Eid in Adelaide

It's been a while! Lots of stuff has happened and a lot more to come. So much that I want to write about, especially involving Squeaky & Grunty but being the Eid/Raya month and all, there has to be an Eid post. :)

To me, a big part of Eid is about being with family. The only time ever that I spent Eid abroad was  4 years ago, in Sydney with Michael. Not much of a celebration but it was ok. See, it was just us.  

This year is my 2nd time having to spend Eid abroad and a first for the kids. Well, 1st ever for Eliyas :p I didn't want it to be just ok for them. I wanted them to be with family and to really celebrate Eid, especially for Ayisha who's been spending her Eids this past years surrounded by lots & lots of them. 

So off we went on a short trip to Adelaide to be with my brother & his family. Ayisha was so excited to get to see her cousins again, it reminded me of how I was many many years ago, eagerly waiting for my cousins to arrive at my grandparents' for Eid. Eli was excited too, he stayed awake the whole morning before our flight :p 

I was super excited as well but a little bit nervous as it was Eli's first time on the plane. Ayisha's 1st time was also at about the same age, 2 1/2 month. So like his sister, he cried a little bit during take off and landing but nothing major. And hopefully, like Ayisha too, any further flights after this would be all ok, having getting it out of their system the 1st time round! 

look how chubby!

This was my 1st time to Adelaide too and I have to say, Adelaide is super cool. So very different from bustling Sydney. I love the fact that it didn't take long to get from one place to another. We were back at my brother's place in 15 mins and apparently it would only take about 15-20 mins to get to anywhere you want to go in Adelaide. 

The day before Eid, my brother took us to Adelaide Hills. We went to the Gorge Wildlife Park where Michael held a koala for the 1st time in his life; the toy factory where Michael climbed up the biggest rocking horse in the world and the chocolate factory where Michael spent the most on chocolates, more than I've ever spent in my life and I'm the chocoholic in the family (Ayisha's a close 2nd). So who's the Aussie and who's the tourist here you might ask? hehehehehhe

Having lots of fun feeding the Roos!    

Family pic! :p

Biggest rocking horse in the world   

Upon returning from being tourists, the Eid vibes started to really kick in. The boys were cleaning & decorating and I helped my SIL with the cooking that she's been preparing since the night before!   Squeaky helped with the cookies - the chocolate ones of course, in between her bunga api (sparklers) sessions. 

Eid decor OZ style :p

Then Eid arrives....

We joined the morning prayer at Bonython Park. It was so so cool. The atmosphere was just fantastic. You see people from all over the world, all so different - various backgrounds, cultures & clothing but all came together for one common purpose. My heart was just bursting with pride and joy to witness such a beautiful thing. 

Ayisha was truly ecstatic. There's balloons & endless supplies of goodies & lollies for the kiddies and they even have jumping castles, apart from the numerous playground areas readily available at the park. Very kids friendly. 

Lil Miss Squeaky, so little!

Family shot at the park   

After the park, we went back to my brother's as they're expecting guests over and boy were there lots and lots of them! It was like a mini open house with people coming and going. I was very impressed with how 'popular' my brother is with the community there, considering he's only been in Adelaide less than a year! My SIL & I didn't stop cooking & serving. I've never had a Raya morning this busy with guests. It was tiring but oh-so rewarding. I think my SIL did very well hosting a big feast for all their friends. Especially since it was her first time.  She made Laksa Johor, rendang, kuah kacang, various chocolatey desserts and I helped with the lontong. 

I've made lontong before but only for Michael lah and nothing involving big huge pots :p But with a few sms'es & calls with my sisters (how I regret not helping more in the kitchen all those Eids!! :p) plus Mr. Google,  I think it turned out quite ok. heheh. 

The chocolate fountain was a big hit! 

It was not until late afternoon that we got to do the obligatory family tradition of salam, giving Eid packets & family photo shots, which were normally done in the morning after the prayers. 

forgive me daddy!

Happy boy with an Eid packet

Just us...

The celebration continued with us tagging along visiting my brother's friends.  He's got LOTS of open house invitations and they were all oh so good. Just like in Malaysia, yummy food everywhere and it's just non-stop. I didn't know a soul but it's Eid and everyone was super nice and friendly, it was great.  The celebration continued on till late at night with more people coming to visit.

The next day, before we left for Sydney, we did manage to squeeze in a visit to the city, doing touristy stuff and walking along Adelaide's famous Rundle Mall. Again, how I love the fact that we're smack in the middle of the city yet everything's still pretty laid back and not so hectic. 

borrowed her cousin's stroller, but for her dolly! 

minah over...

Victoria Square 

Central Market 

Rundle Mall   

Oh by the way, I lied, I did know 1 person whilst we're out & about Eid visiting, a fellow (ex) blogger living in Adelaide. A lot of my readers come from her blog so I'm pretty sure a lot of you know who I'm talking about and don't we just miss her blog??!!!

It was our first time meeting but we've known each other from the start (of our blogs). So it was so exciting to get to meet her & her family and to be so comfortable in each other's company. They welcomed us all, who are practically strangers, to their lovely home and served a fantastic Oz style food spread as well as rendang & kuih lapis!!!  Like the other houses we visited, it was a really short one but lucky us, they came by the airport to say goodbye (ie. extended gossip time for me & her..haha). So that was nice. :)

her girls all grown up & so friendly! - with my niece

   

All in all, Adelaide was a blast. It was short but we had an absolutely fantabulous time. We did so much in such a short period of time and it was great quality family time.

Lastly, hope it's not too late to wish all a VERY HAPPY HARI RAYA and sincerely sincerely, MAAF ZAHIR & BATIN.

ps: A special mention to my wonderful sisters who sent through raya cookies & goodies - all finished now and I ate the pineapple tarts all by myself!!! yums.....:)))))))