Sunday, May 15, 2011

Royal Wedding Commemorative Items

Fatthiyah saw the Royal Wedding commemorative items on our national news over TV3 on the day The royal Wedding was telecast live all over the world including Malaysia and she immediately expressed her wish to have one of the mugs and a small plate to keep. Though we have no special relation or affection to the Royal couple, the chance of having a memento to remember the occasion by was overwhelming.
Immediately it came to my mind the names of friends living in London who could help us to buy one or two items. The first names that came to mind then were those of Awang Goneng and his wife Kak Teh. The problem then was that both of them were already back in Malaysia to launch Awang Goneng's latest book A Map of Trengganu. The next name that came to mind was that of Nick Habgood of Azini Capital whose company shares a common name with my daughter Azini. When we were in London on our European Tour we had the chance to meet this pleasant personality by the name of Nick.

I immediately sent Nick a message on Facebook to seek his help. At the same time I posted a message on my wall seeking help from any friend who could assist me to purchase the items. Nick immediately replied asking me to decide on which design that my wife Fatthiyah wish to have and he gave me the URL to the website selling them. They were available online and there were so many sites to choose from and the choices were stupendous! The price range from a few pounds to hundreds of pounds depending on the quality of material the item is made of. The postage and packaging charges would be 30 pound to anywhere in the world. Another friend who responded was Steven Lee a Malaysian professional photographer who resides in London. Steven asked me to state the items needed and for me to indicate my budget. Wow what great friends to have.
My own son Azrin who flies for a commercial airlines does not fly the London sector but he said he can ask his friend Mat who flies the sector to buy it for us when he next flies to London at the end of May.
Yes that was the best option as we can easily give cash to Mat and ask him to buy something and bring it back. We presume the price of things would become more affordable as many stockist would want to clear their stocks as the wedding day has long been past and maybe forgotten by many. We thanked Nick and Steven for the offer to help and we told them of our plan to get a friend to buy them. Once again I would like to thank Nick Habgood and Steven Lee.
One day out of the blue I received this message on my wall on facebook:

Pak Zawi, Azidi and I just came back from Scotland and I bought a Mug of the Royal Wedding for your wife. Can I have your add and I will pos laju to u.
The message was posted by Bariah Ishak the wife of Syed Azidi of the famous Kickdefella blog fame! Actually I have worked with Bariah and Azidi before on the Magazine project belonging to Perbadanan Menteri Besar Kelantan magazines namely Qiadah and Kelantan Gateway. Bariah had read my appeal and since they were touring Scotland at the time, the two of them decided to surprise me with it. She only informed me of the purchase after she had come back to Malaysia.
Yesterday was Saturday 14th of May and we were not home to receive the parcel which was received by our neighbour on our behalf.. It was only after the Asar prayers that we came back to the house and the next door neighbour handed this package to us:

Upon opening it we saw these two lovely items with their respective containers:

The white porcelain mug with the picture of Kate and William came in a cardboard box which is meant for Fatthiyah. The other item was a box of White Earl Grey tea, blended exclusively to commemorate the Royal Wedding on 29th April 2001. This one is for me! The tea came in a metal container which will be kept as the commemorative item. Lucky Us to have such a friend as Bariah and Syed Azidi. They insist that the two items are a gift from them and will not accept any payment even for the courier charges.
The mug is now proudly displayed in the main living room.






A close up of the mugshot of Kate and William.

During our travel overseas we will bring home collectibles such as mugs and plates of the places we visited.


Above is our collection of mugs and below is our collection of souvenir plates from our travel and some were given to us by our friends.


Thank you Bariah and Syed Azidi.

12 comments:

Kama At-Tarawis said...

pak zawi, we share the same interest! except that mine is limited to decorative plates and you go all the way,with mugs and stuffs.. :D

Wan Sharif said...

Now I believe that it does not hurt to have good friends all over the places ;)

Pak Zawi said...

Kama,
Beside the above we collect hotel shampoo bottles and fridge magnets. You will be amazed to find the many shapes of the shampoo bottles.

Pak Zawi said...

Wan,
It doesn't hurt but it helps a lot. Let us make more friends not enemies.

Unknown said...

Welcome back to blogging, Pak.

Pak Zawi said...

Lim,
Thank you. Nak pergi India lagi ke?

~CovertOperations78~ said...

So nice of them to buy the souvenirs! I heard it wasn't easy! The teatowels and souvenir plates with stands were sold out in many tourist attractions! My best friend Nicole got some souvenirs too -- a mug and some stickers or something -- from her boyfriend in the UK! What a laugh! Simpan elok-elok, it will be worth hundreds in a few decades!

Pak Zawi said...

Ee Lynn,
They were on a visit to a castle and they saw the items on display. Bariah remembered reading my request for somebody to help me and she did just that. The mug is so beautiful, my wife will never part with it.

Uncle said...

that's what friends are for!

Pak Zawi said...

Uncle,
yes it is true.
When I was in Mecca recently I was wondering which hotel was it where you worked before.

Tommy Yewfigure said...

Pak Zawi, old chap, I see u'd still got a soft spot for English Royalty. Must be carried from the time u sang, 'God saves the Queen' in school...hehehe. Well u can become an honorary POM - 'prisoner of her majesty.'

Pak Zawi said...

Tommy,
I am no fan of The English Royalty only just that my wife loves commemorative mugs whatever the occasion. Unfortunately I am not vintage enough to have the chance to sing God Save The Queen during my school days so I don't really know the lyrics. The Beatles? Yes I know most of their songs and could sing a few of them when I need to. Their most apt song is 'When I Am Sixty Four" which I will be in 3 years time.