjoying the breakfast. And with everyone finished their breakfast and having nothing else to talk about this morning, we decided to call the day off with a promise to gather again in another breakfast do, at another place some other time. It was indeed a great day where everyone with their families enjoy the event. To me and my spouse it was indeed a great day indeed...We then left for home satisfied with what life had offered..

The Special Children....

The happening last Sunday, the 26th of March ... Our Club [Kelab Volvo Klasik] was invited by the Community Service Network Selangor [CNS] to take part in a charity do..Taking part in a Special Children weekend program for lunch at Port Klang, the port city of Malaysia... There are many restaurants that served Sea Foods along the bank of the Klang river and one of these many restaurant was selected to be the venue for this special lunch do for these special kids... About hundreds of these special kids made up of the Down Syndrome, Autistic, the deft and dump and other handicap children from various school around Kuala Lumpur was selected to attend this lunch... We were to provide our classic cars and give them all that special ride to today's lunch...We were not the only club that was invited to this do, there were others from other classic and vintage car clubs were invited as well.. We were told to gather at the Gazebo, at Subang Jaya, a suburban outside Kuala Lumpur, in the state of Selangor.. We left home as just eight in the morning and drove in the drizzle and as there were not that many cars on this Sunday morning, we got to our destination just in time...Already there were many classic Volvo and cars of other made in all the color of the rainbow.. After parking the car, together with my spouse we went to meet the others and then sat to have the usual Teh Tarik and Roti Canai, my favorite and chat along while waiting for the program to start....

We registered ourselves and then proceed with the beginning of this wonderful Sunday tour...Soon these special kids were allotted into the various cars and I took three of them and one of their teacher..A young lady by the name of Jessy..A graduate of UPM and in that young age were already happy doing here jobs of helping these wonderful special kids...The convoy started to move and as we go along I chat with this teacher, intercept with that of my spouse..We talk of the many problem faces by these teachers and that according to her the parents of these children must play a greater role in the education of these children...I really admire the determinations of this young teacher, who happen to be a mother of two regular children herself... She talk like it was just normal in taking care of these children, whereas we knew that it was not an easy job...She look happy to do her part.. As we are both of her parent's age, we talk of the need for the younger generation to contribute effectively to the society and then when they are of our age, would then be able to reflect of the beautiful days we have had when we were at her age...She told us that in their spare time, She with her spouse and the two kids, a boy and a girl would go on a tour of the country and enjoy the holiday together...She say working with these handicap children make her realized how fortunate were they of have their own kids in perfect condition...She say that she enjoy doing her parts in helping these special children...I believed that only those people that have the kind of heart could handle this difficult job of giving education to these special children...She ask us how come we are in this program.. I told her that at this period of our life, we love to give and taking part in today's program is a way to give back to the society...For my spouse and me giving is the Order of the day...So we would continue to give and this time we are giving our time and the space of opportunity to these children in providing the transport to these special children to this lunch do today...We did just enjoy doing just that...In a way it is a pay back to the society for all that we got in all those years of our life...As I had often said our journey of live continue to be interesting, thus adding more color to our life.. We are really enjoying the journey....

We drove on and eventually arrived at the venue of the lunch, the children got out of the cars and move on into the restaurant and take their places...A well organized lots..Each group in their own color T-shirts...The were live music and singing going on adding a sorts of a carnival atmosphere to the scene..Then there the KaraOke set, where the unknown singer would try their best to ape the singing as though they are the pro. As usual it started with the speeches and then they all were invited to lunch... These children patiently took their lunch, a buffet style and then went to sit at their respect tables..Then follow with us the adults. And soon the children were invited to participate on stage with the band in attendance playing the music..They most probably had planned this events and present it at its best..It was indeed a colorful scene on stage, with the kids and a few adults dancing to the tune of the music...Indeed a hilarious scene. We all watch the show and laugh our way with the performance of these special children...It went on and on and eventually it end with a speech of thanks from the organizing committee.. Well we did enjoy being part of the carnival of a sorts for these Special Children...And with that we drove back with the children and dispersed at the place where we started this morning... Indeed my spouse and me did enjoy the day and happy that we joins in the project...A colorful Sunday indeed.[Images above are the happening on that day].[the images below shows members of the KVK at the Gazebo before leaving for Klang]

Kelab Volvo klasik breakfast do...

