Bandung to Jakarta by train

the train is Argo Gede, nice view, scary thin bridges, green paddy fields :)

THE 99 BEAUTIFUL DIVINE NAME OF ALLAH

0. Allah God*
1. Ar Rahman The All-Compassionate
2.Ar Rahim The All-Merciful
3.Al Malik The Absolute Ruler/The King
4.Al Quddus The Pure One/The Holy
5.As Salaam The Source of Peace/The Peace
6.Al Mu'min The Inspirer of Faith/The Faithful
7.Al Muhaymin The Guardian/The Protector
8.Al'Aziz The Victorious/The Mighty
9.Al Jabbar The Compeller/The Repairer
10.Al Mutakabbir The Greatest/The Self-Expanding
11.Al Khaliq The Creator
12.Al Bari' The Maker of Order/The Maker From Nothing
13.Al Mushawwir The Shaper of Beauty/The Fashioner
14.Al Ghaffar The Forgiving/The Absolver
15.Al Qahhar The Subduer/The Dominant
16.Al Wahhab The Giver of All/The Bestower
17.Ar Razzaq The Sustainer/The Provider
18.Al Fattah The Opener/The Opener of the Heart
19.Al'Aliim The Knower of All/The Omniscient
20.Al Qaabidh The Constrictor/The Restrainer
21.Al Baasith The Reliever/The Spreader
22.Al Khaafid The Abaser
23.Ar Rafi' The Exalter
24.Al Muizz The Bestower of Honors
25.Al Muzill The Humiliator
26.As Sami' The Hearer of All
27.Al Bashiir The Seer of All
28.Al Hakam The Judge
29.Al Adil The Just
30.Al Lathif The Subtle One
31.Al Khabir The All-Aware
32.Al Haliim The Forebearing
33.Al Aziim The Magnificent/The Supreme Glory
34.Al Ghafur The Forgiver and Hider of Faults
35.Ash Syakur The Rewarder of Thankfulness/The Most
36.Al 'Aliy The Highest
37.Al Kabiir The Greatest
38.Al Hafiiz The Preserver
39.Al Muqiit The Nourisher
40.Al Hassiib The Accounter
41.Al Jalil The Mighty/The Sublime
42.Al Kariim The Generous
43.Ar Raqiib The Watchful One
44.Al Mujib The Responder to Prayer
45.Al Waasi' The All-Comprehending/The All-Comprehensive
46.Al Hakim The Perfectly Wise
47.Al Wadud The Loving One
48.Al Majiid The Majestic One/The Glorious
49.Al Ba'ith The Resurrector
50.Ash Shahiid The Witness
51.Al Haqq The Truth
52.Al Wakil The Trustee
53.Al Qawi The Possesor of All Strength
54.Al Matin The Forceful One
55.Al Waali The Governor/The Nearest Friend
56.Al Hamiid The Praised One
57.Al Muhshi The Appraiser
58.Al Mubdi' The Originator
59.Al Mu'id The Restorer
60.Al Muhyi The Giver of Life
61.Al Mumit The Taker of Life
62.Al Hayy The Ever-Living One
63.Al Qayyum The Self-Existing One
64.Al Waajid The Finder
65.Al Maajid The Glorious
66.Al Wahid The Only One
67.Al Ahad The One
68.Ash Shamad The Satisfier of All Needs
69.Al Qadir The All Powerful
70.Al Muqtadir The Creator of All Power7
71.Al Muqaddim The Expediter/The Foremost
72.Al Muakhkhir The Delayer
73.Al Awaal The First
74.Al Aakhir The Last
75.Azh Zhahir The Manifest One
76.Al Bathin The Hidden One
77.Al Wali The Protecting Friend
78.Al Muta'aali The Supreme One
79.Al Barr The Doer of Good/The Righteous
80.At Tawwib The Guide to Repentance
81.Al Muntaqim The Avenger
82.Al'Afu The Forgiver
83.Ar Rauuf The Clement/The Kind
84.Al Malikul Mulk The Owner of All/The King of Supreme Dominion
85.Zul Jalali Wal Ikram The Lord of Majesty and Bounty
86.Al Muqsit The Equitable One
87.Al Jami' The Gatherer
88.Al Ghani The Rich One
89.Al Mughni The Enricher
90.Al Mani' The Preventer of Harm
91.Ad Daar The Creator fo the Harmful
92.An Nafi' The Creator of Good
93.An Nur The Light
94.Al Hadi The Guide
95.Al Badi' The Originator/The Incomparable/The First Cause
96.Al Baqi' The Everlasting One
97.Al Warith The Inheritor of All
98.Al Rashid The Righteous Teacher/The Unerring
99.As Shabur The Patient One

