Our late father Falick an unassuming, pleasant man, he was all in one, multilingual, gold medalist in Latin and English with a little of bit of french "un petit peu de français" and German to the forte "spreche ein bisschen Deutsch", wildlife enthusiast, self taught farmer, accomplished singer, orator, writer, musician, dancer at any time of the day, handsome as ever he was, in his hay days, well dressed all the time, driving a Morris Minor Safari was well mannered, pleasing, down to earth, associated people and friends from all walks of life was very popular among the masses in town even though "Falick and Rameena" tied the nuptial knot little too late, conveniently got into the last bus. Among his most trusted friends in sarong were elders from Malay fisher community making a dominant presence in the fish market, shore lines, sea and back with man-made sampans and sail boats for deep sea sojourns. It was a regular occurrence to party with these fisher folks at home or in the beach over a few rounds of local beverage toddy or arrack of course with sing song sessions in high pitched voices. On a weekend, I still remember, all of us less our beloved mother including my late aunt Zaroon, Puthri, Akki, Reeni and the youngest Rizly, a toddler then was driven from home to the beach front overlooking bazaar. (Exact spot is on picture above, gradient very steep in a natural harbour) Customarily black morris minor safari vehicle driven by Uncle Appuhamy, the most sort out hired conveyance in town, invariably he joins the party, in the bargain hits the bottom very hard with or without any invitation was an accepted norm to his benevolent clients. Naturally in high spirits during these so called family sojourns cum picnics. On this particular day, we were all enjoying the fun and frolic of the fisher community elders leading the way with contributions coming from my father and party continued till late afternoon, when Uncle Appuhamy uncle clad in sarong decided to carry my brother Rizly, all though he was intoxicated to brave the breaking coastal waves to cool off himself and also to give some excitement to my brother Rizly who was only 2 years old then. Aunty Zaroon, my Aunt, alert as ever, shouted hands up, in a flash, we saw, Uncle Appuhamy in sarong losing control braving a surging wave caught on the swash/backwash effect inherent to a braking coastal wave on a steep gradient, both were dragged away and they disappeared for few moments. Well, we were all shocked, dumbfounded, we all thought they have gone forever. These fisher folks are great fighters and born leaders of their own calibre, especially in crisis situations sprang into action in a flash before the next wave surged in. Uncle Boat Sabreen was the first to grab my brother Rizly who was floating away from the shores in a flash to complete the rescue operation and little Rizly survived from a near death experience, I suppose for the first time without his knowledge and to tell tales he suffered a series of near death experiences before he succumbed finally but never to return. Sorry, for the interruption, to continue the story, I can't remember, how Uncle Appuhamy saved himself, but he regained his conscious to his normal with a thundering but a good shake up given by the rest who were present (To recollect some of the names with my crisp memory among the folks - Uncle's Namon - Liberal, Gaja Pukul - Carrying his nickname for a true to life physical encounter with a wild elephant, Saldin - Youngest, mischievous with a wry smile. I still remember poor fellow, pleading and crying in repentance for throwing himself ignorantly with bravado inflicted self style suicide attempt on his life and further extending it to my innocent brother Rizly going at just 2 in his tender age.

Lessons Learnt: “A cat has 9 many lives. For 3 he plays, for 3 he strays and for the last 3 he stays." However, Sea bathing is dangerous during rough seas with plunging, collapsing and surging effect, especially if you are in sarong and intoxicated, a hero can be zero, never tread on dangerous waters at the cost of sacrificing your own life and others who are helpless and innocent as well. Cat has 9 many lives thus he survived on that sunny day but to stay another day. Life goes on with spills, thrills at times with spoils....