Friday, August 24, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Ramadhan Kareem
Alhamdulillah, niat untuk sekali lagi menghabiskan 10 malam terakhir ramadhan tahun ini di masjid al haram tercapai. hasrat itu didorong kuat oleh keinginan untuk mendekati diri dengan yang Maha Esa serta kerinduan saya kepada suara merdu imam imam masjid al haram. Setidak tidaknya disana saya dapat melupakan semua urusan kerja dan dapat menumpukan sepenuh waktu mendekati diri pada yang Maha Esa.
Kota Medina al Munawarah dan masjid Nabawi tidak banyak berubah tapi jumlah jemaah di ramadhan kali ini rasanya lebih ramai dibanding 3 tahun lalu. kesesakan di raudah dan makam nabi sangat ketara. walaupun kali ini saya tidak berpeluang menunaikan solat dan berdoa di dalam raudah (kerana kesesakan yang terlampau), saya masih bersyukur kerana diberi peluang lagi oleh yang Maha Esa untuk mengungungi kota suci nabi kita.
Keadaan di kota suci Mekkah agak berbeza dibandingkan dengan kunjungan-kunjungan saya dulu. tidak lagi terdapat hotel hotel sederhana di sekeliling masjid al haram kerana sudah di robohkan bagi digantikan dengan hotel hotel baru. penginapan saya kali ini agak jauh dari masjid al haram, mungkin sekitar 600 hingga 700 meter dari masjid. hasrat untuk berpindah ke hotel swissotel yang berdekatan (150 meter) dari masjid saya terus pendamkan kerana harganya agak tinggi (from rm 40,000.00 untuk 10 malam terakhir ramadhan and excluding food). saya berfikir, lebih elok jika saya gunakan wang sebanyak itu untuk bersedekah. cost of living juga naik secara mendadak dibandingkan 3 tahun dulu. kalau dulu tambang taxi untuk mikat di tanaeem sekitar rm 40.00 - 50.00, tapi sekarang sudah rm 150.00. harga makanan dan keperluan lain juga melambung tinggi. jika fenomena ini tidak di kawal, saya khuatir satu hari nanti hanya orang orang yang sangat kaya sahaja dapat melakukan ibadah haji dan umrah.
tapi tujuan saya ke kota suci mekkah kali ini bukanlah untuk memikirkan hal hal tersebut, tapi untuk beriktiqaf, bertarawih dan bertahajjud di masjid suci ini. hati saya menjadi begitu sayu setiap kali saya solat dan melihat kaabah di hadapan mata saya. seperti pengalaman pengalaman dulu, 10 hari terakhir di bulan ramadhan di tanah suci mekkah al Mukarammah sangat mencabar dengan cuaca yang sangat panas, penginapan yang agak jauh, kesesakan yang terlampau di masjid akibat jumlah jemaah yang sangat ramai serta pelbagai ragam yang anih dari para jemaah dari setiap pelusuk dunia. sesungguhnya kesusahan dan kesabaran itu membuatkan kita lebih insaf dengan nikmat dan rezeki yang Allah berikan pada kita.
Alhamdulillah, saya sekali lagi diberikan oleh Allah kesihatan yang baik semasa di sana dan dapat menyempurnakan ibadah yang saya hajati. Berbekalkan pengalaman dulu, saya tidak banyak melakukan umrah di bulan puasa kali ini (walaupun pahala menunaikan umrah dibulan puasa sama dengan pahala seseorang itu mengerjakan haji) kerana saya mahu conserve tenaga saya untuk ibadah solat malam. keasikan suara imam al amki dan sheikh maher ketika mengimamkan solat tarawih yang mengambil masa lebih 2 jam tidak terasa lamanya. begitu juga 10 rakaat solat tahajjud (disatukan sengan solat tasbih) yang dimamkan oleh saud al shuraim dan abdurraman al sudess sangat sayu dan sahdu. solat yang bermula jam 1 pagi dan berakhir sekitar jam 3.30 pagi banyak memberi kesedaran dan rasa kesukuran buat diri saya. seperti juga imam dan jemaah jemaah lain, hati saya begitu sayu dan terharu, dan saya akan menangis kesedihan ketika melakukan solat tahajjud.
seperti biasa, malam 27 ramadhan adalah malam kemuncak yang ditunggu tunggu. sewaktu imam al sudess membaca doa yang mengambil masa hampir 30 minit di akhir solat withir,beliau akan teresak esak menangis begitu juga dengan keseluruhan jemaah, menjadikan suasana yang tersangat pilu dan sangat menginsafkan ....... malam ke 29 tidak kurang hebatnya. selepas khatam quran akhir solat tarawih, imam al sudess juga akan membaca doa yang panjang dan dan seperti suasana pada malam ke 27, ia juga merupakan malam yang sangat sahdu. mungkin dia merasa tersangat sedih kerana ramadhan akan pergi meninggalkan kita.
teringat saya pada pertanyaan seorang teman. 'why do you spend so much money for your end of ramadhan's umrah, wherelse you can cut cost if you perform the umrah at non peak season ? and my answer was very simple. " I pay the money just to cry "
Salam eidul fitr to all ...
Fort de Koch @ Bukit Tinggi
Hasrat ke bukit tinggi di Padang,Indonesia tercapai seminggu sebelum Ramadhan. Walaupun sudah kerap ke Indonesia, bukit tinggi adalah kunjungan pertama saya. Penerbangan ke Padang dari Kuala Lumpur mengambil masa satu jam. setibanya di bandara internasional Minangkabau, kami terus ambil taxi ke bukit tinggi. perjalanan hampir 3 jam dengan bayaran 250 ribu ruppiah agak meletihkan, ditambah dengah jalan yang macet dan migraine yang dirasai sejak beberapa hari yang lalu. di sepanjang jalan banyak gerai-gerai yang menjual durian dan tempat tempat perkelahan di pinggiran air terjun.
Tujuan utama ke bukit tinggi adalah untuk membeli telekung sulaman @ sulam goyang bagi disedekahkan dibulan ramadhan (lebihan di jual). rata-rata hotel di bukit tinggi agak sederhana. di pusat bandar tiada terdapat hotel 5 bintang. kami menginap di sebuah hotel bertaraf 3 bintang (tapi realitinya bertaraf 1 bintang). dari hotel ke pasar atas (tempat jualan telekung) mengambil masa 10 minit dengan menaiki pengangkutan awam @ angkut (bayaran 2 ribu ruppiah). Pasar atas adalah tempat membeli belah telekung dan keperluan pakainan muslim terletak berhampiran jam gadang, landmark utama di bandar bukit tinggi. Harga telekung memang murah di pasar atas dan harganya berbeza menurut jenis kain dan sulamannya. Telekung sulam goyang yang cantik berharga sekitar 1 juta ruppiah @ rm 350.00 sahaja, berbanding dengan harga di kuala lumpur yang dijual sekitar rm 900.00 hingga rm 1200.00.
Nasi padang adalah signture dish di bukit tinggi dan terdapat banyak sekali restoran yang menjual makanan tersebut disana. well, having said and done, saya masih prefer nasi padang di restoren di jalan yap kwan seng KL atau di jalan kacang raya Jakarta.
Satu lagi yang menjadi kegilaan saya semasa di bukit tinggi adalah menaiki bendi @ horse cart mengelilingi kota bukit tinggi. walaupun harganya agak mahal kerana mereka mengenakan tourist rate, but it's worth the money and experience. Berhampiran jam gadang terdapat base untuk bendi-bendi tersebut.
Sebelum pulang kami menginap satu malam di hotel 5 bintang di bandar Padang. Hotelnya baru dan belum sepenuhnya siap. Semasa dalam perjalan pulang ke airport, kami di beritahu oleh pak supir bahawa hotel yang saya menginap itu baru di bina semula dan ditukar dengan nama baru. Hotel asal di tapak itu ranap sama sekali akibat gempa bumi beberapa tahun dulu. ramai juga tetamu di hotel tersebut tertimbus akibat kejadian gempa itu. Seram sejuk saya dia buatnya . No wonder the hotel offer a very good rate !!!!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Perjalanan Ke Al-Quds
Rencana untuk menziarah masjid al aqsa di al-quds @ baitul maqdis yang terletak di old city of jerusalem di wilayah tebing barat palestin dirancang hampir 6 bulan lalu. Setelah sekian lama menunggu akhirnya permohonan group visa serta security clearance untuk memasuki wilayah tebing barat telah diluluskan oleh pihak keselamatan israel pada akhir januari 2010. Kami memulakan perjalanan ke damuscus, syria sebelum ke amman, jordan.
Perjalanan ke sempadan jordan palestin mengambil masa lebih dari satu jam dari amman. Kami memasuki tebing barat melalui Allenby check point @ king hussain bridge. perasaan berdebar dan khuatir mula terasa selepas kami melintasi security check point pertama pihak keselamatan israel yang lengkap bersenjatakan M-16. Walaupun kami tiba di imigresen check point sebelum 10.00 pagi, sudah berbaris panjang warga palestin dan pelancung asing. Sungguh aneh, tebing barat milik palestin tapi urusan imigresen dan keselamatan di kendalikan sepenuhnya oleh yahudi israel. memandangkan pihak imigresen israel telah dimaklumkan akan kedatangan kumpulan kami,maka mereka membuka satu laluan khusus untuk kami. Tidak pernah terfikir di hati saya, untuk melepasi pihak imigresen sahaja kami terpaksa melalui enam pasport control. Proses pasport control agak lancar dan memakan masa satu jam setengah. Tuhan saja yang tahu betapa resahnya kami apabila dua orang ahli kumpulan kami dipanggil untuk soal siasat hampir 2 jam oleh pihak keselamatan israel. Yang menakjubkan saya hampir kesemua warga yahudi yang mengendalikan soal imigresen dan keselamatan di check point tersebut dilakukan oleh anak anak muda mereka yang saya anggarkan berumur dalam dua pulohan sahaja.
Pemandu kami di tebing barat adalah seorang warga palestin beragama islam. walaupun dia sudah berumur 69 tahun tapi masih terpaksa bekerja bagi menyara kehidupan keluarganya. Sebelum ke jerusalam kami berhenti makan di Jericho.Kami terpaksa melalui 2 lagi security check point sebelum tiba di east jerusalem. di setiap check point kami di minta menunjukan pasport dan visa yang asal.Di sepanjang perjalanan saya dapat melihat beberapa penempatan yahudi yang didirikan atas tanah milik rakyat palestin serta tembok concrete yang didirikan oleh pihak israel yang memisahkan bumi palestin. Tembuk tersebut seakan akan tembuk berlin yang memisahkan german barat dengan jerman timur. cuma bezanya di tembok yang didirikan oleh yahudi itu tidak terdapat lukisan lukisan grafiti.

