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This blogspot is a medium to share my thoughts and adventures apart from promoting my books. Below are the books which have been written or authored and published by myself.


"Berpetualang ke Aceh: Mencari Diri dan Erti".

ISBN 983-42031-0-1, Jun 2006


"Berpetualang ke Aceh: Membela Syiar yang Asal"

ISBN 983-42031-1-x, May 2007


"Berpetualang ke Aceh: Sirih Pulang ke Gagang?"

ISBN 978-983-42031-2-2, November 2007


It is interesting to note that while these books were written in Malay it has gained enough attention to merit being part of the collections of the American Library of Congress and National Library of Australia. Look here and here.


While the first three books were published by my own company, the fourth titled "Rumah Azan" was published in April 2009 by a company called Karnadya with the help of the Malaysian national literary body Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. It features beautiful pictures along with stories behind selected mosques which could be related to the history of Islam and the Malays alongside the formation of the Malaysian nation. Look at the article A collaboration of old collegemates - the book "Rumah Azan".


My fifth book "Ahlul Bait (Family) of Rasulullah SAW and Malay Sultanates", an English translation and adaptation of the Malay book "Ahlul Bait (Keluarga) Rasulullah SAW dan Kesultanan Melayu" authored by Hj Muzaffar Mohamad and Tun Suzana Othman was published early 2010. Look here... My 5th book is out! Ahlul Bait (Family) of Rasulullah SAW and the Malay Sultanates... . For more information check out my Malay blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU.



Like my fourth book "Rumah Azan", the sixth book "Kereta Api Menuju Destinasi" is also a coffee-table book which is published by the company Karnadya with the cooperation of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (the main Malay literary body in Malaysia). Coming out January 2011 it features pictures and stories on the adventure travelling by train to all of Peninsular Malaysia along with the interesting places which could be reached this way.


My seventh book "Jejak keluarga Yakin : Satu sketsa sejarah" in turn is a coffee-table book which is written, editted, designed and has pictures taken by me. Coming out of the factory October 2011, this book which combines family history with history of places such as Singapura, Johor, Batu Pahat, Muar and in fact the history of the island of Java and England has been reviewed with me interviewed live in the program Selamat Pagi Malaysia at RTM1. Look at the article Siaran langsung ulasan buku "Jejak keluarga Yakin : Satu sketsa sejarah" dan temu ramah di Selamat Pagi Malaysia. Some selected contents have been featured in Sneak peek "Jejak keluarga Yakin : Satu sketsa sejarah".


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The "Berpetualang ke Aceh" series of novels could be obtained in e-book form. Enter http://www.e-sentral.com/, click general novel and go to page 4. You can also type the word "Aceh" at the search box. Or click straight Book 1, Book 2 and Book 3.


Friday, July 20, 2012

The National Monument in Jakarta

Back to the Jawa island trip made 1-14 May 2012. Let us continue from the article Pekalongan, the batik centre of Indonesia.


After going around Pekalongan Saturday 5th May we went to Cirebon to visit the tomb of the saint called Sunan Gunung Jati. Then we took a train to Jakarta and arrived the next day 2 am. These are pictures from the day after, Monday 7th May. We were in front of the National Monument built to commemorate the fight to gain Indonesia's independence from the Dutch. 


For the record, independence was achieved in 1945 but only recognised by the colonialists years later. Standing at the height of 132 metres the National Monument is quite an imposing building which features prominently in Jakarta's city centre.

I was told that visitors could get to the top by taking an underground path which starts around this part.


Unfortunately we came late and it was already closed.


But we were in time for the last ride in this fun-train vehicle.




Visitors can get free rides to reach the furthest corner of the National Monument's compound.  


This save some walking time and sweat as the compound covers an area close to 1 square kilometre large.


Why, it even has a park and mini zoo of sorts...





Tuesday, July 17, 2012

The world's longest suspended pedestrian bridge?



After trying out some rides we decided to check this place out.


It is claimed that it is the world's longest suspended pedestrian bridge.


After a long queue on the stairs we entered this tunnel.


Thank God besides its end there is an open space.


Back to the queue...

I think since the time we decided to join the queue up the stairs it took no less than 15 minutes before we finally get to walk on the bridge.


Never mind, it's worth the wait as we get to enjoy the views from this 428-metre long walk.

















Monday, July 16, 2012

A family day outing at Sunway Lagoon

 This is from 8 days ago...


Saturday 7th July 2012 me and family went to the Sunway Lagoon theme park.


My wife's employers were holding a family day and all staff are welcomed with family.


If I'm not mistaken Sunway Lagoon is the first proper theme park in Malaysia with attraction and rides worthy of the word "theme park". What I mean is there were one or two so-called theme parks before in this country but whatever attractions or rides they got were just of the level of funfairs...


Sunway Lagoon is now almost 20 years old but I have only been here once or twice before.




Even then I have never been on any of the rides or try its attractions.


Then, I came because of work. The last time I was asked to chase Formula 1 driver Jenson Button and interview him.


That I did being a reputable sports journalist. But I had to wait until he finished enjoying surfing the artificial waves at the water park which lies in the middle of this picture.



Here we were heading for the water park but had to take the long route going anti-clockwise across a lake.


There. These are people coming for the family day.


Thank God we found a cosy spot to relax at.


I was told some 13,000 people, staff and family came for the event...




While official activities have been lined, everyone were free to enjoy the water park and some rides...