Tama and Udin

Bdg-Jkt trip

Ignore the date on the photo, the camera is playing tricks on me again. Try the train from Jkt-Bdg, the view is awesome and the thrill of the train going over bridges that looked soooo thin can make your heart tremble :). Enjoy.

Dinner at Damansara Seafood Village

Wanna try seafood without breaking a hole in d wallet? Try Damansara Seafood Village, price is affordable, you get fresh seafood (from Pulau Ketam), and its tasty too... not forgetting the atmosphere is a relaxing one and the Staff are friendly too. you can have fish, crab, prawn, clams etc, all fresh and alive (they kept it at the back). For the kids they can play with the little fish in the small stream at the corner of the joint so that they won't be a nuisance to us as we enjoy our food :)

Address:
1067, Jalan Jenjarum
SS23 Damansara Jaya
47400 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-7803 1832 for reservations

By the way, Patrick Teoh is also involved here. Read his blog here.

Park Sung

Our friend from South Korea, Mr Park Sung was in town recently with his wife. We had dinner together with my family in Madam Kwan Bangsar

the family

Langkawi 3

We booked a chalet at Pantai Chenang with fine powdery sandy beach right at the doorstep. The chalet is called Laggura Baron Resort. Pantai Cenang stretches for two kilometres and is lined with a mix of resorts, luxury hotels, chalets and restaurants. Located at the south-western tip of Langkawi, about 18 kilometres from Kuah.

After breakfast we headed for the Underwater World Langkawi. One of the largest marine and fresh water aquaria in South East Asia.

Unique to Underwater World Langkawi is the gigantic 15-meter long walk-through tunnel consisting of 500,000 liter seawater which houses many big fishes and sea creatures including the Giant Green Turtle.

Next is the Mahsuri mausoleum. The best known legend of Langkawi is of Mahsuri, a pretty maiden who lived some 200 years ago. She was soon a victim of a conspiracy and was falsely accused of committing adultery with a villager Deraman.There are many versions as to the reasons behind the treachery.Widely believed was that her own mother in law, Wan Mahora, was jealous of her beauty and popularity and had plotted against her. At her execution by stabbing with a sacred 'keris' or dagger, the villagers were shocked to discover that the blood flowing from her body was white, signifying her innocence. Others maintain there was the sudden appearance of white mist that enveloped the spot where she was executed, which it was believed was a sign of mourning of her innocence.

Mahsuri is is probably best remembered for her curse. With her dying breath Mahsuri placed a curse on the island of Langkawi by uttering, "For this act of injustice Langkawi shall not prosper for seven generations to come."

Langkawi 2

Day 2 at Langkawi. Off we went to The Langkawi Bird Paradise, located at Jalan Kisap just 10 minutes by car from Kuah town.

This large 10,000 sq meter park offers you the chance to see and enjoy hundreds of exotic bird species in just a few hours. The colourful birds are housed in areas adapted to their natural habitat.

Hundreds of the world's rarest and most beautiful birds greet you as you walk through enclosed bird rooms and there are also other animals e.g. rabbits/ostrich/peacock.. something like a mini zoo. Don't forget the World's Largest Crystal ball on show at the park.

