Showing posts with label Heritage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heritage. Show all posts
Sunday, 16 April 2017
Early education in Malaya
http://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2017/04/231035/corridors-learning
Saturday, 18 February 2017
Revisiting our nation's darkest hours
Revisiting Our Nation's Darkest Hours
The sign at the waiting area reads 'CREDIT CARDS ARE RESPECTFULLY DECLINED; OLD PICTURE POSTCARDS WELCOMED'. Together with a jumble of vintage Penang photographs on the wall, I am instantly aware that Dr Chua Hock Khoon is very much into collecting historical items. His sister, who also doubles up as the receptionist, ushers me into the office. 'The doctor is with a patient right now. Please make yourself at home. You may want to look through some things he has left you,' she tells me while pointing to a pile of brown Manila envelopes. Before she leaves I ask her about the curious sign. 'My brother loves old postcards and photographs more than money. At times, his patients would bring him rare items in exchange for his dental services,' she tells me with a chuckle.
Dr Chua has been running his dental surgery clinic in Lebuh Pantai for the past 37 years. I first met him while attending the World Stamp Exhibition in Singapore in 1995. Back then I was just starting to learn about postal history and Dr Chua was an exhibitor. He had just won a Gold award for his Japanese Occupation exhibit. I still remember that day clearly. He could hardly contain his excitement having gained international recognition for his pet interest. Despite his busy schedule, he took time to patiently explain the finer points of collecting that soon set me on the path towards learning more about one of the darkest chapters in our nation's history.
At first glance, Dr Chua's office is an organized jumble of books and storage containers mixed with wads of recently acquired material. I start with the top most packet which turns out to be a collection of envelopes and post cards used during the time leading up to the Japanese invasion. Of particular interest are the patriotic slogans used to cancel the stamps. Among the more commonly used ones were 'V for Victory', 'Save for Victory, War Savings Certificates' and 'Patriotic Fund Preserves Freedom of Malaya'. I particularly like the slogan 'Don't Write About Ships'. I guess the British Administrators back then were particularly worried about locals unwittingly divulging the location of naval assets in their letters which would often be intercepted by enemy spies during the tumultuous years of between 1939 and 1941.
Dr Chua steps in just as I am about to start on the second stack of materials. 'Looking through my things eh?' he asks jokingly. 'Did you find anything interesting?' I merely smile and nod my head. I am at a loss for words as the priceless gems I have in front of me are irreplaceable records of our nation's history.
'We have a few minutes. I am waiting for the anesthetic to kick in before I can extract my patient's wisdom tooth. After that you have to be on your own until my break time in an hour. So, let's get started and not waste any more time,' he tells me before sitting down.
The next fifteen minutes turns out to be a brief and yet comprehensive history lesson for me. The Japanese Imperial Army attacked Kelantan just after midnight on 8 December 1941. Looking at me in a serious manner, Dr Chua tells me that the date is very significant. 'We were hit BEFORE the attack on Pearl Harbor began! Can you imagine that?'
Coupled with another set of landings at Pattani and Songkhla in Thailand, the two groups consisting mainly of bicycle infantry began their move south. Commonwealth defenses set up in anticipation of the attacks were no match for the Japanese military prowess. One by one the British, Indian and Australian bastions gave way leaving behind valuable supplies which were then utilized by the Japanese to bolster their war efforts. Aided by relentless aerial bombardments, the Japanese forces made quick work of reaching Johor Bahru by the end of January 1941. Two weeks later, on 15 February 1942, Singapore fell. All of Malaya had been conquered in just a little more than two months.
The Japanese Army quickly established a military government and swiftly brought their style of law and order to the country. Their first objective was to ferret out all dissidents and pro-British supporters. For the first few months of the occupation, mass screenings or 'Sook Ching' were conducted. 'The Japanese forces had informers who wore gunny sacks over their heads to protect their identities. The fates of those standing in line are sealed the moment the informer points a finger at them. Hundreds if not thousands of innocent civilians were taken away in trucks, never to be seen by their loved ones again,' Dr Chua tells me grimly before revealing the gruesome end awaiting those poor souls. 'Most of those taken away were shot in cold blood and buried in mass unmarked graves throughout the country.'
