Our Culinary Adventures in Batu Pahat

Hunting for interesting food and sharing meals together is always an essential part of any family get-together or reunion. There’s something truly special about discovering new eateries, tasting local favourites, and bonding over good food and laughter.

My daughter-in-law, Rachel, has a real knack for finding new and exciting dining spots - and she does it with impressive speed and instinct. Thanks to her, we never run out of culinary adventures to try.

One of the restaurants we visited was Restoran SY, an air-conditioned eatery known for its comfortable ambiance and reasonably priced dishes. We enjoyed our first dinner there so much that we decided to return for a second round the next evening on 11.10.2025 before our trip ended.

After our first meal at Restoran SY, our food journey didn’t stop there. We continued the evening with dessert at Mykori Dessert & Cafe, a cosy spot well-known for its refreshing shaved ice creations and delightful sweets. There, Livvie and Maddie were granted the special privilege of choosing their own treats - an irresistible reward that brought instant smiles to their faces.

As usual, Maddie had a charming way of expressing her delight. When asked how the dessert was, she didn’t hesitate for a moment. Her response was short, sincere, and full of enthusiasm: “Heaven!”

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Rachel was particularly eager to try the famous roti canai in Batu Pahat. Taking up my niece Suanie’s recommendation, we decided to visit Roti Canai ABAH in Kampung Beroleh - a place that promised both authentic flavours and a touch of local charm.

Enjoying the little play-station built at a house next to the eatery.

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We had lunch in one of the coffee shops in BP on 11.10.2025. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the coffee shop where we had this meal!

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To give Livvie and Maddie a taste of a local drive-through experience, we made a quick stop at McDonald’s Batu Pahat DT for some snacks on 19.10.2025. It was a simple outing, but one filled with delight - their bright smiles and laughter said it all as they enjoyed the novelty of placing their order from the car and receiving their treats right through the window!

A Special Touch

Since we last saw my mother-in-law in April this year (Read here), her health has sadly declined further. Even the simple act of sitting up now requires assistance.

Yet, during this visit, one thing was beautifully clear - she was genuinely happy to see so many of us, especially Sam’s family and her two great-granddaughters from Singapore (Read here). Her eyes lit up, and her faint smiles spoke volumes, even when words were few.

My daughter-in-law, Rachel, seemed to have a special touch with her. Though it was her first time visiting the care home, Rachel was so naturally gentle and attentive - helping her sit up, adjusting pillows to ensure she was comfortable, and speaking to her with quiet warmth. Those tender gestures surely brought comfort to my mother-in-law’s heart.

What touched me most was how my mother-in-law seemed to recognize and respond to Rachel’s voice more easily than to any of ours - as if a quiet bond had formed between them, beyond words, beyond time. Perhaps it was a sign of a deeper connection, one heart reaching out to another in kindness and care.

Rachel also suggested to my wife that it would be beneficial for my mother-in-law to do some simple stretching exercises to help keep her body active and strong. My wife warmly embraced the idea and immediately demonstrated a few gentle movements, showing how even small efforts could bring positive change. To our delight, my mother-in-law joined in willingly, trying her best to mirror each motion with quiet determination.

What made the moment even more heartwarming was when another elderly resident nearby - who had been quietly observing - soon began to follow along as well, moving her hands and arms in rhythm with my wife’s actions. It became a simple yet beautiful scene of shared encouragement, connection, and joy - a reminder of how kindness and togetherness can uplift the human spirit.

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My wife and I had a few extra days with her - one before Sam’s family arrived, and another after they left. In a place where life often moves at a slow and monotonous pace, those moments of personal connection meant the world to her.

There was the gentle comfort of a massage lovingly given by her daughter - my wife - the joy of watching videos of her other grandchildren living overseas, and the simple pleasure of tasting other food brought in from outside. Each small gesture seemed to brighten her day - reminders of family, love, and life beyond the walls of the care home.

