Saturday, February 23, 2013

A stop at Port Dickson



Soon we arrived at the beach of Port Dickson.


It's been a while since me and/or the family made a stop here.


Normally we'd just drive by going on to wherever it is we're going to.


This time we not only made a stop. I just felt that I must wade through the waters with my 3-year-old boy...







Linggi river from the bridge near Kuala Linggi



Three days later we took the Melaka to Negeri Sembilan coastal road to return home and avoid traffic jam which normally infest the main roads after a festive holiday.


Entering Negeri Sembilan from Melaka one have to take the bridge across the river Linggi which is the natural border for the states. Here's a look upriver.


The bridge is not so far from the estuary. See the ship middle left? That should be close to the estuary at Kuala Linggi. Refer to the old article Interlude: A visit to Kuala Linggi...





Maulud function at Pulau Besar

This is from 2 weeks ago...

Saturday morning 9th February 2013, me and family went to the island called Pulau Besar in Melaka and immediately headed for the main tomb area, the tomb of Sultanul Ariffin Sheikh Ismail.


I think I have made a number of articles on this island in this blogspot showing the many tombs around. This time however we're going to concentrate on a function.


There is a Maulud or Maulidur Rasul celebration, birthday of Prophet Muhammad SAW.




For the record the Maulud celebration is not necessarily held on the day the Prophet was born more than 1,400 years ago. It could be celebrated and is celebrated up to two months later. 


Seen in the middle is the guest of honour Sheikh Afeefuddin, a descendant of the famous king of saints, Sultanul Awliya Sheikh Abdul Qadir al Jilani of Baghdad.  The king of saints lived 800 years ago and Sheikh Ismail whose tomb is considered the main one in Pulau Besar is his 4th generation descendant.


At around 10 am the VVIPs and VIPs made their entrance.


This is a Melaka state function and leading the troupe is the Yang Di Pertua (ceremonial head of state) Tun Khalil Yaakob followed by Chief Minister Dato' Seri Ali Rustam and state council members.





 And so the function started...




Hymns and song of praises to the Prophet were recited as usual in a Maulud function.


At times Sheikh Afeefuddin led with some recitations.




This went on till noon.


Then the Sheikh gave a speech on the blessings of the celebration followed with some thoughts from the Chief Minister...