Then there is the Pantai Pasir Hitam - Black Sand Beach - This is a very unusual beach as the sands on Pantai Pasir Hitam are pigmented black due to the tin and mineral ore deposits which washed up on the shore.

Next stop, Galleria Perdana which is the Premier Museum in Malaysia, houses all the honour of Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir items throught his work for 20 yrs as a government servant. It houses the normal collections but I am amazed at the carvings on the roof.. see photo

Next its the Burau Beach, a public beach... next to the marina. Burau Bay or Teluk Burau is a fairly secluded beach in Langkawi. While Burau Bay is regarded as a public beach, the crowd mostly consists of the patrons coming from either Mutiara Burau Bay Resort or Berjaya Langkawi Beach & Spa Resort. These resorts flank on the opposite ends of Burau Bay.

The beach itself is very long. I estimate that it might take a 2-km walk from one end to the other. The water can be considered pleasant enough to swim in and not as murky as most other beaches in Langkawi. In fact, certain sections of the beach boast a fairly crystal-clear water which is considered a rare offering in the island of Langkawi.

Laman Padi Langkawi is Langkawi's latest attraction and one that should not be missed for agro-tourism lovers. Laman Padi Langkawi showcases the history, heritage and development of the nation's rice growing industry.

Among the attractions here is a rice museum displaying artifacts, charts and photographs showing the significance of padi cultivation to the country. Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy a bird's eye view of the fields from a roof-top garden, try your hand at -padi planting using both traditional as well as modern methods of cultivation.

Langkawi 1

Finally I landed for the first time in Langkawi. This is my first trip and I am quite excited about it. I don't know what to expect but all I know is that it is supposed to have beautiful beaches and cheap cigaretes :)

We checked into our hotel, the Eagle Bay (bad bad hotel.. I am not going there again) and off we went to Dataran Lang.

Dataran Lang (Lang Square) is Langkawi's most outstanding landmark for visitors arriving by ferry. It is strategically located near the Kuah jetty and can hardly be missed as it boasts a sculpture of a majestic brown eagle with wings spread out, ready for flight.

Folklore dictates that the eagle is a symbol from where the name Langkawi originated. Lang refers to helang (eagle) while kawi means reddish brown in old Malay.

Dinner time and off we went to Wonderland Seafood, as recommended by the cigarette seller. The location leaves much to be desired if you expect a more upmarket restaurant. This is Langkawi street dining, but who cares? It is just part of the colours of real Langkawi. The restaurant overlooks a tidal pool just a few metres behind the Bella Vista Hotel in Kuah. We had fish, squid, kailan, prawns etc etc and all this for RM 80 only. Oh the lobster on offer was RM38/pc or the larger ones goes for RM 100/kg.

Pusat Dagangan Kelana Mas,
Kuah, 07000 Langkawi

Tel: 012–494–6555

Penang

View of Penang island from air

Reds crowned champions

United have been crowned Premiership champions for a ninth time after closest rivals Chelsea failed to beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

A first-half penalty from Gilberto Silva put the Gunners 1-0 in front and Khalid Boulahrouz was sent off for a foul on Julio Baptista, which led to the spot-kick.

Michael Essien levelled on 70 minutes but the Blues could find no way through after that in a hugely tense affair.

Twenty-four hours earlier on Saturday, Chelsea had seen United secure a 1-0 win over local neighbours Manchester City.

It is the ninth Premiership title the Reds have won under Sir Alex Ferguson and is one of the team's finest triumphs under the Scot.

The Reds will be presented with the Championship trophy after the final game of the season against West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday. Before that United face a mid-week trip to Stamford Bridge, and victory in the next two games would give United a record Premiership total of 94 points.