(pemandangan hadapan masjidi al aqsa di al-quds @ baitul maqdis. masjid asal terletak dibawah bangunan masjid ini)
Memasuki baitul maqdis untuk ke masjidil al aqsa adalah impian saya sejak sekian lama. Masjid al aqsa banyak disebut dalam al quran dan pernah dikunjungi oleh Nabi Muhammad s.a.w semasa peristiwa israq dan mi'raj. Masjid al aqsa boleh dimasuki dari beberapa pintu yang dikawal ketat oleh pihak keselamatan israel. Kebetulan semasa kunjungan kami, penganut yahudi sedang merayakan passover holiday, maka bandar jerusalem dipenuhi oleh ratusan ribu penganut yahudi yang datang dari setiap pelusuk benua. Ini ditambah pula dengan penganut kristian yang berkunjung ke holly land mereka. pada waktu solat waktu kebenaran untuk memasuki pintu kota baitul maqdis untuk ke masjid al aqsa hanya diberikan kepada warga palestin yang berumur lebih 50 tahun dan pelancung beragama islam. Untuk melepasi pihak keselamatan israel, saya terpaksa menunjukan pasport. saya juga diminta membaca surah al-fathihah oleh pihak keselamatan israel bagi membuktikan saya seorang islam.
saya begitu sayu dan terpegun kali pertama melihat masjid al aqsa dan doom of the rock @ qubbah al-sakhrah. Ini mengingatkan kesayauan saya kali pertama melihat kaabah lebih 10 tahun lalu. Saya mengambil kesempatan melakukan solat tahiyatul masjid dan solat sunat dhuha di dalam masjid al aqsa yang asal yang merupakan seakan akan sebuah gua (masjid al aqsa sekarang dibina diatas gua tersebut). semasa kumpulan kami sedang berbual dengan imam di dalam masjid, seorang askar yahudi lengkap dengan senjata M-16 memasuki masjid untuk meninjau perbuatan kami didalam masjid. sementara menunggu waktu zohor saya sempat berbual dengan imam tersebut serta beberapa warga palestin lain.sedih mendengar tentang penderitaan serta kekecewaan rakyat palestin kerana tidak mendapat pembelaan dari pemimpin pemimpin negara islam lain (mungkin saya akan ceritakan tentang keluhan, kesengsaraan, kehampaan, penderitaan serta harapan rakyat palestin dalam tulisan saya yang lain). kesempatan menunaikan solat maghrib dan isyak di masjid al aqsa dan doom of the rock tidak saya lepaskan. Yang menyedihkan pihak yahudi tanpa menghormati umat islam yang sedang sembahyang berpesta riuh dengan music yang kuat di kawasan dataran di bawah masjid al aqsa sehingga menganggu jemaah yang sedang solat. Ini kerap dilakukan sewaktu umat islam sedang melakukan solat terutamanya pada waktu maghrib dan isyak.

