Touring Syria

When Noraishah and I looked at the itinerary for this group tour to Syria, we had some reservations. The itinerary was packed and much time would be spent traveling in buses. We decided to go for it anyway and signed up. We wanted to see Syria but there was no group that offered free and easy travel to suit our need. It turned out to be so crazy. We experienced Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Baitul Mukaddis. The tour was really killing. The day we were flying home I was down with fever, cough and cold. At home, for 2 days I couldn't do anything except rest and slept. Now I am up and about I decided to write my journey before it fades away from my memory.
We arrived in Damascus on 18 Dec 2010 and immediately went in a bus to Aleppo, 375 km north, an ancient city in Syria. It was cold, 13 degrees Celcius. We had to walk quite a distance to Martini Hotel as buses cannot go through the narrow street. Shivering, I walked as fast as I could. Martini Hotel was a delight, an old traditional Syrian house turned into hotel. Dinner, then bed to rest my tired body.
In Aleppo:
1. Aleppo Citadel - the first Muslim castle that had not been penetrated by the Christian crusaders. There were clever watch holes everywhere to check whether there were enemies. The moat surrounding the castle is dried now.
2. Umawi Mosque Aleppo where the tomb of Prophet Zakaria was. For ladies who wore pants, we were given a robe to be worn before entering the mosque area. We prayed Jama' Zohor and Asar. Ablution was torture as the day was freezing cold.
3, Walked through the narrow street of the souk with millions of people jostling and pushing past. Reminded me of Fes in Morocco. We couldn't buy anything, it was impossible. Anyway, I wasn't interested in shopping.








19 Dec 2010, we left Aleppo early to go to Damascus, 450 km away, and stopping along the way to see the historical sights. The bus ride was gloomy with 14 degrees temperature. Syria is famous for its pistachio nuts but since it's winter, the plants were pathetically lethargic with branches devoid of leaves. I wanted so much to see the plants but it wasn't to be.
4. In Hama, the 4th largest city in Syria, we visited the old windmills which once provided the city with power. Now the two windmills were at standstill to become tourist attractions. The water level of the river has lowered and pollution set in. The drizzling cold weather and limited time allowed didn't permit us to explore around it. The cold weather is Syria forced us to look for toilets every now and then and Hisham, the guide, wasn't so pleased for the frequent stops!




5. The drive up a long steep hill to Crack Des Chavelier castle, 750 meters above sea level, was breathtaking. The winding roads provided a panoramic view of the Homs valley. The Arab Muslims under Sultan Mamluk Zaher were able to chase away the crusaders and took hold of the castle and thus remained in Muslim hands from then on.






















The Homs valley.









6. In Homs we stopped at Khalid Al-Walid mosque and visit his makam. Arrived in Damascus late in the evening, very tired. We were told that we could drink water straight from the tap here as it came straight from spring water. That was good.







Food in Syria mostly consisted of fresh salads, lamb and chicken and occasionally fish. I love the food, it's healthy and they used a lot of olive oil. The many attractive pickles tempted me so much that caused me gastric attacks. From then on, no matter how attractive the pickles were, I avoided taking them. What a pity!!
By this time, I felt the strain of hectic traveling with little rest. But I had to go on gritting my teeth, wondering why I made this trip. Traveling in group wasn't so fun when many members' goal was shopping and had little respect for time. I hate waiting for late comers and wondered how they felt. Didn't they feel guilty for making others wait for them? Malaysians are notorious for being selfish and blatantly disregarded others' comfort.
7. Visit to Bosra, an old historic city where in Buheira Cathederal, an old Greek Orthodox priest told Prophet Mohammad that he would be a prophet. Visited the Roman Amphetheatre and Al-Umari mosque, the first mosque built in Syria during Khalifah Umar Al-Khattab ra. The complex is so big, full of Islamic history.



















21 Dec 2010, another long drive to Qosiyun mountain where makam of Habil (son of Adam who was murdered by his brother, Qabil). Along the way, there was much snow on the ground and we passed security areas where we weren't supposed to take photos. Then back to Damascus for more sightseeing.






The huge souk is around the Damascus Citadel and Umawi Mosque Damascus where makam Prophet Yahya is.












At makam Prophet Yahaya in Umawi mosque, Damascus.





This mosque is described as an architectural wonder and it's really is. Nearby was Makam Salahuddin al Ayobi, the Muslim worrier who freed Arab land from the cruelty of the crusaders. I was quite overwhelmed over the information about Islamic history found in abundance there. I just remember that during Prophet Mohammad's time, he traded in Syam and Syam was Syria.





