Visiting Seychelles

Seychelles is a group of islands in Indian Ocean, an exotic destination for vacations especially for honeymooners and those seeking for peace, tranquility and natural beauty. When Darshini extended her invitation to visit her at Silhouette island, Seychelles, I wasted no time in making the necessary arrangement. Thank you Darshini for being a gracious host.
It was indeed a superb holiday for me, being in a place so gorgeous and meeting so many fascinating individuals who work in Hotel Hilton Labriz in Silhouette Island and on Mahe Island, Seychelles. It's a melting pot for different cultures and countries such as Malaysia, Morocco, Uzbeckistan, Australia, India, Morocco, Germany, Russia, Mautitius, Philippines, Sri Langka, Indonesia and others.
I landed in Seychelles on 23 November and left on 1 Dec 2012 with a deep tan that I don't need. I want to get back to my natural light brown skin colour which is more acceptable in Malaysia.
For more stories and photos on my stay in Schelles, please visit my travel blog zuraidaharahman.travellerspoint.com
I missed my 2 grandchildren and looked forward to seeing them again. Rania is learning new skills and so is Gabe. Now Rania is in her cheeky stage with her screeching noise and cheeky laugh. She also posed cheekily when a camera is focused on her. A little girl with a thousand words and endless questions, always drawn to her mom's iPad. Her little finger knows where to touch to find what she wants. She is more savvy in using iPad than me. 
I have yet to see Gabe.
Seemed I can't upload photos anymore. My storage of free 1 GB is fully used.

My Jantung Pisangs

Second day Aidilfitri 200812. Rania and Gabe

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Masa berlalu begitu cepat. Dalam pejam celik, I am a grandmother of two already. Macam tak percaya boleh jadi nenek. But I am proud of being one and having gorgeous grandchildren like Rania and Gabe. Rasanya baru semalam Rania lahir, putih melepak anak mat saleh ini. Ika frust sebab Rania tidak seiras dia. Selepas bersalin Ika jadi depressed sebab berasa sukar menjaga baby, hasil dari ingin menjadi seorang ibu yang sempurna. Mana ada ibu sempurna? Bila diingat balik kesian juga pada Ika, pengalaman pertama menjadi ibu. Pesrsonalitinya yang emosional menyukarkan lagi keadaan tapi syukur alhamdulillah, dia berjaya mengatasi tekanan emosinya dan Rania membesar tanpa banyak masalah. Sikit-sikit adalah dan itu memang biasa seperti eczema, constipated, fussy menyusu dan sukar menidurkannya.

Rania Roseworn 140712

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Tetapi sekarang Rania is a darling, berumur dua tahun setengah, cantik dan petah bercakap - macam mak nenek!! Rania Jantung Pisang neneknya yang pertama dan menjadi penghibur hati dengan tingkah lakunya. Cair hati bila Rania kata " I love you Nenek".
Seolah-olah dalam mimpi rasanya bila Izrin dikurniakan anak lelaki, Gabe. To me Izrin is just a little boy, my youngest child tapi sekarang sudah berumur tiga puluhan dan seorang bapa. Macam tidak percaya yang Izrin telah dewasa kerana teringatkan ragamnya yang hebat sewaktu remaja. Begitu lancar masa berlalu, tidak sedar yang ketiga-tiga anak telah dewasa dan mempunyai tanggungjawab sendiri.

Muhammad Shah Gabriel Izrin Zamir 111112

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Gabe adalah Jantung Pisang kedua. Alahai, cantiknya dimple Gabe. Cabaran Gabe sebagai baby tidak begitu banyak diketahui kerana Haidi duduk bersama ibunya di Subang Bistari semasa dalam pantang. Sekarang Gabe sudah hampir 8 bulan dan menjadi penghibur hati yang kedua. Bila lama tidak melihat Gabe, terasa rindu hati ini. Mujurlah Izrin dan Haidi rajin juga membawa Gabe berjumpa Rania dan neneknya. Gabe seorang bayi yang montok dan sihat. Tubuhnya tegap dan dimple di pipi kirinya dalam dan cantik. Handsome Gabe nanti apabila dia besar. Syukur alhamdulillah, ada anak lelaki seorang dan cucu lelaki seorang (mungkin ada lagi, insyallah!) tempat mengadu hal.
Tidak pernah terduga di hati tetekala muda akan menjadi seorang nenek. Memang lain rasanya seperti yang kerap diceritakan oleh kawan-kawan yang lebih dahulu menimang cucu. Cucu lebih precious dan mempuyai daya yang kuat menyimpul hati neneknya. Di mata seorang nenek, cucunyalah yang paling cantik dan istimewa. Kadang-kadang bila duduk bersendirin, boleh tersenyum sendiri apabila teringatkan tingkah laku cucu, rasa sungguh hebat menjadi nenek.
Allah sahaja yang mengetahui bagaimana syukurnya hati ini kerana di beri masa dan peluang menikmati hidup sebagai seorang nenek. Walaupun umur meningkat tetapi kesihatan masih baik  (sakit sikit-sikit itu memang lumrah), penglihatan masih baik walaupun menghidap glaucoma, tenaga masih kuat walaupun tidak secergas dahulu dan rezeki dimurahkannya walaupun tidak semewahnya. Hanya doa sahaja yang dapat dipohon supaya tetakala tubuh badan tidak mengizinkan keupayaan berdikari, anak-anak dan cucu-cucu memberi kasih sayang dan perhatian yang lembut. Walau bagaimanapun harapan dihati memohon supaya hayat tidak dipanjangkan sehingga menjadi tidak berupaya dan menjadi bergantung. Hanya Allah sahaja yang maha mengetahui.
Rania and Gabe, my adorable 'Jantung Pisangs'. Nenek loves you to bits.

