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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 24, 2019

To the giant foot print that is the actual Tapak Tuan



Next. We walked to a place which is said to be the origin of the name Tapak Tuan...





Along the way could be seen more scenic views of the sea and surroundings.














Tapak Tuan literarily means foot print (tapak) of the master (tuan). So there exists a giant foot print to that effect.


However visitors were not allowed to get to that site.


This is because just a few days before two foreign tourists were found dead after being carried by a big wave while standing on that site.


However I decided to try my luck and check it out...























As it turned out the walkway leading to that site was in very bad condition.


One would have to walk and climb pass slippery rocks to reach the site. 


That's when the wife called asking me to return back to the entrance. She said there were policemen around and reminded me according to local custom it is forbidden to approach the site on Friday. So instead let me offer this picture from the Internet... :]


Beautiful scenery at Tapak Tuan

Peace be upon you. After 20 days have passed since the Aceh and north Sumatera round trip 28th August till 4th September was concluded today we are just entering the storytelling for the 3rd day of the trip...


Friday morning 30th August 2019. After spending the night at the old mosque of Tapak Tuan we took a walk to explore the nearby areas...








For the record Tapak Tuan is situated some 440 km south-east of Banda Aceh...





It has a beautiful scenic waterfront...








Sunday, September 22, 2019

Searching for tomb of Syed Hussain al-Faradz

Peace be upon you all. Recently I made a round trip in Perak for 4 days and 3 nights. There are a few things to be shared in-between those from the Aceh and north Sumatera round trip 28th August - 4 September. Here's one from the first day of the Perak trip.


The trip was started Sunday morning 15th September 2019 when I decided to go to Kuala Lumpur first for a lecture. At 1 pm or so I entered the PLUS Highway up to Tapah before taking the old trunk road to Ipoh exiting at Kampar to get to an area full of former tin mines.


I entered a part to search for an isolated almost 500-year-old tomb.









Thank God I got help by a local who showed me the way. Other wise it is very hard to find...








The tomb belongs to Syed Husain al-Faradz, teacher and religious advisor to the first Sultan of Perak, Sultan Muzaffar Syah (ruled 1528-1549 AD)...





It is situated at a 'peninsular' or cape facing a tin-mine lake...














Monday, September 16, 2019

Views from tomb of Poteumeureuhom Daya

Continuing  from Views from Puncak Geurute.


Next we went to the tomb complex of Poteumeureuhom, king and founder of the kingdom of Daya


It faces a gulf and a nice stretch of sea...

















The tomb itself is located on top of a hill.


. So there are many nice views to be savoured from many different angles...