13 October 2007: Ramadan and Hari Raya

The past month it was Ramadan again for all the muslims. Between sunrise (around 7am in the morning) and sunset (shortly after 7pm in the evening) people don't eat and drink. Everybody therefore has to adjust their daily routine: get up very early (around 4am to prepare breakfast), and then get through the day and leave early to prepare the "breaking of fast". To reduce the amount of work, a lot of people buy their evening dinner at one of the many markets that are especially there during Ramadan. By selling there home cooked meals (sometimes prepared on the spot), some people try to make a little additional money.

Ramadan ended yesterday (Friday 12/10), so the muslims can celebrate Hari Raya now. The first week, a lot of people are on leave to celebrate with their family, and a lot of people go back to their hometown. A lot of shopping malls have special decorations, like the one you see on the photo below: the entrance of Sunway Pyramid in Subang.

12 April 2008: Holiday Netherlands

Between 22 March and 3 April have been back on family visit to Netherlands for the second time. Last year it was a very full and busy schedule, so we decide to take it easy this time: the first week we stayed with Henk's parents in Groningen and the second week in Utrecht with Jenny her family. Besides this, only a few visits to friends and colleagues. Unfortunately the weather wasn't that great ( compared to the 30 degrees in Malaysia): the first week during Easter we woke up in a white world full of snow and most of the week the temperature was between zero and five degrees. The second week at least the temperature was better, but unfortunately we had to carry an umbrella with us all the time. A couple of times it was ok and we were able to cycle with Emily in the neighbourhood of Utrecht.
Obviously the family enjoyed the two weeks: finally they were able to enjoy Emily (which is something different then just looking at her via the webcam .....)
Click on the photo on the right to see some of the photographs.

1 September 2008: Long weekend Pangkor

Last weekend we have been to Pangkor Island for 3 days. Pangkor is a small island north of Kuala Lumpur. Although the distance is only 240km from KL, it still takes at more than 3 hours to drive to the ferry that takes you to the island. The first part is still ok (the North-South Expressway, but the last 100 km you have to drive on single-lane roads with a lot of trucks that can really keep you from driving fast..... From Lumut you then take the ferry to Pangkor Island, this takes about 40 minutes. The hotel was very nice: situated in a private bay where you could walk from your room straight onto the beach. Emily did really enjoy herself in the pool and on the beach. Click on the photo's for an impression.

7 september 2008: Mooncakes

	Last weekend we went to an auntie of Jenny's sister-in-law to properly learn how to make mooncakes. The Chinese celebrate the 'Mid-Autumn Festival' in September and they traditionally serve mooncakes: a special kind of sweet cake prepared in the shape of the moon and stuffed with all kinds of fillings. Although you can buy mooncakes, it is obviously more fun to make them ourselves !

10 January 2009: Holiday Netherlands

The last 2 weeks of December 2008 we have been back to Netherlands for the third time since we moved to Malaysia. This time is was only visit to our families: the first week in Uithuizen at Henk’s family and the second week in Utrecht with Jenny’s family. Time flies, especially in the holiday season. It was fun to see everyone again and the weather was very good: despite the cold there was no rain/snow and most of the days the sun was shining. Click on the photo’s for a few pictures.

25 January 2009: Chinese New Year

This weekend begins the Chinese New Year.  That’s why we had 2 days additional leave: Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 January. Most of Chinese people go back to their hometown to celebrate the Chinese New year with their families. We were invited for a traditional New Year diner at family of Jenny’s sister-in-law in Klang.

1 February 2009: Visiti to Dong Zen temple

During the Chinese New Year most of the Chinese Temples in Malaysia are decorated and lighted. Upon reccommendation from an article in the newspaper this week we went to FSA Dong Zen temple. This one is outside of KL, about a 45 minutes drive from our house. Although it was a bit far from KL, there were a lot of people in the temple: most of the Chinese people go to a temple during celebration of Chinese New Year. This temple was very special: in 2 gardens there were a lot of Buddha statues to see; there were are also big statues of the Chinese Zodiac signs to see which werre beautifully lighted in the evening.