This Sunday, it was indeed a breakfast of a different kind...We the members of the Kelab Volvo Klasik [Volvo Classic Club] decided to have a breakfast cum get together do for a change.. I thought we should try to arrange a get together at breakfast somewhere in the city, where members could gather with their classic and enjoy breakfast together... It is actually a mean to get together for us members... Otherwise it would be just too difficult to meet...It was my idea to have such a meeting. I told the secretary even if only three cars were present it would already be a crowd... So come this Sunday morning at just before eight we all met at the Dataran Merdeka [Independence Square] in the centre of the city.. Usually it would take time to get from my home in Ampang Jaya to Dataran Merdeka, the roads through the city would be jammed with traffic but today it was an easy ride... I thought that I would be among the first to arrive but on arrival I was surprised to find there are already many cars park along side the road, Volvo 122 in rows...It made me real happy to see so many club members presence...The committee and me never expect such a turn out...Even the President of the club told me he was indeed surprise with such a large attendance, despite a rather short notice...Well We were all happy that this first breakfast meeting were successful....I parked my car behind the cars already parked there and went to meet the others...My spouse were there accompany me and she as usual met the other spouse and it soon became a sorts of a family gathering...We chat along while waiting for the others to arrived and soon the number of Volvo 122 swell to thirteen and the crowd turn bigger..Some come not only with their spouse but their kids as well..A young couples with kids drove all the way from Kuala Kubu Baru to be here today...I am told they left their home at six thirty in the morning...Well that is the way for club members, where there is a will the is always a way...I remember when I first met this couple they had their baby with them and today the baby had grown up to be a lovely young lady...See how time flies..When all had arrived we convoy to the breakfast site, a canteen near the Tangling Heath Centre..In the middle of the Lake Garden, a sprawling green in the middle of the city...Nearby is the Bird Park and the old Lake Club, a reminiscent of the British colonial rule.. We convoy along and park our cars and soon the parking area look like a showroom for Volvo Classic in the colors of the rainbow...What a sight to see...And as usual with such gathering it attract others who were at time amused to see so many old cars in perfect condition...As proud owners of these old beau we were delighted to show them around. We then queue up for the nasi lemak [ one of Malaysian traditional breakfast, rice with the varieties of addies and the special dried anchovies hot and spices sauce]...Since it was a sort of a pronto get together we all sat wherever we could find tables and enjoy the nasi lemak and chat with each other on various subjects that just pop up from our mind...A young couple who I assume are expecting their first child were seen happy chatting with the older member...It bring back memories of my youth when my spouse and me were in, some forty over years ago, when we were expecting our first child ...Now our baby have grown up and now a mother to our grandchildren...With that we are having a great and wonderful of times enjoying the days with the grand's...They obviously have a long time to go but then that is the way it should be for without children how can one have grandchildren. Friends that is how our species thrived and progress this far...As a grandparent we relate to them of the events we have had with our grandchildren that have enriched and color our life as we proceed on our journey of life....I have always advice the young that they should get married early and have children early for when you are at our age, it is only then that we began to understand and appreciate the Wisdom of the Old..That we should have children and more than one...For the presence of children would enriched our life and promote harmony in the family, thus makes the marriage an institution of love. Than in our golden age we may enjoy being surrounded by grandchildren... We continue to yarns and chat and took photos and enjoy the morning in an atmosphere of happiness and promised to make the breakfast do as a permanent feature of our club...I therefore offer to host the next breakfast get together next month somewhere in Ulu Kelang...Well friends We did have a great time this morning and hope to meet again at the next do...Take care. BTW next month the club would make a visit to the National Park