Travel Nepal 4 - Nagarkot and Katmandu

Leaving this spectacular scenery of the Himalayan mountain range at Serangkot for Katmandu and Nagarkot

On 14 Oct 2012, we started early by road to Katmandu. Inspite of reminder from Izan and Badri, the two old women were late as usual spending time yakking at breakfast table. They were really a nuisance who were habitually late without even an apology. We were forced to wait for them as if we were their maids, no respect for the group members. It was most irritating. Since we started late, the road was already jammed. What I noticed most about the people in Pokhara was how they get water. They bathed, washed clothes and did other things in drains with free flowing water. We thought it was dirty but the water actually is fresh from the mountain. They keep rubbish out of the the drain which is more like a little stream. I saw  pipe lines at the edge of of a high ground where water flows through it and that water is fresh from its mountain source. I guess they are never short of water even during summer.

A tiny mosque serving over 700 Muslims is in need of financial help to enlarge it - Hanfia Gausia Jame' mosque just outside Pokhara

Izan, the travel leader with a group of kids at the madrasah of the mosque

As promised, Badri, the guide stopped at a small mosque just outside Pokhara. It was a pathetic mosque, small and old. There were 700 Muslims there with about 90 households mostly very poor living in their own community. The mosque people came out to meet us and Badri became the translator. We donated some money collected among the 5 of us Muslim ladies for the mosque. They wanted to renovate and enlarge the mosque but fund is hard to come by. When I came back I made an appeal for help from my Muslim readers of  my facebook but so far none responded. But I'll try to collect contributions from friends and children and Izan will bring it to them in December with her second group. We visited the madarasah where children learn gow to read the mukaddam. They make do with whatever is available to them.

Unbelievable congested bad road which took forever to reach Katmandu from Pokhara - 200km took over 6 hours.  

One of the pretty villages along the way to Pokhara

The road trip back to Katmandu was slower with endless lorries, buses and cars. An accident slowed the traffic almost to a standstill. I was lucky I emptied my bladder at the mosque. There was no toilet stop and no decent toilet along the way. Some ladies have already grumbled that they need to go to toilet. Nearing Katmandu, the driver noticed a decent restaurant and the ladies came down to use their toilet. It is really a nightmare when you have an urgent need to go to toilet and there is none available - no problem with the men but horrible for the ladies.
We had dinner at the halal restaurant, Anatolia and left Katmandu immediately to Nagarkot after lunch. It was getting late and by the time we made our way to Nagarkot. it was dark. We could make out the road which was frighteningly narrow and winding with gravels. When finally we arrived at Fort Resort, we couldn't believe this was was a place we  towere supoposed stay. Our room was small with difficult hot water. I was tired and after praying, fell a sleep. Electricity failed several times and at about 4 am, electricity went off again till morning. We had to pray, went to toilet and changed in the dark. It wasn't fun.

Thick mist veiled the sunrise at the Himalayan mountains. Taken from the rooftop of Fort Resort, Nagarkot

The Fort Resort Nagarkot, old and pretty but the road up there was nightmarish.

At Fort Resort Nagarkot rooftop for sunrise with room-mate,. Ramlah. A misty day.

At 6 am we went up the rooftop to watch the sunrise at the Himalayan mountain range but it was a very misty day. We hardly saw the sunrise which was veiled by the mist. Though it was misty, from the top, the view of the valley and the buildings was so pretty. 

Recipe for lowering cholesterol

My room-mate during Nepal trip, Ramlah, complained about her problem of high cholesterol. I don't know the level of my cholesterol. I checked two years ago, it was normal. Susan sent an email attachment to me about a tip to lower cholesterol and I immediately informed Ramlah. It is simple and I like it but you need to eat it regularly. It is better to steam the terung and not fry them.
 What you need is terung or eggplants. I love terung, so it was a pleasure to eat it in whatever style of cooking. Skin the eggplant if you want. Cut into two lengthwise.
Sprinkle some salt.
Steam the terung for 5-7 minutes, not too soft. Cool them.

