Pangkor is really a tiny island, well-known by locals but little recognized by international tourists. It is located about 180kmn north of Kuala Lumpur and I reside nearby within the town of Sitiawan, 9km land inwards from the jetti to Pangkor. Now living right here for virtually 3 years and getting been invited in fairly several Chinese and Indian weddings, I was nonetheless waiting for my first invitation for a standard Malay wedding. Mrs. Sabtu from the Nipah Bay Villa, a good tiny hotel at Pangkor invited me for two days from the wedding of her son. The very first day will be devote in a little town in Kedah, just north of Penang however the second day will be held in Pangkor, inside the hotel. Needless to say I was intrigued. The small town of Guar Chempedak, just north of Penang in Kedah was the scene for the initial day. Guar Chempedak is actually a little town where, by accident I had been several weeks earlier. I had not even remembered the little town when I passed it around the bicycle. This time I came by bus from kl to penang which was quite a journey. Though only 60km from Penang, busses took a long time and stopped everywhere prior to arriving in Guar Chempedak.

When I arrived I was welcomed by the father from the bride. He showed me around. Within the back of the house folks were busy preparing food. For steaming rice they have been using, what they referred to as a rice rocket cooker. It's basically a huge rocket shape cover that covers 15 plates of rice. In the bottom there is a fire heating the rocket and steams the rice. The method requires about three hours. We had a meal and then the bride and groom arrived. Bride and groom had been dressed in yellow and gold, quite a stunning sight. Inside the house prayers and stories had been told. With all the arrival of bride and groom a much more significant prayer session began. Later the satisfied couple joined for lunch. At the same time a pentjak silat demonstration started. The second day at Pangkor The second day in the celebrations, a few day days later was extremely various. Do not get me incorrect, not much better or worse, just distinct and like the initial day, really an expertise. At arrival in the hotel, I walked about, spoke to some pals, and went to see the bride who was preparing herself within the bedroom. Here numerous pals were assisting the bride to obtain ready. We had been waiting for the arrival from the groom and what do you do in Malaysia once you wait? You eat. And a few from the very greatest food I had in Malaysia more than the three years I'm here now, I had at weddings. Right here at the Nipah Bay Villa it was no distinct. Fish, chicken, vegetable dishes, nothing at all was done on the cheap. The prawns had been huge and fresh. But the decoration was fresh as well. Whilst I was eating I looked around and saw that the hotel was all in blue and silver (in Kedah every thing was decorated in gold - colour). Even each of the flowers have been freshly brought the day earlier from Cameron Highlands. Finally I stopped consuming. It was virtually time for the groom to enter. The bride went out for the official meeting outdoors the gates of the Nipah Bay Villa. The ceremony outdoors was followed by prayers and blessings inside. Right after this loved ones and buddies were invited to bless the satisfied couple. This process, contrary to some believes is rooted way back in the conventional Malay (but not Muslim) tradition. It operates this way, you take some rice and put it inside the hands of both, then you definitely take some bunga rampai and give this to bride and groom. Bunga rampai is really a potpourri of scented pandan, rose petals and turmeric rice grain that is usually ready the day just before using. After the bunga rampai, you sprinkle some oiled perfume on both hand and then you shake the hands in the groom (for the women, they shake hands with all the bride only). It was now time for bride, groom as well as the family to appreciate their meals. Later in the afternoon the guests, who kept coming and going finally left following an excellent day.