31st December 2007. Today is the end of the Calendar Year 2007.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the family, friends, colleagues and readers for everything which have happened this year. May Allah blessed us all and give us the courage, patience and strength to go through many successful years ahead.
Thank you to everyone who has sent their greetings and best wishes via this blog, e-mails, text messages or personally to me and my family. We wish you the same in return and lets hope the new year would be even better than the past.
Please join me to welcome the new year 2008.
31 December, 2007
End of Year 2007
30 December, 2007
Shisha aka Hookah
The text below shall be used as information only. It is never my intentions to encourage all of you to take shisha. The photos which follow are some examples of shisha that I have came across.
Shisha or hookah is a single or multi-stemmed (often glass-based) water pipe device for smoking. It originates in India and has gained popularity, especially in the Arab World. A shisha is operated by water filteration and indirect heat. It can be used for smoking herbal fruits, i.e using dried pieces that have been in the sun for a number of days. That's why shisha sometimes smells nice, sweet and addictive.
Shisha comes from the Persian word shishe, which literally translated as glass and not bottle.
In the Arab world, social smoking is done with a single or double hose. When the smoker is finished, either the hose is placed back on the table signifying that it is free, or it is handed from one user to the next, folded back on itself so that the mouthpiece does not point at the person receiving it. (Stories tell Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar thought of it as an insult if the mouthpiece pointed at the person, but there are no official facts.) Another tradition is that the receiver taps or slaps the giver on the back of the hand while taking it as a sign of respect or friendship.
In cafés and restaurants, however, it is rare for each smoker not to order an individual shisha, as the price is generally low, ranging from $2 to $10.
Most cafés (called maqha— Arabic: مقهى, "coffeeshop") in the Middle East have shisha available. Cafés are very widespread, and are amongst the main social gathering places in the Arab world (similar to the status pubs have in the UK).
Listed here are the components of shisha.
Excluding grommets, a shisha is usually made of five components, four of which are essential for its operation
The bowl
Also known as the head of shisha, the bowl is a container, usually made out of clay or marble, that holds the tobacco and coal during the smoking session. It is covered in a small piece of tin foil and holes are made before the coal is placed on top.
Hose
The hose is a slender tube that allows the smoke to be drawn. The end is typically fitted with a metal or wooden mouthpiece.
Body, Gasket, Valve
The body of shisha is a hollow tube with a gasket at its bottom. The gasket itself has at least one opening for the hose. The gasket seals the connection of the body of the shisha with the water jar. The gasket may have one more opening with a valve in it for clearing the smoke from the water jar not via the hose. In some cases the gasket may contain openings for more than one hose.
Water jar
Placed at the bottom of the shisha, the water jar is a container which the smoke from the tobacco passes through before it reaches the hose. By passing through water, the smoke gains moisture. This makes inhaling the smoke of the shisha easier than a cigarette's. Also the water jar allegedly functions as a filter for the smoke. The level of the water has to be higher than the lowest point of the body's tube in order for the smoke to pass through it. Liquids other than water may be added, such as a strong mixture of alcohol,spirit and/or fruit juice.
The plate
The plate is usually just below the bowl and is used for "dead" coals from previous smoking sessions. It is not vital for the operation of the shisha.
Grommets
Grommets in a shisha are usually placed between the bowl and the body, the body's gasket and the water jar and between the body and the hose. The reason for the usage of grommets although not essential (the usage of paper or tape has become common) will help to seal the joints between the parts, therefore decreasing the amount of air coming in and maximizing the smoke breathed in.
How it operates
The jar at the bottom of the shisha is filled with water sufficient to submerge a few centimeters of the body tube, which is sealed tightly to it. Tobacco is placed inside the bowl at the top of the shisha and a burning charcoal is placed on top of the tobacco. Some cultures cover the bowl with perforated tin foil to separate the coal and the tobacco, which minimizes inhalation of coal ash with the smoke.
When one inhales via the hose, air is pulled through the coal and into the bowl. The air, hot from the charcoal, roasts, not burns, the tobacco, producing smoke. This smoke passes down through the body tube, which extends into the water in the jar. It bubbles up through the water and fills the top part of the jar, to which the hose is attached. When a smoker inhales from the hose, smoke passes into the lungs, and the change in pressure in the jar pulls more air through the charcoal, continuing the process.
The shisha's components must be sealed tightly with grommets, or air which does not flow through the coal will dilute the smoke.