I guessed it is part of old age that sometime it works perfect but sometime it do not.... It is not me this time...It is my Classic Volvo....The brake do not seem to work and since the brake is a major part of any car...I just could not take any chance....It look like I had to sent it to the specialist to get it fixed... So I call the club's mechanic and told him of the problem and sure enough He say that it is a serious problem and He would attend it the next day.... So the next day a tow truck came and took my beau to the specialist.... It look like not only our species had to go to the specialist to get cured... My classic too had to be attended by a specialist since brake problem is considered a major problem in cars....Since a failed break is a disaster in waiting.... Not wanting to take any chance I told the mechanic to do what he could and get it done.... In the evening the mechanic call saying that it is a major brake failure and he had rectified it and it is now ok and ready to go.... Well as usual I asked him what is the damaged done... He say it is not much and the cost is reasonable for that type of surgery.... Well what can I say... It is another of those unexpected thing that happen in old age and the expenses is unforeseen, as we all know well, in budgeting we sometime makes allowances for 'unforeseen circumstances' and it look like this one is just that....And another unforeseen payment had to be made... It is one of those things that happen in real life... So the next morning I took a cab to the workshop and got the car back well running.... I just do not like to drive this classic through the city, without the power steering and automatic transmission, it need lots of energy to drive and maneuver it through those city roads and that many traffic lights....And it happen just before the lunch break so the traffics is a bit messy with many cars on the roads, on both sides of the roads.... It look like that people seem to be staying on the wrong side of the city all the time... Sometime I wonder why people living in the south had to go to work in the north or the west or the east... Why can't they live on the same side of the city and by doing so they do not have to criss crossed the city to get to their working places... But I guessed that is human nature.... We thence to settled at the wrong place all the time and had to travel to get to work... And no matter how much planning, we still landed to be living on the other side of the city or the streets... What is wrong with our species I just do not now.... May be a study should be done on this.... Like get the job first and then get the place to live.... Well it look like it is the story of the chicken and egg again.... Which one come first.... The egg or the chicken... Your answer is as good as mine... I think.... We would never be able to find the correct answer to this phenomenal of life... And as far as Malaysia is concerned it look like the number of cars on the roads goes on increasing.... The latest statistic released recently showed that in the year two zero zero three, some seven hundred and fifty thousand new vehicles were registered and that the estimated numbers to be registered this year would reach the one million mark....So it look like that we are going to have more and more cars on the road in the year to come.... It is a sorts of a Malaysian dream, everyone want to have a car of their own.... What can we say.... It is the best mode of getting from one place to another and it is at your command, unlike the LRT or the Monorail, it works on a fixed schedules and not at all at your command.... I guessed human being love to be at their own command.... So the cars are their choice..... That my friends is life......

