“Confinement Centres for Mental and Physical Recovery” Forum at Narqes Wellness Confinement Centre Launch

This is not my usual travel post but nevertheless, I am called upon to share this as mental illness is getting alot of attention, and what I would like touch on is about postpartum depression or baby blues among mothers. With number of births rising on year to year, we also an increase on the mental and physical well-being of new mothers especially.

This was the key discussion topic shared during the NARQES Wellness and Confinement Centre (NWCC) Launch and "The Peace of Mind for New Mothers: Confinement Centres for Mental and Physical Recovery" Forum that was held at the centre itself. Three expert panelists - Director of Narqes Wellness Sdn Bhd, Datin Narqes Mohd Raimi; Obstetrician and Gynaecology (O&G) expert, Datuk Dr. Nor Ashikin Mokhtar; and clinical psychology expert, Khairul Azhar Idris - delved into this heated topic.

Datin Narqes Mohd Raimi highlighted the professional capabilities of Narqes Wellness and Confinement Centre in providing effective round-the-clock postnatal care for both mothers and the baby. With over 20 years of professional caregiving experience, coupled with Datin herself a certified pharmacist, it come as no surprise that Narqes Confinement Centre able to provide a more structured environment and routine to ensure mothers can rest and recover in a serene and comfortable environment. Tasks such as laundry, spring cleaning, and cooking are integral parts of NWCC service, their aim is to ease the family's responsibilities. 

One of the point that I brought up was on the meal ie does NWCC cater for special request, needs or diet, and I was glad that they do - providing healthy meals six times a day that consist of balanced nutrition, incorporating elements from both traditional and modern medical practices, customized to each individual mother's recovery needs. NWCC also provides clean clothing, and a comfortable bedroom that is tidied and cleaned daily (just like a five stars hotel it seems). To give comfort to new mothers especially, the centre comes with 24-hour baby monitoring service that allows mothers to focus on their own recovery.

Narqes own postnatal brand

Datuk Dr. Nor Ashikin Mokhtar further supports this notion explaining that the failure to plan effective postnatal recovery for new mothers can also lead to various risks and complications for both the mother and the child. Reason being, new mothers face several risks, including infections, especially for those with C-section wounds and episiotomies. What concern the most is that severe internal bleeding or hypertension may occur without being noticed by the mothers or their families. Lack of guidance and support in managing these emotional challenges can impact new mothers and contribute to difficulties in breastfeeding, such as issues like breast milk shortage or mastitis.

Panel session

One of the 'hot' topic is from clinical psychologist and fellow at IKIM, Khairul Azhar Idris discussing on Postnatal Depression (PND), also known as Postpartum Depression (PPD). It is serious and real condition that will severely affect new mothers and their family after childbirth and that it goes beyond the common "baby blues". This is a condition where new parents may experience sadness and mood swings in the first few days or weeks after giving birth, and many might not know that postpartum depression can persist and escalate, it can also last for weeks and months if not treated.

PND or PPD is a combination of physical, emotional, and lifestyle factors contributing to this such as hormonal changes, lack of sleep and rest, pressure, family mental health history, and other social and environmental factors.

Upon ending the session, we were taken on a tour to see and 'experience' Narqes Wellness and Confinement Centre facilities and services.

Confinement Room

Confinement Room

Confinement Room

Massage Room

Massage Room

Narqes Confinement Centre
49-1&2, Jln Damai Raya 6
Alam Damai, 56000
Kuala Lumpur

Types of Kelantan's Nasi Kerabu

Kelantan, birth place of the famous Nasi Kerabu - a blue-colored rice set that comes with ulam (local salad), crackers, percik chicken, fried fish, smoked beef, solok lada (stuffed peppers) and salted egg. This is top with homemade chili sauce, budu sauce (pickled anchovies sauce) and tumis (stir-fry chili paste) for gravy. 

It is said that Nasi Kerabu originated from Pattani during the Sultanate of Patani reign, now the modern Thailand provinces ie Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat as well as part of the modern-day Kelantan, Malaysia. It was during this reign, under successor Raja Kuning (The Yellow Queen) was at war with Singgora (modern-day Songkhla) when Pattani armies were having food shortage that lead to the military cook ration and invent Nasi Kerabu. Nasi Kerabu then was rice mixed with budu and serunding (grated coconut) and ulam. 

Many might not known that there are few types of nasi kerabu such as Nasi Kerabu Bunga Telang/Biru , Nasi Kerabu Kunyit/Kuning, Nasi Kerabu Putih, Nasi Kerabu Hijau/Ulam and Nasi Kerabu Hitam/Daun Mengkudu. There's is also Nasi Kerabu Tumis whereby the tumis is being added and usually onto Nasi Kerabu Putih and Nasi Kerabu Kuning/Kunyit. Nasi Kerabu has evolved to what it is today. 

Photo credit : Google

Nasi Kerabu Bunga Telang/Blue
The blue colour of the rice came from comes from the petals of bunga telang, what us locals call or butterfly-pea flowers. It is a natural food colouring used by our forefathers.

