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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, April 10, 2020

City and town views - Pictures of those visited and turned into articles

Peace be upon you this Friday afternoon. After a long hiatus I have this to share...



Those who pay attention to this blogspot's layout should be able to notice I have committed a section on the right sidebar just for articles on rivers. Called "Fascination with rivers" I have shortlisted 33 main rivers of Peninsular Malaysia where I have taken pictures of the rivers from many parts and angles. Now I want to add new sections showing such variety of views. Let us start with cities and and towns which I've visited, took pictures and turned into articles...


Malaysia


Air Hitam

Ayer Hitam, the 'centre' of Johor


Alor Gajah

A quaint look of Alor Gajah


Alor Setar

Alor Setar at last!

A typical day in Alor Setar?

 Views on top Alor Setar's telecommunication tower...

Around Alor Setar

How the place which gave rise to the name Alor Setar connects to Kedah river

Night views from Alor Setar's telecommunications tower


Batang Berjuntai

The loose name of Batang Berjuntai...


Batu Arang

The quaint small town of Batu Arang

A relaxing afternoon at Batu Arang


Batu Pahat

A quick look at the old parts of Batu Pahat town


Bukit Mertajam

Bukit Mertajam from Summit Hotel


Bekok

Something about Bekok...


Besut

An 'Incursion' to Besut

Views from the bridge at Kuala Besut

Pictures around Kuala Besut


Bota Kanan

Bota Kanan from the tower of its mosque


Cameron Highlands

Views around Tanah Rata

The lower parts of Cameron Highlands - Habu and Ringlet...

Walking from Tanah Rata mosque

A morning look at the town of Brinchang

Town of Kampung Raja from its mosque


Cyberjaya

Cyberjaya lake garden

Bringing the family to Raja Haji mosque in Cyberjaya

Cyberjaya from a top floor of Universiti Islam Malaysia building


Dabong

Going around the small town of Dabong


Gemas

A visit to Gemas, Malaysia's very own rail crossroad...


Gua Musang

A quick look at the town of Gua Musang


Grik

Around the town of Grik


Ipoh

Sungai Kinta from the bridge near Panglima Kinta mosque

Kinta river from Jalan Sultan Iskandar bridge, Ipoh

Kinta river from Jalan Sultan Idris bridge, Ipoh

On to colorful parts of old Ipoh


Jasin

A quick look around Jasin


Jeli

A quick look at the small town of Jeli


Jerteh

A quick look at the town of Jerteh


Johor Bahru

And now, a quaint look at Johor Bahru!

The blooming skyline of Johor Bahru


Kangar

A quick look at the town of Kangar


Karak

A quaint look at Karak town


Kemaman

A look around Kemaman, Terengganu...

Pictures around Kemaman


Klang

Going through the rain for a good look at the river in mid-town Kelang


Kluang

Reminiscing the teenage years in Kluang - Part 1

Reminiscing the teenage years in Kluang - Part 2

Reminiscing the teenage years in Kluang - Part 3 and last...


Kota Bahru

Kota Bahru, the Islamic city...

Rushing through Kota Bahru

New trip to the East Coast - Muhammadi mosque revisited and some views of Kota Bahru

A more relaxed look at Kota Bahru

Kota Bahru from a highest part of Masjid Muhammadi



Kota Tinggi

Historic Kota Tinggi, once the seat of the Johor Empire...

Johor river from Kota Tinggi town bridge


Kuala Kangsar

Views from minaret of Masjid Ubudiyah, Kuala Kangsar


Kuala Kubu

A day at Kuala Kubu Baru

Walking around Kuala Kubu Baru

Kuala Kubu Baru from the Telekom building


Kuala Lipis

Kuala Lipis, a cute town!

In Kuala Lipis to settle an old 'debt'?

Enjoying Kuala Lipis' "cute" little facade...

