It was half past seven in the evening of 30th August 2007, the eve of Malaysia’s Golden Jubilee Celebration. Huge crowds were forming at Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) preparing for the countdown to Malaysia’s 50th Anniversary of Independence. The buildings around this hotspot is decorated and gaily lit with multi-coloured lights.

Unfortunately, me and my better half and son were not in the mood to join the party crowd. We were rushing to catch the 8.30 p.m. Wau Express to Kota Bahru. My BH has an appointment in KB and we tag along for the heck of it. We have to lug our heavy baggage from the Masjid Jamek Station to the Central Market LRT Station because the queue for the tickets stretches all the way from the ticket counters to quarter way up the stairs to the streets above!

We just do not have the time to queue so we lugged our luggage to the next station. We manage to get our tickets almost immediately at the Central Market Station. Although we arrive in time at the Sentral Station, there was only just enough time to ta pau (takeaway) McDonalds and have our dinner on the train.

Below is a photo on the inside of our coach.

We arrived at Gemas Station, Johore about 10 minutes before midnight. At exactly midnight, the blare of the trains’ whistle coupled with the explosions of the fireworks display is enough to wake the devils up (this being the seventh month in the Chinese Lunar Calender).

Of course, I grabbed my trusty Canon and started snapping away from the door of the coach. After a few shots, I decided to move nearer to the display and walked onto the pavement in my bare socks. Didn’t have the time to put on my shoes! The fireworks lasts for about 8 minutes.

Well this is something different. While the rest of the country are enjoying the fireworks in the city, either live or on TV, here a small group of travellers were treated to a memorable fireworks display to mark a historic moment of our nation’s history. Thank you KTM…..Thank you for the memories.