When I was assigned to cover the Manik Urai by-election early this month by then Executive Editor Lee Ah Chai, I had mixed feelings.
While the prospect of being in Kelantan the first time made me excited, I was in two minds about leaving my family behind.
My youngest child is so attached to me that without me by her side, she would have sleepless nights.
But the responsibility outweighed everything and I made arrangement to go to Kelantan with the ESS.
Almost everyone I know warned me of the hostility of Kelantanese who seem to hate outsiders.
My wife even advised me against driving to Manik Urai, saying "kalau sayangkan kereta, jangan drive. The roads there are terrible. My friends said so."
I then opted to fly to Kota Baru and rent a car for me to move around.
I was to be the only KLite representative, doing nothing except filling in the nst.com.my and manage a blog.
And another major assignment would be to make sure NSTLive for both the nomination day and election run smoothly.
Then, two days before flying off, Shuhada, a sweet looking NST reporter approached me and said she was assigned to be in Manik Urai. We were to be on the same flight and I offered to drive her to Kuala Krai.
Upon reaching KB airport, both of us were not sure what to expect in Manik Urai but the friendly Kota Baru office staff somehow soothed us.
And the food at a nearby restaurant was not sweet at all, except maybe for the sambal belacan.
We drove on and finally found out motel at Dataran Damar, hidden behind a furniture shop.
I was in Room 1, to be shared with Firdaus whole Shuhada got the next room. What we saw was a pleasant surprise really.
Firstly, the air-condition and secondly, the water heater! Wow! First problem solved.
And the second plesant surprise for the day...my roommate has decided to travel up and down Kota Baru - Kuala Krai daily and I got the room to myself.
I thought a follow-up on this would be nice, but then, by-elections come and go. So, on with life...
While the prospect of being in Kelantan the first time made me excited, I was in two minds about leaving my family behind.
My youngest child is so attached to me that without me by her side, she would have sleepless nights.
But the responsibility outweighed everything and I made arrangement to go to Kelantan with the ESS.
Almost everyone I know warned me of the hostility of Kelantanese who seem to hate outsiders.
My wife even advised me against driving to Manik Urai, saying "kalau sayangkan kereta, jangan drive. The roads there are terrible. My friends said so."
I then opted to fly to Kota Baru and rent a car for me to move around.
I was to be the only KLite representative, doing nothing except filling in the nst.com.my and manage a blog.
And another major assignment would be to make sure NSTLive for both the nomination day and election run smoothly.
Then, two days before flying off, Shuhada, a sweet looking NST reporter approached me and said she was assigned to be in Manik Urai. We were to be on the same flight and I offered to drive her to Kuala Krai.
Upon reaching KB airport, both of us were not sure what to expect in Manik Urai but the friendly Kota Baru office staff somehow soothed us.
And the food at a nearby restaurant was not sweet at all, except maybe for the sambal belacan.
We drove on and finally found out motel at Dataran Damar, hidden behind a furniture shop.
I was in Room 1, to be shared with Firdaus whole Shuhada got the next room. What we saw was a pleasant surprise really.
Firstly, the air-condition and secondly, the water heater! Wow! First problem solved.
And the second plesant surprise for the day...my roommate has decided to travel up and down Kota Baru - Kuala Krai daily and I got the room to myself.
I thought a follow-up on this would be nice, but then, by-elections come and go. So, on with life...