Kuala Lipis train station and its cute old town Kuala Lipis new town


Kuala Lumpur





Pudu Jail in perspective from somewhere high

Kuala Lumpur from Kenanga Wholesale City




Completing a round of KL aerial views from Bukit Nenas KL from top floor of the DBP

Views of KL from Galaxy, Ampang Views from the National Planetarium

Breaking fast at Dataran Merdeka New look of Masjid Jamek Kuala Lumpur coming...


Sampling the merriness of IFTAR KL 2018


Kuala Perlis

Perlis in one day!

Kuala Perlis, the town at the estuary of the Perlis river


Kuala Terengganu

Walking along the Terengganu river to Kampung Cina...

View of Kuala Terengganu from 14 floors up... Or is it 15 or 13? Never mind, just enjoy the view...

Up Bukit Puteri through the newly completed shopping complex at its foot...

A quick look at the city of Kuala Terengganu

On top Kuala Terengganu's 'floating' mosque

From Pasar Payang's upper level

Recent views from Kuala Terengganu's Bukit Puteri

Kuala Terengganu from up the towers at its new bridge


Kuantan

A quick look at the town of Kuantan


Kukup

The little town of Kukup


Labis

Labis from on top the pedestrian bridge


Labuan

An early look at the town of Labuan


Langkawi

The views from Langkawi's Dataran Lang


Lumut

And now a look around Lumut...

Going around Lumut

Views from 2nd floor of an apartment complex in Lumut

Views from 12th floor of an apartment complex in Lumut


Machang

A quick look of Machang town in the rain


Melaka

Up and around Bukit (the hill of) Melaka

A look at Melaka from the Taming Sari tower...

Melaka old city centre at night and the nostalgia around it...

A night walkabout in Melaka...

Melaka river from a part of Bandar Hilir

Early morning at the Stadthuys

First Melaka city centre walk in 5 months...

Private tour for a friend from Aceh

Looking at Melaka from the top floor of its latest highest building

Facing the Straits of Melaka from Melaka Hill

Melaka river in front of Stadthuys


Mersing

Smelling the sea in Mersing...

Going around Mersing town


Miri

Views of Miri


Muar

Pictures in Muar

Some more pictures in Muar

Pictures in Muar 3

Views from on top of Muar town...

Muar's very own Uptown

A quick night look of Muar

Muar and its river from nearby the Second Mosque Muar river from an esplanade at Tanjung Agas

Breakfast at Muar riverside

Muar river from the esplanade besides the old bridge

Lovely views from the Muar old bridge

Parts of Muar from the 12th floor of a building

Around Muar's Masjid Jamek during the recent 1st Syawal

Inhaling the night air of Syawal at Tanjung Emas

Walking around the town of Muar

More walking around the town of Muar

The new esplanade at Tanjung Emas



Padang Besar

Looking at the Malaysian side of Padang Besar


Pasir Mas

A quick look at the town of Pasir Mas


Pasir Puteh



Pekan

Pekan at dusk


Pengkalan Kubor

The duty-free complex at Pengkalan Kubor


Pontian

A quaint look at the town of Pontian


Port Dickson

Views from a jetty at Port Dickson town


Pulau Pinang (Georgetown)

Penang... As they say, the pearl of the orient!

Going around Georgetown in Pulau Pinang

Casual walk (or not so) at Lebuh Aceh

The view at Gurney Drive

From Lebuh Aceh to Jalan Kuala Kangsar

Following the length of Penang Road

Jalan Hutton to KOMTAR and back to Lebuh Aceh

Up Penang Hill and the superb views from up there


Putrajaya

In Putrajaya to look for the seat of an ancient kingdom

Putrajaya from one of its bridges

Putrajaya from inside the steel mosque...

From Malaysia's Palais de Justice to the steel mosque

Walking to Putrajaya's 'iron' mosque close to dusk Putrajaya from the PICC


Rantau Panjang

An early look at Rantau Panjang town centre

Sungai Golok at Rantau Panjang town centre

Views from the tower of Masjid Beijing


Raub

Raub... My last stop before the East Coast journey officially ends...