United's best accumulation to date came at the end of the 1993/94 season, when Sir Alex's side finished on 92 points. The Reds came within a point of that in 1999/2000, ending the campaign on 91.

from ManUtd.com

Udin is 6 years old

Our Mohd Nuruddin is 6years old today

Malaysia ends 25-year wait for All England mens doubles

Kien Keat-Boon Heong tore apart world champions and top seeds Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China 21-15, 21-18 in a 38-minute battle at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham in the men's doubles final of the All-England.

I guess a big congratulation should go to Yap Kin Hock and Rexy Mainaky.

Doubles in the finals All England

Yes.. we are in the men doubles finals.. finally. Well done boys. Even though they are seeded 8th they have now beaten last year's champion to move into the finals tomorrow. the result: 8* KOO Kien Keat & TAN Boon Heong (MAS ) beaten- 2* Jens ERIKSEN & Martin LUNDGAARD HANSEN (DEN) semi Final Men 2, 2 - 0 ( 21-15, 21-13 )

They will now meet the number one seed CAI Yun & FU Haifeng of China who disposed of the 5th seed Tony GUNAWAN & Candra WIJAYA of USA earlier.

They don't sell BRA in Hollywood ya?

I found another stupid excuse by Linda Onn today on one tabloid.. She cant wear RR's kebaya because she doesn't have matching bra... ha ha ha.. seems that she only has pink and black bra ONLY in her luggage.

Must be an insult to America that she can't get other bra in the whole of US of A. Its either that or her tits are just too small to fit into American bra. Now I really believe she is damn bloody stupid offering stupid excuse like we Malaysians are really stupid to believe her.

Wonderbra, Victoria Secret, Triumph all have no size for her?

Linda oo Linda Onn

Her name has been in the limelight eversince the Academy Awards last week. First she was really excited about representing Star Asia with Dominic Lau on the red carpet and suddenly she went missing during the award ceremony. Lets go through the chronology of events on this issue;

New Straits Times, 21 February 2007 Local girl Linda Onn and Hong Kong-based Channel V veejay Dominic Lau will be hosting the Star Movies Red Carpet show live. The excited Onn said she’s doing her homework, reading up on interviews on the famous red carpet and about the Academy of Motion Picture Science awards. She’s also looking forward to meeting Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Lopez. Onn will be wearing an East-meets-West outfit by Indonesian designer Jovian Mandagie.

I was informed that Jovian’s mom is Indonesian, his dad Kelantanese…so Malaysian lah right!Born in Bandung but was brought up in KL and even went to Setapak High School. Nak Malaysian macammana lagi tu

The Star Online, 21 February 2007 KUALA LUMPUR: Local TV host and deejay Linda Onn will be working her magic at the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. “I was really surprised when I was told about it. It’s really exciting as this is a step forward in my career and a lifetime experience…I will have a chance to meet some of the most talented people in the industry,” said Linda

Wednesday February 28, 2007 Poser over missing Linda HARIAN Metro report about Era radio deejay Linda Onn’s absence from the red carpet at the 79th Academy Awards on Monday morning. Star TV regional marketing and distribution assistant vice-president Nini Yusof said Linda could not carry out the job due to certain unavoidable reasons. It was understood that Linda was exhausted after a tour of Los Angeles and her work pass had been returned to the organiser.

Thursday March 1, 2007 Why DJ was not on the red carpet
RADIO deejay Linda Onn was absent on the 79th Academy Awards red carpet because she was not allowed to wear the dress she wanted, ….people were uncomfortable that a foreigner, Indonesian-born Jovian Mandagie, had designed and made the outfit Linda was to wear…local designer Radzuan Radziwill …put together a dress ..Star TV .. deliver it (to LA). However, Linda refused to wear it and was said to have been very disappointed that she could not wear the dress she wanted.

79th Annual Academy Awards EDDIE MURPHY in a
one-button grey Versace Couture tuxedo with black
silk satin peak lapels accessorized with a white shirt
and black silk bow tie.
TRACEY EDMONDS is also in Versace.

