Flight to Makassar

Peace be upon you all dear fair folks. I'm starting a new series in my main blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU based on my trip to South Sulawesi (the Celebes) 3-12 May. As usual there would be supporting articles. Here's the first one...

Friday 3rd May 2013 around 2.30 pm. Right on schedule my plane was ready to take off.

My wife and our two young kids were with me. Soon we're on air rising pass the highway leading to the airport known simply as the KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport).

Just to be clear. We flew on Air Asia which took off from the low-cost terminal of KLIA known as the LCCT. Seen in this picture is a new terminal known as the KLIA 2 which was still in progress.

The plane started to go southwards following the western coastline of Peninsular Malaysia. This should be at Port Dickson.

Soon we could see the Linggi river which forms the natural border between the states of Negeri Sembilan (to the left) and Melaka.

Next is the portion of land close to the city of Melaka. One could see the reclamation project close to a small island called Pulau Upih. The city is to the right.

Some 15 km south of the city is the island known as Pulau Besar.

Next, the twist and turns of the mighty river called Sungai Muar in the state of Johor.

The river of Batu Pahat.

Then I stopped taking pictures... until I noticed what should be the straits dividing the south of Johor from the island republic of Singapura (Singapore).

And how do I recognise all these? Because I have studied the relevant maps since I was kid followed by studies of satellite pictures via Google Earth the last 3-4 years. Once I saw the dense concentration of buildings down there I know for sure the plane was above Singapura.

Above this island I could see the plane turning a substantial angle eastwards...

Next in view is the western tip of the island along with the south-east tip of Johor.

The next mass of land should be the island of Bentan which lies in the Riau Archipelago in Indonesia.

But upon checking with Google Earth it seems the previous picture is that of Batam island which is also in Riau. For the record the island lies south of Singapura. This one should be that of Bentan which lies to the east of Batam.

This was followed by a vast tract of water. When land emerged I immediately recognised it as part of Borneo, said to be the third largest island in the world. Now, I'm not that familiar with the geography of this island. But following the flight path I positively know we're flying above the bigger southern portion known as Kalimantan, in the republic of Indonesia.

Oh. I forgot to mention our destination is the city of Makassar, the main urbanised area in South Sulawesi, in fact the biggest city in East Indonesia. Anyway I saw a number of rainbows as we ply our route through Kalimantan.

After Kalimantan there was another stretch of sea. Then we could see the city of Makassar as our plane was finishing its 3-hour designated journey.

A dinner talk on "Keris Tajong"

Moving on to something quite recent.

Last night, 21st June 2013 me and family went to a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur  to attend a dinner function.

Held by an association called Pusaka KL, members and those invited are encouraged to wear old-school aristocratic-style (or maybe its modern variations) Malay traditional gear. That or just wear the simple baju Melayu, Malay clothing with songkok, the black traditional hat.

The association is for those who love the Malay traditional weapon or blade called the keris, often spelled by Westerners as the kriss. The weapon completes the old-style Malay attire which should comprise the tanjak, Malay traditional headgear coming in many styles and the sampin, a piece of cloth modestly worn around the waist. The sampin is secured in place by a small belt-like piece of cloth called the bengkung and the keris is slipped under the bengkung.

It goes without saying that these people are also practitioners of the silat, the Malay art of self-defence. While many weapons are mastered by an avid silat practitoner, the keris tends to hold the highest place as it is also an instrument of self-respect, in fact the very symbol of Malayness.

The theme of the dinner function is called "Keris Tajong", referring to a class of keris having a rather large specially-carved protruding hilt and very distinct style and intricate carvings. Said to have originated from the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia extending into parts that are now in southern Thailand, this type of keris is believed to have like a thousand years worth of evolution. A series of talk would be held by experts in the field. Here's one, Mr. Ahmad Zhaini checking out his slides.

Meanwhile we continued with our dinner. Then the head of Pusaka KL, Mr. Khairul Azhar gave an opening speech.

This was followed by Ahmad Zhaini's talk on the Keris Tajong. He listed a number its sub-classes such as the Cenak and Temenggung associated with certain localities and also social-classes of the old Malay community.

A view taken from the upper floor of the restaurant. By then the second speaker had started his presentation.

I seemed to have missed Ahmad Zhaini's designation or profession. The second speaker known as Cikgu (teacher) Md Nor Awang Kechil mentioned himself as a collector of quality keris since 1955 if I remember correctly.

Thus he can swiftly recognise quality Keris Tajong hilt as compared to cheaper imitations produced en masse by some parties but lacking the 'spirit' of the original artistic produce by masters.

The third and last speaker, Dr Fawazul Khair is a senior lecturer at UTM, the technology university of Malaysia based primarily in Johor Bahru.

Compared to previous speakers which touches more on private dealings on the matter, Fawaz's presentation was very academic and detailed.

This shouldn't come as a surprise as he has a doctorate in architecture.

