By Awliya
Last Ramadan, my big family and I attended an iftar gathering at AMD Resort and Camp in Kuala Nerang, Kedah. It was one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had during Ramadan because it is very rare for all of my family members to gather in one place. Usually, I only iftar with my immediate family and my grandmother. Therefore, I was very excited when I learned that our entire extended family would be spending the day together. I looked forward to creating beautiful memories with my loved ones while enjoying a special iftar event.
On that day, we left my grandmother's house in Pendang, Kedah after performing Friday prayers. We started our journey at around 2.30 p.m. and travelled together to the resort. The journey took almost two hours, but it felt much shorter because everyone was chatting happily throughout the trip. Some family members shared funny stories, while others talked about the food they wanted to try later. The cheerful atmosphere made the journey enjoyable and exciting.
At around 4.30 p.m., we finally arrived at AMD Resort and Camp. As soon as we entered the resort, I noticed that the staff were still busy making the final preparations for the iftar buffet. Tables and chairs were being arranged neatly, while some workers were preparing the food stations. Even though the preparations were not completely finished, the resort already looked beautiful and welcoming. The peaceful environment immediately made me feel relaxed and excited for the evening ahead.
One of the things that impressed me most was the natural beauty of the resort. The area was surrounded by many trees and greenery, creating a calm and refreshing atmosphere. There was also a shallow river flowing near the resort, making the place feel peaceful and relaxing. Several huts were built along the riverside, allowing visitors to sit and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The sound of flowing water and the cool breeze made the environment even more enjoyable.
While waiting for iftar, my younger cousins quickly ran towards the swimming pool and river area. The swimming pool had a water slide, which immediately became their favourite attraction. They spent a long time swimming, sliding and playing together. Some of them also enjoyed playing in the shallow river nearby. Their laughter could be heard throughout the resort, and it was heartwarming to see how much fun they were having.
Meanwhile, my grandmother, uncles and aunts spent their time resting in the rooms that we had rented. My family rented two rooms so that everyone could relax comfortably while waiting for iftar. Since I had already prepared myself earlier at my grandmother's house, I did not join the swimming activities. Instead, my cousin and I explored the resort while taking photographs together. The beautiful scenery provided many attractive spots for photography, and we enjoyed capturing memorable moments around the resort.
As we walked around the resort, we admired the beautiful surroundings and natural landscape. The riverside views, green trees and peaceful atmosphere made every corner look picture-perfect. My cousin and I spent quite a lot of time taking photos and enjoying the scenery. We laughed, chatted and simply enjoyed spending time together. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon before the iftar session began.
At around 6.00 p.m., I noticed that the staff had started roasting a whole lamb. The delicious aroma quickly spread throughout the resort and attracted many guests. The sight of the lamb slowly roasting over the fire made it look incredibly appetising. Its golden-brown exterior and smoky fragrance immediately made me feel hungry. Many guests gathered around the station because roasted lamb was one of the most anticipated dishes of the evening.
Another unique feature that caught my attention was the beverage station. Instead of displaying the drinks on ordinary tables, the organisers placed them on top of an old van. The van was decorated beautifully and matched the overall theme of the event. I found the idea very creative and unique. It added a rustic and nostalgic touch to the entire dining experience.
The iftar buffet followed a classic traditional theme, which made the event even more special. The decorations reflected a nostalgic atmosphere that reminded guests of old-fashioned celebrations. Traditional snacks and desserts were arranged neatly using wooden trays, baskets and classic-style decorations. Everything looked elegant, simple and charming. The presentation made the buffet feel warm, welcoming and unique.
The dessert section immediately attracted my attention because it looked colourful and beautiful. There were cream puffs, chocolate cakes and vanilla cakes decorated neatly on serving trays. Traditional delicacies such as curry puffs, spring rolls and tepung pelita were also available. The arrangement of the desserts perfectly matched the classic theme of the event. Everything looked fresh, delicious and professionally presented.
