Balik Kampung - Episode 2

A shout out to all you Hokkien peeps, Happy Bai Tian Gong Festival! Fresh Roast pork FTW!

On with the program.

This post will feature a bit of the neighbourhood and grandpa's external compound.


This is the bakery on the left of my grandpa's house. It's been around forever. My dad apparently grew up with the smell baking pastries, breads and cakes everyday which put him off bread and cakes for the rest of his life. When I was younger I got to run around and play with the owner's children inside. I even get to flick off FRESH FROM THE OVEN goodies. Heaven should smell like this every Sunday.


Interior of the bakery. Shot with the camphone.


On the left of grandpa's house is the coffee shop. My late grandpa used to hang out here every time we balik kampung. It's damn old school. The classic marble tables with wooden legs. Spittoon bowls at the bottom. Glorious toasted thick white bread spread with generous heart attack inducing kaya butter. Glass bottled coke in a clear plastic bagful of gigantic ice chunks. The clickety clack sounds of the mahjong tiles in the illegal gambling den behind..... damn best!


The cement(?) chair just outside the house which has been there since.... forever.


The swing is easily one of my favourite places in grandpa's house.


This was a vegetable patch. Grandpa used to plant all sorts of stuff here. Beans, leafy veges and little chili trees. Now it's just lots of creepers and weed.


The backyard. Grandpa used to plant vegetables here too. That big cement drain is a new addition to backyard. Must be one of them government projects. I've never seen it before.


to be continued.....