(doom of the rock @ qubbah al-sakhrah dilihat dari hadapan masjid. semua bangunan di kawasan ini termasuk masjid utama, doom of the rock, masjid Al-Buraq dan masjid Umar merupakan komplex yang dipanggil masjidil al aqsa. pihak yahudi sekarang sedang membuat propaganda dengan mengatakan bahawa doom of the rock bukan merupakan sebahagian daripada masjidi al aqsa. orang yahudi percaya tapak dome of the rock merupakan tempat paling suci agama mereka dan berhasrat untuk memiliki tapak tersebut)
Sepanjang pemerhatian saya, pelancung yang bukan berugama islam (yahudi dan kristian) hanya dibenarkan melawat perkarangan masjid al aqsa dan doom of the rock (tempat nabi muhammad s.a.w memulakan perjalanan ke langit ketujuh. batu tersebut merukan batu yang ingin mengikuti rasullullah ke langit tapi dihalang oleh baginda) di waktu umat islam tidak mengerjakan solat waktu. mereka hanya dibenarkan ke perkarangan masjid dalam kumpulan yang kecil dan akan diiringi oleh pihak keselamatan israel yang lengkap bersenjata.

(pemandangan di satu sudut di dalam masjid al aqsa yang asal yang dipercayai merupakan tempat nabi muhammad s.a.w melakukan solat sebagai imam bersama para nabi yang lain semasa peristiwa israk dan mi'raj)
sesungguhnya saya rasa sangat bersyukur kerana telah dipilih menjadi tetamu Allah menziarahi masjid ketiga tersuci ini. beberapa hari sebelum kedatangan kami satu kumpulan dari indonesia telah dihalang oleh pihak keselamatan israel daripada memasuki masjid al aqsa.
Perjalanan ke sempadan jordan palestin mengambil masa lebih dari satu jam dari amman. Kami memasuki tebing barat melalui Allenby check point @ king hussain bridge. perasaan berdebar dan khuatir mula terasa selepas kami melintasi security check point pertama pihak keselamatan israel yang lengkap bersenjatakan M-16. Walaupun kami tiba di imigresen check point sebelum 10.00 pagi, sudah berbaris panjang warga palestin dan pelancung asing. Sungguh aneh, tebing barat milik palestin tapi urusan imigresen dan keselamatan di kendalikan sepenuhnya oleh yahudi israel. memandangkan pihak imigresen israel telah dimaklumkan akan kedatangan kumpulan kami,maka mereka membuka satu laluan khusus untuk kami. Tidak pernah terfikir di hati saya, untuk melepasi pihak imigresen sahaja kami terpaksa melalui enam pasport control. Proses pasport control agak lancar dan memakan masa satu jam setengah. Tuhan saja yang tahu betapa resahnya kami apabila dua orang ahli kumpulan kami dipanggil untuk soal siasat hampir 2 jam oleh pihak keselamatan israel. Yang menakjubkan saya hampir kesemua warga yahudi yang mengendalikan soal imigresen dan keselamatan di check point tersebut dilakukan oleh anak anak muda mereka yang saya anggarkan berumur dalam dua pulohan sahaja.
Pemandu kami di tebing barat adalah seorang warga palestin beragama islam. walaupun dia sudah berumur 69 tahun tapi masih terpaksa bekerja bagi menyara kehidupan keluarganya. Sebelum ke jerusalam kami berhenti makan di Jericho.Kami terpaksa melalui 2 lagi security check point sebelum tiba di east jerusalem. di setiap check point kami di minta menunjukan pasport dan visa yang asal.Di sepanjang perjalanan saya dapat melihat beberapa penempatan yahudi yang didirikan atas tanah milik rakyat palestin serta tembok concrete yang didirikan oleh pihak israel yang memisahkan bumi palestin. Tembuk tersebut seakan akan tembuk berlin yang memisahkan german barat dengan jerman timur. cuma bezanya di tembok yang didirikan oleh yahudi itu tidak terdapat lukisan lukisan grafiti.
(pemandangan hadapan masjidi al aqsa di al-quds @ baitul maqdis. masjid asal terletak dibawah bangunan masjid ini)
Memasuki baitul maqdis untuk ke masjidil al aqsa adalah impian saya sejak sekian lama. Masjid al aqsa banyak disebut dalam al quran dan pernah dikunjungi oleh Nabi Muhammad s.a.w semasa peristiwa israq dan mi'raj. Masjid al aqsa boleh dimasuki dari beberapa pintu yang dikawal ketat oleh pihak keselamatan israel. Kebetulan semasa kunjungan kami, penganut yahudi sedang merayakan passover holiday, maka bandar jerusalem dipenuhi oleh ratusan ribu penganut yahudi yang datang dari setiap pelusuk benua. Ini ditambah pula dengan penganut kristian yang berkunjung ke holly land mereka. pada waktu solat waktu kebenaran untuk memasuki pintu kota baitul maqdis untuk ke masjid al aqsa hanya diberikan kepada warga palestin yang berumur lebih 50 tahun dan pelancung beragama islam. Untuk melepasi pihak keselamatan israel, saya terpaksa menunjukan pasport. saya juga diminta membaca surah al-fathihah oleh pihak keselamatan israel bagi membuktikan saya seorang islam.
saya begitu sayu dan terpegun kali pertama melihat masjid al aqsa dan doom of the rock @ qubbah al-sakhrah. Ini mengingatkan kesayauan saya kali pertama melihat kaabah lebih 10 tahun lalu. Saya mengambil kesempatan melakukan solat tahiyatul masjid dan solat sunat dhuha di dalam masjid al aqsa yang asal yang merupakan seakan akan sebuah gua (masjid al aqsa sekarang dibina diatas gua tersebut). semasa kumpulan kami sedang berbual dengan imam di dalam masjid, seorang askar yahudi lengkap dengan senjata M-16 memasuki masjid untuk meninjau perbuatan kami didalam masjid. sementara menunggu waktu zohor saya sempat berbual dengan imam tersebut serta beberapa warga palestin lain.sedih mendengar tentang penderitaan serta kekecewaan rakyat palestin kerana tidak mendapat pembelaan dari pemimpin pemimpin negara islam lain (mungkin saya akan ceritakan tentang keluhan, kesengsaraan, kehampaan, penderitaan serta harapan rakyat palestin dalam tulisan saya yang lain). kesempatan menunaikan solat maghrib dan isyak di masjid al aqsa dan doom of the rock tidak saya lepaskan. Yang menyedihkan pihak yahudi tanpa menghormati umat islam yang sedang sembahyang berpesta riuh dengan music yang kuat di kawasan dataran di bawah masjid al aqsa sehingga menganggu jemaah yang sedang solat. Ini kerap dilakukan sewaktu umat islam sedang melakukan solat terutamanya pada waktu maghrib dan isyak.
(doom of the rock @ qubbah al-sakhrah dilihat dari hadapan masjid. semua bangunan di kawasan ini termasuk masjid utama, doom of the rock, masjid Al-Buraq dan masjid Umar merupakan komplex yang dipanggil masjidil al aqsa. pihak yahudi sekarang sedang membuat propaganda dengan mengatakan bahawa doom of the rock bukan merupakan sebahagian daripada masjidi al aqsa. orang yahudi percaya tapak dome of the rock merupakan tempat paling suci agama mereka dan berhasrat untuk memiliki tapak tersebut)
Sepanjang pemerhatian saya, pelancung yang bukan berugama islam (yahudi dan kristian) hanya dibenarkan melawat perkarangan masjid al aqsa dan doom of the rock (tempat nabi muhammad s.a.w memulakan perjalanan ke langit ketujuh. batu tersebut merukan batu yang ingin mengikuti rasullullah ke langit tapi dihalang oleh baginda) di waktu umat islam tidak mengerjakan solat waktu. mereka hanya dibenarkan ke perkarangan masjid dalam kumpulan yang kecil dan akan diiringi oleh pihak keselamatan israel yang lengkap bersenjata.