Besides the desserts, there were many other delicious dishes available. One section offered fried noodles, which looked very appetising and smelled wonderful. There was also a special section prepared for children that included crackers and biscuits. The children were very excited about this area because they could enjoy their favourite snacks. It was thoughtful of the organisers to prepare something suitable for younger guests as well.
The main dishes were equally impressive and offered a wide variety of choices. There were dishes such as beef curry, ayam masak merah, ayam masak belado, spicy clams, crab, asam pedas and curry eggplant. The rich colours of the dishes made them look even more appetising. The aroma of spices and traditional herbs filled the air and made it difficult to resist trying everything. Every dish looked freshly prepared and full of flavour.
Another section that attracted many guests was the noodle station. Guests could choose from laksa, vermicelli, instant noodles and other noodle varieties. Curry and tom yum soup were available as soup bases, allowing guests to customise their meals according to their preferences. I tried several dishes from this station, and my favourite was definitely the laksa. The broth was rich, flavourful and incredibly satisfying after a long day of fasting.
At around 6.30 p.m., everyone who had been swimming and playing started getting ready for iftar. My cousins left the river and pool area to shower and change into clean clothes. Family members gradually gathered together while waiting for the Maghrib call to prayer. The excitement increased as the time for breaking the fast approached. Everyone was looking forward to enjoying the delicious buffet together.
Before iftar, I carefully selected the food that I wanted to eat. I chose rice with spicy clams, crab and curry eggplant because they were among my favourite dishes. I also made sure to get some roasted lamb because I had been waiting to try it. For dessert, I selected chocolate cake and tepung pelita. My father also brought some asam pedas to share with our family at the table.
One of the most memorable parts of the evening was the dining atmosphere. We had our meal under a large transparent tent that looked elegant and modern. The tent was clear, allowing us to see the sky above while enjoying our meal. Although the dining area was outdoors, it did not feel hot at all. The many trees surrounding the resort provided natural shade and cool air, making the environment extremely comfortable.
As the evening became darker, the atmosphere grew even more beautiful. Warm yellow lights decorated the tent and illuminated the entire dining area. The soft lighting created a cosy, relaxing and peaceful ambience. Since the tent was transparent, we could even see the stars shining in the night sky while eating and chatting with our family members. The combination of the cool breeze, beautiful lights and starry sky created a magical atmosphere that made the experience feel even more special.
Since our family was quite large, we occupied three tables during the meal.I sat with my cousins and my aunt's family, while my father sat with my grandmother and several other relatives. When the Maghrib call to prayer was heard, everyone began breaking their fast together. The food tasted amazing, and the atmosphere was warm and cheerful. We enjoyed eating, talking and laughing throughout the evening.
After we finished playing congkak, the rest of our family had also completed their meals. We then gathered in front of the house that we had rented earlier. At that moment, we recorded a Hari Raya greeting video together. Although it was still early in Ramadan, we wanted to take the opportunity to create special memories while everyone was present. The recording session was enjoyable and filled with laughter.
After recording the video, we took family photographs together. Opportunities like this are very rare because it is difficult to gather every family member in one place. Therefore, we wanted to make the most of the occasion. Everyone stood together and smiled happily for the camera. The photo session was filled with joy, laughter and unforgettable memories.
Eventually, it was time for us to return home. We packed our belongings and prepared to leave the resort after spending many wonderful hours there. Although everyone was tired after a long day of activities, we were all happy and satisfied. During the journey home, many family members continued talking about the fun memories we had created together. The experience left everyone with smiles on their faces.
Overall, this iftar gathering at AMD Resort and Camp was one of the best Ramadan experiences I have ever had. I enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the delicious food, the relaxing atmosphere and the many fun activities that took place throughout the day. Most importantly, I was able to spend meaningful time with my entire family, something that rarely happens. Seeing the children having fun, the adults enjoying themselves and everyone sharing laughter together made the experience truly unforgettable. If I had the opportunity to experience it again, I would definitely join without hesitation. In my opinion, this iftar gathering deserves more than one hundred percent because it brought happiness to every member of my family and created memories that I will cherish forever.
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