Morning walk around Raub town with the family


Rawang

A look at Rawang town from the TM office


Seri Menanti

The small town of Seri Menanti from the royal museum


Shah Alam

A morning look of Shah Alam


Sungai Lembing

The quaint town of Sungai Lembing


Sungai Petani

Walking from train station to Sungai Petani's old town centre


Sungai Siput

A quaint look at Sungai Siput...


Tangkak

Tangkak, the textile town!


Tanjung Malim

Recent views of Tanjung Malim and around

Small trip to Tanjung Malim with the youngest son


Teluk Intan

Revisiting Teluk Intan the birth-place of my dad...

Walking in Teluk Intan...

With the kids at the leaning tower of Teluk Intan


Temerloh

In Temerloh for a dish of ikan patin...


Tumpat

A quick look at the town of Tumpat



Singapore

The view from Mount Faber

The skyline of Singapura

Singapura city at night...

Around Masjid Sultan and Kampung Gelam



Brunei


Bandar Seri Begawan

Views of Brunei's golden-domed mosque and its surroundings

The market of Tamu Kianggeh

Views from the tower at Kampung Ayer


Seria

The town of Seria


Aceh


Banda Aceh

In and around the Baiturrahman mosque in Aceh...

Remembering the Tsunami which ravaged Aceh in 2004...

The place called Uleelheue in Aceh

Views of Aceh from our hotel early morning...

From Syiah Kuala to Kreung Aceh...

A leisurely afternoon in Banda Aceh and reflections on its socio-political conditions...

Through the university town of Darussalam and on to the airport...

Celebrating the Prophet's birthday in Aceh : The ship that got swept inland by the Tsunami of 2004

Bringing the family to Gunongan

Going on top the Tsunami stranded ship

Morning walk to Peunayong

Masjid Baiturrahman's new look coming

Walking around the back parts of Pasar Aceh

Simpang Tujuh - The seven junctions

Taking the motorbike trishaw across Banda Aceh

The market area around Baiturrahman mosque


Bireuen

Bireuen from a hotel rooftop


Idi

Views from a new hotel in Idi


Sabang

Sabang from its hillside viewing point


Takengon

Morning views of Takengon and Danau Laut Tawar



North Sumatera


Barus

Early morning walk in Barus


Medan

Aidil Adha eve at the famed Al-Mashun mosque of Medan


Parapat

The Saturday market at Parapat


Pengkalan Brandan

Walking at the market area of Pengkalan Brandan



West Sumatera


Bukit Tinggi

Views from a Bukit Tinggi hotel

Views from Bukit Tinggi's iconic Jam Gadang


Padang

Minangkabau airport to Padang city

Walking around Padang city centre

From Padang back to the airport



Pagaruyung

Views from the upper floors of Istano Basa Pagaruyung

Visit to the house of Sultan Taufik, the person said to hold the title of Daulat Pagaruyung


Payakumbuh

Crossing Payakumbuh city by foot


Riau


Bangkinang

Exploring Bangkinang on a trishaw bike

Walking around Bangkinang


Pekanbaru

Pekanbaru by bus

Looking at Pekanbaru from the upper level of Annur mosque

Last look at Pekanbaru


Siak

Siak river from Syahabuddin mosque

Siak river from Siak town


West Kalimantan


Mempawah

Mempawah river from the palace mosque


Pontianak

On to Pontianak city and across...

Views from second level of Istana Qadriah


Singkawang

Kalbar's drive-in zoo


Java Island


Bandung

A look around Bandung city centre


Grisek

Views from Giri Kedaton

Views of Gresik from a local hotel


Jakarta

The National Monument in Jakarta


Jogjakarta

Festive night at Jogja...

From Malioboro to the Keraton - The ever festive Jogja...


