Qaluinnalillahi...

My 3rd brother Ahmad Fuad, in the middle

Part of his nuclear family at our family gathering

3rd brother with his older brother, Ahmad Saifuddin (holding the mike)

Taken at nephew Atan's daughter's wedding at Bukit Serampang, Muar. He was still OK at this time.

At  nephew Boy's wedding in Melaka. Bang Fuad is wearing blue cap and my daughter, Maz was talking to Jun.

When my mobile phone rang or buzzed with SMS messages, my heart jumped. About 6.30 am after my subuh prayer, my phone rang and seeing it from my niece, Baby, I knew it wasn't a good news. With trembling hand I answered and heard  her sobbing voice saying ' Mak Itam, Daddy has passed away just now'. I was speechless for a moment -I have lost another brother who was 75 years old and suffered from diabetes. It wasn't a good feeling at all with sadness and guilt playing havoc in my mind and heart.
Ahmad Fuad Abdul Rahman was my 3rd older brother. Though we weren't really close, he was my brother whom I can talk to when I needed it. Formerly working as an officer at the Examination Syndicate, Ministry of Education, he and his children spent much of their time with Jun's (his wife) side of the family.
When I returned from my Europe trip, I had quite a bad flu. So I couldn't visit him when he was hospitalised again to get his other leg amputated because gangrene has set in. After settling all the things I have to do in PJ, I drove back to PD totally forgot about visiting this sick brother. On Friday night, Ika SMS me that she got news from Baby's Facebook that her daddy is in ICU. I called her to find out more. But at midnight she  SMS me to say that my brother was on life support, then I knew I would not be able to see him to ask for forgiveness. The news came late at night and I promised Baby that I would drive back to PJ early Saturday morning - still hoping to see him in hospital breathing, though through a machine. It was not to be. I regretted  for not going to see him immediately he was admitted to Selayang hospital.
I saw him at rest at the mosque in Kelana Jaya for his prayer and at the burial ground.
Farwell my beloved brother. You left us on Saturday  16 May 2013 at Selayang Hospital. May Allah cucuri rahmat ke atas rohmu dan menempatkan kanmu di sisi orang-orang yang saleh. Alfatihah....

Brother Fuad at our old house in Tanjung Kling, Melaka

    

Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and London

Tulips of different shade of red in Keukenhof, Amsterdam 220413

Some blooming tulips in Keukenhof. 220413

Pretty windmills and old village in Zaanse Schans in Amsterdam.  220413

I arrived home from London on 30 April about 6 pm. I already SMS Ika that I was on the way home. The moment the cab arrived and the gate opened, Rania came flying down the slopey driveway into my arms. It was such a delight to see her so happy to see me. I was HOME. While resting and chatting with her mum and dad, she went to her cooking station and later came out bearing a small plate with little fork and spoon and gave it to me and said, 'Nah nenek, nasi goreng spaghetty sauce.' I was so touched by this gesture. According to Justin and Ika, Nia never touched her cooking stove while I was away and here she was with her favorite dish for me. She's a darling!
My return visit to Amsterdam this time was to see the famous and beautiful tulip gardens in Keukenhoff as April and May were the months they were supposed to bloom. Unfortunately, due to extended winter, many tulips were not in bloom yet and the farms were still green. Anyhow they were just as pretty as in pictures especially the scenery. Holland is a fascinatingly gorgeous country - so flat with numerous canals, green, clean with quaint villages. I would love to visit again some day in future.
My trip was from 21 to 30 April 2013, took me to Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and London. Though it was supposed to be spring the weather was still cold with chilly winds especially in London.

Tourist attraction- the Eifell Tower, Paris. 250413

Scenery of Paris from the second floor of Eifell Tower Paris.

As many tourists do, a visit to Eiffel Tower in Paris is a must but it did not not really excite me. Paris is known as the world's city of fashion and love but I didn't find it romantic at all - with narrow, congested roads and loads of people and tourists. Honestly since this was a return visit, I wouldn't want to make another trip there. I think twice is enough! Many of my traveling companions were so eager to do shopping at the branded stores like Luis Vitton  and at Gallery Lafayette, I got bored!! We stayed at a Malaysian owned hotel of Holiday Villa Lafayette Hotel in Paris.

Doing almost every tourist does in London - watching the changing of guard at Buckingham Palace. 270413

One of the many decorative pillar supports along River Thames. 270413

London was a city for shopping. The weather there was awful - cold with very chilly winds. I ended having cold and sore throat. That wasn't fun. I had the same problem when I was in Tunisia in February. The winter and cold weather really do not suit me. I have never liked London, even as a young working individual who attended courses and meetings there. I even skipped London in 2010 when I was driving with  Jin to England, Wales and Scotland. Oxford Street was perpetually packed with people. I could see only feet every time I looked down. But it was heaven for shopping for some people. I followed Akmar there and bought whatever I needed quickly and wanted to escape but got to wait for the others. My feet were killing me. The tube was so crowded. London, I may not want to see you again.
Whatever it is, I had a good time. Akmar, the tour leader took good care of me, making sure auntie Zu is with her wherever she went. Shima, my other room mate was also so protective and caring. I felt safe and had a lot of fun.
Thank you for having me.
More stories and photos - zuraidaharahman.travelerspoint.com