My Hifi "silkroad"_ Part 1

It was my father that exposed me to the world of audio sound.
This is the first audio set in the family, a German made Greatz multiband radio which I am still keeping.
It is a valve set. At that time, transistor still unheard of.

( this pic was just taken recently)

This is its birth certificate.

It was bought in 1958 at a cost of RM496. At that time 496 was a lot of $, may be my father's 3 months pay.

During those years, FM station was unheard of. So the norm was to tune to 'Medium Wave'(MW) or Short Wave(SW)

But too bad, although the radio still looks beautiful, it is not functional anymore. The wires had been bitten by rats. Hopefully one day I can find the time and gather enough passion to restore it.
I still have some collection of spare valves.

The 1st valve on the right is called"the cat's eye". It is used as a tuning indicator. It is lighted up as a green circular display. When the radio is properly tuned to a station, the display will narrow down to a fine green line. Very interesting.

All roads lead to Kota Bahru

There is a saying that says " All roads lead to Rome".
But to me , all roads lead to Kota Bahru. From the East-West Highway, we can go to KB through Tanah Merah, or through Machang, or through Rantau Panjang. I have been to KB a few times, but I was not certain which one is the best route for travelling, until this latest trip.
If we follow the road signs, the best bet will be going through Machang because this stretch is wide and straight. But the ' slow and steady' Kelantanese drivers will really test one's patience. They seem never in any hurry at all.
Anyway, being not that adventurous, I always take this route.
Through conversation with a local this time around, I was told that the shortest route is through Rantau Panjang. True enough it shortened our return trip from KB to Jeli via Rantau Panjang. The downside is the road is more winding and need to pass through a few road blocks.

So maybe the road signs should add some wordings like these:

By the roadside to Machang , the sign should read :
" Ke Kota Bahru, Laluan selesa untuk pemandu sambil lewa"

By the roadside before junction to Rantau Panjang,
" Ke Kota Bahru, Laluan optimum untuk pemandu mengejar masa"

Wuahahahahaha...............








The main attraction of the east coast states: beautiful beaches.

Travelling between Kota Bahru and Kuala Trengganu also faces the same dilemma; use the coastal roads D7 , T3, T1 though the kampongs, or use the inner road 3 that is more winding and hilly. The choice is yours.

New experience_Home Stay

1st of May, Worker's Day is on Friday. I have 3 days break. A petrol head friend suggests a long drive to Kelatan and Trengganu. Being a last minute plan, we couldn't find any available hotel room. Luckily a colleague gave a contact for Homestay accommodation in Kota Bahru. We just grab it.

In my mind, homestay in a kampong means maybe putting up in a place like this:

The place we booked was quite deep inside a kampong. So the host had to meet us in town and led us in......

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(I always look left when I pass through this part,

especially at night)
.

.

.

.

.

.

jeng,

.

.

.

jeng, jeng.

.

.

.

. jeng, jeng, jeng

.............. to our great surprise!!! we were led to THIS place!

Woa! a bungalow man!!!!!

Walaueh! Homestay in a mansion in the kampong. That was the last thing we would have expected.

The host stays upstairs. We had the whole of downstairs to ourself.

There is a living room and 2 bedrooms

Dining area and a second hall.

It won't lose out to staying in a hotel. I would say we were very lucky to have found this place.

We were even told we were the first customers. Wow!!! how lucky we were. Should have asked the host to let us cut some ribbons before entering. Hahahaha.........

So............, if you happen to be around KB and feel like breathing unpoluted air in surroundings like this

You should contact the friendly host, Encik Aminuddin.