co-authored by: anthony tang and cheryl chan
The nine couples mingling freely at the Esso station at Gelang Patah seemed ordinary at first, that is, until one eavesdropped into their animated chatter.
Led by Anthony Tang and his wife, Stella, our most senior couple had invested months of meticulous planning and had patiently recruited couples for SRMC’s first-ever ‘love-ride’ a weekend before the actual day. For his efforts, Tommy and Jayne Low conferred the distinguished title of Mr Valentino on Anthony.
After a short briefing, Kester, who was on his way to Kuala Lumpur, led the group to Yong Peng’s PK Restaurant for their much-touted noodles. Even Dale Stonebraker and his wife, Melissa, our American friends, found the aromatic ‘Hock Chia’ noodles and fried ‘kway teow’ palatable, especially with John Paul and Linda’s contribution of a plate of roast chicken for those at table. Alfred and Jasmine together with Eric Chua and Cheryl Chan added good cheer with their conversations.
The nine couples mingling freely at the Esso station at Gelang Patah seemed ordinary at first, that is, until one eavesdropped into their animated chatter.
Led by Anthony Tang and his wife, Stella, our most senior couple had invested months of meticulous planning and had patiently recruited couples for SRMC’s first-ever ‘love-ride’ a weekend before the actual day. For his efforts, Tommy and Jayne Low conferred the distinguished title of Mr Valentino on Anthony.
After a short briefing, Kester, who was on his way to Kuala Lumpur, led the group to Yong Peng’s PK Restaurant for their much-touted noodles. Even Dale Stonebraker and his wife, Melissa, our American friends, found the aromatic ‘Hock Chia’ noodles and fried ‘kway teow’ palatable, especially with John Paul and Linda’s contribution of a plate of roast chicken for those at table. Alfred and Jasmine together with Eric Chua and Cheryl Chan added good cheer with their conversations.
Poor Stella sat alone at our table while Anthony was at his best at the next with Ah Kong(Peter) and Ah Mah(Helen), Kevin and Serene, Tommy and Jayne and Paul Kan and Petralyn tucking into the smooth noodles and black coffee.
A top-up was necessary for some bikes, so it was suggested that we stop at a petrol station about 3km away just before the turn into the NS Highway. As we left PK Restaurant we overtook Anthony, the sweeper, who had stopped to fix his horn. At the Esso station, we suddenly discovered that Mr Valentino was missing. Kevin called him on his handphone but it drew a blank.
Kester volunteered to backtrack to the restaurant to see if Anthony needed any assistance. He returned disappointed – no sign of Anthony, Stella or his yellow V-Strom! Kester decided that the group should proceed to Ayer Keroh and hopefully to meet up with Anthony after the toll.
Meanwhile, Anthony was on his way on the NS Highway heading for our final destination, the Grand Intercontinental Hotel in Malacca.
We waved our final good-bye to Kester at Ayer Keroh and turned towards the toll while he pointed his Harley Davidson north for KL.
It was a welcome break for us as we regrouped. Anthony sent an SMS to Kevin with directions to the hotel. The ride through heavy ‘bandar’ traffic meant that we had to stick close or risk getting lost. We finally saw a friendly figure flagging us down just before the entrance to Grand Continental. Mr Valentino had checked us in and the moment we parked our bikes in a reserved lot, he handed us our room keys and breakfast vouchers. After a welcome drink, we discovered that we were all roomed on the eighth floor – a coincidence? No. Anthony had lent a personal touch to ensure the receptionist had all nine couples on number eight!
We regrouped at the hotel lobby at 1400hrs all eager for lunch in town. Many of the ladies had their hair neatly brushed or set and there was no way their partners could get them to don their full-faced helmets. So it was decided that we flag down five taxis for a trip to Makota Shopping Centre. After 15 minutes, we gave up and Mr Valentino thought it a better idea to get the hotel to call for five taxis – now, why didn’t someone think of this earlier?
The 8 km ride to the shopping complex cost RM10 per taxi and once we arrived, we made a beeline for the food court where we joined seven tables to sit the 18 of us. Then it was queueing time for nasi khandar, claypot rice, sushi, fried noodles, western food, drinks, ice kachang and Malacca chendol.
After lunch, Anthony found us a motorcycle accessory shop on the top floor or the complex. We browsed and bought wallets, stickers, gloves and other accessories. Then it was a two-hour free time for our own shopping needs. We met at Dunking Donuts at 1700 hrs to compare our purchases and share a drink and donuts.
Back at the hotel, some of us rested while others took a plunge in the pool on the 10th floor. All too soon, the highlight of the evening loomed.
