Rayyan's 3rd Birthday

We had Rayyan's birthday party 2 weeks after the actual date, on July 14th... so that Aunt Felishia could attend when she spent her holidays at home. Almost everyone we invited came. Some notable exclusions... Yana & Zafier (now in Birmingham, UK) and Daiyan and Darwish (due to Daiyan's suspected illness)... thanks everyone for the gifts...


The cake - from Baker's Cottage... Barney & Friends black forest cake
Candle blowing and cake-cutting...

We've actually had a small birthday celebration over a Sunday brunch on his actual birth date: July 1st at March'e Movenpick's at The Curve... Atok got almost the whole staff at March'e to sing happy birthday at our table, just before Rayyan cut his cake... malu giler budak tu... hahaha

Cruising Putrajaya

Hello from Putrajaya! We went to Rayyan's Mak Long's apartment in Precint 9 last weekend for lunch and then decided to take a stroll around Dataran Putra and snap some pictures...

We've always wanted to go on the Cruise Tasik but never got the chance. This time, we managed to do it.

Went to the counter to get the tickets. We had the choice of either going on the Gondola-type perahu called "Dondang Sayang" or the air-conditioned ferry called "Belimbing". The former is cheaper for obvious reasons.

Rayyan specifically asked for the Belimbing ride. So that set us back RM30 each for me and Ja, and RM0.99 for him. They've got a special promotion for kids on that day.

It was 5.30pm when we got the tickets, so we had to wait for the next trip at 6.00pm.

Spent some time at the souvenir shop. They've got t-shirts, postcards, batik, and some other cool stuff which was at reasonable prices, I think. Didn't get buy anything there, although I had my eyes on that postcard set. Rayyan had fun in there, though.

The Belimbing ferry was much bigger than the Dondang Sayang and can accommodate up to 76 passengers. We were lucky 'coz it was just us, a couple of other families, and a small group of Iranians were the only ones to board the 6pm trip.

It was a 45-minute cruise and the journey took us through all the great buildings, monuments, and bridges that make Putrajaya a perfect sight-seeing destination for all. And of course, here's our guy drinking again...

About half-way on our trip, we were allowed to go out. We took the opportunity to mingle with the skipper and the tour guide. And of course snap more pictures...

It was getting dark, and at about 6.45pm, it was the end of the cruise as we reached the point where we started.

So that's it. We went straight home afterwards. Rayyan spent almost the whole 30min car ride sleeping. Tired, huh?

I'll try and update this blog with more of his growing up pics soon. Till, then, bye...

The Sungai Congkak Trip

Sunday: April 22, 2007. The company I just joined since last month organized a picnic somewhere near Sungai Congkak (Congkak River).

Me, Ja, and Rayyan went. Had to wake Rayyan up at 7.00am since we were supposed to meet up with the rest of my colleagues at the office by 8.00am.

We hyped Rayyan up about the trip since the day before and he was excited to the fact that we're actually going to be "swimming" in the river. He never had this experience before. So much so that he decided not to sleep with Nenek that night, like he normally does every night before I pick him up while he's sleeping.

So off we went. Didn't have to pack any food... 'coz everything is being settled by my colleagues.

There were about 10 cars with more joining the group as we settled at this one private picnic site called "Lubuk Manggis", somewhere near Sungai Congkak Recreational Picnic site.

It was clean, well kept, and the water was sooo cold. As much excitement that he had to the idea of being in the river, I think the freezing water set him back. So he just settled on the picnic mat we brought and enjoyed the view while me and a few of my office mates tried to set the bbq fire.

We had lamb and chicken barbecue. Some of us brought fried mee-hoon and fried rice, sardine sandwiches, etc.

Rayyan then decided that it was okay for him to go back into the water and have fun. We did have fun... Check out these pictures taken by Ja...

After playing in the water for a good 20 minutes, time was up for him. No more water... hmm.. no more water? We'll see...

This hut was rented at RM10. Cool place for us to put our bags, change, and provide shelter when it rained briefly.




No more water, you say? Here's a thirsty fellow after playing in the river...



And again....


And again...


Well.. that wraps up our report on this trip...



...and to Aunty Felishia in London at the moment.. a belated happy birthday wish to you.. and we'll soon see you there!