Inside Umawi mosque, Damascus.











Masjid Umawi courtyard.













I took loads of photos and some I have forgotten where they were taken. My travel journal is not helping either as I wasn't able to describe the places the photos were taken. To those who read my blog and recognize the photos, please let me know whether I labeled them correctly.
There are a lot more of Syria that I would like to see at my own leisure. Insyallah, one day I may find my way back there again.

Bukit Merah Lake Resort

It wasn't in our plan but when Budin offered his voucher for free stay at Bukit Merah Lake Resort Service apartment, Ama and I couldn't refuse. So we left serene Taiping Lake Garden and headed north after visiting tantalizing Kuala Kangsar.




The over 100 years old trees lined the road of Taiping Lake garden.







Part of Taiping Lake garden.









It was quite a disappointment for me for not being able to see the exhibits in the Royal Museum in Kuala Kangsar - this was my third attempt. It was under renovation. The beauty and intricate traditional Malay design of the palace really fascinated me. I promised I'll go again one day, really make a point of seeing the treasure of my heritage inside - insyallah.














The most photographed mosque in Malaysia, Ubadiah mosque at Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar.













The Raja Azlan Gallery in Kuala Kangsar.








It was a smooth drive by the highway to Bukit Merah. I was amazed to see the resort is so beautiful with calm, blue lake beckoning visitors. We didn't waste time and explored the area before it turned dark. One thing we did first was to go for foot massage for relaxation after working our feet hard.




The next day, 10 Dec 2010 (Friday) we took a trip to orang utan island for RM 25.00 for adults and RM 10.00 for seniors like me.








Look at the gorgeous baby orang utan in a nursery clutching her security pillow, sight that was so delightful, remind me so much of my adorable Rania.
















The nursery. A baby orang utan panicked when his carer walked away from her.










Unlike in Sepilok and Semenggoh, the orang utans here view us, humans, in a cage whilst they roam the outside world freely. This is a wonderful concept which visitors have to walk through a sheltered tunnel-like walkway while the orang utans watched.









Amalia with a baby orang utan in the nursery - separated by glass.











Orang utan island in Bukit Merah Lake Resort.







The view of the lake is spectacular especially the view over the Kampung Air, a cluster of wooden chalets grouped together on water. I plan to stay there one day. It's a fantastic place to relax and focus on what you want to do next.
















Entrance to Kampung Air at Bukit Merah lake Resort.










View of the lake in the evening with floating islands.














The jetty to the boat to orang utan island.












Bukit Merah lake.










Bukit Merah Lake Resort lakeside.








We took loads of photos. Ama complained that I didn't smile and looked ever so serious in photos. That reminded me of what my students used to say too. So smiles, here I come and I think I did look better and softer - not so garang and serious.


Like my smile?





Coming home was a bonus. Rania was so excited upon hearing my voice calling her name. The moment she saw me, she crawled towards me so fast with a big welcoming smile. I love my little jantung pisang, my princess, my heart..........









Rania reading her favourite book - upside down.















Rania having great fun splashing water in a wash basin as her bathtub.

CIMB Credit Card

I am facing a stressful situation now. After 20 years CIMB Credit Card made a collection agency, Shariq Partners, came after me claiming I owe credit card debt of RM4,000.00. I was shocked, angry and disgusted. I remember very well about this credit card which I have terminated in 1990 and closed my account with Bank Bumiputra ( at that time). I called personally the centre to request for termination and paid the standing amount. Unfortunately after 20 years, I have destroyed all mails about Bank Bumiputra.
My dissatisfaction boilds down to the inefficiency of the staff and they make me, the client, as their victim. Questions IF I ever owe them:
1. Why don't they contact me earlier, maybe the longest 5 years and not 20 years, IF I really owed them?
2. Is this a ploy to squeez their clients by charging interest for that long period of time?
3. Haven't they noticed that the card has never been used for such a long period? I have destroyed the card. It didn't make sense that the card lay dormant for along time and not used. Sudderenly they found a sum was owed to them.
4. Haven't they checked my records that I never run up bills for that amount and that I settled my bill on time unless I was away overseas?

I think CIMB is trying to squeez every cent from their customer in everyway they can think of. The staff is also working as a robot, not bothering to check my record but conveniently claimed that I owed them money, after 20 years.