(pemandangan di satu sudut di dalam masjid al aqsa yang asal yang dipercayai merupakan tempat nabi muhammad s.a.w melakukan solat sebagai imam bersama para nabi yang lain semasa peristiwa israk dan mi'raj)
sesungguhnya saya rasa sangat bersyukur kerana telah dipilih menjadi tetamu Allah menziarahi masjid ketiga tersuci ini. beberapa hari sebelum kedatangan kami satu kumpulan dari indonesia telah dihalang oleh pihak keselamatan israel daripada memasuki masjid al aqsa.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
My Next Stop
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Soro & The Boyo
Overslept & woke up late for the flight to Surabaya this morning. The trip was planned well in advanced. Paying airasia Rm 182.00 for the return trip for 2 person is what I call an exceptionally super bargain. Reached LCCT just in time for the check-in. Being fairly busy over the last couple of weeks, I must have forgotten to book the hotel on line. And as usual, the flight was delayed by almost 40 minutes (a trade mark of airasia I suppose). Just a couple of months ago I was cursing when my flight to phuket was also delayed by almost 4 hours.
Reaching Juanda International airport 2 hours 30 minutes later, I was presently surprise to see that the airport was fairy big and modern (according to indonesian standard). Booked the hotel through the local travel agent at the airport. We settled for Surabaya plaza hotel, a 4 star smoking free hotel (knowing how well the Indonesians smoke, i do really need some breathing space !). I’m fairly surprise that JW Marriott in Surabaya is not a smoke free hotel!. The thing I always admire about Indonesia (medan excluded) is their taxi drivers. First and foremost, they make you welcome, they are generally polite, proud of their profession, uses the meter and hardly cheat on you (apply to the bluebird group of company). This is in sharp contrast to our very own breed of taxi drivers (of course the government of present has to share some responsibility for indirectly protecting this unscrupulous and selfish bunch of homo sapiens).
According to the local myth, this city witnessed the great battle between the white shark (suro) and the white crocodile (boyo) who fought each other to gain the title of the strongest and most powerful animal. Being the second largest city in Indonesia, the city is undergoing rapid transformation with a lot of modern high rise buildings in the making. Fairly typical of Indonesian cities, the only set back is the traffic congestion (macet). Like most other cities in Indonesia, I must say as a whole there is nothing unique about Surabaya. Tunjungan Plaza is perhaps the largest mall with a lot of internationally branded outlets. Opps, I just love the freshly chilled avocado juice from excelso.
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(the land mark of the city)
One thing that excites me about this once glorious majapahit kingdom is the abundance of small street kiosks trading in gold jewellery. No wonder the people from east Indonesia is so obsessed in buying gold jewelleries as they can easily disposed them off without hassle for quick cash at the numerous buying back street kiosks.
.JPG)
( if only our ah longs can set up kiosks like this to render their service !)
On a different note we were quite dismayed as our intention of bringing back our second domestic helper did not materialize. It seems that 10 days is still insufficient time for our embassy in Jakarta to process all the required travel documents.
Reaching Juanda International airport 2 hours 30 minutes later, I was presently surprise to see that the airport was fairy big and modern (according to indonesian standard). Booked the hotel through the local travel agent at the airport. We settled for Surabaya plaza hotel, a 4 star smoking free hotel (knowing how well the Indonesians smoke, i do really need some breathing space !). I’m fairly surprise that JW Marriott in Surabaya is not a smoke free hotel!. The thing I always admire about Indonesia (medan excluded) is their taxi drivers. First and foremost, they make you welcome, they are generally polite, proud of their profession, uses the meter and hardly cheat on you (apply to the bluebird group of company). This is in sharp contrast to our very own breed of taxi drivers (of course the government of present has to share some responsibility for indirectly protecting this unscrupulous and selfish bunch of homo sapiens).
According to the local myth, this city witnessed the great battle between the white shark (suro) and the white crocodile (boyo) who fought each other to gain the title of the strongest and most powerful animal. Being the second largest city in Indonesia, the city is undergoing rapid transformation with a lot of modern high rise buildings in the making. Fairly typical of Indonesian cities, the only set back is the traffic congestion (macet). Like most other cities in Indonesia, I must say as a whole there is nothing unique about Surabaya. Tunjungan Plaza is perhaps the largest mall with a lot of internationally branded outlets. Opps, I just love the freshly chilled avocado juice from excelso.
(the land mark of the city)
One thing that excites me about this once glorious majapahit kingdom is the abundance of small street kiosks trading in gold jewellery. No wonder the people from east Indonesia is so obsessed in buying gold jewelleries as they can easily disposed them off without hassle for quick cash at the numerous buying back street kiosks.
( if only our ah longs can set up kiosks like this to render their service !)
On a different note we were quite dismayed as our intention of bringing back our second domestic helper did not materialize. It seems that 10 days is still insufficient time for our embassy in Jakarta to process all the required travel documents.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Dearest Alumni
It's been almost 25 years since we left the medical school. The chance to meet long lost friends and former teachers and mentors was an opportunity not to be miss. A few former teachers flew in all the way from Jakarta for the auspicious night. Little did i realized that 13% of our total alumni are consultants and specialists in their respective fields. and to Tan Sri Dato' Dr. Sharifah, I'll always remember you as my physiology lecturer (sorry, i never did like the subject anyway!) and not the present vice chancellor of university kebangsaan malaysia.