I spend the rest of my time looking at the treasure trove of materials after the doctor returns to his patient. The remaining packages weaves a spell binding tale about how the postal services developed during the Japanese era. During the first few months of the occupation, post offices or 'Yubin Kyoku' in the Japanese language allowed pre-war stamps to be used. Later, the remaining stocks were manually hand stamped with military seals beginning with the double framed chops. Later on, romanized words bearing the words 'DAI NIPPON' were over printed on them. Towards the end of the occupation, the Japanese government held various competitions to encourage the public to come up with designs for new stamp issues. These stamps featured local Malayan industries considered important to the Japanese economy such tin dredging and rubber tapping.
Mail sent during the Japanese Occupation had to undergo censorship. The post offices had a special department empowered to open letters and censor their contents. These envelopes were then resealed with either pieces of official censorship labels or with a special crimping machine. Other postal regulations were also strictly enforced. All mail without the proper sender's address would not be delivered.
The past one hour has given me the rare opportunity to peek into some aspects of the Japanese Occupation in Malaya. I just cannot imagine the atrocities and hardship felt by the general population during that time. Even my own maternal grandmother was affected. As a child I have often wondered why she sleeps in her sarong kebaya and not change into pyjamas like everyone else. Later, my mother told me that my grandmother was very traumatized during the war. In those uncertain days, her family had to be ready for emergencies. They slept with their day time clothes so that they could make a dash for safety under the cover of darkness. 'She still retains that fear until today and refuses to change into her pyjamas. She is still worried the Japanese soldiers might barge in at any moment,' my mother told me many years ago when I asked her about my grandmother's peculiar sleeping habit.
'Let's go for some beef noodles. I am feeling rather famished,' Dr Chua suggests to me after seeing off his patient. I accept his offer
after hearing him praise his favourite stall in Lebuh Carnarvon. We get into his car and join the heavy George Town traffic. Then, just as we are about to reach the end of Lebuh Pantai, the car comes to an abrupt stop. The doctor who is usually calm and composed becomes visibly excited. 'I just remembered that I need to show you something,' he tells me after safely parking his Camry.
He leads me to the junction of Lebuh Pantai and Lebuh Armenian. At first I thought he wanted to me to see the famous 'Little Children on a Bicycle' mural nearby. As always, there is long line of tourists waiting patiently for their opportunity to be photographed with Ernest Zacharevic's most famous masterpiece in Penang.
'No. No. Not that. Look here,' says Dr Chua as he asks me to look in the opposite direction. 'This is the only remaining Japanese Occupation road sign in Penang. Can you see the katakana letters on it? It says Armenian Street in Japanese,' he remarks while pointing to a foot long piece of weather beaten wood nailed to the wall. I just wonder why the state authorities are not doing anything to help preserve such important historical pieces in Penang.
The beef noodles at Kafe White Coffee are sumptuous. Half way through the meal, Dr Chua receives a call from one of his runners asking to come over to show him a recent discovery. Fifteen minutes later, a young gentleman appears with a book in his hands. The doctor takes some time to scrutinize the contents and then a wad of RM50 notes exchanges hands.
Obviously he is very happy with his purchase. 'Look at this mark,' he points to a violet hand stamp on the front cover. 'It's the chop of the MPAJA EX-SERVICE COMRADE ASSOCIATION. The Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army helped to liberate Malaya from the Japanese. This accounting book may prove that the fighters were ready to integrate back into society when they agreed to give up arms. However, fate has it that they decided instead to fight the British and become known in history as communist terrorists. The Malayan Emergency is my new area of interest. Come and visit me next year and I will have things related to another dark chapter of our nation's history to share with you,' Dr Chua looks at me excitedly as I finish the last spoonful of soup.
