Upgrading completed. I’m 31 now. Hohoho.

17.09.2010 started off really badly. It was almost like 52 weeks ago, when I was cursing and swearing like a hooligan on the morning of Chapter 3.0.

It was pouring when I left the office at 10.30am. No, that didn’t help at all.

As I boarded Jan’s car, I overheard the discussion between the two front seat passengers. The rendezvous point had changed, and they were unsure if everyone had been informed.

“Who changed the meeting place? Can’t that person just inform everyone? Why is everyone calling everyone?”

Very grouchy there. Hahaha. To their credit, Jan and San Chin replied promptly,

“Ok, ok. We do the organising. You sit behind there and do your own things ok? We’ll inform you when we’re ready to leave.”

We were an hour behind schedule when we finally moved off. No one complained. It was a holiday after all. Who cares about deadlines and timelines?

The phototaking began once we were parked in JB. There were so many cameras I didn’t whip out my own eventually. The pictures you see in this entry were mostly taken with my phone. The group pics come from various cams.

The skies cleared after everyone was fed. The moodiness was gone with a birthday balloon. Haha. And I was ready to take over the wheel. Don and How Han hurried over as they saw me getting into the driver’s seat.

“You don’t drive too fast hor? We very scared of you. Keep within the 110km/h.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Please lah. I drive very slow one lah. You all just follow me.”

Let’s just say that people have different definitions of ‘slow’. I rarely look at the speedometer when I drive and at one point I was startled by the screams from behind. “Will you just slow down! We are not in a hurry!” Oh. I had my right hand on the steering wheel, and my left hand on my chin. I didn’t realise I was going at that speed.

Anyway, the two cars behind were within my sight all the time. Those two are just closet speed demons, who needed someone to take the lead. All that fake modesty about not being able to catch up…

We checked into Everly Resort in the late afternoon. The place wasn’t posh, and the furnishing seemed rather ‘pre-loved‘. But the rooms, like most Malaysia hotels, were huge.

The group came well prepared. They had googled for things to eat and places to see.

We returned to the hotel shortly before 11pm. I was really tired by then, and I was very amused to see them scrambling off in different directions. No one said goodnight, and no one mentioned any plans for later.

Come on, don’t say that I’m shameless. People don’t travel for more than 200km and sleep before midnight, only to have their friend counting down to his birthday alone. The question was where? My room? Their room? Lobby cafe? Or by the pool?

The truth was that I was very sleepy. And I knew they were tired too. I actually didn’t mind turning in early, and had contemplated telling them to call off any surprises they had in mind.

The notification came about half an hour later. I was supposed to report to their huge ass three bedroom suite at 11.50pm. Excellent. I could shower before going down. No fears of being thrown into the pool, or the Straits of Malacca.

They labelled the picture on the left as FAIL. “Do you have to spread your legs so wide?!”, someone shouted.

Half the group woke up bright and early the next morning and headed for a very value-for-money local breakfast at a little coffeeshop outside the hotel. The rest of us were happy to continue lazing in bed. The slumber ended shortly before lunchtime. And we were at Jonker Street again.

The sun was merciless. Everyone was hot and bothered, so we didn’t spend too much time sightseeing.

“This is your convoy leader. Car 1 will now recce for tonight’s dinner location. Cars 2 and 3, please head over to Mahkota for some air-conditioning. You are also reminded to get me a cake. Over.”

Walkie talkies were so fun to use. Hahahha.

Car 4 arrived before dinner, taking the total number of passengers to 15. I think the objective of Chapter 3.1 has largely been achieved. I didn’t want a lavish party. I wanted a get-together. I just wanted to eat, drink, and laugh with my friends. Never mind the ambience, and never mind if the food wasn’t divine.

Having perspired heavily the entire day, I wasn’t in a phototaking mood. No pictures of the peranakan dinner, and the supper at a hawker centre nearby. And I was developing a headache by then- probably from the heat and insufficient water.

The same thing happened when we returned to the hotel. I was left high and dry in the room as they prepared for midnight. A painkiller later, I was told to report to the same suite at 11.40pm.

“Ok, he’s here! Quick! Turn off the lights! Go hide! Don’t take too long! He’s very impatient and he’s having a headache! He might just walk off if we keep waiting!”

I heard them loud and clear from outside.

Prior to the trip, I told them that I didn’t want any presents. “Spread the word. Don’t buy me anything, please.”

They gave me something eventually. Something that money can never buy.

Friendship, and a Chapter 3.1 Booklet containing photos and their well wishes. My favourite line has to be : 交情变深厚，你的身材也越来越宽厚。AHAHAHAHHHAHHHA. Thanks, Gillian.

I called XH immediately at midnight. She was alone in Penang for work. No one there knew it was her 30th. “KAWAN! My birthday is over. It’s your birthday now! Happy Birthday!” And we sang her a birthday song from Malacca.

Our party ended at about 4.45am, which prompted Irvin to comment, “We must set a lights off timing for future holidays. 1am max!”

Fatigue levels peaked the next day. We were reluctant to check out- some didn’t want the getaway to end that quickly, and others simply wanted to get more sleep.

The shop selling wanton mee was mentioned in several travel sites. The reviewers must have been lying through their teeth, or the sad souls haven’t had the chance to try better mee.

Those pineapple tarts from Jonker Street, on the other hand, were heavenly. The aunties in the group were quick to point out that each tart was only S$0.20. We’ve already made plans to drive up every quarter just to buy those. (I don’t have the exact address. It’s beside the famous 88 Chendol shop.)

With the arrival of Car 5, Chapter 3.1: The Celebration concluded with a sumptuous dinner for 18 in JB on Sunday evening.

Thanks everyone!