Yet he continuously praise those involved in the field by 'heart and feel', those inclined to the Keris Tajong because of artistic tendency. This included his former teacher, the late Nik Rashiddin, acknowledged as the best wood-carver in Malaysia for many decades. Nik Rashiddin's work and observation especially in a rich book called "The Spirit of Wood" was extensively quoted along with Fawaz's own research. 

A private retreat at Bukit Tinggi

OK. Just a side story to fill in time...

About 18 days ago me and family took a rather hidden path at Bukit Tinggi.

We were invited to spend time at a private retreat facing the mountains of Banjaran Titiwangsa, the main range of Peninsular Malaysia.

At first I was skeptical upon seeing the route to get in.

As it turned out its worth the trouble  as the views were simply marvelous.

Some night views...

And the morning after. Just simply sitting staring out from our cabin gave much pleasure...

I also spent much time admiring the sceneries from a nearby hut.

The visit and umrah in Arabia 2013

The last one month plus we have seen stories which are actually supporting articles for a series called  "Ziarah dan umrah 2013" (visit and the umrah of 2013) made in my main blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU. On Sunday the series which refers to a trip to Arabia made by me and wife 1-12 April ended with its last article. Now let the links for the stories including in my main blogspot be compiled for easy reading.

1. Ziarah dan umrah 2013 - Satu pengenalan

2. Views from the KLIA viewing area

3. Ziarah dan umrah 2013 - 'Menjakunkan' diri di KLIA dan dugaan 1 April 

4. Ziarah dan umrah 2013 - Sampai Jeddah setelah lebih 26 jam tertunda....

5. Going to Medina

6. Finding a way to Raudhah inside the Masjid Nabawi

7. Looking inside Baqi'

8. Masjid Nabawi at night

9. Ziarah dan umrah 2013 - Masjid Nabawi, Raudhah dan tempat-tempat menarik di sekeliling

10. Views from the archer's hill at Uhud

11. Shopping for dates at a plantation.

12. Ziarah dan umrah 2013 - Nyaris jadi mutawif sebelum dapat membawa isteri berjalan.

13. The date plantation of Bani Hashim

14. Ziarah dan umrah 2013 - Panji-panji hitam Bani Hashim dan jalan-jalan hari Jumaat

15. An introductory view of Mecca and its holy mosque

16. Ziarah dan umrah 2013 - Memulakan ibadah umrah di Mekah

17. Views from the inner compound of the Masjidil Haram

18. Views from second level of Masjidil Haram

19. Ziarah dan umrah 2013 - Umrah kedua yang memakan masa Asar ke Isyaq

20. Views from the hill called Jabal Rahmah

21. Passing through Mina

22. The tunnel under the Mecca clock tower

23. Views from the top floor of Masjidil Haram

24. Ziarah dan umrah 2013 - Dari Jabal Rahmah ke makam Siti Khadijah hingga jadi botak.

25. The camel farms outside of Mecca

26. Checking out the backstreets near the hotel.

27. Climbing up Jabal Nur in the dark

28. Ziarah dan umrah 2013 - Ke Hudaibiyah sebelum bermalam di Gua Hira'

29. Views from on top of Hira' cave

30. The hut at the summit of Jabal Nur.

31. Ziarah dan umrah 2013 - Keseronokan berada lama di Gua Hira' dan Jabal Nur

32. Passing over Aceh, the land known as the verandah of Mecca

33. Ziarah dan umrah 2013 - Sampailah masa untuk kembali

Passing over Aceh, the land known as the verandah of Mecca

And so the stories regarding places in Medina and Mecca is coming to and end. Thursday 11th April 2012 after sunset we left the city of Mecca to get to Jeddah where lies the main international airport. We arrived before 10 pm and boarded the plane before 1 am. Soon we were on our way to return to Malaysia.

OK. The flight takes about 9 hours advancing through 5 time zones. Me and wife mostly slept. Then we noticed it was already bright.

Looking out the window I noticed the land shape at the north tip of Aceh, part of the big island called Sumatera (Sumatra).

I know this for a fact as I have studied maps and satellite pictures around rather thoroughly. I remembered, on my return trip from Jeddah in 2005 (which was for my first time visiting the Arab city of Medina and doing the pilgrimage act of umrah in Mecca) my plane then passed directly over the Aceh capital city of Banda Aceh where my eyes spotted its famous mosque, the Masjid Baiturrahman.

This plane however seemed to take a route further east. Next I spotted what should be the extinct volcano known as Seulawah Agam, about 5,000 feet high above sea level.

The plane continued to follow the coast of Aceh...

Then it started passing overland. I recognised this as the part of Aceh extending to the east.

In order to see the sea or rather, the Straits of Melaka, I have to get to the left-side of the plane.

Ah. That tip of land. That should be Tanjung Jambu Ayer, an area that felt like it has certain spiritual significance to me.

After the tip the land stretches back south-east. Then I caught sight of a city which should be Langsa, the closest towards the Aceh south-east border.

Next is the part of land where lies the said border.

To the south lies the Indonesian province of Sumatera Utara (North Sumatra). Seen in this close-up is an island called Pulau Sembilan located within the province.