As you may noticed, one has to inhale deeply in order for the get the smoke into the lungs. For this reason, some people believe shisha is more dangerous than cigarattes.
My final advise is for those who smoke to stop smoking. As far as shisha is concerned, do not try it. Not even once. Just enjoy the art side of shisha because some of them are really beautiful. Have a look at these.
Smoke and shisha is dangerous for your health...
They come in small sizes too...
These are sold in Dubai International Airport...
Just enjoy the artistic side of shisha. They are beautiful as decorations...
and, its only 78 Dirhams ...26 December, 2007
Sightseeing in Muscat
Despite the busy schedules in Muscat, we also took the opportunity to go around and visited many interesting places there.
Muscat is the capital and largest city in the Sultanate of Oman. The city has an estimated population of 600,000. Since the ascession of Sultan Qaboos bin Said as the Sultan of Oman, Muscat has seen a growth of infrastructural development and urbanisation. In general, the building in Muscat are generally low (rarely more than five story) and white.
Something important that I want to record here is the fact that six months before my trip there, (6th June 2007 to be exact) Muscat was hit by Cyclone Gonu causing extensive damage to properties and rendering electricity, telephone lines and international airport inoperable. Most of the major roads were washed away by the water. Some of the buildings were flooded up to the roof level. That was 6 months ago. Surprisingly, when I arrived in Muscat in December 2007, there is not even a single trace of the effects of the cyclone that can be seen with the naked eyes. Within a matter of only 6 months, the city of Muscat has rebuild itself and came back to its normal life, as if nothing disastrous happened. Yes, 6 months or less was what it took them to rebuild all over again. I wonder if we in Brunei could do that, if it does happen to us. Nauzubillah...
Anyway, I hope you will enjoy these photos.
The Palace where Sultan Qaboos receives most of his esteemed visitors...
A closer view of the Palace...
We also went to the Ruwi, in east Muscat...
The oldest part of the city, near the sea...
Matrah Souq...
Golds and more golds...
Souvenirs...
Posing at one of the dates tree...24 December, 2007
The Food in Oman
The story in Oman will not be complete if I do not put in the interesting photographs of the foods I found there.
Unlike in Brunei, where the staple food is rice, pitta bread is commonly found during Omani meals, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner.
My breakfast plate...
Hommous is another common dish served during breakfast, lunch or dinner. Nyaman ni!!...
My morning hommous served with almond nuts. If you want to know what Hommous is, just give me a call. Nyaman kali ah, buleeeh!!!...
Different kinds of bread...
This was served during breakfast and it did look different and interesting...
I have not seen this kind of stuffs served in this way in Brunei yet...
Still guessing what it is? Yes, its honey served in its natural beehive...21 December, 2007
Friday afternoon in Oman
The day we arrived Muscat was a Friday. For those, like me, who are not familiar with Oman, it was a surprise to find out that the weekends in Oman are on Thursdays and Fridays. I wonder if it is the same for the rest of the countries in the middle east? Anyway, there are many surprises and differences between Brunei and Oman that I noticed. I will try to mention some of these differences later.
Actually, the Grand Hyatt Hotel is located along a beautiful beach. Since the weather was nice, we went down to the beach and took a stroll along the beach and enjoyed the scenery. The temperature in Muscat at that time was around 25 degrees, and it was really a nice weather to be in. Another notable surprise is that the weather in Oman could get to as high as 49 degrees - thats VERY VERY VERY HOT. In fact, one of the Omanis jokingly told me that Oman has 3 seasons, i.e. Summer, Summerer and Summerest. He said that we have came during the "Summer" season. That is why the weather is nice. "Summerest" is when the temperature could reach as high as 49 degrees or even higher. Another close friend who is working in Oman told me that it is not a good idea to come during the "Summerest" season unless we want to see the dates (kurma) bearing the fruit. Date trees will only bear fruits when the temperature reaches those really really high. Enough said about the weather.
Since it was a weekend, the beach during that time was full of people. Some of the people were relaxing and picnicking with families. Some of them were playing football, volleyball (without the net), cycling, jogging or just strolling along the beach.
Another surpise. There are a lot of these in Muscat. This car is owned by one of those at the beach...
Hummer...
The weather is so nice that they do not need an umbrella at the beach. Just some chairs and companions to talk to... The guys at the background are playing beach football...
