India - New Delhi

The posh area where all government houses are situated including the parliment.











In New Delhi near our Hotel. Mr. Sing's Tuk-tuk waiting for passengers.











From Agra we traveled by our spacious bus to New Delhi as our last stop before leaving for home. As I said before, along the way we couldn't avoid seeing men urinating just anywhere-wall, drain, trees, rubbish dumps and the roadside without conscience. It really turned me off. The first time I was in New Delhi in 2006, I told myself India is not a country I want to spend my time for holidays but Taj Mahal beckoned me. I will visit Kashmir again and as far as I remember, Ika and I didn't see any man in Srinagar urinating along the road. I hope they practice a sense of moral values and a sense of shame.

Along the way, Akmar was excited to see a few mastard flowers in the wheat field. We stopped to satisfy our curiousity and at the same admiring the young wheat plants growing healthily. We arrived late at our hotel. As soon as we finished dinner, we hit the bed to rest our tired bodies. Our Flight back to KL was at 11 pm giving us the day to look around New Delhi.






India gate and it's garden were attractive and the young girls, Izan, Akmar and Damia took pictures with the handsome guard there. The guide took us to the elite afrea where parliament, high ranking governmnet offices, courts of law etc were found. The surrounding was totally foreign to the local scene. It was a piosh area, beautifully landscaped. clean and systematic - a far cry from the slums we have seen.















The main entrance to Jama Mosque, New Delhi.












Visiting Jama Mosque filled me with sadness. This old historical mosque built by Akhbar the Great is in need of fund for restoration. I saw old Qurans, carpets and chipped wall. Jama mosque is situated on a hill with commanding view of the surrounding and the bustling of shops there. We were brought to the small enclosure where the Prophet's beard, his feet inprint and old hand-written Qurans were kept. Since this was our last lapse of our journey, we have spent our money on shopping. So donation to the mosque was meagre. If any Muslims go to New Delhi and visit Jama Mosque, please bring Qurans for the mosque and donate generously.





The Bahai Lotus Temple.














The Qutu Minar, a lookout tower for enemies built by the 3 moghuls in AD 1199, Qutubudin Eyak, Qutubudin Shah and Qutubudin Khan who completed the tower but demolished the other two taller towers bercause a child and a woman died there by accident. If enemies came to attack the guard on top of the tower would raise the alarm by lowering a bucket down with message.








The last shopping trip to Connought Bazaar was a headache with so many things at bargained price-much cheaper than in KL. I bought Bill Clinton's book 'My Life' and Echart Tolle's book 'The New Earth' with much less than in KL. It was such a pity I didn't see any good bookstore anywhere in the places we visited.







We left India with the nine of us felt like a family. We have so much fun and have enjoyed our travel. I am recommending my friends to go with Izan or Akmar for small group tour.

India-Agra

Information board at the ticketing office to Taj Mahal.












Magnificent Taj Mahal - a symbol of endless love and devotionof a husband to a wife.




















Taj Mahal from the entry gate.














The beautiful entrance gate to Taj Mahal.













The Entrance gate before Taj Mahal with Quranic inscription.








I have traveled to a number of countries in the world and seen many interesting places but somehow I kept postponing visiting Taj Mahal. This time Taj Mahal became my focus and it excited me greatly. As usual driving in a small comfortable bus was a nightmare with deafening horning and crazy traffic. But seeing the Taj was worth it.The white marble gleams from far and it stood majestically with identical mosque and a visiting place for dignatries to stay on its side. Taj Mahal is truly a work of art. This symbol of devoted love of Shah Jehan to his wife Mumtaz is a lesson by itself. Time taken to complete this monument was 22 years but a pity Shah Jehan died before it was completed. I took my time exploring for 2 hours all sides of the Taj and taking endless photographs. I wonder whether that kind of love exists in this present world.
The security to Taj Mahal is quite strict - no pen, pencil, lipstick anything that may have potential to damage or deface the Taj. I was impressed that visitors were transported to the site on pollution free vehicle. But on the way be weary of peddlers selling their wares who can hassle and irritate you.














Group photo at Taj Mahal with Bashir, the guide (in white shirt).
















The Agra or Red Fort built by Moghal Emperor, Akhbar.










Our next stop was Agra Fort, reddish in colour built from red sandstone by Akbar the Great. In it, there was the Pearl Mosque which we were not fortunate enough to visit but just looked from far. In the Fort, we were brought to the compartment where Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son, Auranzeb, after killing his 2 brothers. He died while being house arrest.















The Royal ladies's garden in Agra Fort.













The Pearl Mosque seen from the Agra Fort.