Pekalongan

Pekalongan, the batik centre of Indonesia


Surabaya

The morning scene outside our hotel in Ampel


Tasikmalaya

Tasikmalaya town


Sulawesi


Makassar

A look at the University of Hasanuddin, Makassar

On to Makassar city


Thailand


Ayutthaya

Walking in Ayutthaya

Tuk Tuk ride around Ayutthaya


Bangkok

Rushing to Bangkok

Around Bangkok's Grand Palace at night

My first proper look at Bangkok

Cutting across Bangkok from east to west

Chao Phraya river from Tha Chang Wangna in Bangkok

Enter the Thammasat University

Ferry to Thonburi

Getting back to eastern side of Bangkok


Betong

Quick look at the town of Betong, Thailand


Chaiya

Welcome to Chaiya - The Srivijaya connection...


Chenak

A look at the town of Chenak


Chumpon

A morning walk in Chumpon

Riverside walk in Chumpon

Chumpon from on top of a decent hotel


Golok

Walking in the southern Thailand town of Golok

Walking across Sungai Kolok


Hatyai

The colours of Hatyai

First time in Hatyai with the family

Walking with the family in Hatyai

Reorienteering oneself on the streets of Hatyai

First time savouring Hatyai at night time

Hatyai from top floor of a hotel

Hatyai from rooftop of a hotel

A passing look at Hatyai

Views from top floor of Hatyai's Central Hotel

Hatyai central weekend night market


Hua Hin

On to the resort city of Hua Hin


Kamala

Morning look at Kamala

Climbing up the hill behind Kamala mosque

Views from Kamala mosque minaret


Krabi

Night scene at Ao Nang


Nakhon Si Thammarat

Chalermkarnchana University at Nakhon Si Thammarat

Along the main road of Nakhon Si Thammarat


Narathiwat

First look at the town of Narathiwat

Daytime look at town of Narathiwat

Views from the big mosque of Narathiwat


Padang Besar

The Thai side of Padang Besar


Patong

Enter the town of Patong


Patani

Patani town from the 5th floor of a main hotel

Patani town from our riverside hotel

More of Patani town from our riverside hotel

Going to Prince of Songkla University, Patani

Patani river from town centre bridge

Morning walk from the hotel to Patani river

Last look at Patani town from end to end


Petchaburi

Enter the city of Petchaburi


Phattalung

Cutting through Phattalung

Early morning market at Phattalung

Phattalung from the highest point at Ho Fah Hotel


Phuket

Town of Phuket


Ranong

Enter the town of Ranong


Sadao

The town of Sadao


Songkhla

Views from the mosque of Sultan Sulaiman at Singgora (Songkhla)

The waters facing old Singgora

Looking at the small town at old Singgora

Views from the mosque at old town Singgora

Walking around Songkhla city

Looking at the older Singgora from old part of Songkhla

Songkhla town from south of old Singgora


Surat Thani

Enter the city of Surat Thani

Surat Thani from the top floor of a main hotel


Takbai

Going around Takbai


Takuapa

Cute old historical town of Takuapa


Trang

An introductory look at Trang

The sizeable town or city that is Trang


Yala

Around Yala town



Cambodia


Battambang

Around Battambang by tuk tuk


Kampong Cham

Early look at Kampong Cham

Views from the French tower at Kampong Cham

Walking around Kampong Cham town

Views from the tallest building at Kampong Cham


Phnom Penh

First impression of Phnom Penh

First look at the waterfront in Phnom Penh - The Tonle Sap-Mekong meeting place

Art pieces at the 'Russian' market

Phnom Penh from a riverside vantage point

Night time around the esplanade at Phnom Penh

Taking the Mekong river cruise at night


Siem Reap

Siem Reap by tuk tuk

Around the night market of Siem Reap 



Arabia


Madina

Finding a way to Raudhah inside the Masjid Nabawi

Looking inside Baqi'

Masjid Nabawi at night


Mecca

An introductory view of Mecca and its holy mosque

Views from the inner compound of the Masjidil Haram

Views from second level of Masjidil Haram

The tunnel under the Mecca clock tower

Views from the top floor of Masjidil Haram

Checking out the backstreets near the hotel

Climbing up Jabal Nur in the dark

Views from on top Hira' cave