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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.


Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Walking to Malahayati's fortress, the Benteng Inong Balee...

Continued from Deja vu at the hillside facing the bay of Lamuri ...


From the hillside where lies the tomb of Laksamana Keumala Hayati or Malahayati we stopped at the mosque at the foot of the hill. Then we went to look for the actual Malahayati fortress which is situated about 3 km further east...


Actually the driver has been there once. So he knows where it is although he vaguely remembers the location and entrance. As for me, I first thought it was at the hill-slopes near the tomb. I guess God wanted it that way, underwise I wouldn't have discovered the path and clearing which gave me a long deja vu as mentioned in the article Deja vu at the hillside facing the bay of Lamuri .

What made me realise the matter was when we returned to the car after the visit to Malahayati's tomb. Actually I've brought along a travel pamphlet I got on Monday when visiting the monument called Gunongan in Banda Aceh. The pamphlet which was left in the car shows Malahayati's fortress better known as Benteng Inong Balee looking very different from anything I've seen on the hill-slopes. Besides it also shows the prominent cement store at Pelabuhan Malahayati as being on the left as one heads towards the fortress meaning it is indeed some place east of the slopes, just like could be seen in the above picture...


So the driver vaguely remembered the location. Luckily we found this signboard saying "Benteng Inong Balee" which indicates we were on the right-track. Thank God it was still readable to a certain extent.


A nice clear view of the Lamuri bay as we pressed on further...



However at this juncture we decided to leave the car. The path did not look so smooth from herein and we sure don't want to spoil the Hyundai which was bought only about a month earlier...




So we started walking...




It seems we have to walk quite a distance. Thank God the superb views help to make it easier...





At some parts the road looks smooth enough for any car. But still there are parts with cracks in-between. If only we have brought a 4WD. Then again maybe we need the exercise...





This is among the times which I feel glad having a wife like I have now. Imagine, she was 6 months pregnant yet still have the strength and spirit to keep going on!







At last Malahayati fortress @ Benteng Inong Balee is in view...










First, a pose to make my wife happy...





And there... can you see the walls facing the waters? That is part of the fortress we're talking about. I'll put more pictures in the blogspot SENI LAMA MELAYU (MALAY OLDEN ART) ...

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