Patikang Ulu

Went to Keningau yesterday. An uncle of mine was getting engaged to a lass from kg. Patikang Ulu.

After having breakfast at Senario II (mi guring + mihun guring + kuewtiau, a mata lembu egg and a fried chicken drumstick), off we went. Bodeng was the driver. Ana had taken her travel sickness tablets beforehand. I had put my trust in chewing gums only. Bodeng's wife, my auntie (though i've never called her auntie) Annie Soon, was ok nopo.

Long trips sure don't feel long if there's good conversation going on inside the vehicle. 2 hours can be more than bearable especially going through the Penampang-Tambunan meandering route. Upon passing by Tambunan, I couldn't help but remember my trip to Trusmadi. Fuh...the is still fresh in my mind. Anyway, Tambunan-Keningau road is a bit more palatable. heheh... i don't mean that the route is edible, just that it's easier on the stomach, no possibibility of paning-paning due to car sickness as it has the longest stretch of straight road i know.

2 hours of driving later, we reached Keningau around 11 a.m. After having a small lunch (how does sitting in the car without doing anything makes one hungry?), we headed to the house intended.

The discussion wasn't tedious and long since the necessary talks and urusan had already been smoothened out. What was left was just the reconfirmation and signing of agreement, presentation of the novitan, and exchanging of rings. No fuss, no frills, straight to the point. After that, makan (lagi). One of the family members said grace before letting the bethrothed couple start the digging in. Sedap juga o the food. Let's see, kari ayam, chicken in mushroom scattered sauce, hinava ikan(mcm ada tuhau or bunga kantan in it, my fave), fried fish in tomato sauce (mind u, the ikan was so big but tender). And later sup ekor lembu, which was tender since it had been simmering since last night.

I shall not forget to mention the couple of cans of beers I drank, which I thought would be the only happy drink I would partake. We were about to take our leave around 2.30pm when my uncle said with a chuckle, see if you all can get pass the veranda. What was happening in the veranda you might ask? Oh, a harmless looking topukon of tapai (what's a tajau in english ah?) was perched on a stool waiting for either eager or innocent drinkers. 1 glass worth of sisiopon to each, said the major domo. sigh, i knew how potent such sisiopon could be.. but sipped the bamboo straw I did. Ana was quietly wailing that she wasn't about to sip from a straw sipped by all but hahah... how was she to refuse. So, after all us 4 had sipped our share, we were graciously allowed to leave with promises of more jolly drinks in the next merriment- the wedding (set to be sometime before the year ends).

So, congratulations to you dear uncle. Wish you all the happiness and contentment you deserve.