Avillion, Port Dickson with Daddy and Mummy
During the March school holidays, Edmund and I brought my parents to Avillion, Port Dickson. I have always wanted to bring my mum to Avillion, because I grew up listening to stories of her childhood – growing up on an island, living just next to the sea. I knew she loved the sea, and would love being at Avillion.
That’s the view from the Water Chalet.
When we first came, many years back, we used to get to stay at the Water Chalets furthest out.
I could hear the sounds of the waves as I was falling asleep and if I happened to wake up in the middle of the night.
I used to feel both nervous and secure at the same time.
I wonder whether my mother felt the same, growing up next to the sea.
Edmund and I were first there more than 10 years ago.
This was our “souvenir” from our first trip. They used to have a “Recreation Academy”.
We enjoyed Avilllion so much that we went back there many times, both with and without the kids.
But we never got round to bringing my parents, for more than 10 years. I don’t know why. Maybe because it’s expensive and we’ve only focused on our children and each other.
But this time, we just made it happen within a matter of days. We booked two Water Chalets, next to each other, and made a stopover at Malacca too, as Daddy wanted to visit it.
Our parents are getting old – both Edmund’s and mine. We feel it when we talk to them, and when we observe them. I want to share with them whatever I can share with them now that they are still active and alert.
On the second morning we were there, I woke up at 5:30am
to see Daddy lying on the deck chair, just like in this photo.
I quickly ducked out of view.
I don’t know how long he had been sitting there. Maybe for some time, because they wake up early.
I was really happy to see him enjoying the view, the breeze and soaking in the atmosphere.
We had fun doing many things together. We went to Malacca for two nights, and Port Dickson for two nights. (Malacca was supposed to be for one night, but because we found out at the last minute, that Elkan’s passport was expiring, we had to leave one day earlier, to avoid having trouble entering into Malaysia).
Edmund and I have brought the kids to Malaysia many times, and this time we basically wanted my parents to do everything which we have been doing each time we go to Malaysia. (Try lah…)
We stayed in King’s Apartment for the first night in Malacca.
(It was a spacious apartment with three bedrooms and a living room, and a mini-playground downstairs too!).
We stayed in Hatten for the second night in Malacca. It was luxurious. Daddy liked it.
On the third and fourth night we were at Avillion, Port Dickson. We all liked it.
Daddy had not been to Malacca for close to 20 years!
We did the touristy thing and visited the Stadthuys.
We brought them to Jonker street where we always like to shop at for little curios.
We also brought them to Tan Cheng Lock to buy foodstuff!
We also brought them shopping at the malls
(they spent more time at the foodcourt resting than shopping!)
And lastly, we brought them to eat Nonya food (no photo).
We had a relaxing time at Avillion, Port Dickson.
Daddy liked the Avi Spa and asked to take a picture with it behind him.
Mummy liked the peacock and we spent much time trying to get a good photo.
(It was quite fun “chasing” the peacock around.
The peacock was not posing for us, but simply trying to attract the attention of the proud and aloof female!)
We had a buffet breakfast and dinner there. Food was good – fresh with a wide selection.
We swam, but Daddy and Mummy did not.
The boys went kayaking with Edmund too.
Port Dickson apparently has the “Alive” Museum now.
We paid a visit and Daddy and Mummy gamely posed for some.
It was really fun.
We did some Karaoke at Avillion.
It was something I had always wanted to do with the family,
because Mummy loves to Karaoke, and Edmund has such a wonderful singing voice.
Elkan and Elias sang too! They sang “Rolling in the deep”, “Jars of Heart”, and “Count on me”.
Goodness, I didn’t know they knew all these songs!
My favourite was “Count on me” – the song we sang had a really cute Karaoke Video.
We wanted to let Samuel have a turn too (Jingle bells!) but he fell asleep.
We had Hotel Buffet Breakfast for all four mornings.
For lunch, we had Chicken rice (what else) at Malacca,
did two Chinese style lunches and one “Kopitiam Station” meal at PD.
For dinner, we had fishball noodles at Yong Peng,
Nonya food at Malacca, Pizza at PD (night 1),
and International Buffet at Avillion, PD (night 2).
A year ago, I wrote these on my Facebook page as part of a “Gratitude” project, during which I counted my blessings:
For Daddy, who still has a photo of me in his wallet. Who told me he used to show me the pretty tiles on the wall when I cried as a baby. Who at times would drive me to my primary school, and who once had to go home to get my school bag which I did not know I left behind till I saw him there, in front of the class, holding my bag. Who loved me the way a father loves a daughter – without reason, unabashedly, dotingly, and adoringly. I love you daddy. I am so proud to have you as my daddy.
For Mummy, who loves me in a very different way. Who wants me to look good, do good, be good. And she was all three herself. Thank you, for showing me what sacrificial love is, and to give until you have nothing to give, and even then, you would give as soon as you regained the ability to. You are a wonderful woman, wife and mother. How can I ever give up on my life when you never gave up on yours? I love you mummy. I am so proud to have you as my mummy.
Having done this Malaysia trip with my parents was the fulfillment of a promise I made to them in my heart. It was not a faraway trip like the Australia one which we did two years ago, and neither was it a really an extravagant one like a Caribbean cruise which I would love to bring them on, but it had a really special meaning to me.
I have spent so many of my past 15 odd years separate from them, since I got married and started my own family. It is only in very recent years that I am opening my heart, mind and life to them again.
At the same time, I see my own babies walking away from me. (I wrote about this day a few times. One is here: Now I am a boomerang).
My little Samuel still shares everything with me – his deepest joy and pain and all his plans.
He asks for hugs ever so often in as many ways.
“Hug me”..”Can you hug me please”..”Why is nobody hugging me?”..
“Mum, why are you not hugging me? I am hugging you”.
He tells me that his best friend is going to leave the CCA, who will be his best friend now?
He tells me that for teacher’s day, he wants to give his teachers popcorn and Mdm R an electronic sharpener.
Elkan and Elias do not tell me everything anymore.
They store their thoughts and emotions as their own treasures.
Even Elias has stopped being as affectionate and emotionally attached to me as he was previously.
They are growing up, and while I am happy for their healthy development, it brings a pang to my heart.
Friends come and go. Places and our Work change too. But our family is a constant through our lives.
I am returning to my parents because after all these years, finally I remember, and realise, that I do love them. It is not just love that comes from kinship and loyalty, but love which is emotional – an enjoyment of their presence and a desire to share my life with them.
It is such a privilege having such a parent-child relationship, and it is something which I pray that my children and I will have.
Thanks for sharing. I also recently brought my parents to Bali. As you said, they are growing old, and when I brought them in mid March, LKY was in hospital, which drove home the point that whatever our differences, we are all so mortal, and time might not always be on our side.