At 1900 hrs, the well-dressed couples trooped out of the lift into the lobby. It was an unusual sight to see Stormers dressed the way they did in long-sleeved shirts, pressed trousers for the men and semi-formal dress for the ladies. Tommy was resplendent in his all black attire complemented by an iridescent Jayne, all dolled up for the candle light dinner. We discovered later that they had gotten married seven years ago on Valentine’s Day! Not to be outdone, Dale and Melissa Stonebraker exuded perfumery and infected the other couples with their amiable smiles and good nature.
The set dinner started promptly after Mr Valentino welcomed and thanked the couples for their participation. The appetiser came decked out in a carved-out mini pineapple complete with a mini umbrella and a glass of sparkling wine. John Paul, the official photographer, seized the opportunity to digitally-record the occasion for posterity for every couple. The service was laudable and the ambience conducive for the lovers to whisper sweet-nothings to their soul-mates. In the background, soft, sentimental music lulled and mesmerised the couples into declaring their unending love for each other.
Next came the mushroom soup and toast with butter. The main course of black pepper chicken chop, carved vegetables, large button mushrooms and heart-shaped pommesettes was a steal.
As the candles breathed their last, coffee and tea was served with a scoop of ice-cream for the diners. Mr Valentino presented each couple with a momento that was painstakingly wrapped by Stella.
What a meal and what an occasion!
At 2100 hrs, we changed into something more casual and took a 20-minute stroll to Jonkers Street for the night-bazaar where Kevin and Serene picked up a carving for their home. The others bought special edition chopsticks and incense burners while the less adventurous, sat down to rest their tired feet and down a refreshing cold drink. The return stroll set the stage for the couples to bond and after a round of ‘teh-tarik’ at the hotel’s coffee-house, most of the couples retired by 0200 hrs behind the four walls of their air-conditioned nest to snuggle up close to each other, leaving the cares of the world behind for just that intimate hour or two.
Early the next morning, Paul Kan and Petralyn left for Phuket. The early bird couples were present at breakfast to wish them bon voyage though several bleary-eyed couples who turned up later for breakfast, missed the send-off.
The morning was free-and-easy for us. Some of us decided on a sight-seeing tour of the Maritime Museum and the historical fort, ‘A Formosa’. We ended the tour with a stop for Malacca’s famous Tan Kim Hock durian chendol.
By 1200 hrs, we were ready to ride to Oleh Sayang for the authentic Nonya cuisine of Ayam Ponteh, Sambal Kangkong, Assam Pedas, Itek Sio, Sotong Kicap and Sambal Udang Petai.
Boy, were we glad to get out of the searing afternoon heat and return to the cool air of the Grand Continental Hotel for a cold drink and pick up our luggage. But, Mr Valentino had other ideas – he led us on a wild goose chase and an unscheduled tour of town before dumping us unceremoniously at the lobby with an apologetic smile and a joke. We took it in good spirits and decided unanimously not to throw him and Stella into the hotel’s pool on the 10th floor.
So ended a truly memorable ‘Love Ride’ with Mr Valentino promising another in February 2004.
Thanks again for the memories:
Anthony & Stella Tang
Dale & Melissa Stonebraker
Peter & Helen Ng
Arthur and Jasmine
Eric Chua & Cheryl Chan
Tommy & Jayne Low
Kevin & Serene Lee
Paul Kan & Petralyn
John Paul Low & Linda Soon
A top-up was necessary for some bikes, so it was suggested that we stop at a petrol station about 3km away just before the turn into the NS Highway. As we left PK Restaurant we overtook Anthony, the sweeper, who had stopped to fix his horn. At the Esso station, we suddenly discovered that Mr Valentino was missing. Kevin called him on his handphone but it drew a blank.
Kester volunteered to backtrack to the restaurant to see if Anthony needed any assistance. He returned disappointed – no sign of Anthony, Stella or his yellow V-Strom! Kester decided that the group should proceed to Ayer Keroh and hopefully to meet up with Anthony after the toll.
Meanwhile, Anthony was on his way on the NS Highway heading for our final destination, the Grand Intercontinental Hotel in Malacca.
We waved our final good-bye to Kester at Ayer Keroh and turned towards the toll while he pointed his Harley Davidson north for KL.
It was a welcome break for us as we regrouped. Anthony sent an SMS to Kevin with directions to the hotel. The ride through heavy ‘bandar’ traffic meant that we had to stick close or risk getting lost. We finally saw a friendly figure flagging us down just before the entrance to Grand Continental. Mr Valentino had checked us in and the moment we parked our bikes in a reserved lot, he handed us our room keys and breakfast vouchers. After a welcome drink, we discovered that we were all roomed on the eighth floor – a coincidence? No. Anthony had lent a personal touch to ensure the receptionist had all nine couples on number eight!
