Meetup with Siok in Sydney

 

“Hey Peggy, are you still in Sydney?” read the message from Siok, a former classmate also known as Rebecca, who relocated to Sydney after she was married some 30 years ago.

 

A we-fie with Peter and Siok in Sydney

I remember attending her wedding – a beautiful day when she married Peter – held in the church that was literally a few steps away from my home in Larkin Gardens, Johor Bahru.

 

Every year, Siok and I will exchange birthday greetings and stayed in touch in spite of our busy lives – she, with raising a family and me, doing what I enjoy doing, writing.

 

Exactly 10 years ago in January 2016, Siok and Peter visited Johor Bahru, with their stay hosted by a mutual friend and former classmate. This friend told me that Siok and Peter were here and invited me over to dinner at her place.

 

Soik and I, together again in Sydney

It was during the Chinese New Year season but my family was not celebrating due to a recent family bereavement. I hesitated to accept her invitation and asked our friend if she had any pantang if I went to her house.

 

Traditionally, recently bereaved Chinese families observe a time of mourning and do not go to other homes especially if there were elderly people in that house. Due to tradition and superstition, people in general, are not willing to welcome a recently bereaved person into their house, who may inadvertently bring ill fortune to their family.

 

Out of respect, I had to ask our friend if she had any such pantang considerations. Her response was a spontaneous, “No!”

 

After all, she did not have any elderly people at home and did not have any issue with my situation. Instead, she encouraged me to forget any apprehensions and accept her invitation to dine with Siok and Peter.

 

We nibbled through this charcuterie board

So it was indeed 10 years ago that I met with them over dinner in our friend’s house in Johor Bahru.

 

On 31 December 2025, I received a “Happy New Year 2026” wish from Siok with a video of New Year fireworks exploding over the Sydney skyline.

 

In reply, I sent her a photo of the same New Year fireworks which I had received from cousin Malcolm, shot from the balcony of his home in Sydney. I also told Siok that I will be there for a short stay in about two weeks’ time.

 

Sydney is about three hours ahead of Johor so they had already welcomed the New Year 2026 and were sharing photos of the city’s New Year fireworks with me.

 

When Siok read my reply, she asked: “Please let me know when you will be here.”

 

Through an exchange of text messages, I understood that she and her family had travel plans for a week in January but she assured me with: “OK we will keep in touch and see you!”

 

So it was already January 31 when I received her message which asked: “Hey Peggy, are you still in Sydney?” To which I replied: “Yes, I’m still here!”

 

A serving of lamb on skewers [Left]
and Gambas Al Ajillo or garlic prawns

Once again, there was an exchange of text messages to set up a dinner appointment with Siok and Peter. She assured me: “We can pick you up and head to whichever cuisine that may take your fancy.”

 

I am aware that Sydney has many good restaurants for a plethora of cuisine from around the world so I suggested that they picked the cuisine of their choice.

 

Later I learnt that it was Siok who was wise to avoid any Asian cuisine and she picked Spanish instead.

 

Their favourite restaurant, however, was closed that day so they picked an alternative restaurant for our dinner together. After all (I say!) it was not about the food but the company.

 

A platter of Seafood Paella

That evening, Siok and Peter found their way to pick me from my cousin’s address at the appointed time. And when we met again, Siok wrapped me in a warm hug and asked in Cantonese: “Ney ho ma?” [Translation: How are you?]

 

She confessed that she was starved of opportunities to speak Cantonese, especially in her own dialect, Teochew, and seized the moment to speak to me in Chinese.

 

We knew it was impolite to speak in Chinese in the presence of Peter, so we kept it to the time when we were alone together, like in the Ladies Room.

 

Over a leisurely dinner washed down with glasses of chilled sangria, we shared a delightful time of catching up with each other, reminiscing about Johor Bahru and mutual friends, our school’s 100-Year Anniversary celebration and my book projects, among other topics.

 

After a brief discussion, we agreed on the food order which started with a charcuterie board of cheese and cured meats. This was followed by Gambas Al Ajillo or garlic prawns, grilled lamb on skewers and a platter of Seafood Paella.

 

Conversation flowed comfortably as we enjoyed the meal and when we had polished off the plates, the night – as they say – was still young. So Siok suggested that we continued our chitchat over drinks.

 

Since we were in Paramatta, Peter drove over to the Paramatta Club where we enjoyed drinks and picked up where we left off in our conversation.

 

At the Paramatta Club for drinks

It was indeed so wonderful to hear about their early years when they made Sydney their home and how God has blessed them over the years.

 

Then I learnt that Siok and Peter have risen in rank, having achieved the status of doting grandparents. Congratulations!

 

As we talked into the night, we almost lost track of time and was pleasantly surprised to see how time had flown by. When they sent me back, we talked about the possibility of meeting up again during my time in Sydney.

 

It was especially meaningful to meet with them again – this time in Sydney – exactly 10 years since we last met in Johor Bahru. Thank you both for your warm welcome and hospitality during our time together.

 

Looking forward to the next time, maybe in Sydney or maybe in Johor Bahru. So it’s just farewell for now, until we meet again. God bless!

 

#MyJohorStoriesTravelogue

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