I have contacted CIMB Credit Card Centre but nobody could help because the officer in charge was on leave. I have left my mobile number for the manager to contact me but no news so far. What's going on?

I am so angry at this victimization strategy. Is there anybody out there who can help me and give me ideas on what to do?

I have another saving account newly opened at PD and I am going to close that account. My daughter, Maz, gave me a supplementary CIMB Visa card and I would her like to change to other bank.

So for those who read this blog, just be careful and be aware when you use your credit card. If you terminate the card, keep the termination notice until the end of your life.

I also received email about CIMB from a friend, claiming credit card debt from a person who has died for some time. Isn't that stupid and prove how inefficient the staff is? Now, I got to think of what I should do to clear my name.

Challenges of publishing books

It's almost two months I worked on my 3 books which were published by Times Book International, Singapore in late 1980s. The books have gone out of prints for so many years but many still requested for them. So, I decided to update and republish them. It's time consuming. Christine Chong (the commissioning editor of Times Book International in KL at that time, 1988) now the Director of Marshall Cavendish and Deputy Head, General and Reference Publishing, Marshall Cavendish, Malaysia, persuaded me to republish them instead of taking back my Right to the book. I agreed.

I owe Christine much gratitude as I remember how I tried to publish my first book (Pembimbing Sebaya) and bringing the manuscript to 3 other publishers who turned me down flat believing concept PRS was NOT salable in Malaysia. Publishers didn't believe in me and PRS, I almost gave up. But Dr. Aminah of UPM who used my unpublished manuscript on Kaunseling Kelompok for lectures, introduced me to Christine. Without hesitation she agreed to publish it. From then on, with support from IAB and Bahagian Sekolah, I began a road tour giving talks about PRS around the country including Sabah and Sarawak and Brunei. ' Boleh Saya Tolong Anda' entered the market in 1989 and it sold well till 6th edition. Newspaper reports, radio talks and written articles helped to push the concept and at the same time helped to push the sale of my book. I must say it wasn't an easy time for me and I am thankful I didn't give up.

When Times Book International Singapore undergoing big changes, my books were in cold storage and I have moved on writing new books with new publisher, IBS Buku Sdn Bhd. I thank En. Balan and En. Mustafa for accepting my books without hesitation. My first book with them, 'Pengenalan Kaunseling Kelompok' is on 6th edition being updated twice. So far I am proud of what I have achieved, syukur alhamdullillah.

I received a number of enquiries about how to get my books especially those in Sabah and Sarawak. So I decided to provide this service if anyone interested to order. The following conditions applied.
1. 10% discount to all my book order.
2. Pay the postage. Order of one book to pay RM 6.00 extra for Pos Express. More than that, I'll let you know the postage cost.
3. Let me know whether you want the book to be autographed/signed by me.
4. Payment through RHB or Bank Simpanan Nasional. Will give my bank account number once I got the order.
5. Books will be posted when payment is made.
6. Check or contact me through my email: zuraidah.rahman@gmail.com or call me HP 019 857 5188.

These are the books that are available immediately.
1. Pengenalan Kaunseling Kelompok - RM 21.90 ( RM 19.70)
2. Fasilitator Kelompok Kecil RM 28.90 ( RM 26.00)
3. Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya: Langkah Seterusnya RM 19.90 ( RM 17.90)
4. Pengenalan Mentoring di Institusi Pengajian Tinggi RM 18.90 ( RM 17.00)
























The following 4 books will be ready early next year with new prices.
1. Boleh Saya Tolong Anda.
2. Pastikan Diri Anda OK
3. Pendekatan Kaunseling dalam Pengurusan
4. Penulisan Jurnal Kaunseling


To ex-students and friends who are interested to sell the books and get 30% discount, you can order in bulk of 20s from the publisher. Payment to be made to the publisher ( in PJ) before they dispatch the books or you can come and collect the books yourself. Sale of books is good when you attend seminars and workshops. Let me know if I can help you.
To those who still keep the first edition of Boleh Saya Tolong Anda, please keep it intact. It may become priceless one day when I am gone.
The best to everyone.

Aidil Adha 17 Nov 2010

It's a quiet hari raya haji this year but I have a very, very important guest with me. She arrived with her parents early Wednesday morning just after I came back from my Aidiladha prayer. It was such a delight having her with me as I have missed her since I came back to PD. Just a while later, Maz came to join us but Izrin with wife, Haidi and In-laws, went to JB to visit their relatives.