Nasi Kerabu Kuning/Yellow Kerabu Rice

Apparently Nasi Kerabu Kuning or Kunyit is not easily found in Kelantan, some said that it is common in Bachok area. Nasi Kerabu Kuning's rice is cooked with tumeric (hence the colour) and some even added pandan leave. Because of this 2 key ingredient, the rice is more aromatic and tasted nicer. The dishes and sauce are the same as Nasi Kerabu Bunga Telang with exception of the Tumis.

Nasi Kerabu Putih/White
This is the easiest to make as it uses the normal white rice with Tumis as the differentiator, salad and budu is a must for Nasi Kerabu.

Nasi Kerabu Hijau/Green (Peranakan Cina Kelantan)

Nasi Kerabu Hijau is rare as it is part of the Peranakan Cina Kelantan delicacy, and it is available at Popo Kitchen 1.0 in Kota Bharu. What makes this Nasi Kerabu unique is that it is made with 23 types of herba (herbs) and ulam blended and cook it with the rice. And that is not it, out of this 23 types of ulam, 10 of it is from the jungle. It is served with juicy ayam percik together with ulam such as bunga kantan (wild ginger), tauge (beansprout), kobis merah (purple cabbage), timun (cucumber) and kacang panjang (long bean), and of course Kelantan signature budu.


Nasi Kerabu Hitam/Black 
The rice is made by cooking it with daun mengkudu (indian mulberry leaf) and kaffir lime leaf - most rare type of Nasi Kerabu. The side dishes and sauce are again similar just that the taste of the rice is more herb-ish and the kaffir lime leaf creates the nice frangrant.

To be honest, Nasi Kerabu Hitam is the only one that I have yet to sample. If you know where I can get this, please ping as I plan to revisit Kelantan very very soon. 

#JejakWarisanBachok and #JejakAdiguru 2023 Media Fam Trip is organized by Tourism Malaysia Wilayah Timur in partnership with all its sponsors.

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Rumah Tiang 12 (12-Pole House) : Rumah Kelantan

Have you ever wondered about the architecture in Malay homes that is usually differentiated by state, culture and perhaps also by occupation? Those living in coastal areas tend to build their homes on poles and this can be seen especially on the east coast, as it is prone to monsoon flooding. Where else, those on the west coast are sometimes based on culture, such as Melaka House or even Minangkabau House (in Negeri Sembilan state). 

As a person who has visited Terengganu many times and is familiar with Terengganu House, this has made me wonder about Kelantan House, the significant architecture of Kelantan House, also known as Rumah Tiang 12 or 12-Pole House. 

Johan Ariff Ismail, a proud owner of the 150 years old Rumah Tiang 12 in Kelantan, has shared astounding details that will leave you spellbound by its wondrous architecture. Due to its location, it comes as no surprise that the Kelantan architecture is heavily influenced by Siam as a result of trading activities via the Golok River. 

Atap Singgora (Singgora Roof Tile)

The characteristic of a 12-Pole House is that it is a modular home made up of three main sections, namely the Rumah Ibu (Main House) with a Serambi (veranda), Rumah Tengah (Middle or Central House) and the Rumah Dapur (Kitchen House). Also to note that the middle house and kitchen house are where rooms are being sectioned/placed. It consists of 12 main poles for the main house - 6 verandah poles and 6 poles at the Main House hence 12-Pole House. 

Modular House (credit to Nasir Abdul Halim)

Another highlight of a Kelantan House is the Jemuran Basah or Selasar (Passageway). This is an open common area for families to gather, rest and socialise with one another. 

'Alif' (Jalal) and 'ba' (Jamal) design (credit to Abdullah Mohamed)

The feature wall is based on Janda Hias and Janda Ria consists of the 'alif' (Jalal) and 'ba' (Jamal) design, occasionally you will see beautiful carving on these panels that denote the social status of the family. 

Pemeles

Another characteristic that is often mentioned is the 'pemeles' or loosely translated as a decorated crown, but in architecture the term would be a barge board. From my observation on why it is called pemeles, perhaps because of the shape of the pemeles is similar to the royal crown, of which also the shape/design of the barge board. 

Pagar Musang (Carved balustrade)

Pagar Musang is a beautifully carved balustrade; a low railings of stone, wood, metal etc, built to prevent falls from staircases, balconies and verandahs. This is also a unique trait to a Kelantan House. 

During this visit I learnt that there are not many Kelantan houses and this is said that due to the development and modernisation, in embracing this withhold our culture and heritage. I hope with my writing, you guys will appreciate and love local architecture more and make a trip to Rumah Tiang 12, in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

Note : Photo are taken at Rumah Tiang 12, Kota Bharu, Kelantan

#JejakWarisanBachok and #JejakAdiguru 2023 Media Fam Trip is organized by Tourism Malaysia Wilayah Timur in partnership with all its sponsors.

#TourismMalaysiaWilayahTimur #CutiCutiMalaysia