The sign at the waiting area reads 'CREDIT CARDS ARE RESPECTFULLY DECLINED; OLD PICTURE POSTCARDS WELCOMED'. Together with a jumble of vintage Penang photographs on the wall, I am instantly aware that Dr Chua Hock Khoon is very much into collecting historical items. His sister, who also doubles up as the receptionist, ushers me into the office. 'The doctor is with a patient right now. Please make yourself at home. You may want to look through some things he has left you,' she tells me while pointing to a pile of brown Manila envelopes. Before she leaves I ask her about the curious sign. 'My brother loves old postcards and photographs more than money. At times, his patients would bring him rare items in exchange for his dental services,' she tells me with a chuckle.
Dr Chua has been running his dental surgery clinic in Lebuh Pantai for the past 37 years. I first met him while attending the World Stamp Exhibition in Singapore in 1995. Back then I was just starting to learn about postal history and Dr Chua was an exhibitor. He had just won a Gold award for his Japanese Occupation exhibit. I still remember that day clearly. He could hardly contain his excitement having gained international recognition for his pet interest. Despite his busy schedule, he took time to patiently explain the finer points of collecting that soon set me on the path towards learning more about one of the darkest chapters in our nation's history.
At first glance, Dr Chua's office is an organized jumble of books and storage containers mixed with wads of recently acquired material. I start with the top most packet which turns out to be a collection of envelopes and post cards used during the time leading up to the Japanese invasion. Of particular interest are the patriotic slogans used to cancel the stamps. Among the more commonly used ones were 'V for Victory', 'Save for Victory, War Savings Certificates' and 'Patriotic Fund Preserves Freedom of Malaya'. I particularly like the slogan 'Don't Write About Ships'. I guess the British Administrators back then were particularly worried about locals unwittingly divulging the location of naval assets in their letters which would often be intercepted by enemy spies during the tumultuous years of between 1939 and 1941.Dr Chua steps in just as I am about to start on the second stack of materials. 'Looking through my things eh?' he asks jokingly. 'Did you find anything interesting?' I merely smile and nod my head. I am at a loss for words as the priceless gems I have in front of me are irreplaceable records of our nation's history.
'We have a few minutes. I am waiting for the anesthetic to kick in before I can extract my patient's wisdom tooth. After that you have to be on your own until my break time in an hour. So, let's get started and not waste any more time,' he tells me before sitting down.
The next fifteen minutes turns out to be a brief and yet comprehensive history lesson for me. The Japanese Imperial Army attacked Kelantan just after midnight on 8 December 1941. Looking at me in a serious manner, Dr Chua tells me that the date is very significant. 'We were hit BEFORE the attack on Pearl Harbor began! Can you imagine that?' Coupled with another set of landings at Pattani and Songkhla in Thailand, the two groups consisting mainly of bicycle infantry began their move south. Commonwealth defenses set up in anticipation of the attacks were no match for the Japanese military prowess. One by one the British, Indian and Australian bastions gave way leaving behind valuable supplies which were then utilized by the Japanese to bolster their war efforts. Aided by relentless aerial bombardments, the Japanese forces made quick work of reaching Johor Bahru by the end of January 1941. Two weeks later, on 15 February 1942, Singapore fell. All of Malaya had been conquered in just a little more than two months.
