Memories of Teluk Intan

This visit to Teluk Intan, we made new friends. We decided to stop for the night after visiting a few makam (graves of former sultans) and the abandoned bungalow of Raja Muda Perak.

Dinner was crab curry and sweet sour udang galah by the river side Malay-style. Crabs were meaty and prawns juicy. Someone slurped the curry like soup oblivious to the world.

In the morning was a trip to the wet market for salted fish and a look see. Ended up buying petai and kulat as well.

Upon checking out we went to find a nasi campur stall and found Mama Corner opposite the leaning tower. Mama was so nice, she had salted fish fried for Sarah who suddenly had a craving. Her son angah cooks all the dishes daily. His udang galah masak merah was superb. We chit-chatted further and turns out her son is an popular singer - Izzmad Harun. A talented young man. She even gave us a free CD!

I asked her where to buy 'perkasam' only to be told it's available on Sundays at the farmers market. Seeing me despondent, she told us she had some. She quickly went into the kitchen, opened her freezer and voila a big container of 'perkasam' whisked out and landed in my hands. I was grinning ear to ear thanking her profusely wanting to pay but she refused. She even invited us for makan-makan after raya. Yes!!

Final stop was the craft fair. I wanted to buy more 'sudips' (wooden food turners) but there were none. Instead I bought a mini picnic basket from Kak Liza who hails from Keratong, Pahang. She makes all the gorgeous rattan baskets seen in the photo. My eyes went into a trance. I wanted them all. It was very bad. Forced myself to buy only one item and the picnic basket caught my eye. Only RM40. Wish she had more.

We left Teluk Intan with happy memories after meeting such nice people, Mama, Angah and Kak Liza. May their business grow and grow.

Kali ini ke Teluk Intan kami seronol dapat kenalan baharu. Lepas ziarah beberapa makam dan rumah agam Raja Muda Perak yang terbiar, kami tergerak hati nak tidur semalam.

Makan malam di tepi sungai. Kari ketam dan udang galah tiga rasa. Sedap tak terkata. Ada orang hirup kuah kari macam sup. Tak hengat dunia.

Pagi esoknya, ke pasar besar nak beli ikan masin. Jumpa petai dan kulat. Terus beli.

Check-out dari hotel, misi cari nasi campur dekat menara condong. Pusing-pusing jumpa gerai Mama Corner. Mama yang baik hati menunaikan permintaan Sarah yang nak sangat makan ikan masin. Anak Mama, Angah tukang masak semua lauk-pauk gerainya. Udang galah masak merah sangat enak. Bebual sambil makan, Mama beritahu yang anaknya seorang penyanyi popular terkini - Izzmad Harun. Pemuda yang sangat berbakat. Mama siap bagi kami CD percuma satu!

Lepas habis makan, masa nak bayar saya tanya Mama mana ada jual perkasam. Dia jawab pasar tani hari Ahad jer ada. Melihat muka saya yang dah terkebil-kebil, Mama kata yang dia ada perkasam dalam peti ais. Terus dia ke dapur, buka peti ais dan bawak keluar bekas berisi perkasam dan menghulurnya ke tangan saya. Saya senyum sampai tersepet mata punyalah teruja. Nak bayar Mama tak bagi. Lepas salam-menyalam, sempat Mama ajak datang hujung raya untuk makan-makan. Yay!!

Persinggahan terakhir di pameran kraf nak mencari sudip kayu. Lansung tak ada. Yang ada bakul rotan bermacam saiz dan warna hasil tangan Kak Liza dari Keratong, Pahang. Mata saya dah bersinar-sinar. Semua nak angkut. Sangat bahaya. Paksakan diri beli satu benda jer. Terpandang bakul 'picnic' yang comel sangat. Satu jer tinggal. Cepat-cepat sambar. RM40. Kalaulah dia ada lebih mesti dikaut juga.

Kami meninggalkan Teluk Intan dengan kenangan manis dapat bertemu Mama, Angah dan Kak Liza. Semoga mereka sentiasa dimurahkan rezeki.