Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman or Tuanku Abdul Rahman Road (TAR) is one of the popular places (especially amongst the Malay) in Kuala Lumpur. It has a lot of things to offer and one of its popular items is textiles products. Last time we visited this was week before Raya 2010 days after we landed our feet in KL from our stint in Egypt.
On the way back, we spent sometime exploring the back lane. Very interesting.
Last week, we spent almost the whole morning looking or shopping for Raya 2011 - The earlier the better. And, definitely not during Ramadhan where we are supposed to focus on cleansing our spiritual portion; earning as much as possible all the offering by Allah swt; and self reflex our deeds.
Zailan's machine that had cost him RM 40,000. Named after one of the most top Italian cyclist - De Rosa. Using Compagnolo crank and carbon fiber body, the weight is about not more than 8 kg! Well, with that cost, one could buy a brand new Manual MyVy.!
This one - Cannondale had cost him RM 35,000 and weigh about 7 kg. The lightest mountain bike that I'd ever experience.
Zailan is one of the founder of the Le Tua cycling team that had helped and produced top Malaysian cyclist. One of them is Anuar Manan.
After spending almost hours at Petrosains, KLCC, we quenched our thirst and filled our hungry stomach at one of our favorite’s restaurants, none other than Little Penang Café. Why our favorites? The service is superb; the hospitality of the staff is commendable; the price is reasonable (for KLCC) and above all, their products - foods/drinks are excellent.
Nana, M Asri, Afi, M Aiman, Chote, Afiqah, Siti Asmah, Farah, M Afiq and me (not in the picture because I took the photo?!)
To know TwinzBites is to visit them at 1st Floor between the old and new extension of Bintang Plaza from 09:30 until 22:00 hours daily. Adjacent to ESPRIT boutique, the kiosk is strategically located in front of the Body Shop at 20 meters away from Mc Donald's. 
Thanks to AirAsia....for connecting and bridging me and my family in Bintulu when I was on two months special assignment at KLCC. Flown by AirAsia AK 5141 & AK5140, I spent almost every weekends with my family in Bintulu. Otherwise, I'll have to fly less frequent and with tonnes of money. I must say, the service is very reliable and commendable.
LAST weekend, I've finally made up my mind; we bought two units mid range bicycle - Mountain Bike TREK brand and a road bike of SCOTT for M Aiman and me respectively. The whole intention is for us to rejuvenate our health and fitness level, which is unsatisfactorily alarming. Friends and even my boss suggested me to invest in thread mills and some other typical fitness gadgets, but I was a little bit sceptical with the idea. Cycling is always my favorite activity and due to lack of discipline, I'd stopped the activity since in Terengganu 6 years ago.
'Electric Lime' drink; Fresh Water Melon juice; Special Three Layered Tea or 'Teh-C spesial' and 'Teh-O Ais limau Kosong' or Ice Lemon Tea with no sugar by Sajian Warisan...anyone?
It has been reported by Ibn Mas’ood Raghiyallaho anhu (ra) that the Holy Prophet Sallallaho alaihi wassalam (saw) peace be upon him (PBUH) said: “The decline and fall of Bani Israil started thus: when the pious among them saw certain sins being committed by the transgressors, they forbade them from doing the same; but when the sinners did not repent, the pious because of their relationship and friendship continued to mix with them. So, when this state of affairs began to prevail, Allah swt caused their hearts to be accursed in the same manner.” (i.e. the hearts were also affected with the disobedience of the transgressors). Then is support of this, the Holy Prophet Muhammad saw (PBUH) recited a verse of the Holy Qu’ran, which says: ‘The disobedient and the transgressors among the Bani Israil were accursed by Allah swt.’ On this, the Holy Prophet Muhammad saw (PBUH) emphatically instructed his Companions:”(To avoid such decline) you people must enjoin upon others to do good deeds and prevent them from doing forbidden things: you should restrain every tyrant from tyranny and invite him towards truth and justice.”Another hadith says that the Holy Prophet Muhammad saw (PBUH) was reclining comfortably when suddenly overcome with emotion, he sat up and said: “I swear by Allah swt that you people cannot attain salvation, unless you prevent the tyrants from tyranny.”
After almost 5 months away from their brothers - M Asri & M Aiman and little sis - Afiqah, Bintulu Airport witnessed their excitement when Afi and M Afiq exit the arrival lounge around 18:25 hours. Except M Asri, M Aiman and Afiqah waited impatiently but zealously for their big brothers at the arrival hall. 