(these girls has grown up.....none wore skirts any more i suppose!)

professor freda meah, a world renowned endocrine surgeon. i was very much indebted to this great lady. needless to say many top surgeons in the country has benefited from her unselfish guidance. she has instilled good and meticulous surgical skills in her trainees.Thank you prof.thank you, thank you, thank you

(somehow our teachers appear younger than us !)
And thank you Jack @ Major General Dato' Dr. Razak for organizing the event. and not forgetting my good friend Din snake @ Dato' Dr. Zainuddin Wazir for donating RM 1 million ringgit to our alumni(so proud of you bro!).unlike the present day medical students who can afford to tour Europe with their scholarship money, the amount we received then were barely enough for our basic needs. well bro,i'm sure you still remember the hard days when we had to swallow maggie mee for lunch & dinner and the days the three of us had to share one nasi bungkus from our favourite warong bamboo.
(these girls has grown up.....none wore skirts any more i suppose!)
professor freda meah, a world renowned endocrine surgeon. i was very much indebted to this great lady. needless to say many top surgeons in the country has benefited from her unselfish guidance. she has instilled good and meticulous surgical skills in her trainees.Thank you prof.thank you, thank you, thank you
(somehow our teachers appear younger than us !)
And thank you Jack @ Major General Dato' Dr. Razak for organizing the event. and not forgetting my good friend Din snake @ Dato' Dr. Zainuddin Wazir for donating RM 1 million ringgit to our alumni(so proud of you bro!).unlike the present day medical students who can afford to tour Europe with their scholarship money, the amount we received then were barely enough for our basic needs. well bro,i'm sure you still remember the hard days when we had to swallow maggie mee for lunch & dinner and the days the three of us had to share one nasi bungkus from our favourite warong bamboo.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Life Goes On ......
Since early September Puan SN has been convincing me to join her on a mission to cambodia. Been a regular volunteer to the country, she really assured that our service is much needed there. Unlike other NGOs with thick pockets (donated by the ever generous malaysia public), we set on our mission with our very own resources.
So there we were,on the morning of November 25, the seven of us (2 medical specialists, 3 young nurses, puan SN & husband) were in cambodia. From the airport we rented a van and travelled north to kompong thom some 200 km away from phomn phen. On arrival, we were greeted by the local imam who also offer us his house for us to sleep.It's a far cry from what we're used to ....but then we're here not on holiday.
I couldn't help feeling so sorry for them. many children were just malnourished and running around without a shirt and slipper.(a typical scenario in our own kampongs way back in the 60's or early 70's) One could see the grateful glisters in their eyes whenever puan SN handed them a small token of candy she bought from mydin.Sometimes it's just unimaginable ... the sarongs they wore were so worn out that one would not even think of using it to wash his car!