India - Jaipur

Jaipur is known as the Pink City. I always wonder why it is so and being there make me understand the nickname given to this historical city. The bus drive from New Delhi airport to Jaipur was long and tedious. Indian traffic was atrocious full with madness, unsystematic with incessant horning. There seemed no road rules and laws governing driving in India. You are your own master on the road and if you are bold enough you'll get through the traffic. I thank God fI was born a Malay and a Malaysian even though I griped over KL traffic jam. Those ungrateful so called Malaysian Indians who think India is their greatest world should abandon Malaysia and go back live in India!! Along the way from New Delhi airport to Jaipur, every time we turn our heads, we would see men urinating anywhere and everywhere. I felt like puking!! This is a common scene in India and it's filthy!

Once we were in Jaipur visiting the palaces, it was a delight. The Hawa Mahal where the special section was for women in those days. It was with windows with veil to enable the royal ladies to see the outside world without being seen. That was the Malay culture I lived in as a very young girl in Malacc.a. Girls were not supposed to be seen. The whole complex of palace is made of pink sandstone making it very attractive. There is still some restoration going on.







With the Azhar family, Azizan and Nor Akmar at the hawa Mahal, Jaipur.














The Amber Fort was huge befitting the fighting and warring at that time to keep off the enemies. Situated on a hill, it overlooks the valley below with winding road going up by jeep. The interior of the whole fort with palaces was massive. One special attraction is aroom with millions of small mirrors.








Elephant ride in Amber Fort.












One of the beautifully carved and etched palace door in Amber Fort.














The garden in Amber Fort.













The view from Amber Fort overlooking the valley.












Janthar Manthar is an obsevatory complex housing different old instruments to measure accurately time, lattitude etc. It was amazing at the accuracy without looking at a clock or watch. Science has made is simple from huge complex like this to small instruments which can be carried everywhere.











On the way back we stopped at a summer palace built in the middle of the lake.









I remember Jaipur for here I bought an emerald ring and emerald bracelet. I am very poor at bargaining, so I chose to buy in a shop where guarantee card was given and the price is fixed with flexibility in discount. I am happy but Jaipur is not a place I want to do a repeat visit.

India - Kashmir

The landscape on the way to Gulmarg in hot summer July 2006.
















The same landscape on the way to Gulmarg in winter Feb 2010.









Heavy snow in Gulmarg.









In 2006 Ika and I spent about 6 days in Srinagar, Kashmir in summer. Both of us fell in love with Kashmir especially the calm, placid waters of Dal Lake. We spent hours on the boathouse verandah watching the shikaras gliding passed by. July in summer was hot and I chose to see winter in Kashmir this year. With DHIA Holidays led by Azizan (HP 012-229 6310) and Nor Akmar of Serata Awana Holidays (HP 012 324 8349), a family of 6 and me made a trip to India covering Kashmir, Jaipur, Agra and New Delhi from 11-18 Feb 2010. For anyone who is interested to go for small group holidays, I strongly recommend these 2 enterprising young ladies. I have enjoyed their company and their professioanlism to give the best to their clients.

Winter in Srinagar, Kashmir was really amazing. Lake Dal was totally transformed in scenery compared to in summer. The backdrop of snow-capped Himalayan was breathtaking. Seeing is truly believing!! Though it was cold (about 10 degrees celsus), the fascinating scenery compensated the icy cold weather which could sooth away your stress.











Rows of houseboats in Lake Dal, curtained by snow-capped Himalayan mountain range.














Lake Dal in hot sJuly ummer 2006











With 2 delightful young men of the Azhar clan- Alif (Left) and Faiz (right) at Lake Dal boathouse garden.












Pic shows Nor Akmar (Left) and Azizan (mid) at Shalimar Garden.



The visit to Moghal Shalimar Garden which Ika and I didn't go was another surprise. There was no flowers and though trees were devoid of leaves, yet the scenery was beyond words. The Garden commands a majestic view of the Himalaya about 4, 500 meters above sea level.






View of Moghal Shalimar Garden (Garden of Love) with Himalayan mountain range as the background.












Field of white daisies in Gulmarg in hot summer of July 2006.



The scenery is totally changed in winter. The field of white daisies in summer transformed into clean white snow-covered ground. I hardly recognised the place. Going into the gondolas to the mountain watching people skiing down the mountain is like being in Switzerland. No wonder Kashmir is referred to as the Switzerland of the east. Unfortunately snow blizzard forced us to get down before the gondolas are closed.






I managed to roll myself on the soft snow reminiscence of the days as a young student in Bloomington, Indiana. Playing snow balls was exciting and exhilirating. I was young again!







Going to the Gondola station was tricky. We have to go by wooden sledge pulled by a guy. It was sheer hard work!! I tipped the guy even though he has been paid by the guide. I walked a short distance on the way back to the bus, I tripped 5 times inspite of wearing rented snow boots. Lucky I landed on my flashy bump amidst screams and laughter and no casualty. It was fun!!!