We regrouped at the hotel lobby at 1400hrs all eager for lunch in town. Many of the ladies had their hair neatly brushed or set and there was no way their partners could get them to don their full-faced helmets. So it was decided that we flag down five taxis for a trip to Makota Shopping Centre. After 15 minutes, we gave up and Mr Valentino thought it a better idea to get the hotel to call for five taxis – now, why didn’t someone think of this earlier?
The 8 km ride to the shopping complex cost RM10 per taxi and once we arrived, we made a beeline for the food court where we joined seven tables to sit the 18 of us. Then it was queueing time for nasi khandar, claypot rice, sushi, fried noodles, western food, drinks, ice kachang and Malacca chendol.
After lunch, Anthony found us a motorcycle accessory shop on the top floor or the complex. We browsed and bought wallets, stickers, gloves and other accessories. Then it was a two-hour free time for our own shopping needs. We met at Dunking Donuts at 1700 hrs to compare our purchases and share a drink and donuts.
Back at the hotel, some of us rested while others took a plunge in the pool on the 10th floor. All too soon, the highlight of the evening loomed.
At 1900 hrs, the well-dressed couples trooped out of the lift into the lobby. It was an unusual sight to see Stormers dressed the way they did in long-sleeved shirts, pressed trousers for the men and semi-formal dress for the ladies. Tommy was resplendent in his all black attire complemented by an iridescent Jayne, all dolled up for the candle light dinner. We discovered later that they had gotten married seven years ago on Valentine’s Day! Not to be outdone, Dale and Melissa Stonebraker exuded perfumery and infected the other couples with their amiable smiles and good nature.
The set dinner started promptly after Mr Valentino welcomed and thanked the couples for their participation. The appetiser came decked out in a carved-out mini pineapple complete with a mini umbrella and a glass of sparkling wine. John Paul, the official photographer, seized the opportunity to digitally-record the occasion for posterity for every couple. The service was laudable and the ambience conducive for the lovers to whisper sweet-nothings to their soul-mates. In the background, soft, sentimental music lulled and mesmerised the couples into declaring their unending love for each other.
Next came the mushroom soup and toast with butter. The main course of black pepper chicken chop, carved vegetables, large button mushrooms and heart-shaped pommesettes was a steal.
As the candles breathed their last, coffee and tea was served with a scoop of ice-cream for the diners. Mr Valentino presented each couple with a momento that was painstakingly wrapped by Stella.
What a meal and what an occasion!
At 2100 hrs, we changed into something more casual and took a 20-minute stroll to Jonkers Street for the night-bazaar where Kevin and Serene picked up a carving for their home. The others bought special edition chopsticks and incense burners while the less adventurous, sat down to rest their tired feet and down a refreshing cold drink. The return stroll set the stage for the couples to bond and after a round of ‘teh-tarik’ at the hotel’s coffee-house, most of the couples retired by 0200 hrs behind the four walls of their air-conditioned nest to snuggle up close to each other, leaving the cares of the world behind for just that intimate hour or two.
Early the next morning, Paul Kan and Petralyn left for Phuket. The early bird couples were present at breakfast to wish them bon voyage though several bleary-eyed couples who turned up later for breakfast, missed the send-off.
The morning was free-and-easy for us. Some of us decided on a sight-seeing tour of the Maritime Museum and the historical fort, ‘A Formosa’. We ended the tour with a stop for Malacca’s famous Tan Kim Hock durian chendol.
By 1200 hrs, we were ready to ride to Oleh Sayang for the authentic Nonya cuisine of Ayam Ponteh, Sambal Kangkong, Assam Pedas, Itek Sio, Sotong Kicap and Sambal Udang Petai.
Boy, were we glad to get out of the searing afternoon heat and return to the cool air of the Grand Continental Hotel for a cold drink and pick up our luggage. But, Mr Valentino had other ideas – he led us on a wild goose chase and an unscheduled tour of town before dumping us unceremoniously at the lobby with an apologetic smile and a joke. We took it in good spirits and decided unanimously not to throw him and Stella into the hotel’s pool on the 10th floor.
So ended a truly memorable ‘Love Ride’ with Mr Valentino promising another in February 2004.
Thanks again for the memories:
Anthony & Stella Tang
Dale & Melissa Stonebraker
Peter & Helen Ng
Arthur and Jasmine
Eric Chua & Cheryl Chan
Tommy & Jayne Low
Kevin & Serene Lee
Paul Kan & Petralyn
John Paul Low & Linda Soon
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