The imam was kind enough to allow us to use the masjid annexe as our clinic base. The patients were endless and the crowd kept growing.Despite working on a very basic and limited resources, we could feel how grateful they were. We felt so sorry for those who had to walk several kilometers away only to be told that we're running out of medications !!! (oppss, thank you to some of our GP friends who were kind enough to donate some of the medications)

Lining up were young boys eagerly waiting to be circumcised.It was tiring but thanks God, using the clamp technique, between us we managed to circumcised 105 children in 2 days. I could sense the tears of happiness in their parents knowing that their children underwent a relatively short and painless procedure. Even on the morning of our departure, there were parents who were begging us to circumcise their children.

Insyaallah we'll be in cambodia again in a near future (hopefully in kompong cinnang).Hope to bring more circumcision clamps (costing rm 35.00 each, ... sponsors are most welcome). Self sponsored volunteers are also welcome to joint us !
So there we were,on the morning of November 25, the seven of us (2 medical specialists, 3 young nurses, puan SN & husband) were in cambodia. From the airport we rented a van and travelled north to kompong thom some 200 km away from phomn phen. On arrival, we were greeted by the local imam who also offer us his house for us to sleep.It's a far cry from what we're used to ....but then we're here not on holiday.
I couldn't help feeling so sorry for them. many children were just malnourished and running around without a shirt and slipper.(a typical scenario in our own kampongs way back in the 60's or early 70's) One could see the grateful glisters in their eyes whenever puan SN handed them a small token of candy she bought from mydin.Sometimes it's just unimaginable ... the sarongs they wore were so worn out that one would not even think of using it to wash his car!
The imam was kind enough to allow us to use the masjid annexe as our clinic base. The patients were endless and the crowd kept growing.Despite working on a very basic and limited resources, we could feel how grateful they were. We felt so sorry for those who had to walk several kilometers away only to be told that we're running out of medications !!! (oppss, thank you to some of our GP friends who were kind enough to donate some of the medications)
Lining up were young boys eagerly waiting to be circumcised.It was tiring but thanks God, using the clamp technique, between us we managed to circumcised 105 children in 2 days. I could sense the tears of happiness in their parents knowing that their children underwent a relatively short and painless procedure. Even on the morning of our departure, there were parents who were begging us to circumcise their children.
Insyaallah we'll be in cambodia again in a near future (hopefully in kompong cinnang).Hope to bring more circumcision clamps (costing rm 35.00 each, ... sponsors are most welcome). Self sponsored volunteers are also welcome to joint us !
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Reunion
SATURDAY November 17, 2009 @ Ri-Yaz Marina Resort & Spa
...." hey where have you been ??????. why do we lost touch ???? ". well at a glance i didn't realized that it was her. it's been more than 30 years since i last saw her and the rest of them. of course i still remember her and our little secrets ... how could I ???.
The Reunion brought fond memories of the yesteryears. meeting most of them for the first time after more than 30 years was just too touching & emotional. there was so much things to talk (had to adjourned the session to primula over dinner !). quote from one of our former teacher - "seems to me that all the naughty students of mine is doing well in life!". i might have forgotten some of the faces, but their names sound familiar. well, growing up together in a small town was such a fun. regardless of the ethnicity, we were just like a big happy family - i would say we practice 1 Malaysia years ago.
To all friends,.... thank you for such a wonderful and memorable evening. please do get in touch. and ,.... oppsss, she still owe me a coffee !!!!



...." hey where have you been ??????. why do we lost touch ???? ". well at a glance i didn't realized that it was her. it's been more than 30 years since i last saw her and the rest of them. of course i still remember her and our little secrets ... how could I ???.
The Reunion brought fond memories of the yesteryears. meeting most of them for the first time after more than 30 years was just too touching & emotional. there was so much things to talk (had to adjourned the session to primula over dinner !). quote from one of our former teacher - "seems to me that all the naughty students of mine is doing well in life!". i might have forgotten some of the faces, but their names sound familiar. well, growing up together in a small town was such a fun. regardless of the ethnicity, we were just like a big happy family - i would say we practice 1 Malaysia years ago.
To all friends,.... thank you for such a wonderful and memorable evening. please do get in touch. and ,.... oppsss, she still owe me a coffee !!!!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
MaKan & MaKan Lagi
To all Friends yang sempat berkunjung semalam .... Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. Nice meeting you all (oppss, after soooooo many years!)
Pada yang tak sempat jumpa semalam, see you all in Ri-Yaz Heritage Resort & Spa next Saturday, October 17. Please be informed that the venue is at 'VERENDAH' and the function will start at 3.00 pm sharp.
Pada yang tak sempat jumpa semalam, see you all in Ri-Yaz Heritage Resort & Spa next Saturday, October 17. Please be informed that the venue is at 'VERENDAH' and the function will start at 3.00 pm sharp.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Good Luck Dear
Thursday, October 1, 2009
What A Raya .......
Sampai tanah malaya dah nak hampir senja, dah nak masuk malam raya. capet banget deh sebab gak bisa tidur masa dalam pesawat !. tekak dah mula perit dan batuk semakin menjadi jadi -sinario biasa aku setiap kali lepas pulang dari tanah haram. preparation untuk raya tahun ini below par. lepas beli lemang & rendang di pasar dato keramat terus tarik selimut sebab temperature sudah rising. the whole night jugak tak boleh lena sebab asyik terbatuk batuk !. bangun pagi dah kol 10.15, confirm solat sunat edul fitri terlepas. suara pun dah tak keluar !!. walaupun jiran-jiran di sebelah dan depan rumah juga tak balik kampung, tapi tak terasa pun seperti hari lebaran !!!!. well, the whole day berayalah kita sekeluarga di rumah dengan instant lemang & kueh kueh kering.
the problem started on the second day of raya. kata adik "kok jadi begini buk, gak ada papa yang enak mau di maken". and as usual adik came up with a bright ideal. so, there we were ....hari raya brunch in our favourite serena in nikko.
Hopefully we had a better raya next year .....