Well it is the end of the week again and I guess that you all know that we all had a wonderful weekend last week...On the Tampin Run organized by the Volvo Classic Club of Malaysia... It was the first time that I had driven this thirty eight years old classic that far and would like to share my experiences on cars for all to know the beauty and the pleasure of driving.... First remember we are going back in time to the year nineteen sixty six, that year the car was new and the technology was the best that we could ask for at that time... You take the first drive and it was smooth and everyone in it enjoy the ride, there was no air condition then and no one complain, the windows all open to let in the wind as well as to the ventilate the interior, and also at that time there was no such thing as an automatic transmission gear and power steering... It was just fine without the power steering, everything was fine and you enjoy driving your new car on... It just became second nature to you and no one would ever complain of the heat, so out you go to show off your new car, a luxury at that time... The road were normally narrow, Highway was unthinkable at that time especially in this country, so there was no complain if there are pots holes all over or that the road is just covered with laterite... You enjoy the ride as a proud owner of the Volvo of the Amazon series..The Volvo one two two, the new continental car on the road now, and most probably you are the few that own this Swede car in your town... Well that was the day.... One the first day of owning this beau....You showered and got dress, you wore a red tee shirt, put on a pant and a long stocking and a shining polished brown shoe... You filled your pipe with tobacco, light up the pipe and biting it hard,it cling to the mouth, with one arm on the window you happily drive the Volvo around... You drive slowly to show off and enjoy the envy of your friends and neighbors... It was a fascinating scene out of the old movie..... Well at that time it was for real....You are among the few that own this Volvo classic... Every trip whether near or far you would enjoy driving it for there was no other car to compare with... But now it is different... It is another world, a world of the advance of science and technology.... The Japanese borrow the idea of making cars from the west and with their ingenuity they keep improving the car and its performance and soon the country were flooded with inexpensive new cars, not only it could performs better and economical on the fuel, it look great as well.... So like any commodity on the market, people got the best one to suit their budget and their taste.... They do not care whether the car would last or not, if it run smoothly and it give good mileage then it is good enough and normally Japanese cars do not give any trouble for the first five years... And that is good enough for the consumer and at the end of the fifth years a new model is out to lure the buyer to change their cars and soon everyone are with a new cars and soon you no longer see the older model cars... Where have they gone... Sometime I wonder!!!... Well... Who care!!... For that matter the Japanese do not make cars to last forever... It would last and be useful for a short period only... People soon forget about the older cars and it soon became just like any other consumer goods.....It was different with the west when they produce cars they makes it to last a life time and this is why they lost in the war for the cars market.... The Japanese and now the Korean are smart, their strategies works and they soon capture the world markets.. And so as years goes on you no longer see old or classic Japanese cars.... Like the Volvo classic that I own now.... Now we quantum leap to this century....To the year two zero zero four and the day is today..... A new car the latest Honda Civic, with auto gear transmission, with power steering, with power window, with auto cruiser, with the CD player and the latest FM Radio, with bucket seats so comfortable that you enjoy sitting and driving and then you have the choice of color to your liking, with air condition... You just dress simple or depend on the occasion... You just turn the ignition and the engine start in silence...You move the gear to the R to reversed and the D to drive and out you cruise along the road or the highway...With very little energy use, with a finger you could turn the steering and with a powerful engine you could feel the car push forward with ease and take you along into the wonderful moment of driving in this era.....You have no clutch to push up and down and only one of your foot is being use, for the brake and acceleration... There are no gear to move all the time....So you are free to concentrate your driving and enjoy the scenery.....You listen to the radio, Eighteen selected channels and if you are still bored with the radio, then there is the CD player to play your favorite music... Well what else do you need to transport yourself for a point... In your travel or journey...You drive with pleasure and enjoy every minutes that you are in the cars, traffic jam do not bother you any more and at the toll plaza you just pay it by electronic and in Malaysia we use the Smartag auto payment system... You just drive through the toll gate and it allowed you to pass without stopping... You could chat and enjoy the company of all that are in the car....And because of the air condition and the little energy you use, you get to your destination fresh and full of energy... To do whatever you want to... That is the pleasure of driving today's car.... And I love to drive.... It has been an extension of myself since I bought my first car a Fiat Six hundred in the late fifties... I have drive many made and models all through the years and enjoy seeing the development of cars from that era to today...The era of the Lexus technology in the car world... So when I went back in time to drive the Volvo classic, I know for sure that driving cars has never remain the same.... From the day when we human had to use all our energy to get the car running, like moving the gear all the time, when slowing down and otherwise, like trying to park the car with a hard steering without the assistance of any power other then your own hand power, you have to wind and unwind the window using your own energy, well the achievement in our advance in making driving a pleasure has been tremendous and I guess beyond the wildest dream of those that live in the century gone bye....I had that experiences going through all the developments of cars and to me it is a great achievement, that gave mankind it greatest personal tool of transportation since the invention of the wheel.... Cars to me is an extension of myself that I could not live with pleasure without it... It is indeed a great achievement of mankind, thanks to those great inventors and innovators of our times, making getting to and fro places a pleasure.... How do we live without it!!... I wonder!!... Then we all know that the car is here to stay and with the advance of technology we would be driving a better car as we progress....What a world to live on.....And enjoy.....