At Kongdoor, the gondola hill station in Gulmarg. With Faiz and Nor Akmar trying to shy away from the heavy snowfall, just before the gondola was closed due to snow storm. 140210








Shopping in Srinagar is mind-boggling. In winter things are so cheap. The intricate silk on silk carpets were sold at a sing-song price which would be 3 or 4 times more in KL. You don't need to go to the shops as the shops would come to your boathouse. They will be waiting for you and brought their wares to show you at a bargained price. Being poor they are hardened by hard weather and hard work. I stopped short of buying handbags, jackets etc made from the skin of mountain goats. They have been hunted to almost extinction.
I love Kashmir and want to go again in autumn and spring one day in future. From the bare tress in winter I can picture the riots of colours when the leaves turn colour in autumn. In October, the saffron fields will yield products and in May, cherries and other fruits will be in abundance.
If ever you know anybody going to Kashmir suggest to them to bring Quran, mukaddam, pens, pencil to sedekah to any mosques there.

Anxious

Today, at this moment, my heart almost stops - listening to Izrin yelling and arguing with his fiancee on the phone. He is supposed to go to work but the argument seems to go on. I think both of them are not ready for marriage. Haidi is just as hard-headed as Izrin with huge ego and doesn't seem to have diplomacy to deal with anger and Izrin's temper. Both of them have egos bigger than any tempayan! I am worried and wonder whether they can make it in marriage. Izrin has told me that whatever happens, he and Haidi will never break-up as their relationship is strong enough to brave the troubled waters. Oh God, help them to mature and deal with whatever differences they have with much patience and understanding.
Maz has threatened Izrin that she will take me to Dubai on his wedding day if he continues to create stress for me. Both Izrin and Haidi apologised and promised to behave but it doesn't seem to last.
What erked me is that if he is so angry with Haidi and yelled at her to stop, why in heaven's name doesn't he just turn off the phone? Why must he continue the conversation? Why must Haidi insist creating argument which he refused to discuss? They are like little children playing house with a game 'you hit me and I hit you back'. Such immaturity!! Both of them blame each other but in actual fact both are at fault. If Haidi insists on changing Izrin according to her mould, she is going to be disappointed and the relationship won't last. I have talked to her about acceptance and respect of Izrin's personality - he is not as sociable as Haidi, with very few close friends. Who his friends are, is his choice and nobody can force him to choose friends. That, he is much like me is undeniable. I don't have many friends either, only a few very close ones. I am not into social gatherings with little or aimless conversation. I prefer to be on my own doing meanigful things to me. Izrin is much like that whereas Haidi is sociable with heaps of friends. I know Izrin doesn't stop Haidi from socialising with her friends but he is not too keen to move in her social circles. To her, he lacks confidence but in actual fact, that is his preference. The absence of understanding and acceptance could be blown out of proportion. I am tired and sad actually. I hope Maz doesn't know this as she will jump. I have listened to both sides and tried to make them see things in different perspectives but the change is temporary. I am not siding my son. He is just at fault as Haidi. He has to learn to manage his temper -shortfused but quick to cool down. I feel like knocking both their heads together to get some sense inside.
Can they make it in marriage? This is my prayer now and in my Hajj. I prayed so hard that they could. I love Haidi and I treat her like my daughter and looking forward to have her as my daughter-in-law. They really need to grow up. Izrin, Haidi, please grow up!!!!!!

Untrustworthy staff

It's not a pleasant day for me today. I was expecting my eye medication from US (Ocuplus) but when I went to inquire at the PPPL (South) office, Liza and Dila ( the staff there) said one of the maintenance guys has taken it together with other mails, with a promise to deliver to me. There was nothing delivered till this moment. On 1 Feb 2010 another bunch of mails weren't delivered as well till today. Where are my mails???? I was really angry. These guys are nasty and mean for reasons I don't know.
Last year, a mail from Unimas by Pos Laju went missing even though the girls said the maintenance guy has taken it and supposed to deliver it to me. I went hunting for it, including lodging a complaint to PD Post Office and they vouched PPPL (South) has signed and received it. For 2 weeks I was on merry-go-round looking for that letter. Finally one of the guys came and said he couldn't deliver because I wasn't around!!??? What lies !!!Pos Laju was handed to me after 2 weeks by this stupid guy????
I instructed the office staff NOT to give any of my mails to these 2 untrustworthy, irresponsible and mean guys. They are useless! I sent an email to the Manager and hold his office responsible in case mails go missing because of non-delivery causing me to default any payment of bills or fines. I specifically state that the office could release my mails only to Chen of PD Ascot or otherwise just keep my mails until I come to collect them myself. I just got one new information about the misbehaviour of one of these guys and he is in the brink of being dismissed.
Why isn't life go smooth sailing without a hitch that can cause stress?