(hidangan hari raya 2009)

(waduh, kok uda besar mau di suapin !)

(makan tetap makan)
Looking forward to a better raya next year
& to all friends, a belated selamat hari raya dari kami sekeluarga.
the problem started on the second day of raya. kata adik "kok jadi begini buk, gak ada papa yang enak mau di maken". and as usual adik came up with a bright ideal. so, there we were ....hari raya brunch in our favourite serena in nikko.
Hopefully we had a better raya next year .....
(hidangan hari raya 2009)
(waduh, kok uda besar mau di suapin !)
(makan tetap makan)
Looking forward to a better raya next year
& to all friends, a belated selamat hari raya dari kami sekeluarga.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Tarawih & Tahajud
Dapat juga aku menghabiskan hari hari terakhir ramadhan tahun ini di masjid al haram. kali terakhir aku bersujud mengadap baitullah adalah pada akhir ramadhan 2006. suara imam al saudis dan al makki masih seperti dulu, begitu syahdu dan merdu dan membuat aku menangis hiba semasa bersujud menunaikan solat tarawih dan tahajud.walaupun kali ini cuaca tersangat panas dan tempat penginapan lebih jauh dari masjid (akibat kerja kerja pengubahsuaian masjid), aku bersyukur kerana dapat melakukan ibadah dengan penuh keinsafan dan kesabaran.semoga Tuhan ampun segala dosa dosa aku.

(menunggu iftar diperkarangan masjid al nabawi)

(pemandangan masjid al haram dari hotel)

(suasana di dalam masjid al haram)

(sekadar berlindung dari panas matahari dengan suhu sekitar 49 C)
Ya Allah, semoga engkau memberi peluang lagi kepada ku untuk mengunjungi tanah haram mu. tambahkanlah kepada baitullah kebesaran, keagungan, kehebatan dan juga kemuliaan. Amin.
(menunggu iftar diperkarangan masjid al nabawi)
(pemandangan masjid al haram dari hotel)
(suasana di dalam masjid al haram)
(sekadar berlindung dari panas matahari dengan suhu sekitar 49 C)
Ya Allah, semoga engkau memberi peluang lagi kepada ku untuk mengunjungi tanah haram mu. tambahkanlah kepada baitullah kebesaran, keagungan, kehebatan dan juga kemuliaan. Amin.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Al-Fathihah ... A Traggic Farewell
i've known the late dr. amin tai and dr. haliza since my early days in hospital kuala lumpur way back in 1985. our friendship grew even stronger ever since we started working together in the same organization since the last 10 years. A renowned pediatric surgeon, an active mercy volunteer and a nature lover, amin tai will always be remembered by family members and friends. likewise, haliza a skillful & caring pediatrician and also an active mercy volunteer will also be sadly missed by all friends.
Their decomposed bodies were airlifted from a deep ravine in bukit taboh, hulu klang yesterday evening. been among the first to identify the body, at a glance i just couldn't recognize them, but the backpacks stacked to their bodies were definitely theirs.
Amin and haliza were schedule to scale mount kinabalu again on saturday with a few other friends. i presumed on that fated wednesday evening, both must have decided to go for a warm-up before the kinabalu trip. Both were seasoned trekkers, having been to the everest base camp, and having reached some of the highest peaks in africa and asia. Why the need for a warm-up when they have conquered the kinabalu peak before.
i'll always remember amin as a close friend and a mentor. to the many surgeons in the country who were trained by him, will definitely remember him for his patience, fine decision makings, skill surgical techniques and his dedications to his job. and mercy will now be without 2 active volunteers for medical emergencies.
Al-Fathihah to dear friends. May Allah rest both of you in peace and make your abode in Jannah.
Their decomposed bodies were airlifted from a deep ravine in bukit taboh, hulu klang yesterday evening. been among the first to identify the body, at a glance i just couldn't recognize them, but the backpacks stacked to their bodies were definitely theirs.
Amin and haliza were schedule to scale mount kinabalu again on saturday with a few other friends. i presumed on that fated wednesday evening, both must have decided to go for a warm-up before the kinabalu trip. Both were seasoned trekkers, having been to the everest base camp, and having reached some of the highest peaks in africa and asia. Why the need for a warm-up when they have conquered the kinabalu peak before.
i'll always remember amin as a close friend and a mentor. to the many surgeons in the country who were trained by him, will definitely remember him for his patience, fine decision makings, skill surgical techniques and his dedications to his job. and mercy will now be without 2 active volunteers for medical emergencies.
Al-Fathihah to dear friends. May Allah rest both of you in peace and make your abode in Jannah.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Sabar Aja lah
dulu kata nak a bigger car, kereta yang lebih tinggi, boleh nampak traffic ahead. and now after driving for 2 weeks, katanya tak bestlah sangat, bawak rasa bumpy semacamlah, tak der accelerationlah, nak park susahlah. sekarang ni ada orang tu asyik bawak kereta kita pulak. ish ish ish sabooooorrrrr aje lah.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Jakarta Revisited
I can't exactly remember how many time i've visited this city, but for sure this was my second visit for the year. For the kiddos this was their first even venture. Over the years, jakarta has really transformed. back in the mid 90's when grand hyatt was THE only hotel in town, one now is spoilt with choices of superb 5 stars accommodation.