According to the medical profession as one grow old one's past memories especially during the early years became clear and clearer.. I believed it is true with me because as years goes on... I could remember clearly some events of the past as though it just happened yesterday.... There are conversations that took place many years ago and are as clear now as it was... Here is an example, this particular conversations is of significant to me because it has been in my memory all along and it has to do with religion... It goes like this.... After attend a seminar in Germany in nineteen seventy six, on the way back I stop at a few cities in Europe and during a stop over at Zurich in Switzerland to do a short tour of the city.... I decide to stay at a budget hotel in the heart of the city and then call a friend, a young Swiss lady that I know, she had promise to take me on a tour if ever I visit her city.... After checking in the hotel.. A small building of a class of its own...The room though small was well decorated inside with a single bed covered with clean beige white linen.... The room had a window with beautiful beige color curtain.. With a view of the water front... A canal of a sorts.. It was really a pleasant place to spend the nights... I immediately call her and she say that she would meet me at the hotel....... Since the hotel had strict rules that you cannot take guest especially lady to your room... I told her that I shall wait for her at the hotel lounge at the hotel lobby..... So after a shower and freshen up... I went down to the lounge and waited for her... I was rather early so I sat there and while the hours reading and as the minutes goes by....A young priest came over and set at the next seat...And as usual with me we soon got to talking... One subject leads to another and eventually we talk about religion... It soon became interesting for we seem to believe in the same things, for He is a Christian and Me a Moslem... Both the people of the Books..... Because both of us are open minded and are open to discussion we soon discuss many things of mutual interest and I really felt good in that I could communicate so easily and understood what this young priest were conveying to me.... We seem to agree with thoughts of the religion and faith... We also seem to be on the same thinking plane and approach of openness to our faith...Islam and Christian... We soon became friend and hope that we could meet again in the future... And one part of our conversation that I recall very clearly and it has been at the back of my memory bank all these years, crystal clear to this day.... And that is when this young priest ask me this question..."Do you believe that God is that cruel to put people in Hell"... Well I answer "I do not believe it is so" and He agreed with me... So it look like that both of us have the same view of religion.... With that question and answer we parted with a smile and hope to meet again some other time.... And in the next moment my lady friend arrived and out we went on a tour of this great city of Zurich in beautiful Switzerland..... Well I shall leave this episode of my life just like that for others to digest and ponder... And perhaps learn some things for the good of mankind and our belief in religion... Surely you would agree with me that God is not cruel at all... For God is Love.... Amen.....

It is Sunday the twenty fifth, and today the Kelab Volvo Klasik is having their Annual General Meeting.... I am now a member of this club, so this will be the first time I am attending this meeting which is held at the Federal Auto, the company which sell Volvo. The gathering started with a breakfast session of the traditional Malaysian buffet.... The AGM started at about eleven in the morning.... And the surprise thing is that they decided to elect me as their next Hon.Secretary..... actually I did not want to hold any post in the committee and would like just to be an ordinary member.... But then what can I say.... It is a democracy and they adamantly want me to be a secretary..... So I accept and told them I would try to do my best...... Most of the previous committee members did not want to continue to be in this year committee, so in the end we now have a new set of committee members with Mr. Simon Suresh and young chap being elected as the President of the Club.... Mr. Simon is in fact the founder members of this club which was registered in nineteen ninety seven.... He is the first member of the club..... So now I had a job to do and hope that I would be able to do the job well.... It was to me a great meeting of the young and old.... and it went very well indeed.... We had lunch together and happy that this year AGM went well with a new set of committee member.......

The volvo of the Kelab Volvo Klasik and the great steering set of the Volvo 122s.

Since I start owing a Volvo classic in the Amazon's series.... I started to read the history of this great classic... Here are some of the earlier Volvo.... Have fun......

This is Volvo 444 This is Volvo 544 This is Volvo 1900 This is my Volvo 122S [1966]

You know the Volvo 122s classic that I bought recently..... the one that is thirty eight years old.... It has attract lots of attentions..... My friends talk about it and nostalgic about it..... Wherever I park people look and ask to see the engine..... Well I obliged and they are indeed happy to see this vintage is still working in perfect condition.... Being the owner of this beau I am surely happy with all the attraction that it has had.... Little that I know that this car would get this kind of attention from the public especially the young.... Most of the young that look at this car are as yet to be born or are too young to remember, when this car was first driven on our roads... It was then nineteen sixty six..... I was then young and use to see this beautiful car being driven on the roads in Kuantan where I spend my youth.... Little did I realized that thirty eight years later.... I would assumed ownership of one of this Volvo 122s.... the dream car of that time.... There are not many left of the roads now and I am among the few that own this vintage.... A car that I dream of having in my youth and now I own one in my golden age..... What a life..... It is indeed a great pleasure to drive this car, though a little bit hard on the steering without the power steering that we are used in today's modern car.... but once on the road, it just run like any new made cars of today's technology...... Everyone that saw this car admire it and some say that it bring back nostalgic memories of the era gone by....... when most of us were in our youth..... Today a young Doctor, a friend of our son in law came over to see this beau and He was rather amused as to the good condition of this old car.... A vintage of it own class...... When I mentioned this car to a friend in the UK.... This friend say that this car is built like a tank.... Solid and though.... It still look like it even today... What a great engineering this Swedish car is.... Advance for its time and today it does not look to be out of place among the new cars..... So another toy to play with in this golden age......