From Great-Grandmother to Great-Grandchildren: A Bridge of Four Generations

Six months had passed since our last visit to my see mother-in-law in April this year (Read here). Our recent trip to Batu Pahat, from 9 to 13 October 2025, was made more special as we were joined by Sam and his family from Singapore.

This visit held particular significance because it marked the first meeting between Maddie, my youngest granddaughter, and her great-grandmother. For Livvie, it was a joyful reunion - her second encounter since their first meeting in November 2018.

When Livvie and Maddie were brought to the care home on the morning of 11 October 2025, my mother-in-law’s face lit up with recognition. The moment she saw Livvie, she exclaimed in Chinese, “She is my old friend!” Clearly, she still remembered their meeting seven years ago in Kuala Lumpur, when Sam’s family visited their cousins there.

As for Maddie, the moment was simple yet touching - a gentle handshake marked their very first meeting, bridging generations in a tender gesture of connection.

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Livvie seemed to share a special bond with her great-grandmother. Even during their first meeting in 2018, at mealtime, she insisted on being fed by her great-grandmother - a touching gesture that reflected their instant connection. Back then, my mother-in-law was still physically strong enough to carry and cuddle her great-granddaughter with ease. Now, though age has taken away that strength, the affection between them remains unchanged - felt deeply through smiles, gentle touches, and unspoken warmth.

Photos taken on 11.11.2018.

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Before leaving for Singapore, they made one last visit to say good-bye - a quiet farewell that spoke volumes about the bond between generations.

A Brief Journey into Sri Gading's Roots

In March 2024, when Sam and his family visited Kota Kinabalu, I took my granddaughter, Livvie, for a short walk along the old track that once led to my childhood home - a modest house nestled in a quiet valley beside Jalan Istana ((Read here). It was a simple walk, yet deeply meaningful, as I retraced the same path my younger self once took daily, now hand in hand with the next generation.

Then, on 11.10.2025, Livvie, her sister Maddie, their parents and grandparents (I and my wife) visited the old family house in Sri Gading - the place where my wife spent her own childhood before moving to Sabah in 1979. Standing once again before that familiar house, they could sense the echoes of family stories and memories that have spanned decades and crossed states - a bridge between past and present.

If there is one object that best captures the essence and significance of this house, it would be the old swing beneath the roof overhang just outside the main door. That swing has silently witnessed the passage of time - from the laughter of Gen Y children to the conversations of forty-something adults reminiscing about their youth. Now, with the newest members of the family, Livvie and Maddie, joyfully taking their turns on it, another beautiful cycle has come full circle. It feels especially poignant knowing that their father once played on the very same swing some forty one years ago in 1984 and a couple of times more in subsequent visits to Sri Gading - a simple yet powerful reminder of how this home continues to hold the threads of family, memory, and continuity across generations (Read here). 

Seeing Livvie and Maddie playing on the swing, I couldn’t help but recall an old photograph taken in July 1984 - at this very same spot - when their father was just a year and a half old. The image of him on the swing four decades ago, now mirrored by his daughters’ laughter, beautifully captures the passage of time and the enduring spirit of family across generations.

Another cherished photograph, taken in February 1990 in front of the main door, captures Livvie and Maddie’s father at seven years old. Seated beside him are his cousin Tai Tai and his younger brother, Paul. The image - three children frozen in time - beautifully preserves their carefree smiles, a timeless reflection of childhood innocence and the enduring family bonds that continue to unite them today.

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Inside the old house.

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When Paul and Junshi visited Sri Gading in November 2017 to attend my mother-in-law’s 87th birthday celebration, they were also brought to see the canal that runs alongside Jalan Sri Gading (Read here). It has long been a family tradition to take first-time visitors to this small but historically significant canal.

The surrounding area was once part of a thriving agricultural landscape dominated by rubber plantations. During the early to mid-20th century, when road infrastructure was still limited, the area was interlaced with small canals and drainage channels, known locally as parit, which served both as irrigation systems and minor transport routes. This canal was once used by small boats to transport rubber sheets from local plantations to the main river. Over time, as roads improved and lorries replaced boats, the use of these canals for transport declined. 

