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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.


Thursday, September 03, 2009

Thursday morning trip from Langsa to Perlak and reminiscing what goes on before...

After a week's hiatus, let us continue the Aceh stories. Continuing from the last article, From Pidie on to Bireuen...

Here is a picture of the main mosque of Langsa, a city some 220 km or so south-east of Bireuen taken Thursday morning, 18th June 2009. So how did we end up here? While I have made connecting stories in my Malay blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU, there is a big gap in the storytelling here. So let me fill in the blanks as I show pictures en-route from Langsa to Perlak ya.


Here's a picture as we left Langsa to head back north-west towards Perlak. What happened was on the previous night, Wednesday night that is, we arrived in Birueuen and visited two traditional religious schools...


We spent quite sometime at the traditional schools and by the time we're done, its almost or already midnight...


Our original intention was to visit the tomb of the venerable ancient ruler Sultan Malikus Salih at Geudong some 15 km from Lhokseumawe. While Lhokseumawe is about 60 km south-east of Bireuen, maybe slightly more road and traffic condition made it equivalent to almost 2 hours of driving...



Thus we reached the city of Lhokseumawe sometime around 2 am. As it was already very late, we decided to find a place to sleep first before visiting the tomb during daytime.




Instead we found the hotels fully booked. The next city with hotels is Langsa some 160 km further south-east.





Thus we decided to head for Langsa and reached the city at 4 am or so. Luckily there's a hotel available...




Come daytime, Thursday morning, it's time to head for the intended tomb of Sultan Malikus Salih.







As the route from Langsa will pass the small town of Perlak where the tomb of another venerable ancient ruler is just around, we decided to go there first.






Unlike the trip from Banda Aceh the previous day, this time me and wife took the Innova and followed the Landcruiser...




In fact we started taking the Innova the previous night from Bireuen to Lhoksuemawe and on to Langsa because the driver of the car asked us to join his car. I obliged because it was he who has driven us around Banda Aceh the previous few days using the same vehicle.



While my wife who was then 6-months pregnant was more comfortable with the more luxurious Landcruiser, I said why not take the Innova just for the sake of the driver who has become comfortable with us.




While we could be snobbish with the driver and the rest of the workers if we wanted to, after all, we are friends with Kak Ann who owned their travel and tours company and many other companies here and overseas, not with the workers, I always try to maintain good relationship with people from all walks of life just for the sake of humanity and kindness. Until they cross the lines of decency that is and forgot their place as had happened many times when we allow ourselves to be chummy with people from lower walks of life... not to sound snobbish but it is a reality that necessitates the existence of social classes. After all, I can bet that the many of the same poor people you give face and pity because of their less fortunate material conditions would change overnight and become monsters the minute they become rich and have power.

Anyway, we have reached Perlak here. I shall continue the story-telling another day in my Malay blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU , then show some rural views in and around Perlak here ya. Good night! :]


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