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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, May 17, 2011

Walking in the southern Thailand town of Golok




After the visit to the mosque called Masjid Beijing we decided to cross the national border into the southern Thailand town of Golok. Having parked our car at a secure place we thought we might as well just walk.


You see Golok might be the major town close to the state of Kelantan. But its size is just a fraction of Hatyai, the main Thailand town south of Bangkok.


I have once brought the wife and baby all around the Hatyai city centre by foot, so Golok should be more manageable.


Besides walking is a good way to see a town, that is if we have time. And as far as my travel plans for the day was concerned, we could spare at least 2 to 3 hours just to walk around Golok.


Now, I've only been to Golok only once before and that was in 2003 or so.


While I might not know the streets of Golok or anywhere else for that matter, I have a knack of finding my way in foreign places using landmarks like tall buildings as references.


Anyway, as long as you remember where you started out and in relation could surmise where you are at all times despite all the distance and turn you've taken you should be ok.





Passing through this area I think I've been here in that first trip to Golok 8 years ago.





This should be the market area...








My wife wanted to see where's the shopping district. This time we decided to get help of the locals. For one of the main means of transport is to ride bikes for a small payment and they could basically get you anywhere and offer some guide.








We where then dropped here.




We could see a row of shops offering variety of goods, mainly clothings and shoewear...










Well, Golok is not exactly a shopping haven.





For the record like most towns in Thailand close to the Malaysia border, Golok is better known for its night life and the comfort of women. So don't expect to see much action during daytime...







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