BERPETUALANG KE ACEH

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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.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Jetty to the tomb of Sultan Mahmud Shah

Continuing from Perak river at dusk from the spot where J.W.W. Birch is believed to have been killed.

After resting one night at Pasir Salak I continued visiting the tombs of Perak rulers. One proved quite difficult to reach. The road was in bad condition.

Why, I have to drive through an expanse of red earth.

The tomb I was trying to reach belongs to the 16th Sultan of Perak, Sultan Mahmud Shah. I have been here a number of times and believe me it used to be quite easy.

One thing's for sure. I don't remember seeing the Perak river on the way to this tomb before. It seems land has been cleared for some development.

Then I caught sight of this signboard mentioning this place as the jetty to the tomb of Sultan Mahmud.

An upstream view of Perak river...

View across.

Stilts of what should be the jetty. Where is the platform?

All I know is that the new Sultan of Perak was coronated just about a month earlier. And the jetty was used by him and entourage to pay a visit to the tomb via boat...

Perak river at dusk from the spot where J.W.W. Birch is believed to have been killed

Continuing from Perak river from the right bank of Pulau Semat.

As the day approaches dusk I decided to rest at the old mosque of Pasir Salak.

In front of it lies a monument to mark the spirit of Perak freedom fighters who fought against British invaders in 1875.

Both the mosque and monument face the Perak river.

A look downstream.

A look across.

A look upstream.

Another monument nearby says the first British resident to Perak, J.W.W. Birch was killed by Malay warriors around here.

Birch was said to be very rude and arrogant, insensitive to local customs and beliefs. He crossed the border of decency once too many times and that brought his demise...

Perak river from the right bank of Pulau Semat

Continuing from On to Pulau Semat, again.

The reason I went to Pulau Semat was to visit the tomb of the 4th Sultan of Perak. Look at the article Rupa terbaru makam Sultan Tajul Ariffin (Latest look of tomb of Sultan Tajul Ariffin) in the blogspot SENI LAMA MELAYU (MALAY OLDEN ART). The area around has been cleared and this allowed me to see the land across the right bank of the island from the tomb...

I didn't notice this in my first visit here 5 years ago because these parts used to be full of growth.

A downstream view of the Perak river from the right bank of Pulau Semat.

A view across...

A view upstream.

If not mistaken that should be the mountain called Gunung Bubu in the background. It stands nearly 5,500 feet hight from sea level.

On to Pulau Semat, again

Peace be upon you all. Regarding the Penang and Perak trip made 28th June till 2nd July actually I still have a few more articles to share. It's just I was too tired and not in the mood to share it earlier. Now let's just lay the ghost to rest. Continuing from A quick look at Kuala Gula bird sanctuary.

Tuesday 30th June 2015. After visiting a number of places in and around the royal town of Kuala Kangsar in Perak I headed for the small town of Manong on to its jetty besides the Perak river.

I went there to get a boat to reach the island called Pulau Semat. This is a downstream view of the river and you could actually see part of the island in the middle of this pix.

A look across.

A look upstream.

There. I already got a boat.

After a few minutes I've passed the northern head of the island. The island is seen on the left.

Soon I could see the jetty of Kampung (village of) Semat on my right. It is a village which lies at the western bank of the Perak river facing the island of Pulau Semat.

The jetty to Pulau Semat is situated right across. The problem is its hard to get a boat from Kampung Semat.

For the record I have been to Pulau Semat once before with my family. But that was more than 5 years ago. Look at the article Visiting the mystical island of Pulau Semat.

This time I was on a certain mission and went alone. Let me explain in the following article...

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Muda river from the bridge at Jeniang

Continuing from Muda river from Jeniang police station.

Next, I walked to the bridge.

At the middle I stopped to catch better views.

That's the Muda river flowing downriver.

The local police station.

On for an upriver view...

Muda river from Jeniang police station

Continuing the storytelling from Enjoying the views from Gunung Jerai resort... again.

The following day, Thursday 9th July 2015 we went to the small town of Jeniang to look for an archaeology site. Stopped by at the local police station to ask for direction.

The station is situated at a high ground overlooking this bridge.

The bridge and the Muda river it crosses make a rather panoramic view...