BERPETUALANG KE ACEH: 2011-06-19

-----------------------

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".

-----------------------

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.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

A close look at the Ulu Selangor dam

Continued from Ulu Selangor dam information centre.

Actually before entering the information centre I went around outside.

This is the first time I had such a close look at this dam (I think I've seen 2-3 other dams up close before) and I was rather excited.

So excited that I ignored this signboard.

It's not like I wanted to dive or anything, just wanted to get a better perspective of the surroundings. A look to the right.

A look ahead.

A look to the left.

Turn anti-clockwise some more and you can see the actual dam and where the water passes out to rejoin the actual and original river, Sungai (river of) Selangor.

The information centre on the other hand lies on top a hill overlooking the reservoir.

After looking at what's inside, I went outside to check out the view in front of the centre.

A look to the right.

A look ahead.

A look to the left. That should do it.

Ulu Selangor dam information centre

Continued from Selangor river just after the Ulu Selangor dam.

Next we went to the dam and noticed there's an information centre opened to the public.

It is operated by Splash, the company in charge of running the dam providing water supply for the masses.

You can find plenty of information on the water supply network.

A look at the reservoir created by the dam...

There's even history on the closest town, Kuala Kubu Bahru. Click at the picture or open in another windows for a better look.

Another look at the reservoir.

Some more information.

You may have noticed the dam is referred as Sungai (river of) Selangor dam. But most people know it as Ulu Selangor dam as it is located at the Ulu (also spelt Hulu meaning the uppermost part) of the Selangor river.

A look at the reservoir from upstairs.

I must say this centre feels cosy enough like a studio bungalow of sorts. For the record this is the 808th article in this blogspot.

Selangor river just after the Ulu Selangor dam

OK. Let's move to excursions from the East Coast trip stories...

Saturday 11th June 2011, that's almost two weeks ago me and family attended a wedding at Kuala Kubu Bahru. Then I just felt like driving to the Ulu Selangor dam. Coming to a bridge I must stop. Here's a look behind.

The bridge is made in such a way that it looks continous as part of a highway. You wouldn't notice it is a bridge unless you really look out and has some knowledge of geography. I know the highway must cross the Selangor river at one point. Climbing up towards the main mountain range called Banjaran Titiwangsa it consists of mainly twist and turns. Around here however it extends straight for 200 metres or so and that's how I realise it must pass over a river. Besides I could see the dam building in the distance. But one needs to step out of the car to see the river.

A look down. The bridge must stand more than 50 feet above the river.

As usual I must also look at the other side.

Here's a look downriver...

Monday, June 20, 2011

Revisiting Kuala Besar

Continued from Friday prayers at the Muhammadi mosque.

After the Friday prayers we visited a number of tombs starting with one close to the centre of the city of Kota Bahru followed by others north-eastwards towards the beach of Pantai Cahaya Bulan. At almost dusk we arrived at a place called Kuala Besar (literally the big estuary) which lies at the mouth of the Kelantan river. Going inside the compound of its fisheries complex, its time to enjoy the view of immense waters around.