Linda gagal jalani sesi raptai – Nini KUALA LUMPUR 5 Mac – “Kami faham jika Linda kata dia tidak berasa selesa dengan pakaian gantian untuknya bagi mengacara majlis karpet merah sempena Anugerah Academy ke-79 di Kodak Theater, Hollywood, Amerika Syarikat baru-baru ini.“Sebab itu, kami menyediakan tukang jahit profesional dari Hollywood untuk mengubahsuai pakaian tersebut demi keselesaan beliau.” Naib Presiden Bersekutu Serantau Asia Star Movies, Nini Yusof .

“Saya diberitahu oleh pihak produksi, Linda telah gagal menjalani sesi raptai mengikut standard diperlukan. ..kami telah mengadakan sesi latihan tambahan pada pagi..,” jelasnya.… kenyataan Linda yang menyatakan kakaknya, Intan Onn berasa terkejut apabila diberitahu tentang sesi latihan itu yang dirasakan mengganggu masa rehat Linda.

ish ish ish... you lazy girl

‘Saya tidak gagal b. Inggeris!’

SEPANG 5 Mac – “Saya tidak gagal bahasa Inggeris semasa raptai acara karpet merah sehingga tidak muncul pada Anugerah Akademi. Dan bukan juga kerana saya tidak bersedia menjalankan tugas pada acara itu.” “Kalau saya gagal menjalankan tugas sewaktu acara yang sebenar, baru boleh kata saya gagal.”

“Saya bersumpah ..saya tidak bersikap diva serta meminta untuk dilayan kelas pertama seperti artis Hollywood. ..kerana kebaya gantian yang diberikan kepada saya itu, tidak sesuai dengan imej saya.” “Saya tidak sanggup menggadai maruah hanya kerana memakai pakaian seperti itu.” kata Linda.

‘‘...saya amat gembira dengan apa yang telah saya lakukan kerana berjaya mempertahankan maruah diri saya.’’

Is she going to wear body revealing outfit by RR? As though she has the figures to reveal anything at all :)

Tuesday March 6, 2007 DJ Linda Onn defends decision not to wear outfit to gala event
“It’s my body and it’s my say as to what I wear. It is a small issue over a dress,” said Linda. She had planned to wear a black and white modern baju kebaya created by Indonesian designer Jovian Mandagie....instead she was asked to wear Radzuan’s champagne-coloured outfit the day she arrived at the Los Angeles airport. “I received Radzuan’s outfit on Sunday, about one hour before going to the Kodak Theatre,” said Linda. Linda said the corset stitched by Radzuan did not fit her properly and was revealing.

Personally I think she is better off being a Jaguh Kampung just like other wannabe Malaysians who are good only on the home turf. Please don’t insult our intelligence by telling us about the outfit ….(what maruah? Its not as if she is naked wearing that outfit – see the photo) and have the decency to tell us that you are just not prepared, no confidence to speak English LIVE to the world. Oh and another thing, maybe you can find solace working behind the conti at the radio station where no one can see your face.

Local design: The baju
kebaya created by
Radzuan. Nak baju
macam mana lagi?

As Julia Robets aptly put it in the movie Pretty Woman. “big big mistake”. Bring on Maya Karin or Sarimah or even Cheryl Samad. At least they can speak English and they look better on TV and sounds good on radio too.

Maybe she got cold feet because right after she went off Immigration gate at KLIA, she found no one she could speak Malay to at the international departure hall. The cleaners are mostly Bangla. Then its off into the aircraft and even the stewardess speaks English to her. Touchdown LA she was greeted by Mat Saleh, taxi driver who speaks no Malay… and she begin to visualise the big blunder she will go through on Oscar day………. and on comes the conspiracy theory.

To Jovian, good luck to you mate, you received good publicity on this and I hope you will fill up your order books soon.

Free lesson: Never wear a
dress that has the same
colour as the carpet you
walk on