From across the al Azhar Street that carves the historic city into two parts, one could see the dome and minaret of Madrasah and Sabil Kuttab of Sultan al Ashraf Barsbay. Linking the al Mu’izz Street, the historic spine of the city, is the metal footbridge or flyover. 
The Madrasah was the first monument that we stopped and explored during the third phase of our adventure. In the interest of time, we decided to skip visiting Khan el Khalili, Masjid el Hussain, Masjid el Azhar and other historic monuments within the perimeter. Moreover, we had visited these spots couple of times. 
It was built in 1425. It is cruciform in plan, with a mausoleum attached on the street façade. The sabil-kuttab is near the portal entrance at the south end. A three-tiered decorated minaret crowned by an onion-shaped dome marks the entrance to the building. Sultan al Ashraf Barsbay himself is buried in the northern cemetery.
Right after the Madrasah and Sabil-kuttab of Sultan al Ashraf Barsbay, on the north west corner of the intersection of al Muski street or in arabic Sharia al Muski and al-Mu’izz Street is the Masjid and Sabil-kuttab of Shaikh Mutahhar that was constructed in 1744. The lunette of tiles over the door, the minaret above the entrance, and the sabil-kuttab belong to a structure built here by 'Abd al-Rahman Katkhunda. I had a brief stop here. The well maintained wooden arabesques works of some parts of the building especially the masharabeya amazed me. But in the interest of time to catch the Friday prayer congregation, I went on. 
Still in the midst of preparing the write-up 
Adjacent or rather opposite of the Majestic Madrasah al Mansur Qalawun and on the south side of Mausoleum of al Salih Nagma al Din is Sabil-kuttab of Khusraw Pasha. It is the first Ottoman sabil-kuttab in Cairo built in 1535, but designed in the Mamluk style. The place is very clean and normally visitors will spend or stop for a while here to take their breath before continuing their walk.The builder Khusraw Pasha or Hüsrev Pasha was one of the most active builders among Ottoman governors. He constructed several masjid at Diyarbakir around 1519 – 1529; Sarajevo in 1532, and Van in 1567. 
Last weekend we went to Miri and had a brief stop at Bintang Plaza or specifically Parkson to buy few items. To our surprise, we saw TwinzBites and its crew were participating in Miri Wedding Expo, the first this year I think? Anyway, kudos to Miah (one of Twinzbites' directors) for making efforts to expand their market share. 
Very proud of this signage – ABF Neighborhood Watch. It has been there for more than 11 years standing steadfastly reminding people about the importance of unity vs. selfishness. That was many years ago when the housing area was populated by the ABF people. Now, however, its existence is no more relevant. The design of the signage is actually the logo of ABF Neighborhood Watch initiated and formed in 1998 by group of some concerned devoted ABF staff, supported and sponsored by one of the PETRONAS subsidiaries – Asean Bintulu Fertiliser Sdn Bhd a.k.a ABF. It all started when the Company’s house - SS2E/7 that I stayed was broken-in during having our ‘sahur’ i.e. taking food or having meal before we start our obligation, the second tenet of Islam – fasting in the month of Ramadhan, at around 04:40 hours. After completed my meal, I went up preparing myself for the dawn prayer. Second after I opened our bedroom door, I was shocked when I saw someone behind the curtain tried or rather climbed over our window and fled away. Muhammad Afiq, Muhammad Asri and the little M Aiman were in their deep sleep at the corner of the room. Without much thought I’ve tried to give a chase but ended up stuck at the window shouting for help. My good neighbor M Ridzuan rushed out responded to my 95decibel pitch, but could not do much though. Amid the adrenalin rush and state of nervousness, with a hand-made ‘samurai’ sword, I exhausted my effort tracking the possible path of the intruder. The spiritually harmonic dawn prayer call, ‘Azan’, forced me to withdraw the operation. I said to myself, “things happened for reasons; hence I must go back to the Almighty Allah swt for help”. After came back from Masjid al Hidayah, we then made a thorough check and sad to share, few RM notes / cash in my wallet and my mom’s jewelries were burgled. Same time on the following morning, my friend’s house, just 100 meters from my house, was intruded by same modus operandi. Not to further deteriorate the situation and to prevent other houses from this mad vulgar non humane person, we – Kassim, Mohamad, Yusuf, A Hakim and few others formed a commando like group to trace any sign of intruders in the neighborhood. Equipped with catapult, dagger, torch light, etc., the team resumed their round from 03:00 hours until around 04:30 hours. Prior to that, we reported our move to the nearest police station. There were very supportive and cooperative. To cut the long story short, we received strong support by the community and gradually, many had joined us. The noble move had attracted ABF’s Management. They had given us full support in many aspects, among others, the installation of the signage that carried the group logo – the owl. 