If you like, you can eat the steamed terung directly. But I made some sambal to go with it.
Ingredients
1. 5 red chillies, seeded and pound
2. 4 cloves of garlic, pound or cut
3. 1 big red onion, slice thinly
4. 5 full tablespoonfuls of udang kering, soak in hot water, washed and pound into paste.
5. 3 spoonful thick asam jawa
6. Some salt

Method
1. Heat 4 table spoonful of oil, preferably olive oil
2. Fry garlic and onion
3. Put in chilly paste and fry on low fire until well cooked.
4. Add in udang kering paste. fry till cooked.
5. Add in tamrind juice and salt and taste.
6. When cooked ( shouldn't be dry), take away from fire.
7. Eat the steamed terung with the sambal.

Adjust the ingredients according to your taste.
You can be creative and cook the eggplants in different way to make it tasty. Eat eggplants regularly and see whether your cholesterol level is lowered. Good luck.

Travel Nepal 3 - Pokhara

Captivating view of river, mountains and villages on the way to Pokhara, Nepal

Road trip to Pokhara about 200 km from Katmandu was a nightmare. The road was simply horrendous - badly paved, narrow, dusty, winding and jammed with heavy vehicles both ways. It took more than 6 hours to reach our destination, the Shangri-la Village Resort. For those who plan to go to Pokhara by road (especially ladies), please be aware that you really have to empty your bladder first and refrain from drinking water. There is no toilet stop along the way! But God is merciful, the torturous journey was being compensated by stunning natural beauty of valleys, mountains, green rice fields, clear river, colourful villages and fantastic scenery.

The terraced-rice field where Hamlet restaurant is. On the way to Pokhara.

Having lunch at an open air restaurant, Hamlet restaurant,  in the midst of terraced-rice field. With Badri Nepal, our guide. 121012

On our way to Pokhara, we stopped at an open village restaurant a midst green rice field, the Hamlet restaurant, for lunch, prayer and toilet. The food was marvelous. The chapatti and vegetable massala were delicious that everyone consumed so much with enjoyment. Definitely I recommend this restaurant if you go that way.

From Shangri-la Village Resort restaurant, the Fishtail mountain could be seen even though blocked by trees.

The 5 senior ladies with Izan, the  petite pretty, young travel agent as the leader, in front of Shangri-la Village Resort, Pokhara. 

Shangri-la Village Resort was amazing. The restaurant served variety of breakfast and the Himalayan mountain range as the background although it was partly blocked by trees.
The most memorable visit in Pokhara was our early morning trip at 6.30 am to Sarangkot, a high lookout point for Himalayan sunrise and mountain range.. The walk up to the point from the parking bay for the bus was already exciting with fantastic valley view and dim, shadowy Himalayan Range.

Waiting for sunrise at Serangkot . 131012

Magical sunrise at Serangkot, Pokhara, Nepal. 131012

Low clouds at Serangkot

With Ramlah, my room-mate, at Serangkot. 131012

The valley  and the Himalayan mountains from Serangkot.

At Serangkot with Himalayan mountains as background. 131012

Fun senior ladies at Serangkot, Pokhara, Nepal.

Low clouds at the foot of Himalayan mountains make it look like lake. Taken from Serangkot.

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With Badri Nepal, the guide throughout our tour, taken before the sunrise in Serangkot.

At the top, there were lots of people, tourists and locals, waiting for the sunrise. In my excitement to take photos, I left a strategic place which was soon occupied with people who waited for the sunrise patiently. When the first glow came out, all cameras were clicking and the sun rose slowly dispersing glow and colours across the sky. It was sheer magic. I managed to take a few shots in between standing people but I was happy. The mountain range was mysteriously beckoning especially the Fishtail and we were quite reluctant to leave.
After breakfast, our next visit was to the Tibetan Refugee camp. Since it was Saturday, the craft workshop was closed but the showroom was opened. Many of us bought Tibetan purses for souvenirs.

Davi's Fall, Pokhara 131012

Intimidating Davi's Fall at the background.

Next, a visit to Devi's Fall. A story was told that in 1961, a Swiss lady fell in the hole of the waterfall about 100 meters deep and her body was found 2 months later. The Fall was majestic but rather intimidating. The ladies, including me, spent some money there at the stalls for souvenirs.

Lake Phewa, Pokhara.

Boating at Lake Phewa, Pokhara

We left the Fall for an open boat ride at Phewa Lake. I was disappointed. I thought it would be a leisurely cruise in a roofed boat but no, an open one under hot sun.