(and there we were at Ascott. unfortunately we couldn't get the rooms on the higher floor as the occupancy rate was very high. needless to say, the location was good and very closed to the major shopping malls)

(view from the room overlooking the plaza indonesia and grand indonesia mall)
talking about jakarta, i'm always inspired by their inhabitants and their way of life. sometimes i think life is really unfair - looking at the poor on the street struggling hard to earn an honest living, the under privilege street kids and the helpless baggers. and in between the misery are the noble rich in their shinning lexus and bimmers (opss, btw i've already sold my bimmer !).

(and the greener part of jakarta pusat .... Ascott in the background)
Although the traffic in jakarta is a nightmare, i still feel that dbkl can learn a few tips from them to help manage our own chaotic traffic. For those who fancy shopping (the other half included), then jakarta should be on the list. for bargain hunters, mangga dua, tanah abang and blok m are among the options. Grand indonesia plaza is perhaps the biggest designers outlet mall in south east asia with hundreds of stalls ranging from nina ricci to harvey nicole. but the only setback is the branded goods in these stalls are perhaps 30 to 40% more expensive that in klcc - no wonder the jakartarians always shop for branded products overseas. and the mall also houses some fine restaurants (also fairly expensive and perhaps out of reach for ordinary jakartarians). we pay close to rm 400.00 for the dinner, which could have only cost us about rm 250.00 if it was in klcc)
.... and some of the images captured on our slr
....a must eat thing. despite on a 6 hourly feeding, i have only gained 0.5 kg in 3 days.


(a fairly common phenomena in jakarta ..."peaceful demonstration" . unlike in kl, the police were there to assist and not resist. and thanks god they never get sprayed!)

another common sight in downtown jakarta


(anybody fancy sop buntut or sop kepala kambing, then this is the place!)
(and there we were at Ascott. unfortunately we couldn't get the rooms on the higher floor as the occupancy rate was very high. needless to say, the location was good and very closed to the major shopping malls)
(view from the room overlooking the plaza indonesia and grand indonesia mall)
talking about jakarta, i'm always inspired by their inhabitants and their way of life. sometimes i think life is really unfair - looking at the poor on the street struggling hard to earn an honest living, the under privilege street kids and the helpless baggers. and in between the misery are the noble rich in their shinning lexus and bimmers (opss, btw i've already sold my bimmer !).
(and the greener part of jakarta pusat .... Ascott in the background)
Although the traffic in jakarta is a nightmare, i still feel that dbkl can learn a few tips from them to help manage our own chaotic traffic. For those who fancy shopping (the other half included), then jakarta should be on the list. for bargain hunters, mangga dua, tanah abang and blok m are among the options. Grand indonesia plaza is perhaps the biggest designers outlet mall in south east asia with hundreds of stalls ranging from nina ricci to harvey nicole. but the only setback is the branded goods in these stalls are perhaps 30 to 40% more expensive that in klcc - no wonder the jakartarians always shop for branded products overseas. and the mall also houses some fine restaurants (also fairly expensive and perhaps out of reach for ordinary jakartarians). we pay close to rm 400.00 for the dinner, which could have only cost us about rm 250.00 if it was in klcc)
.... and some of the images captured on our slr
....a must eat thing. despite on a 6 hourly feeding, i have only gained 0.5 kg in 3 days.
(a fairly common phenomena in jakarta ..."peaceful demonstration" . unlike in kl, the police were there to assist and not resist. and thanks god they never get sprayed!)
another common sight in downtown jakarta
(anybody fancy sop buntut or sop kepala kambing, then this is the place!)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Reunion
it's been more that 20 years since we left the medical school. and the opportunity to catch up with them again was very nostalgic. there are those whom i totally lost touch with. and for some, though we hardly met in person, their whereabouts were known as they constantly appeared in the newspapers and tvs. i must say i'm very proud of you people. and among us, quite a number of our children are now in the medical school scattered all over the world. to dato' charlie, dato' maamor, prof zea, jah and irma thank you for your effort and hard work in organizing the get together.

and some friends caught on my camera

(tapo & irma)

(daud, nazri @ head department ophthalmology kangar hospital, zai @ director of health services seremban)

(murni @ director tangling hospital kl, adib, rick @ consultant radiologist DSH, jee @ head department of psychiatry selayang hospital, man @ director serdang hospital)

(murni, jee, azie @ director utm student health clinic, noi @ deputy dean faculty of medicine uitm, adib @ practitioner kl)

(general ello @ consultant physician & director lumut hospital, yeop @ head department of pathology, ipoh hospital, zai, pian @ consultant anesthetist southern hospital melaka, daud)

(man, maamor @ persatuan pengguna islam)

(rick, jee, jah @ practitioner ipoh, muhaya @ consultant ophthalmologist prince court medical centre, ba'e @ batu pahat director of health services)
well friends, i'll load more pictures in my fotopages. till we meet again, you people take care !
and some friends caught on my camera
(tapo & irma)
(daud, nazri @ head department ophthalmology kangar hospital, zai @ director of health services seremban)
(murni @ director tangling hospital kl, adib, rick @ consultant radiologist DSH, jee @ head department of psychiatry selayang hospital, man @ director serdang hospital)
(murni, jee, azie @ director utm student health clinic, noi @ deputy dean faculty of medicine uitm, adib @ practitioner kl)
(general ello @ consultant physician & director lumut hospital, yeop @ head department of pathology, ipoh hospital, zai, pian @ consultant anesthetist southern hospital melaka, daud)
(man, maamor @ persatuan pengguna islam)
(rick, jee, jah @ practitioner ipoh, muhaya @ consultant ophthalmologist prince court medical centre, ba'e @ batu pahat director of health services)
well friends, i'll load more pictures in my fotopages. till we meet again, you people take care !
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