Alahai Open House

An Open House concept is practiced all over Malaysia during festival time. I don’t know how the concept was established but at the mere mention of it, one would associate it with Raya, Deepavali, Chinese New Year or Christmas, IN Malaysia, or wherever as long as there are Malaysians around. It simply means that, I’m having some food at my place, so please come over. It doesn’t mean that my house is opened for the public to see, so please, come on over - like what it literally looks like. I don’t think it is a worldwide concept as I don’t think I have heard of it when I was staying in the UK. I may be wrong so please do correct me. But the irony is that, the concept is only used during festival time. I mean, why can’t you use the concept whenever you feel like it. If you are hosting a kenduri for example, can’t you call the kenduri Open House Tahlil, or Open House Doa Selamat. I mean, the concept is the same. Although no cookies will be served to visitors but there’ll be food alright. But no, the Open House concept applies only during festival. Other times, one would just use other terms i.e. Housewarming Party, Kenduri Doa Selamat, Birthday Party, Wedding Reception, and the list goes on and on. Well, that’s my thinking.

Well, last Sunday, I had the opportunity to visit an open house organized by Bang Raz’s friend, Bang Jut, a self-made millionaire (sold his company for RM50 million) which had just finished construction. It is located near one of those Country Homes bungalows near the Mines Resort. He is not a developer. He appointed a contractor to construct the bungalow for him. There were two cars. My dearest Bie, Mak and Bak and of course my daughter Marsya were in Bak’s kancil. Bang Raz and his family were in their Unser. The entrance statement into the lavish and elite residential home itself was powering. The guards were there watching us with eagle eyes. I mean, that’s their job anyway. Of course they let the Jaguars and the Mercedes through without much queries.

There were many bungalows there. There were resort-villa style homes, Tudor style homes, Mansions, and log type of luxury homes. Bang Jut’s bungalow was modern contemporary. A double storey bungalow house with a basement of some sort. I was quite impressed. Bang Jut invited us into his courtyard where the tents were up and urged us to enjoy the food. The line of food was kind of nice. The usual raya dishes which include, nasi himpit, lemang, and beef rendang, as well as the not so raya dishes like sate, soto (which was really nice. I liked it), traditional kuih’s, Singaporean cupcakes (which I learnt was actually the Singaporean Popiah’s), fruits and drinks. I had quite a handful of foods. Those who know me would not be so shocked to see the amount of food that I ate. Let’s just say that I felt rather guilty afterwards.

Bang Raz was excited to see the bungalow. He asked me to eat quickly so that all of us can have the pleasure of viewing Bang Jut’s new bungalow. I finished my food with a slurp and proceeded to enter the bungalow. No drinks needed to wash away the food. I took my slippers off and entered into the black marbled bungalow. Not much of trinkets and ornaments were put up for display. The living room was very spacious. There were black leather seats in the middle of it with few very modern decorative items. The living room had only a small thick carpet in the middle. The rest of the floor was of shining black marble. The light in the living room came from the large glass window facing the golf course. I slid opened the huge glass window (a bit like our normal sliding door but only ‘taller’). And to my amazement, the pool was just there. In fact, if I wanted to, I can just sit at the glass window and dip both my feet into the pool. It was an outdoor pool mind you. It wasn’t wide, but it was long, following the length of the living room. It was cool. I loved the pool. And I just had to get out to view the pool deck and how the water was being circulated. In fact, if I’m Abang Jut’s friend, I would love to strip down into my swimming suit and take a dip into the pool. It was so inviting. But my dearest Bie quickly asked me to join the others who were already up the stairs to look at the bedrooms. There were only three rooms upstairs. But all very spacious with little rock gardens separating each bedroom. The bathrooms were huge each with their own walking closets. Most of walls of the bungalow itself were of glass. Thick ones mind you. Others were of black marble. We went back down the stairs and went into the entertainment room which was complete with its own theatre system. The dining room had a really nice dining table in it and the kitchen was spacious with stainless silver concepts written all over it. All in all, it was a wonderful bungalow viewing.

We came out from the bungalow looking somewhat pleased. Mak kept on complaining about the waste of space. Such a huge house but very little rooms. I mean, its modern contemporary. Why would you want more rooms. Bang Raz told Mak that Bang Jut has no children. I guess that was why the number of rooms was quite little. Well, after touring the bungalow, I would have to say that the bungalow wasn’t that big. I have seen bigger bungalows, but of course I have not had the opportunity to view them from inside. But because I love the pool, the built in walking closets and the bathrooms, I’m going to have to give two thumbs up for Bang Jut’s bungalow.

NOW that is an Open House. Not only did we get to eat the variety of foods being served but we also had the opportunity to SEE every corner of the bungalow. From the kitchen and basement, to the bedrooms. I wouldn’t mind going to another one of these Open Houses if there is ever a chance for me to do so. But, not all hosts like it when people tour into their houses. Because of that, I am happy to settle for the Malaysian concept of Open House which rang: Come on over and eat at my house..!! Plenty of food. Eat all you want. But sorry, keep out of the bedrooms, please…