....... The 1966 Volvo 122s that I got last week.... A Vintage Car.... A dream Car...... Now I am eligible to be a full pledge member of the 'Kelab Volvo Kelasik', the Volvo Classic Club of Malaysia.

Since I bought that Volvo classic, I have being toying with it and having fun driving in the vicinity of my neighborhood... people look as the car passes by.... they are really curious as to the type of car..... it is not a new model and it look rather unusual.... the look of a car from another era..... it is really something to see and admire.... Well I believe the present youth with the exception of a few, would not want to drive on one of this.... They would prefer to drive those stylist Japanese cars that are aplenty on the market.... That is youth!!.... Always wanting something new and the excitement that comes with it.... Like getting a brand new car with the latest technology... the Lexus, the Honda, the Toyota, the BMW and enjoying driving it around or with their young families.... Once it is said that Malaysian youth are crazy of the three 'C', that is Car, Credit Card and Condo...... What a life these young Malaysian are having...... Enjoying life when they are still young.... Good job and well paid.... I guess these are the benefit of a prosperous country.... the result of good governance and a productive work forces.... That is Malaysia..... As for me this Volvo is a dream come true.... and I am enjoying toying with it..... fun.... that is life......

You know I bought a new car today.... No No it is not a new car..... I just bought a car.... Well I am confused ..... I did bought another car..... Yes I did bought a car..... It is not a new car.... then what it is.... a second hand car.... No it is not..... Well I just bought a vintage car..... That's it... A Vintage car..... A Volvo 122s manufactured in nineteen sixty six... So it is thirty eight years old..... That is my second car now.... A new toy of a sort to play around.... It is in a almost perfect condition and I love it..... so is my wife.... Crazy you say buying an old car and happy about it.... Yes... Many of my friends in the 'Kelab Volvo Kelasik [Volvo Classic Club] own these vintage and there are some hundred over of them that still have this old classic, are members of this club in Malaysia.... So I am not alone owning this vintage car..... so there are many crazy people around I supposed..... like me..... So how do I start to get into this crazy vintage affairs.... It all started like this..... In the sixties when I was rather young... at that time we could not afford to own a Volvo.... Only those 'rich and famous' at that time of our history could afford to buy one..... We just could admire and just dream of getting one..... It was beyond our budget at that time..... I just had to be contented with the Fiat six hundred...... Japanese cars were unheard of during that time... not like now, Japan makes the best cars and I love those new Japanese cars and at present own one of the latest...... In those days it was the continental cars, which most people could not afford to own one......Well as I have relate in my blog sometime ago.... I use to joins trips organized by the KVK whose members own these Volvo classic and after a few trip I got interested or somewhat renew my liking to this Volvo that I once admire..... As we all know that they do not make this model any more and so I start the search for the car..... And after a while with the help of my dear friends in the club..... I was told of a really good car which is for sale from one of the club's member..... A Volvo 120s built in nineteen sixty six, a Vintage ...... Without even looking at the car I decided to buy and Boy!!!.. It turn out to be a really good buy.... the car was in a perfect condition..... It was indeed Godsend, a sort of a gift, a dream came true..... A dream in my youth and realized in this golden age...... Well with that I am now eligible to be a full pledge member of the Volvo Classic Club [Kelab Volvo Kelasik]..... Now that I own this beautiful classic..... I had to learn to drive it.... it did not have an automatic transmission and no power steering...... since I am use with the modern technology in the cars of today's.... It take some doing to get this beau moving..... It actually did not take long and I am already driving it around my neighborhood..... A crazy old man driving a vintage Volvo..... the only one in this vicinity..... What a great laugh!!..... On the first day I took our grandchildren around in this 'new' car and they were delighted and amused to be riding in this grandpa's new toy... Well there were three generations in the car at that time... Me, the grandpa, their dad and them.....Having fun in a old vintage car, that their grandpa once dream of having one in his youth and only now He did own it......It is just like a time travel... in a movie.... but in this case it is for real.... A car built in the sixties and still running around in this millennium...... What a Machine!!... What a life.....Fulfilling grandpa's dream.....A piece of history in the development of technology..... the Volvo 122 S......