The Japanese Army quickly established a military government and swiftly brought their style of law and order to the country. Their first objective was to ferret out all dissidents and pro-British supporters. For the first few months of the occupation, mass screenings or 'Sook Ching' were conducted. 'The Japanese forces had informers who wore gunny sacks over their heads to protect their identities. The fates of those standing in line are sealed the moment the informer points a finger at them. Hundreds if not thousands of innocent civilians were taken away in trucks, never to be seen by their loved ones again,' Dr Chua tells me grimly before revealing the gruesome end awaiting those poor souls. 'Most of those taken away were shot in cold blood and buried in mass unmarked graves throughout the country.'I spend the rest of my time looking at the treasure trove of materials after the doctor returns to his patient. The remaining packages weaves a spell binding tale about how the postal services developed during the Japanese era. During the first few months of the occupation, post offices or 'Yubin Kyoku' in the Japanese language allowed pre-war stamps to be used. Later, the remaining stocks were manually hand stamped with military seals beginning with the double framed chops. Later on, romanized words bearing the words 'DAI NIPPON' were over printed on them. Towards the end of the occupation, the Japanese government held various competitions to encourage the public to come up with designs for new stamp issues. These stamps featured local Malayan industries considered important to the Japanese economy such tin dredging and rubber tapping.
Mail sent during the Japanese Occupation had to undergo censorship. The post offices had a special department empowered to open letters and censor their contents. These envelopes were then resealed with either pieces of official censorship labels or with a special crimping machine. Other postal regulations were also strictly enforced. All mail without the proper sender's address would not be delivered.
The past one hour has given me the rare opportunity to peek into some aspects of the Japanese Occupation in Malaya. I just cannot imagine the atrocities and hardship felt by the general population during that time. Even my own maternal grandmother was affected. As a child I have often wondered why she sleeps in her sarong kebaya and not change into pyjamas like everyone else. Later, my mother told me that my grandmother was very traumatized during the war. In those uncertain days, her family had to be ready for emergencies. They slept with their day time clothes so that they could make a dash for safety under the cover of darkness. 'She still retains that fear until today and refuses to change into her pyjamas. She is still worried the Japanese soldiers might barge in at any moment,' my mother told me many years ago when I asked her about my grandmother's peculiar sleeping habit.'Let's go for some beef noodles. I am feeling rather famished,' Dr Chua suggests to me after seeing off his patient. I accept his offer
after hearing him praise his favourite stall in Lebuh Carnarvon. We get into his car and join the heavy George Town traffic. Then, just as we are about to reach the end of Lebuh Pantai, the car comes to an abrupt stop. The doctor who is usually calm and composed becomes visibly excited. 'I just remembered that I need to show you something,' he tells me after safely parking his Camry.
He leads me to the junction of Lebuh Pantai and Lebuh Armenian. At first I thought he wanted to me to see the famous 'Little Children on a Bicycle' mural nearby. As always, there is long line of tourists waiting patiently for their opportunity to be photographed with Ernest Zacharevic's most famous masterpiece in Penang.
'No. No. Not that. Look here,' says Dr Chua as he asks me to look in the opposite direction. 'This is the only remaining Japanese Occupation road sign in Penang. Can you see the katakana letters on it? It says Armenian Street in Japanese,' he remarks while pointing to a foot long piece of weather beaten wood nailed to the wall. I just wonder why the state authorities are not doing anything to help preserve such important historical pieces in Penang.The beef noodles at Kafe White Coffee are sumptuous. Half way through the meal, Dr Chua receives a call from one of his runners asking to come over to show him a recent discovery. Fifteen minutes later, a young gentleman appears with a book in his hands. The doctor takes some time to scrutinize the contents and then a wad of RM50 notes exchanges hands.
Obviously he is very happy with his purchase. 'Look at this mark,' he points to a violet hand stamp on the front cover. 'It's the chop of the MPAJA EX-SERVICE COMRADE ASSOCIATION. The Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army helped to liberate Malaya from the Japanese. This accounting book may prove that the fighters were ready to integrate back into society when they agreed to give up arms. However, fate has it that they decided instead to fight the British and become known in history as communist terrorists. The Malayan Emergency is my new area of interest. Come and visit me next year and I will have things related to another dark chapter of our nation's history to share with you,' Dr Chua looks at me excitedly as I finish the last spoonful of soup.
Old time Cafe - Lunas style.