Rania as usual is so gorgeous. At first she wasn't sure of me but after a few seconds there came her big smiles. We didn't go anywhere but spent the time in my apartment playing with little Rania. She was introduced to the big sea at my place and she didn't even wince. Instead her big eyes were so alert and excited when her feet touched the waves. she gasped when the waves hit her face but recovered quickly, excited at the next one coming. It was drizzling, so I have to take her up to the apartment but hope her parents will teach her to swim soon. Both of them are avid divers (before the arrival of this little angel)









How time has passed, from a tiny baby to a bouncy 7 months old little girl who is always on the go. Not one moment she would stay still and my Ms. Rania is busy helping nenek to tidy up her palm-sized apartment. We have to be alert all the time in case she is up to some mischief. But Rania is such an angel, full of smiles and activities.













One sunny smile from her, will melt your heart (OK, this is her grandmother talking).

















My endless love for you my angel, my jantung pisang, my sunshine............

Gentle silver leaf monkeys

Up-close-and-personal with wild animals is really a great thrill to me, such as touching and caressing the cheetahs in South Africa; kangroos, koalas, wombats in Australia; Tasmanian devils, wallaby, possums in Tasmania; orang utans, proboscis monkeys in Kuching and Sabah; honey bear, deer, elephants in Kuala Gandah; tigers and giraffs in Chiengmai; penguins in South Africa and New Zealand, sea lions and seals in Kangroo Island in South Australia, and I dream to play and hold the pandas in China one day ( I have seen two in Beijing zoo but that doesn't count).

On 6 November 2010 (Saturday) I took Kak Nor (my sister-in-law from Adelaide) to Bukit Melawati, a serene place in Kuala Selangor which I have been some years back. Kak Nor and I encountered up-close-and- personal with the silver leaf monkeys or langurs which are known for being non-aggressive, polite and gentle, unlike their cousins, the macaques.






Kak Nor is having a conversation with a silver leaf monkey.








At the tram stop on the hill, silver leaf monkeys gathered and lined on the road barricade/ railings waiting for visitirs to give them food.
They didn't grab, steal or being aggressive to get the food handed out by visitors. Many just waited patiently. Being vegetarian, they love the long beans which were sold by a local peddler for Rm 1.00 for a small bundle. I brought bread instead and they just loved it too.














Peacfully eating on the road barricade with their long tails hanging down.

















These silver leaf monkeys are beautiful creatures with silvery long body hair and spike hairdos. They are so gentle and so well-behaved.


The beauty queen.








Cozily touching and holding his/her partner just like the couple next to them.












One mother silver leaf monkey chose me to hang around for the bread that I dished out for her. Her young orange coloured baby, at first hang on tight on her belly and the mother was quite protective, grabing her everytime the baby moved away.







Finally I sat on the road, talking softly to her while feeding her. She let me touch her and her baby. She waited patiently while I tried to take more bread out of my bag.









The great thrill was, she allowed me to caress her and her baby who was restless, jumping all over the place and on my lap while pulling and chewing on the string of my handbag. It was sheer pleasure to have this opportunity. Unfortunately, the tram came along and we had to move out of the way and my mother and baby silver leaf monkey left me for other hands to feed her. But I was grateful for the honour and experience they gave me.
These silver leaf monkeys moved in group of families and are very protective of their young.






I marvel at God's creation to see the babies are orange gold in colour and changed to dark silver when they grow older. Both their feet and hands are black.












A mother silver leaf monkey with her twin babies.












One old silver leaf monkey ( must be a grandpa) just sat at the end of a tree branch watching the goings on. He didn't get down to get food from visitors as the others did, just sat and watched.
There were a few macaques monkeys around (thank God, not many) and they were real rascals. They stole a bag of food which belonged to two young girls who were engrossed watching me talking to the silver leaf monkey. It tore the bag, scattered the contents and when one of the girls attempted to take the plastic bag, the macaques barred his teeth threateningly. It wasn't a nice picture.
So, if you have time and enjoy animals, please visit Bukit Melawati. I took about 2 hours from Petaling Jaya, with leisurely drive to reach there.
But don't waste time to visit the Taman Alam or to see the aquarium. It's a great disappointment. It was pathetic and poorly maintained. It's such a pity, a nice nature park, so pretty but being neglected. The only attraction is the lotus pond.








On week days you can drive up and there is a nice rest house to have lunch. On weekends, a tram is provided costing RM 3.00 return but no cars are allowed on the hill.