........After the meal we proceed on our tour of the island, our driver talk as he drive providing us valuable informations of the sight that we see on the round, we stop at many places of interest and among the many, the former Dutch Fort is an interesting place to visit.... Nearby is a huge rock carved with inscription in Dutch and the year seventeen forty three .... the Dutch fort consist of an imposing brick building, well built and not far from the sea front... It is at the beach side that this huge rock is sited, probably this rock was there and they just decided to carved some message for others to see..... It is indeed great that those Dutch sailors did carved year on this rock, had it not, then it would be difficult for us to know the year this Dutch adventurer visit this island and decided to build such a magnificent fort..... for such a building to be build in this isolated island.... far from their homeland.... this piece of territory must be of great significant to them..... It look like that the building material must have been brought from other places, for at that time brick making was yet to be introduce to the Malay society at that time.. Most probably it came from India for India in the eighteen century was already a well develop country with many buildings in brick and mortar...... Being interest in History, a favorite subject of mine.... I browse along those building and happy that the local administration had decided to preserved this site as an historical site.... It has added a sort of garden around this ruin and a shop that sell souvenir nearby..... It is not only good for the tourist industry but it is indeed something for the future generation to see for themselves, a part of the history of the country in bygone era...... From the quick tour I found that the tourist industry here is indeed very well organized.... It not only provide employments to the local but its as well benefit the tourist like us,making our tour productive and kept us informed all the time..... I never knew that the Dutch had been here at that time, until I visit this island on this trip.... This Pangkor island actually act as a breakwater for the port of Lumut.... I guess it is for this reason that the Dutch decided to build the fort to safeguard their ships that ply this route in that century..... It look like the Malaysian Navy had the same reason for choosing Lumut as it base..... What a coincident... Or was it!!!!... Today Lumut is on the Map of the world as it host the armada of the Malaysian Navy.....It look like History do repeat itself..... Part of the coast were doted with fishing villages with large seafaring boats and ships for deep sea fishing.... And on the shore there are many factories that churn out seafood products for the local as well as the international markets..... On one side of the islands many international standard hotels were set up to lure tourist to this tropical paradise, whose beaches is golden in color and great for swimming and sunbathing, as well for scuba diving.... What a destination this Pangkor island is.... To me it is a must place to visit if one wanted to sample the luxury of the tropical paradise..... the mountain range is still blanket by virgin forest and the beaches is still not commercialised as yet.... It it not only for the Rich and Famous but for those budget travelers as well.... My friends.... It is worth a visit and stay at this Pangkor Island... It is a place where one could while away with peace of mind, for the whole island is still in its natural form and untouch by modernization... like that continue to happen to tourist destinations elsewhere...... Our driver and tourist guide actually made our days and thanks to him we all had a wonderful tour of this Island in the sun...... Pangkor Island..... We returned back to the mainland just before two in the afternoon, pack our luggage and after a brief lunch at the resort, head for home, well satisfied with this weekend trip to this part of the country.... A joyful and a day to remember.... The visit to Lumut and Pangkor Island....

