MAMASITA CAME TO TOWN

Dato' Sak and Datin Mamasita

When the SMS came in informing me of the impending arrival of Dato' Sak and his wife Datin Mamasita I was skeptical that I could finish my business there and rush to meet them in Kota Bharu. The SMS told me the estimated time of arrival was 2.00 PM and we were to meet at the White House Kopitiam.


Somehow meeting this couple is more important than the small business that I can always continue the discussion later at another meeting. Afterall this is the first time I am meeting Mamasita after putting off several planned visits earlier. The latest aborted trip was the one on the 11th April 2009 or there about. Since the trip would allow Dato' to attend a Tomoi event being held in Kota Bharu, the cancellation by Datin didn't seem to go well with Dato' Sak. Anyway the cancellation was a blessing in disguise as they had the opportunity to see their eloquent Banun going for a debating competition in Cameron Highlands and bringing home the winner's trophy. Read about it here.
It was before 2.00 when I reached the White House Kopitiam as I don't want my guests to be waiting for me. Seeing the place closed for business, I sent a message informing them of such and told them to meet at Kampung Kraftangan infront of the Royal Guesthouse as Dato' Sak had satyed there on his previous trip. It was a nice small hotel that Dato' came to love very much due to the beautiful room, location and good free wifi.
They replied informing me of a possible delay due to the traffic on the way to Kota Bharu from Kuala Trengganu. With ample time on hand I wondered around the Kampong Kraftangan area. This is what I saw:

A wooden sculptor of a horse.

The sculptor of a cow made of drift wood. I regretted for not showing my guests later of this beautiful work of art.

Loitering around the Kampung Kraftangan compound I saw this two female tourists at a batik printing shop. My curiousity got the better of me and took in the details.

Zecsman Design is a one of a kind where tourists can learn about the basics of batik panting and paint their own piece to take home. Two forms of fabrics were available for guests to choose either cotton or silk and of course the silk piece is more expensive.


Zecsman Design benefited from being listed in the Lonely Planet. Tourists from far and wide know of the place and flock to the place to have a go. Unfortunately not many local tourists know or care to try out.

ZECSMAN DESIGN

Batik Painting

Kampung Kraftangan

Jalan Hilir Kota

15300 Kota Bharu

Kelantan

Tel: +6012 9292822

Email: zecsman_design@yahoo.com

This is the owner himself doing the sketching after the clients have made their selection of the design based on available samples. After the sketching is done he or his assitance will apply the liquid wax on the lines of the sketching. That way the boundary is laid and the colours will not encroach into the other compartments.
Zakaria Jusoh had been in business for the past 6 years. Earlier he had a 3 years training at Intitut Kraf Negara and worked at Pesona Batik for a year before starting this business.
Here you see Sabrina Willems and Jorinda Ballering both are 21 year old students from Holland. They had been in Malaysia doing some research for some two weeks already.

Jorinda doing her batik piece while Zakaria is guiding Sabrina. It will take them about two hours to finish and abit more to dry. I don't know if it will have to go through the other normal process of removing the wax and firming the colors. I think it will be done that way otherwise the colours will run down.
Slightly after 3.00 PM I received a SMS message from Dato' Sak announcing his arrival and asked me to meet him for a late lunch as Restoran Nasi Ulam Kg. Kraftangan or better known as Cikgu Nasi Ulam.

I have had lunch so I didn't manage to eat much. I was surprised to see Datin relish the 'budu' so much but not Dato'. I enjoyed the ikan patin masak asam pedas. It seemed I was the only one who took it.

Cikgu Hamid was not in when we were having lunch and but when he returned, he went straight to our table as he recognized Dato' from his earlier visit. We chatted and exchanged notes. Now we know how close Cikgu Hamid is with the palace as the royalties often come here for lunch. Even royalties from other states patronize this restaurant. When such royalties are involved, valets from the palace will come and serve and Cikgu will just provide the food. Even the crockeries come from there and a set is ket at the restaurant. The servings will be done in the airconditioned room at the end of the restaurant.

It was unfortunate that I couldn't accompany the couple on their shopping for tudungs at Bazaar Buluh Kubu located just around the corner. I have yet to charge my batteries for tonights event of Muay Thai Championship in Rantau Panjang. Dato' hadn't checked out from their hotel in Kuala Terengganu. If they had I would like to have me enjoy the event as he could remove the monkon of one of the fighters fighting that night. As it turned out, both fighters won their fights with knock outs in the second round. It would have been a fitting gift for Dato' Sak who loves Muaythai to open the monkon of either Zariman Yusof or his brother Zariman Yusof who goes by the name of Emi Sampuri. These two nak muays have the potential to become champions given their discipline and hardwork.

After waving goodbye to Dato' and Datin Mamasita, I headed for home with the fond memories of meeting Mamasita for the first time. This is a historic day as from today onwards, Mamasita will be wearing her tudung religiously.

From left: Pak Zawi, Cikgu Hamid, Dato' Sak and Datin Mamasita looking resplendent in her black tudung.