We had to balik kampung this Aidiladha holidays. The kampung we returned to was neither Ain’s nor mine. It was Irfan’s.

On Saturday, after my Research Method class and my colleague Anis’ sister’s wedding, we drove from Perlis all the way to Nia’s house. Nia was happy that we came. We also met Aiman, Zara and family there.

The plan was that the next day, Sunday, we would all rendezvous at the Botanical Gardens at Shah Alam. Ain and I have not been there since before we were married. This was the children’s first time visiting it.

There were flowers. There was a rope bridge. There was archery. There was even a troupe of monkeys.

Irfan and his cousins entered the bunny farm where Nia became superlatively elated. According to Irfan, she even fearlessly fed a large goat by hand. There were no photos of the goat, but we do have other photos.

Botanical Gardens

Night arrivalWhen we arrived Nia gladly invited us in

CousinsThe cousins are reunited once again that night

Nia has a ponytailThe next morning, it was time for breakfast.

Ain and NiaHer aunt took the opportunity to sit beside Nia

BoopAin gets a boop on the nose

Aiman and IrfanThat's a big fake flower they're posing beside

Expeditionary ForceThe full roster assembles to wait for the bus for the four season complex

By the lakeIrfan, Aiman and Nia en route to the four seasons complex

In the complexIt was summer in the complex

In the complexI remember the cool summer air from another lifetime

Group photoA quick candid group shot

The home teamThere is a bunch of plastic bunnies frolicking in the back

Taking a breatherOn the bench in an indoor gazebo

More flowersSomeday I hope to be able to take Ain and Irfan to experience summer

FlowerFlower

FlowerFlower

Water wheelCiksu and Irfan fooling around with water

Water wheelThe turbine spun happily behind us

MonkeysNia wanted Irfan to introduce her to a pack of wild macaques

Bus rideOn the way back, the bus dropped us off near the animal park

Rope bridgeAin really wanted to cross the rope bridge

The bridge crossersWe wished the bridge was higher up in the trees

On a platform garden thingAin seems pretty joyous

On a platform garden thingI was grateful that the weather was accomodating

Archery rangeI imagined I was a half-elven ranger with a longbow

Archery rangeIrfan also let loose some arrows

Group photoHeading back to the main entrance on foot

A aboriginal houseThere were a number of these aboriginal houses on display

Later that night…Good night everyone

Let's get botanical in Shah Alam with the cousins

I posted on Twitter videos of Irfan shooting arrows at orcs a bullseye:

The 16yo tried his hand in archery too today. pic.twitter.com/yyPq1PAXWT

— Khairul Hisham (@hishgraphics) August 19, 2018

He didn’t do too bad with the bow all things considered. pic.twitter.com/JNiVecZvpK

— Khairul Hisham (@hishgraphics) August 19, 2018

We were having lots of fun and it was only the second day in the Klang Valley.