Early on Sunday morning, we, three couples decided to go on a trip to Pulau Pangkor, a small island off the coast of Lumut town. We left the resort just after eight in the morning, the weather was good... we head for the Jetty, park our cars at the roadside and went to get tickets for the boat ride to and fro the island..... We missed the first boat and had to wait for the next boat..... We while the time away, taking picture and watching the picturesque scene.... on one Conner is the war ships of the Malaysian Navy, right in the middle of the channel anchored a larger ocean going liner, must be, belong to some rich guy.... It has a local name.... It might be own by some local with plenty of money to throw around.... Well that is life.... Right across is the Pangkor island..., the town and other dwelling and resort are on the other sides facing the Sumatra island of Indonesia...... Our boat arrived and we boarded it and soon it was on it way to the island.... It was airconditoned so the ride was pleasant and enjoyable....It just took about twenty five minutes to arrived at our destination at the island..... We alight and arrange to get transport for our tour of the island....There were many vans, gorgeous pink in color waiting to take tourists for a spin of the island and there are also motorcycles for those adventurous one, to be on their own riding those bike as they like everywhere around the island..... I would do just that if I am still young, it would be nice to bike along on your own, with someone you love piggyback..... Roam all over the island and perhaps camp near those beaches and enjoy the fun of open fire cooking and lays along to while the days with dreams.... It would be real fun.... But I am no longer that young to venture into this kind of holiday.... Those days are gone... Now with friends of my age.... Our kind of holiday are different..... We book a Van and the driver, a friendly Malay youth took us to our first stop.... A restaurant..... We did not have our breakfast this morning..... Rushing to get on the first boat..... we miss the first boat and the breakfast as well.... so we set down and order whatever they still have for breakfast..... we settled for nasi lemak and nasi campur.... It was freshly cook and it taste great..... We enjoy the late breakfast or the early lunch and wait for our driver to return...... He return on the dot as promised.....And took us for the trip....

............. Took a quick shower and then we drove out to see the happening at the Balik Pulau Square.....could not find a good place to get a snack and good coffee, I drove to the town of Lumut and there had a great roti canai and teh tarik, the town seem to be more crowded this time... it was difficult to find a parking space...anyhow after looking around I found one at the shop that we had our the snack...... It was a great snack.... Happy we head back to the resort to meet the rest of the gang at a meeting planned to be at just after seven in the evening...... We arrived to find a few of the gang are already there, chatting away and are having a great time.... Just like us, probably they too had roti canai and teh tarik too and not really hungry at this time to go straight for dinner..... We continue to chat and wait for Alex to arrived.... Time pass and still no sign of Alex.....Some began to wonder what has happen to our great Alex... It seem that he has gone to his wife's Kampong [village] at Air Tawar .... Anyway someone got him on his Cell phone and He say that He is on his way... We waited and true enough...... Alex arrived with his wife.... Looking fresh and all smile..... Not to waste any time, we all decided to head to the nearest restaurant for dinner..... We found one just near the roadside, a sea food restaurant facing the sea.... A great place to have dinner....Under the moonlight and the open sky.... the place was well lighted, a few coconut tree's trunk were lighted with spiral color light from the bottom of the tree right to the top, just below the palm leaves, making it look like an artificial deco plants, in fact it is a real coconut palms..... We ordered a Chinese dinner and chat throughout the dinner..... Jokes and simple chat..... Everyone seem to enjoy the dinner......... It is getting late so we adjourned to the coffee house at our resorts and continue to chat, as usual it was about local politic and other subjects of interest..... Malaysian seem to be very concern with the development of the country and this actually augur well for the future of the country....... At the table are Malaysian of various races, talking in harmony with the country's interest at their hearts.... the subjects at time are racial and sensitive.... But as matured adult and understood the sensitivity of each others, such discussion went very well indeed..... Alex was a very articulate person....driving his point very well.... was real concern with the welfare of the country and the need to have a good governance..... One of those thing that He was really angry was a topic that might look simple.... But if one look at it in depth... one would realized that He is indeed right for being angry at the local government for planting Plastic or artificial Palm tree in and around some towns.... It is a rather ridiculous and almost come to the point of stupidity to do just that.... Planting artificial Palm in the tropic!!, where trees of various shape and greens are aplenty....... We all agree with his concern.... but then this sort of stupid planning happen and being concerned citizen we all should exposed this unwise doing..... Why plant artificial palm or trees when there are plenty of the real one around and easily available....... Alex is damn right here, something is definitely not right... And had to be put right.... Perhaps we should write to the paper to expose this stupidity...... Why was the public fund used for such act.... Well we continue to chat on other topic until the coffee house close for the night..... To me it was a great night out.... Well spend with intelligent discussion of subjects close to our heart.... Good governance our beloved country..... Malaysia.