Bagan Serai: The Town
I have few posts coming; all dedicated to the town where I used to live for about 15 years.
I wasn’t motivated to get those posts done, not until one of the ex-Bagan Seraians (Uncle Ray) stumbled upon my weblog and dropped me a message sometimes ago asking me about Bagan Serai. *wow* And guess what? Uncle Ray happend to be my family close friend’s relo!!! What a small world, eh? 
There are few more people who originally from Bagan Serai living in Perth at the moment who get to know me thru’ my blog. They know my parents, my dad’s shop, my family know them, their relos, …. yer know, small-town thing. But, but, I don’t know any of them! *generation gap*
p/s: Uncle Ray is not my uncle. This is how Chinese people call the elderly.
Anyway.. First post is all about the Town, and it is not a long post either simply because Bagan Serai aint no big town. 
Nothing much had been changed in the town, except the council build an overhead bridge in the middle of the Jalan Besar (Main Road).
And yeah! Bagan Serai first ever traffic light! w00t! The traffic light is located the junction toward Jalan Parit Buntar. There was a Shell Petrol Station on the right, remember? It has been demolished years ago.
The big mosque is located in the center of the town. It has been renovated, and countless air conditioners were installed too. nahbeh
Most of the building and shops remain unchanged. The shop owners might probably just put a new signboard , so the shop may look ‘new’ (personal opinion)
Old name, new business.
Old name, old business, new shop
sorta brand new shop and name
There are few old coffee shops which are still around. Lau Soon Hup is one of them.
Every morning, those male oldies gather in this kopitiam (coffee shop), discussing about every bloody single issues aka gossip.
Over one of the best drink in Lau Son Hup is ‘Charm’ [coffee and tea mix ], these oldies talk about politic like they can rule the entire kingdom, they gossip about everything from whose son and whose daughter getting shortgun married, etc etc Classic eh?
There was one time when I was having my holiday back home, I walked in Lau Soon Hup with my brother ..They asked my brother in Teow Chew: OI! jit kai lu kai char bow peng you ah? [English: this is your girl friend?] My brother answered: se ah! ngia boh? (Yes! pretty?) Another oldie:boh lah! kai mek si Hock Chor kai cha bow kia lah! [No lah, that’s Hock Chor’s daughter lah]
Haha! See! Told you! It IS a small town, they know my dad, my brother, me myself, and I don’t even know them! Haha!
There is nothing much could Bagan Serai offer to the people… nowadays, Bagan Seraians are all over the places (and world). If you are one of the Bagan Seraians, drop by and say Hello, will ya?
Bagan Serai also my home town i like it .
Old name, old business, new shop haha…….
Bagan Serai hasn’t really changed much. The folks look the same too.
Anyone out there knows Chop Yen Kee? Those of you who graduate from SMJK Bagan Serai in Year 1983 (Form 5) feel free to drop a note to raymondtai@smartchat.net.au.
Cheers.
Ah, no wonder everyone calls me Uncle Dabido! Me old!
Ya ya ya, one of the nice things about small towns is the 人情味 (ren2 qing2 wei4). Everyone knows you are whose son/daughter. Hahaha!
My mum said, when I was a kid and we were living in a small town, if I got lost somewhere, it’s okay, someone will bring me back. LOL!!
I never live in a small town. But they sure seem to have their charm. I bet the sense of community is nice too.
I love small towns. Your pictures remind me of my hometown too, sigh, I hope it hasn’t changed too much by the time I get to go back.
HaHa, ee lang Tio Chiew Lang, pai sai bo tui kang …ka chng ang ang..also.
Evelyn: you don’t live far from Bagan Serai, are u?oh well, women who get married are like a bucket of water–you are being poured out from home once you are married. =) this is my current feeling toward the town, except, i havent get married yet.
Uncle tay: wait till you see the next coming posts..
Dab: u deserve it! it is a great honour thou
Haha
day dreamer: 人情味 is the word! yeah..i was abit like that too. small town is great!
but one more thing is, whenever you fart..the whole town also know!!! Hahaha. God damn the gossip spreads as fast as hurrican!
simple american: if you watch ‘Neighbour’ or ‘Home and Away’ ..is abit like that. Neighbour and Home and Away are both Aussie popular tv series
Diana: how long you haven’t been back?
cooknengr: is ‘pak si boh siang kang’ lar! =.=||| *winkz*
“Teo chew lang, kah chern ang-ang” rofl….
At least you town didn’t turn into a swallow town. You go see my hometown la. No eye see.
here are scenes you don’t see every day! ahhh, brings back memories of the smaller towns in Malaysia, even parts of old KL… sweet!
hijackqueen: sama sama je these old towns..wait till u see the rest of the coming post.
may: I never visited old KL b4…as far as the oldest one I’ve seen..is Petaling St. Does it count?
Hi Cynthia, Belated thanks for the Easter Choco!!!!! We had a great time meeting your parents, grandma and boyfriend.
Hope to do it again.
Ray