Across the miles…

He was my student in my English Language tuition class for two years when he was in Form 4 and the following year, in Form 5. I thought he was a very nice and simple boy, very  humble and pleasant but at that point in time, I did not know much about him nor his family. After he completed secondary school here, he left for the UK and he invited me to his farewell dinner here. Of course, I felt really flattered and made it a point to attend.

He did his A-Levels at the Concord College in the UK and that was where he met Hilda from Hong Kong…

They completed their studies there and went on to university together and both have graduated by now. Imagine one from here and another from the Orient, meeting across the miles in England and eventually, tying the nuptial knot. That’s quite a love story, don’t you think?

Well, he did get in touch with me when he came back to Sibu over the years and we did go out for dinner or for tea a few times and not too long ago, he sent me this gorgeous-looking invitation…

…to his wedding. Needless to say, I was delighted and was looking forward to it. Unfortunately, in the meantime, I received another invitation to a wedding reception that very same day, meaning that I would have to miss the service in church so I had to extend to him my apologies but thankfully, that one was at noon so I was able to show up for the dinner here…

…that evening.

I don’t know which wedding planner they hired but the decor was very nice, very tastefully done…

…and there was even a live band in attendance…

…singing romantic love  songs that were appropriate for the occasion like this one when the bride and the groom made their grand entrance…and this favourite of mine. Honestly, I would cringe with discomfort everytime I hear people singing songs like Unchained Melody or I will always love you at weddings – don’t they ever pay attention to the lyrics?

As for the decor, more often than not, you see the same floral display and everything being recycled over and over again…and from what I heard, they do not come cheap, not at all. I would much sooner not have those and channel all that money into the food instead…but then again, that’s just me – others may think otherwise. I loved what they had that night though, different from any that I had seen before and neither too much and overdone nor overly showy, and the lovely pastel colours somehow set a soothingly-pleasant mood, just perfect for the evening.

Everyone in attendance received this very special personalised door gift…

…of a set of chopsticks and spoon…

I understand there were only 65 tables that night – there was another reception two days later in Kuching and another one after that in Hong Kong so there was no need to get everybody together at one place. I guess for that reason, there was ample space in between the tables, not so jam-packed like the dinner I attended at this same hotel recently in the grand ballroom, one floor above with over 200 tables at one go! I do not know if it was because there were fewer people or the dinner was a whole lot more expensive but the service that night was heaps better too – though I did think the stone cold waiting staff could be a bit more friendly and at least, smile a bit when people say thank you to them upon being served. These little things sure go a long way in separating the men from the boys, the classier places and those no-class-at-all ones.

Food was superb that night, starting with this very impressive dish…

…of lobster salad and everything around it. I loved the stuffed crabs…

…and had at least three, if I remember correctly, but they were very small and that got me wondering as to where they could get such tiny crab shells for this.

The usual broccoli and mushroom dish came buried with these very sweet and soft whole abalone…

…and yes, I did have more than one. Hehehehehe!!!!

The steamed fish was very nice too, probably one of those upriver worth-its-weight-in-gold ones but I did not snap a photograph of it as I did not know the family of 6 at the same table even though the lady did take a few shots herself using her smartphone. I just took another one, one of this exquisite dish…

…at the banquet with all the scallops on top and fish maw and huge chunks of sea cucumber inside a pumpkin, very nice!

Thank you so so so much for the invitation, Kho Peng and Hilda…

*Photo from their pre-wedding shoot collection on Facebook*

It was indeed my pleasure to be able to share the joy on this, your very special and happy day. Congratulations once again and may God bless the two of you abundantly with lots of happiness and all that is good in the years ahead. Cheers!!!