These guys are playing volleyball. Notice that there is no net in the middle...
Some of the lil ones about to enjoy riding their bikes...
Notice that hut on the right? Well, that is where they relax, drink and smoke shisha. The smell of shisha was so sweet and addictive...
The view of our hotel from the beach. Do you want to know the rate of my room? Its about B$800 per night. How's that compared to The Empire Hotel and Country Club? ...20 December, 2007
Grand Hyatt Muscat Oman
As I said in my previous post, my flight to Oman via Doha started from Kuala Lumpur at around 4.00 in the morning. Together with a newlyfound friend, a Malaysian who was on the way to Sudan, we boarded Qatar Airways (Al-Qatar) and I settled comfortably in my seat next to him. Yes, it was very comfortable because I could adjust the seat into a nice bed. I was so tired and slept most of the way from Kuala Lumpur to Doha.
It was an 8-hour flight from KL to Doha. As soon as I woke up, it was still early in the morning and most of the people were still sleeping. That was good because it meant I could spend more time at the washroom, without worrying someone waiting outside. About 15 minutes later, breakfast was served. Arrived Doha at around 7.00 in the morning. Boarded a bus, which took us to the arrival & transfer hall. As soon as we reached the transfer hall, I rushed to another gate for my next flight at 7.50am from Doha to Muscat. Bid farewell to my Malaysian friend and we went our separate ways.
Doha to Muscat was a short 1-hour flight using Qatar Airways.
Arrived safely at Muscat. I was pleasantly surprised to see some of the Bruneians working in Oman waiting for me at the arrival hall. The first person I met was Hajah Florinda (Haji Ismail's wife). Also present was Mohd Jair Japar and Norhasnida, both working in PDO Oman. Unfortunately, the handphone did not have any signal at the airport and I could not contact my actual host. After searching and asking around, we finally found Mr Ravi - the person who was supposed to take care of us while in Oman - and the 2 drivers from the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Mr Ravi told me that he actually saw me coming out of the arrival hall and as he was about to approach me he became confused when another person greeted me instead.
Then, we waited for another 30 minutes for the arrival of another flight from Dubai, which carried my other 3 colleagues from Brunei. Mr Yong came out first followed by Dr Peter. Yati came out last and it was because her baggage was lost in transit.
In Muscat, we stayed at the prestigious Grand Hyatt Hotel. It was a grand hotel almost similar to Brunei's own The Empire Hotel and Country Club.
The Grand Hyatt Hotel in Muscat...
View at the Poolside...
Another view of the poolside...
The view of the beach from the balcony in my room ...
The view of the poolside from the balcony...
The dining area...
The view of the other wing of the hotel from the balcony...
The poolside view
Me at Grand Hyatt Hotel19 December, 2007
KL International Airport Treat
Now that my broadband is back to normal, I just want to catch up on my recent trips to the middle east.
Before I post the photos in Oman (be patience and... smiles), I wanted to share these pictures taken during my departure from Kuala Lumpur. Mind you, I was in KLIA at 1.30am because my flight was around 4.00 in the morning. Yes, you read it right. Its damn early in the morning! 
The place where I lepak at KLIA...
The Golden Lounge owned by Malaysia Airlines System...
Croissants...
beef ...
chicken ...
egg...
The place to relax and enjoy the food...
If the time permits, there is the place in the lounge to sharpen the putting (golf) skill...3D Simulator Ride
Since I know someone is going to KL soon, I wanted to show this...
The Morphis 3D Movie Ride Simulator...
It is the Morphis 3D Movieride Theatre at Jalan Bukit Bintang. This is the RM2,000,000 flight experience 3D movie ride simulator right in the middle of the city. Its so real you can feel it!
It is owned by the Malaysian Simulator Agency (MSA). It provides surround sound system, high resolution projection and cutting edge entertainment.
The actual location of the simulator is outside the Bukit Bintang/Sungei Wang Plaza. If you go out of the main entrance at Sungei Wang, turn left and the simulator is just a few metres from the entrance.
06 December, 2007
Kuala Lumpur 61207
Took these photos on Tuesday but did not have the time to upload them until this morning. I am sure some of you know how big the Mid Valley shopping mall is, so finding the direction leading to The Gardens was a challenge.
The Gardens at Mid Valley...
they have lots of sofa... 
and big trees inside...
Robinsons at The Gardens...
they have touches of wood... 
state of the art...
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