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Another must-see landmark in Sri Gading is the road sign for Jalan Lim Kheng Siang, a street named in honor of my father-in-law. Erected by the roadside, the signboard serves as a lasting tribute to his years of service to the local community. From the 1950s through the 1980s, he was a respected community leader, remembered for his integrity and commitment to public welfare. During that period, he served as the Chairman of the Sri Gading Local Council. His name on the signboard today stands as both a historical marker and a symbol of gratitude from the community he once served.

An old photo taken on 21.12.1958 captures the opening of the local Council office premise. My father-in-law, a tall man is seated in the center of the front row.

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That particular Saturday when we visited Sri Gading happened to coincide with the local open market day. It was the perfect opportunity for them to experience the vibrant atmosphere of a traditional rural Malaysian marketplace - where local farmers and vendors sold fresh produce, homemade delicacies and everyday goods. The lively chatter, colorful stalls, and aroma of freshly cooked food offered an authentic glimpse into the daily lives and warm community spirit of the local people.

Reunion of Former Classmates of Class 70 of CHIJ, Batu Pahat

Retirees and seniors often look forward to reunion gatherings. These events offer them wonderful opportunity to reconnect - not just with each others but with the past - reliving fond memories, sharing stories of familiar places and people. 

I still remember organizing my first high school classmates reunion back in November 2013 (Read here). Since then, we have held smaller, more informal meetups - usually triggered by a classmate returning from overseas or after a "lost" classmate was finally "found".

My wife's high school friends from Convent of Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) Batu Pahat on the other hand are even more enthusiastic. Their reunions are more frequent and often held on a much larger scale. Their first major reunion after leaving school at the end of 1970 took place in February 2015 (See Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of her blogs).

At their most recent reunion lunch, held on 10.04.2025 at SY Restaurant, a total of 16 individuals attended including two men. The two gentlemen were none other than the supportive spouses of two members - I was one of them and the other was Tian Sze, the husband of my wife's close friend, Choy Min (Read here about Choy Min). My role in the reunion has mainly been that of an unofficial photographer - capturing special moments and preserving memories for everyone to look back on!

My wife was given the role of ice-breaker for the event. After she got things started, many participants took turn sharing about themselves. As is often the case in a group of students in a class, some opened up easily while others needed a bit of prompting and encouragement. 

During the storytelling session, I was surprised to learn that one of the ladies - who now lives in Singapore- has fourteen siblings. Incredibly, the number could have been eighteen had four not passed away. Until then, the largest family I had personally heard of was one with eleven children. Eighteen truly felt like something straight out of the Guinness World Record!

Another interesting character is Anita who communicates exclusively in Chinese in their chat group even though many in the group neither speak nor read the language. Fortunately, another kind-hearted member uses Google Translate to help the English speaking members follow along. Anita's concluding remark is particularly amusing - "I observed the sisters at the gathering, some have matured while others haven't changed much like the Virgin Mary. The two handsome uncles have not changed at all. It's as if time has forgotten them. They are still as handsome and youthful as ever. May be they use SK-II for skin care!". (This information is provided by my wife :))

My wife - the ice breaker!

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Another highlight of the gathering was the heartfelt Powerpoint presentation done by Siew Khim, the group de-facto class leader. She had spent significant time and effort collecting old photos from high school days and past reunions to put together a nostalgic and meaningful slide show. The group is truly fortunate to have someone as dedicated and enthusiastic as her to facilitate, lead, organize and keep the spirit of the class alive!

Siew Khim's concluding remark before ending the gathering - "If any of you visit Singapore in the future, please let one of us know. We'd be so happy to meet up and catch up!"

Siew Khim doing the Powerpoint presentation.

Group photo of all the participants of the reunion.

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In the evening, my wife and I were invited by Choy Min to join another makan session with her husband's former high school classmates. We gathered at the Riverside Food Court to indulge in some of the most popular and beloved local dishes available there!

At the Riverside Food Court.

The evening didn't end at the Riverside Food Court. The group moved on to another food court for more drinks and chitchats before finally calling it a night!