It’s the year of the golden Ox and that means, behold and hail the “Niu”!! I don’t speak much of mandarin but I do remember the meaning of “Niu” and all thanks to my good friend who taught me the differences between “Nyi-Ren” and “Niu-Ren” hehehe… Thanks Quiting!

At the first stroke of midnight on the first day of “Niu” year, here in Skudai, the sky were lighted up with showers of fire crackers, fireworks and it lasted for more than an hour. Chinese New Year has always been my favourite since I get to see lots and lots of fireworks fired off by the folks here. So its usually sleepless night on the first night of CNY.

Anyway I didn’t do much on the first day of CNY except cooking even though we had planned to go for a swim at Batu Layar. Luckily we didn’t head there because on the same day, four people drowned at Batu Layar; all were overwhelmed by the large waves and strong current of the wave.

Second day was at least quite interesting. Woke up at 6.30am, head out for breakfast at 7.30am. The roads were empty and you can literally sleep on it without the fear of getting run over. The air was fresh and crisp and it was sooo peaceful. I love CNY! Everyone is too busy sleeping in if they are in the city while the rest are all back in their Kampong, catching up with other relatives.

After breakfast we headed out to Gunung Pulai for a walkabout in the Hutan Simpanan (Reserved Forest). There is a waterfall there and considering the air is fresh and the day so fine, we had wanted to spend some time there. Unfortunately when we reached there, it was closed to the public and there were troops of fire fighters and police there. We weren’t quite sure what happened then until this morning.

A pilot from New Delhi, who flies as a hobby, was reported to be trapped for six hours in Gunung Pulai when his two-seater Cassena plane crashes earlier on Monday. No wonder we weren’t allowed entrance but the men in uniforms were kind and friendly enough to give us some allowances to the premise which we of course politely declined. If there are any men in uniforms in large numbers, I would never want to be caught trapped in them. Nu-uh!

Our little picnic cancelled, we then headed out to Ayer Hitam via the old highway with no tolls and where the roads snaked through the villages and towns. Smooth ride with lots of kids running around, some stark naked and dunking themselves in the rivers. Heheh.. Oh I do miss my old times in the Kampong..

Didn’t do anything much in Ayer Hitam except buy some of my favourites snacks and then head back home.