I started contributing to the New Sunday Times early this year and it has been a great experience ever since. It is so wonderful to see my work in print every week. That really spurs me on to write even more. I am truly grateful to my Sunday Vibes editor, Intan Maizura Ahmad Kamal for the great opportunity and trust extended to me.
Reliving Lunas History
The aging envelope sent from the Lunas Cinema has been sitting in my collection for many years. I have often wondered if the cinema still existed. Finally, I managed to find time to make a trip to this small southern Kedah town and do a little bit of exploration myself.
The easiest way to Lunas is via the Kulim-Butterworth Expressway. Coming in from Penang, the Lunas exit is a mere 25km from the Butterworth intersection. Motorists driving in will come across the newer part of town in the form of modern double storey shop houses before driving on to reach the heritage enclave. There is nothing much to see in the former. The new shops lack history and most of them sell nearly the same things as in the city. Leaving the electrical appliances, second hand bundle clothes and cheap wholesale household goods behind, I continue driving for less than ten minutes to come within sight of pre-war shop houses.
This century old town saw flourishing sago and tapioca trade during its early years. Established nearly 130 years ago, Lunas continued to prosper during the rubber boom in the early part of the 20th century. One of the town's pioneers, Loh Boon Ghee arrived from China and worked as a labourer.
The rubber industry at that time was still at its infancy. The 22 saplings brought into Malaya from Kew Gardens began producing countless precious seeds that were distributed throughout Malaya. By that time, Boon Ghee has saved enough money to start his own business clearing land for European estates. Boon Ghee did not stop there. Being a shrewd entrepreneur, he made his pile by setting up his own rubber plantations. The story of his life is a classic immigrant's rags-to-riches tale.
Lunas today is a pale shadow of its former self. The rubber trade has slowed dramatically no thanks to the invention of the more versatile synthetic rubber. The town is further left behind when new expressways bypass it, diverting traffic away from its once busy street.
Not knowing where to start, I decide to stop by at a very old looking coffee shop right at the opposite end of town. The modern sign in front names it Kedai Kopi Seng Tong. Looking closer at a rather faded signage below the traditional Chinese signboard I can just make out the words SENG TONG CAFE. That is the first indication telling me the shop is old, very old.
I am greeted by a cheerful man standing behind a rather modern looking counter. 'Kopi?' he asks me. I guess that must be the way he greets most customers in the morning. It is after all a coffee shop. 'Kopi Or.' I reply, badly missing my regular morning black coffee as I had to make an early start.
Glancing around I notice a row of old cafe benches and start clicking away with my camera. The sight of my camera immediately shouts out that I am an outsider even though I speak fluent Hokkien, the dialect prevalent in the northern region of Malaysia.
Business this morning must be slow. Only the front table is occupied. I do not have to wait long for my coffee. Ooi Hoe Peng is a friendly person. Standing beside me as I take my first sip, he regales me with stories about how his father had decided to start business due to a dearth in coffee shops back in the early 1950s. 'It was 65 years ago when my father bought this shop and began his trade. Back then business was good. Our shop is located by the main road,' pointing to the road in front of the shop which hardly has any passing traffic these days.
'My father was so busy that I had to help out the moment I got back from school. In those days, we had to buy raw coffee beans and fry them at the back of the shop until they are fragrant. Then, each morning my father would grind the beans into powder before opening the shop,' Hoe Peng tells me before moving to the counter to attend to a customer who had just arrived.
I continue to enjoy my coffee. It is just the way I like it. Black, strong, fragrant and piping hot. I steal glances around the shop in between sips. I can just imagine young Hoe Peng coming back from school, throwing his school bag aside and starting to clean tables. Back in those days, education takes a back seat when it comes to helping out with the family business.
'Come and try. Sit. Sit.' Hoe Peng beckons me when he realizes my longing look at the vintage cafe benches and tables. I decline his offer, feeling rather ashamed. Thanks to his insistence, I soon relent. I pick up my bag and plunk myself down on the low seat, coffee in hand. I lean back and a nostalgic feeling overwhelms me. So, this is what it feels like sitting at a coffee shop more than half a century ago.
