Kuala Lampur, Oct. 20 -- I remember standing by the water in Pasir Gudang, looking towards the horizon and wondering how far the world really went.

There were ships in the distance, some moving slowly while others seemed to be waiting for their turn at the busy port.

Across the water was Singapore, or at least that was what I imagined I was looking at. I could never be entirely sure which buildings belonged to which part of the shoreline, but it hardly mattered.

There was so much happening out there, and to a boy growing up in Pontian, the whole scene seemed wonderfully alive.

We were actually in Pasir Gudang to visit Abah's youngest sister and her family, who lived there. It was one of those family visits that formed part of growing ...