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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.


Saturday, June 20, 2015

To Karangan via Bengkayang



The reason we went to Sambas is to visit the palace, royal mosque and a number of tombs there, remnances from the grand days of the now-defunked Sultanate of Sambas. Once we're done its time to get out.


Our next main destination is an inland town called Ngabang, centre of an older kingdom called Landak. The night before our driver found out there is a rural route going there which could cut travelling time by an hour compared to the normal route he's familiar with.




















It happened that this route twisting and turning through jungles, plantations and Dayak people rural villages passes through the town of Bengkayang.


There is a tomb belonging to a ruler of the kingdom of Mempawah we wanted to visit before going to Ngabang. We were told it lies at the town of Karangan which is accesible via Bengkayang...





The town of Karangan





It lies close to an upper reach of the river of Mempawah.






That is why a ruler of Mempawah whose seat is close to the river mouth  could be laid to rest around here, Anyway this place which I've estimated to be 120 km upstream from the town of Mempawah was within the bounds of the kingdom of Mempawah. Look at the articles  Mempawah river from the palace mosque and  Mempawah river from Sebukit Rama.


The waters in front of Sambas royal grounds

Peace be upon you all. Moving on to the 3rd day of the recent Kalimantan Barat (West Kalimantan) trip. Continuing from Passing through Singkawang..


We reached the town of Sambas after dark. The following day, Wednesday 10th June 2015 we started visting its royal grounds. After visiting a number of royal tombs we reached a big body of water. It is situated less than 100 metres from the Sambas palace.


Noticing this tower I thought I could get some good views from on top of it. As it turned out much of the lower staircase is missing. While it is possible for me to climb up better not do it as it looks like the wood is not in good condition.


So I went for the yellow-coloured platform...


Stepping on the platform to enjoy views from the right moving on to the left bit by bit...





For the record this water front lies at a juncture where the Sambas Kecil river (there is a much bigger Sambas river and the Sambas Kecil is a tributary) is joined by a smaller river,





The scenery reminds me of a village above water in the country of Brunei. Look at the old articles Boat ride at Kampung Ayer and Boat ride at Kampung Ayer continued...





For the record Sambas royalty is descended from Brunei royalty. To the left is the Sambas royal mosque...


Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Passing through Singkawang

Continuing from Kalbar's drive-in zoo.


Soon we reached the town of Singkawang.





I was told that here lies the highest population of Chinese ethnics in the whole of Indonesia.





Some people call it the Hong Kong of Indonesia.





However I can't see much tall buildings around. So I can't really feel the "Hong Kong", literarily that is...





As for the Chinese population, I can see that they are definitely the majority in town. But coming from Malaysia I find this rather normal.


Can't say this in Indonesia though where the Chinese forms only about 3% of the population if not mistaken compared to Malaysia's 25%.


Still there is a big mosque in Singkawang which means there is a significant Muslim population in and around town. For the record this is the 1,400th article in this blogspot.


Kalbar's drive-in zoo



Going down the peak we took a road entering a zoo.


It is a drive-in zoo where one can bring their own vehicles inside and stop anywhere by the roadside to have a better view.





For the record the province or state where this zoo and the surrounding area, the beach, the peak and such is situated in is called Kalbar, short form form Kalimantan Barat (West Kalimantan).











Let's just call this Kalbar's drive-in zoo. There are more animals on show than what is shown here. It's just we didn't have time to explore every part...


Views from the peak at Tanjung Bajau



At one part of the beach and extending to the cape of Tanjung Bajau lies a rather tall hill. There is a road leading up to one of its peak.


We took the road up to the said peak. A check with Google Earth shows that this part is about 650 feet above sea level.





The highest part of the hill is some 400 feet higher. But that is only accesible by foot.





Around this peak is a number of huts. After going around I found this one offering best views of the surrounding...