I finish the last drop of my coffee which has already turned cold. Just as I am about to leave, an elderly lady appears from the back. Hoe Peng introduces her as his mother. 'Haa...my mother is the best person to talk to if you want to learn more about the history of Lunas. She has been helping my father right from the first day they started this coffee shop. Both of them hail from this town just like the two uncles sitting in front,' he tells me as he gestures towards the two elderly gentlemen chatting at the front table.
Just as I am about to whip out my notebook, she turns around and heads back inside. 'Wait. Aunty, please wait,' I beg her. 'Boh eng la,' she replies before disappearing. Hoe Peng tells me that his mother, Chew Kooi Hiang is usually busy cooking lunch at this time of the day. He spurs me on by urging me to venture into the kitchen if I am really desperate for a story.
A short and yet narrow corridor links the front portion of the shop to the kitchen. Here I find Kooi Hiang busy in front of her stove frying what seems to be mixed vegetables and bean curd. 'Aunty, your cooking is very fragrant. I feel hungry already,' I praised her cooking. Still cooking, she tells me that Lunas today still attracts visitors. 'People still come here to seek out the famous roast duck, visit the Buddhist hermitage and also the old rubber smokehouse. The hermitage attracts lots of people especially during alms giving days. It is just at the back of our house,' as she walks to the back and points to the golden spires in the distance.
With her ladle in hand, Kooi Hiang gestures towards several black and white photographs beside the dining table. She shares with me stories that happened during the early years. 'Lunas back in the early 1950s was a hot bed for communist activities. Food rationing was imposed about a year after we started business and all our food stuff had to be accounted for. The government back then was worried about the bandit sympathizers and the food denial scheme enforced to prevent communist supporters from supplying food to the rebels.' she adds while saying that the young people today do not know how lucky they are to live in this day and age when there is peace and food is in abundance.
I finally get around to asking her about the old cinema when she sits down at the dining table to take a breather. At first she vaguely remembers the place. Fortunately, Hoe Peng happens to drop in to check on things. He remembers going to the movies as a teenager. According to him, the cinema was located beside the market and it screened mostly Mandarin and Cantonese movies. That information must have jolted his mother's memory as she added by saying that tickets used to cost only 40 cents back in the 1960s. 'The audience had to sit on wooden benches and there was a huge fan to provide ventilation. I still remember how the ladies used to complain about their hair do each time they left the cinema,' Kooi Hiang adds with a chuckle.
Before I left, Hoe Peng tells me that the old cinema burnt down several years back. 'People in Lunas have to travel to Penang if they want to watch movies these days. At the rate our small town is going I doubt any large corporations will be willing to invest in a cinema here. Surely they will be running at a loss,' he laments while telling me about his concerns about who will continue the coffee shop business when he retires next.
My first article came out on New Year's Day. It's on an small coffee shop I discovered while visiting a laidback town in rural Kedah. Check out the story below. Thanks for dropping by.
By the way, the story is also availablevonline: http://www.nst.com.my/news/2017/01/201068/rubber-town-sleepy-hollow
Reliving Lunas History
The aging envelope sent from the Lunas Cinema has been sitting in my collection for many years. I have often wondered if the cinema still existed. Finally, I managed to find time to make a trip to this small southern Kedah town and do a little bit of exploration myself.
The easiest way to Lunas is via the Kulim-Butterworth Expressway. Coming in from Penang, the Lunas exit is a mere 25km from the Butterworth intersection. Motorists driving in will come across the newer part of town in the form of modern double storey shop houses before driving on to reach the heritage enclave. There is nothing much to see in the former. The new shops lack history and most of them sell nearly the same things as in the city. Leaving the electrical appliances, second hand bundle clothes and cheap wholesale household goods behind, I continue driving for less than ten minutes to come within sight of pre-war shop houses.
