Raya 2011

We had a good Raya today (Tue 30 Aug 2011) although a slightly bad start at the mosque where we had the Aidil Fitri prayers. The Nazir Ugama as usual blasted away with his oratory which was quite unpleasant. He took too long to deliver his "khutbah" so I walked out after the first khutbah. I was told later that this incurred his wrath and I somewhat became the subject of his second khutbah which finally ended at 11:00 am. Anyway, we had a good breakfast at Mama's with the family;

only Ida, Faizal and Zaki were absent. After that it was Open House at Bonda's starting from 12:00 noon - in fact a couple of Rotarian guests came at 11:45 am - and ending around 6:00 pm. It was a pleasant day, no rain, and a fairly large crowd of relatives and friends turned up; some non-Malays even wearing the "baju Melayu"

My Africa story is in SUV.4x4.MPV magazine

The August issue of the SUV.4x4.MPV magazine has my story on Trans-Africa IV. I have also written in the "Berita Pudu", my Rotary club's weekly newsletter from issue #1 to issue #6. Read all about it here http://www.rotarypudu.org.my. Click on Berita Pudu button on the menu panel to access.

I’ve crossed the Equator twice

The first time I physically crossed the Equator ie walked across it was in Quito, Ecuador on December 2, 2008. This was when I did the South America II trip from Lima, Peru to Cartagena, Columbia via Caracas, Venezuela.

Then on May 31, 2011, I did it again; this time at Nanyuki in Kenya, Africa. And this was when I did the Trans Africa IV trip from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to Cairo Egypt. (Travel Blog not ready yet.)

Very Hot in Sudan

The road to Khartoum from the south is good, in spite of the many check points along the way. However, driving in mid-summer as we are doing now, the heat is oppressive at 45 deg C. For the 400 km drive yesterday 9 Jun 2011 it took us the whole day to arrive in Khartoum by 7 pm, with many stops along the way to rest man and machine. Litres of water were consumed to keep the body hydrated. I felt as if hell fire was just being turned on; there is more when we drive through the Nubian desert tommorow.

Very cold at Kilimanjaro

We were at Mt Kilimanjaro on 27 May 2011. Not for doing a climb, but just to experience the climb by 4x4 to our lodge at 2,500m. It was a difficult climb even by 4x4 because the path up there twists and turns; and doing it at night didn't help. The Pajero was on 4Low and I even got bogged down requiring rescue. Anyway, we finally made it to the Kilimanjaro View Lodge to a warm meal and native culture.
The owner of the Lodge, Philip Kilewo, was most pleased to have 35 Malaysians at his Lodge for the first time. So we were entertained to local music and dance that took a little too long for our tired bodies to endure. Finally we found our ways to our assigned huts that sleeps 4 equipped with shower and flush toilets. Unfortunately, there was no hot water, so we all just dry-cleaned. The bunk beds were ok but I slept in my sleeping bag. Even then it was still cold.

Faritz designed and built his own guitars

Bicara Harta Pusaka Long Lah

Alhamdullilah, all settled. The formalities were completed at the Pejabat Pusaka Jabatan Ugama Johor in Segamat today. I have relinquished all my share of Long's harta to Timah for her to ensure that those that were not entitled to it under Syara'iah Law -- namely Normah, and Katek's three children -- get something based on budibicara among them.
Pix: Timah and Normah under the mangosteen tree
After the final due processes at the Pejabat Ugama and Pejabat Tanah, we went to Bumbun to see the land -- the tapak rumah where I was born. I felt a tinge of sadness to see the overgrowth that could hide a baby elephant. However, this piece of land would soon be sold off since that would be the best thing to do. After all, none of us, or our children, are living anywhere near Segamat to want to develop it or to look after it. And it would be sadder still if quarrels emanate over this small piece of property.