Berbuka Puasa @ Everly Resort Hotel, Melaka (2010)

The team, getting together to Buka Puasa

It has become somewhat of a yearly tradition for our department to organize a "breaking fast" (buka puasa) dinner. This year was certainly no exception to the rule....

The task of organizer for this year's event fell into the hands of Asri, who I was fully confident could find us a great place to dine, with great value-for-money too. Thus, after some scouting around, the venue selected was none other than the Everly Resort Hotel (formerly known as Riviera Bay Resort).

This year, there were quite a number of new faces, due to the dynamic nature of our organization. Though this was traditionally a *closed* department-only event, this year, we had some guests from other departments to join in the festivities. Unfortunately, our own stalwarts, Bayah and Juliyana, could not make it due to some other engagements, so from the core team, it was just Yan, Asri and myself.

The recent unification of 3 departments has left us with the largest team members in the entire history of our existence (a period that spans nearly a decade).

Back to the subject matter of food, drawing some comparisons against my recent buka puasa experience with Zufri at the Holiday Inn, immediately one can see that the variety of food here was HUGE! I'm ashamed to admit that I barely managed to sample even a quarter of the assorted cuisine that was laid out for us to feast upon. Getting old, so cannot eat as voraciously as before.... :)

Eric checking out the dishes for the buffet-style dinner

Hmm, after tonight, may have to go on diet...? :)

To top it off, it was much more affordable here (only RM45++ per pax). Even though our event was held on a week day (mainly to facilitate a few of our friends who were from out of town), the entire restaurant was packed. Guests were pouring in by the bus-loads!

Alas, a minor communication hiccup between Asri and the hotel liaison staff in his request for "16 people" left us with 16 chairs on 4 separate tables. They did not have another table to spare (the restaurant was really packed, remember?), so we tried shuffling the tables and chairs about until finally we settled for an inline configuration. A little bit snug, but we managed to get everyone seated down comfortable by the end of the exercise. Actual turn out was a head shy of the planned total.... :)

4 individual tables, not very good "feng shui"

Briefly, it was musical chairs (and tables), without music...

Finally, when all else fails, use a straight line!

At the end of the day, we were stuffed and totally satisfied with the chosen venue. Hats off to the event organizer, Asri, for pulling off the event with such aplomb. Tonight's event was actually a milestone, as it was our first "extra-curricular" since our team expansion. Besides joining our Muslim brethren in the spirit of inter-cultural understanding, it's good that events such as these help to foster closer ties and friendship bonds amongst colleagues.

Waiting patiently for our Muslim friends to break their fast....

Still got time to send SMS before thinking about food.

The new "fearless leader", Tan CC (far right) and the rest of the new team.

As I sit here and type away on my laptop, I can't help but smile fondly, recalling past times spent together with former colleagues and friends. Too many to mention, so I won't start naming names here. To all of my friends out there, may you and your families be well and happy always, and specially to my Muslim friends, Selamat Berpuasa and an early Selamat Hari Raya greeting to all of you...!

Arriving early has it's privileges, at the expense of looking "lost"! :)

Asri demonstrating the fine art of "sucking" snails out of their shells....

T.N.G - The Next Generation (candid shot!)

L-R (guys): me, Eric, Chiang, Ang CK, Wee WL, Loh CK, Asri, Tan CC, Desmond, Syukri, Lew WK
L-R (ladies, front row): Grace, Chong SL, Yan, Lay Peng