This century old town saw flourishing sago and tapioca trade during its early years. Established nearly 130 years ago, Lunas continued to prosper during the rubber boom in the early part of the 20th century. One of the town's pioneers, Loh Boon Ghee arrived from China and worked as a labourer.
The rubber industry at that time was still at its infancy. The 22 saplings brought into Malaya from Kew Gardens began producing countless precious seeds that were distributed throughout Malaya. By that time, Boon Ghee has saved enough money to start his own business clearing land for European estates. Boon Ghee did not stop there. Being a shrewd entrepreneur, he made his pile by setting up his own rubber plantations. The story of his life is a classic immigrant's rags-to-riches tale.
Lunas today is a pale shadow of its former self. The rubber trade has slowed dramatically no thanks to the invention of the more versatile synthetic rubber. The town is further left behind when new expressways bypass it, diverting traffic away from its once busy street.
Not knowing where to start, I decide to stop by at a very old looking coffee shop right at the opposite end of town. The modern sign in front names it Kedai Kopi Seng Tong. Looking closer at a rather faded signage below the traditional Chinese signboard I can just make out the words SENG TONG CAFE. That is the first indication telling me the shop is old, very old.
I am greeted by a cheerful man standing behind a rather modern looking counter. 'Kopi?' he asks me. I guess that must be the way he greets most customers in the morning. It is after all a coffee shop. 'Kopi Or.' I reply, badly missing my regular morning black coffee as I had to make an early start.
Glancing around I notice a row of old cafe benches and start clicking away with my camera. The sight of my camera immediately shouts out that I am an outsider even though I speak fluent Hokkien, the dialect prevalent in the northern region of Malaysia.
Business this morning must be slow. Only the front table is occupied. I do not have to wait long for my coffee. Ooi Hoe Peng is a friendly person. Standing beside me as I take my first sip, he regales me with stories about how his father had decided to start business due to a dearth in coffee shops back in the early 1950s. 'It was 65 years ago when my father bought this shop and began his trade. Back then business was good. Our shop is located by the main road,' pointing to the road in front of the shop which hardly has any passing traffic these days.
'My father was so busy that I had to help out the moment I got back from school. In those days, we had to buy raw coffee beans and fry them at the back of the shop until they are fragrant. Then, each morning my father would grind the beans into powder before opening the shop,' Hoe Peng tells me before moving to the counter to attend to a customer who had just arrived.
I continue to enjoy my coffee. It is just the way I like it. Black, strong, fragrant and piping hot. I steal glances around the shop in between sips. I can just imagine young Hoe Peng coming back from school, throwing his school bag aside and starting to clean tables. Back in those days, education takes a back seat when it comes to helping out with the family business.
'Come and try. Sit. Sit.' Hoe Peng beckons me when he realizes my longing look at the vintage cafe benches and tables. I decline his offer, feeling rather ashamed. Thanks to his insistence, I soon relent. I pick up my bag and plunk myself down on the low seat, coffee in hand. I lean back and a nostalgic feeling overwhelms me. So, this is what it feels like sitting at a coffee shop more than half a century ago.
I finish the last drop of my coffee which has already turned cold. Just as I am about to leave, an elderly lady appears from the back. Hoe Peng introduces her as his mother. 'Haa...my mother is the best person to talk to if you want to learn more about the history of Lunas. She has been helping my father right from the first day they started this coffee shop. Both of them hail from this town just like the two uncles sitting in front,' he tells me as he gestures towards the two elderly gentlemen chatting at the front table.
Just as I am about to whip out my notebook, she turns around and heads back inside. 'Wait. Aunty, please wait,' I beg her. 'Boh eng la,' she replies before disappearing. Hoe Peng tells me that his mother, Chew Kooi Hiang is usually busy cooking lunch at this time of the day. He spurs me on by urging me to venture into the kitchen if I am really desperate for a story.
