NIGERIA: Lagos: Tarkwa Bay with the Saifuddeens (June 2016)

Another long overdue post. Just before the school summer break. Another trip to Tarkwa Bay, Lagos in order before fasting month and our trip back home to Malaysia. We love the beach here and Tarkwa Bay reminds us of our own Port Dickson in Negri Sembilan. Long beach and shallow water until you're quite a distance. This time we took Saifuddeen's family and Saisha (Fay's bestie)

ready for some sand and sun

 

NIGERIA: Lagos: Hello Khairy, Goodbye Saifuddin (MATRADE TC)

At long last, the family and also the replacement officer for the Malaysia Trade Office in Lagos has arrived. Yes, Saifuddin Khalid...the indefatigable Trade Commissioner for MATRADE, his assignment had come to an end. He was here for a while during the Ebola crisis and  later had been instrumental in setting up the the MATRADE office in Lagos. All in all, 3 very colorful years with challenges which are very unique IMHO.

Khairy (l) and Saifuddin (r)

The officer replacing him, Khairy Maidin arrived with his family a few days earlier than the above photograph was taken. We had breakfast at Cactus Cafe, along the Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue. I was happy to meet him after our initial meeting in Malaysia sometime in June.

We invited Khairy and family over to our place and as it happens our High Commissioner was around in Lagos for an official visit. It was great to see Datuk Lim Juay Jin after my last visit in December last year to Abuja with Saifuddin.

H.E Datuk Lim Juay Jin
High Commissioner of Malaysia to Federal Republic of Nigeria

MALAYSIA: Kuala Lumpur: Petronas Twin Towers and Skybridge

When the Petronas Twin Towers were completed in 1996, Malaysia had announced to the world that it had arrived. It was designed by Cesar Pelli, a renowned architect from Cesar Pelli and Associates of USA. The 452metres tall, 88 stories high building with Islamic geometric pattern as its base floor design and a skybridge connects both towers at levels 41 and 42. It was the tallest building when it was build, surpassed by Taiwan 101 but still, it holds the tallest Twin Tower record till today. 

Petronas Twin Towers

The skybridge (41st level) and 86th floor is open to public. It opens from 9am to 9pm (closes every Friday from 1pm to 2pm, and also during Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Kabir) and only 40 people are permitted each session. One session lasts 30 minutes and it covers both the skybridge and 86th floor. You can buy the ticket at Concourse level or buy it online (here)

Since my brother and his wife, Azmeir and Dina are Petronas  hard working employee (wink wink)... we followed him to office (well he went to office) ....went straight to the counter only to find this...

queue at the entrance!

NIGERIA: Ogun: Trip to Abeokuta with LEGACY Group (Part 2)

We drove towards the famous Olumo Rock in Abeokuta and  passed by a textile market in the town. Abeokuta is also famous for its adire textile which is 'tie and dye' technique, in Yoruba language. According to the guide, behind the market which the artisans still live is where the textile is made. 

textile market

We passed along old houses and narrow road, quite hilly actually. There were some houses built on top of boulder or boulders as we approach the rock complex. The whole of Abeokuta seems to be on boulder....granite rock actually.

NIGERIA: Ogun: Trip to Abeokuta with LEGACY Group (Part 1)

Another trip by the LEGACY group (click here), this time to Abeokuta which is also the capital state of Ogun. Ogun is just north of Lagos and by train, you could get to Abeokuta in about three hours...less by car (we've tried it using the Lagos-Ibadan expressway).

Back to Ebute Metta junction like the last time, and this time it was a different locomotive and carriage too! BTW, it was a chartered train...From Ebuta Metta to Abeokuta and back only, and not stopping to pick up any other passengers along the way, if you're wondering.

I took the last carriage, the old yellow one in the rear for more 'action' and also it was suggested by Seun...again. I did not hesitate in fact it does bring back memories of childhood when I used to travel by train with my late grandparents to Penang. Ok..it wasn't a bench seat, but still the ambiance was quite the same.

NIGERIA: OGUN: Trip to Ijoko with the Legacy Group (June 2016)

When we first arrived, our friends recommend that we join the Nigerian Field Society (NFS). A society that devotes itself to the study of West Africa's fauna and flora, history, culture and its people. 

These sort of society has vast network and work hand in hand with other societies and NGO that shares the same value and one of them is Legacy 1995 or LEGACY. Established in 1995, set up by a small group of Nigerian and foreign members with the aim of promoting historical sites all over Nigeria to the attention of the public and younger generation. They have train trips to Ogun state just north of Lagos and this time we are visiting the town of Ijoko.

Btw, this trip was in June, 2016 and I wasn't alone. MJ was present. In fact, it was his idea to join this trip. A note about LEGACY, with the Nigerian Railway joint committee had restored the GM's house for the railway which was built circa 1890s and now functions as a rail museum and HQ of the group. The rail trip organized by LEGACY is the highlights among the activities they have.

Jaekel House

MJ in action

Mama 2

Mama left on the 12th day of Ramadan, 1437 Hijra or June 18th, 2016 in University Malaya Medical Centre's CCU. She was 64.

She was interred at a nearby cemetery, about a kilometer from home. We decided the design of the grave would be something she would appreciate and had it done before I went back to Lagos.

We, the children would like to convey our most sincere thanks to family members, neighbors and friends for all the assistance and assurance during the trying time. Also to well wishers in FB, WA and SMS, near and far. We really appreciate it all. Thank you.

Mama

Life is never constant...always on the move. Some good ones, some bad. You complained the bad ones, and pray for more good ones to come. 

But as a Muslim, you submit. Through thick and thin...because of a simple fact. We are just the servant of Allah, a slave. After all, in prayer; five times a day we recite 

Say (O Muhammad p.b.u.h) "verily my Salat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the 'Alamin (Universe, mankind, everything that exist)

Surah Al-An'aam, verse 162

Now, we are rushing home. Back to Malaysia...Mama is not well. I will be away in the mean time, insyaAllah (Allah willing) will write something soon. Right now, family comes first.

I wish to thank you all for the du'a and prayer and well wishers for my mother, I appreciate it all. Thank you or terima kasih.

Ben, Mama and Fay during Eid (Salah) 2010

BELGIUM: Brussels: Going Home (Day 6)

Everything comes to and end....the worse part is when you somehow got the hang of it..but need to leave for home. 

The name of our lodging during our stay was apartmensapart.com . They also advertise in Booking.com, the portal which we usually use for hotel reservation. 

other location of the apartments

the living hall

 they prefer the sofa...

BELGIUM: Brussels: Spring has sprung (DAY 5) - One last stroll....

The best day to walk around is usually on the last day of the visit. Trust me....Last year, my friends and I spent 2 weeks in Europe and the last 2 days were phenomenal. Same thing happened in Brussels...it was either raining or just gloomy weather. But on the last day, the sun was out in its full glory.

The last day is usually the day to buy some grocery and souvenirs. The weather was nice, cool air and my sinuses well behaved....I went to a bookshop, not actually book shop but a 'Japanimation' store (click here) at Rue Saint-Catherine....the area looked like a mini China-town in Brussels, IMHO.

visitors and mourners at Belgian Stock Exchange

Tin Tin cartoon at the side
of a building