This is the place I stay or my ‘house’ since I moved to KL on February 6 2011 for my special assignment –Impiana KLCC. Nestled right in the heart of the city, the hotel is positioned among prominent landmarks without exception the splendid PETRONAS Twin Towers and the ultra modern Kuala Lumpur Convention Center aka KL Convex. Recently, KLCC Holdings, the owner of this property launched an air-conditioned and weather proof elevated 183 meters walkway that links the hotel with the KL Convex, which provides convenience to not only the hotel guests but all city folks from all walks of life. 
Some of the hot air balloons with the Minister of Finance building (and some other Government buildings) as background. The photo was taken from the Putrajaya Bridge. One could see in the background, Para-gliders showing their skill maneuvering the balloons.
It was a bright Sunday morning. After spending almost one and a half hour at Tonka Bean Café, Impiana Hotel and SPA, KLCC, I drove my 8 years old Trajet to Putrajaya. I arrived there at around 09:35 hours and parked my car on the famous Putrajaya Bridge, simply because the car park was fully occupied.
I’ve read about this balloon thing few weeks ago and very eager to watch it life. Planned to go on Saturday, but weather was not suitable for photo shooting – a little bit cloudy and temperature was dull. Furthermore, Zailan invited me to his ‘doa selamat’ that I felt obligated. Besides experiencing weekend in KL, my main intention visiting the 3rd Hot Air Balloon Fiesta was testing my photography skill with my new Nikon D7000. 
Awas Kecurian’ – literally translates ‘theft alert’; the notice board actually reminds visitors to lock their car, also not to leave their valuables inside their car and the Masjid shall not be liable for any unwanted circumstances.
I’ve bought the book a day after the launching by the Tun himself at the MPH outlet in the Mid Valley Megamall. Tun Mahathir Mohamed, the former Malaysian Premier is one of trail-blazers that I really admire. He is truly one and only Malaysian architect who has placed Malaysia significantly in the world map – a man to be watched.
It was the first day of the Chinese New Lunar year. We had a long break. A long break in Bintulu!?..well, you guys must be kidding?! Bintulu is populates with foreigner, I mean, Malaysian from different states and divisions who earn their living in this rich gas division in the middle of Sarawak. And, they will definitely take the long break flying back to their home land or adventuring somewhere else. Malaysia though has many interesting attractive tourist spots that one must visit.
To cut that long and boring intro short, I’ve decided to bring Aiman and Afiqah ‘hunting’ for the Chinese Lion dance group popularly known as ‘China Rongan’ amongst the Malay. Don’t ask me where do it get its nickname – ‘China Rongan’? it is always easy to hunt them – by its tradition drum beat – “tong tong chiang..tong chiang……tong.. tong……”, and they normally travel by 2 or 3 tons lorry with bright striking colorful ‘uniform’. After spending about 10 minutes around the Tanjung Kidurong housing area, we found one at Taman Matahari. They were performing inside someone’s garden, thus we turned off our idea to capture their acrobatic stunt and ended up landing at Millennium Park.
Now, what is the Millennium Park? It is located in the middle of used to be Bintulu Port Housing area, x-ABF housing, SESCO Housing and x-Shell MDS housing – Taman Matahari. Apart from that, it is just 5-10 minutes walking distance from SMK Kidurong, Masjid Darul Hidayah, Petronas Station, Police Station and shop houses. The other factor that has made the Park so attractive to the people in the nearby neighborhood, besides its facilities, is its location facing the South China Sea.
The park in that morning, however, was so quiet. Beautifully landscaped, it has one of the best skate park in Sarawak, basketball court, petanque courts, jogging lane and many others, which have made it so ‘noisy’ and happening in the afternoon, especially during weekends.
In collaboration with Bintulu Development Authority, the National Landscape Department built the park in two phases. The second phase was launched by the Chief Minister of Sarawak, YAB Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud on 23 January 2010.
for a first year first semester student who does not have any basic in architectural science, I must salute his efforts and creativity in coming up with the awesome models. Keep it up dude! Anyway, it is still a long way to go and like I've always said, put your best efforts and do it for Allah swt.