A short and yet narrow corridor links the front portion of the shop to the kitchen. Here I find Kooi Hiang busy in front of her stove frying what seems to be mixed vegetables and bean curd. 'Aunty, your cooking is very fragrant. I feel hungry already,' I praised her cooking. Still cooking, she tells me that Lunas today still attracts visitors. 'People still come here to seek out the famous roast duck, visit the Buddhist hermitage and also the old rubber smokehouse. The hermitage attracts lots of people especially during alms giving days. It is just at the back of our house,' as she walks to the back and points to the golden spires in the distance.
With her ladle in hand, Kooi Hiang gestures towards several black and white photographs beside the dining table. She shares with me stories that happened during the early years. 'Lunas back in the early 1950s was a hot bed for communist activities. Food rationing was imposed about a year after we started business and all our food stuff had to be accounted for. The government back then was worried about the bandit sympathizers and the food denial scheme enforced to prevent communist supporters from supplying food to the rebels.' she adds while saying that the young people today do not know how lucky they are to live in this day and age when there is peace and food is in abundance.
I finally get around to asking her about the old cinema when she sits down at the dining table to take a breather. At first she vaguely remembers the place. Fortunately, Hoe Peng happens to drop in to check on things. He remembers going to the movies as a teenager. According to him, the cinema was located beside the market and it screened mostly Mandarin and Cantonese movies. That information must have jolted his mother's memory as she added by saying that tickets used to cost only 40 cents back in the 1960s. 'The audience had to sit on wooden benches and there was a huge fan to provide ventilation. I still remember how the ladies used to complain about their hair do each time they left the cinema,' Kooi Hiang adds with a chuckle.Before I left, Hoe Peng tells me that the old cinema burnt down several years back. 'People in Lunas have to travel to Penang if they want to watch movies these days. At the rate our small town is going I doubt any large corporations will be willing to invest in a cinema here. Surely they will be running at a loss,' he laments while telling me about his concerns about who will continue the coffee shop business when he retires next.
Wednesday, 15 July 2015
Very early hand crank sewing machine - Singer Model 27? Can anyone help please?
I do not know much about hand cranked sewing machines except that they pre date the ones that require the usual motion using our leg muscles and they are quite rare.
This morning (I know I have not been posting much - sorry as I was busy with some minor repair work at the shop) I went out with my fellow 'hunter' Yusni Azman and I bought this contraption.
I am not sure of its age except that it has a rather low serial number and the hand crank is original and not added on.
I think it is from the Singer Sewing Machine Company but I cannot find any inscriptions that supports my theory.The only thing that identifies it is a small metal brass plate that reads Vibrating Shuttle Sewing Machine and has the symbols SV.
I am including as many photos a possible in this post.
I hope readers can help me identify this interesting piece and shed some light on the mystery surrounding it.
I even found a little key in the concealed drawer. I wonder if it opens the box that hols this sewing machine.
In case some of you are wondering - no I do not have the upper section of the case. According to the seller, it is missing.
Also, the crank is slightly jammed up but I think it is a small matter. All it needs is a bit of TLC (Tender Loving Care) and soon it should work like a well oiled machine.Ok enough said. I shall let the photos do the talking now.
Please remember that I really appreciate feedback if you can tell me more about this thing which has a very nice porcelain handle. Thanks.
Thursday, 9 July 2015
Things bought at the Flea Market Friday 10 July 2015 - Vintage Betel Nut Cuttter (Item 1 of 6)
Fortunately the rain stopped and I left my house at 615 am sharp.My first stop is always at my favourite antique seller's stall.
I picked up his vintage betel nut cutter from him. All these while I only have those made of cast iron. This is the first one made partially of brass which looks reasonably old so i bought it despite its relatively high price.
I do not know much about it except there are some markings which I have posted here as well.
My hope is that perhaps my readers can help me ascertain its origin and perhaps even its age.
Thank you. I am off to work now and will post more later this afternoon.
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