Charmingly calm Lake Phewa (Fewa) 131012

I abandoned my intention to read a story book while cruising.
I have never done 4 hours of straight shopping in my travels. In fact, shopping was never my favourite activity. I am more into exploring new places and activities. I guess group influence pulled down my defenses this time. The four ladies are great shoppers, walking endlessly at the lakeside shops. I was with them ending up picking unnecessary things but happily bought a birthday present for me - a birthstone pendant, yellow topaz, and a silver chain. I also bought a set of pretty dress for Rania and some other souvenirs. By 6 pm, my feet hurt and I wanted to sit and rest but the ladies still went on shoppimg and window shopping. Oh God.

Napalese traditional dance resembling the Sufi dance I saw in Egypt.

Traditional Napalese dinner.

We had a traditional Nepalese dinner with traditional Nepalese dances show. It was fun but we were tired and took leave at 9 pm to prepare for tedious road trip back to Katmandu. 

Travel Nepal 2 - The mighty Everest

Oh yeah, my long time dream has materialized. I got to see the Everest at a close range, as close as the airplane can go. It was awesome, spectacular, majestic, stunning, fabulous and breath-taking, a humbling sight. Praise upon you, ya Allah, for creating such wonder and thank you for allowing me to see it.

The Everest behind the Himalayan snow capped range and creases. Awesome! 121012

On the second day in Nepal, the three of us booked a mountain flight by Buddha Line and paid US$155.00. The original cost was US$185.00 but Badri Nepal, our guide for our trip got discounted tickets for us. The other 4 ladies were not interested and stayed back at the hotel. We were scheduled to fly at 6.30 am but Badri has warned us earlier that the mountain flights are erratic, depending on the weather. Having a boarding card in our hands doesn't mean we could fly - all depending on how good the weather is. Sure enough, our 6.30 am flight was delayed because the mist was still thick. By 7.30 am, we boarded a bus to the plane but was stranded in the plane for one hour. Many passengers were getting restless. At 8.40 am the control tower Okeyed the flight. Everyone had a window seat and could see the Himalayan mountains clearly.
I glued my eyes to the window and Umar, a Malay guy who came for work in Katmandu, pointed Everest to me. The tip of Everest had a kind of glow by the sunlight. It was spectacular.

The Himalayan ranges supported by clouds.

The valleys and the creases of the mountains are so vivid and clear though rather intimidating. The snow capped the ranges making them look so gracious, stunning and wonderful. The images are firmly planted in my mind forever.

The clouds seemed to lift the Himalayan range. Wish I were a good photographer.

The valley at the foot of the Himalayan.

The valleys and creases at the foot of the Himalayas.

The flight took more than an hour to fly east to west and round so that everyone had the opportunity to see all sides of the mountains. I was speechless. The passengers were allowed to go  in the cockpit to see the view more clearly. This is something that everyone should see if he/she goes to Nepal. I guess the other 4 ladies who didn't want to go, put shopping as their priority. The domestic airport was packed with tourists, mostly waiting for their respective mountain flights. The PA system was ridiculous. You have to listen intently to understand or else ask the attendants there to explain. I had the most satisfying day. 

Travel Nepal 1

I opened a new blog (zuraidaharahman.travellerspoint.com) with the intention of devoting solely on my travels in and outside the country. But I find it was such a hassle learning the new program on my own and I have been struggling to add new entries and uploading photos but failed to do so. So here I am, back to my old blog. 
My main aim going to Nepal was to see Mount Everest, even from far. This has been my dream. My friends, Indra, Sharifah and Jin planned and booked flights to Nepal for 3 times and each time something happened which forced us to cancel our trips. First attempt was aborted due to riots, the second time was due to Floods and third time was unrest due to the shooting of the King and his family by the crown prince. Since then Nepal was not in the list but I have never given up. So when Izan of DHIA Holidays Tours and Travel asked whether I was interested to join her inaugural trip, I jumped to the invitation which was made up of 7 senior ladies.
At the cost of RM 3599.00 for 6 days and 5 nights, Izan and her contacts in Nepal designed our itinerary. With 2 non-Muslim members, our food was halal or vegetarian. MAS flight to Katmandu was full with tourists and returning Nepalese.

Just arrived in Katmandu, Nepal and being garlanded graciously by the host company in the bus. 111012

Katmandu street with rows of high trishaws waiting for customers. 111012

 Arriving at Katmandu airport, we were met by Anisha, a pretty Nepalese travel agent and later joined by Badri Nepal, our guide throughout our stay.

This is the restaurant we had our lunch and dinner when we were in Katmandu.

Going to Anatolia restaurant but  being distracted by rows of shops.

The attractive costume jewelry displayed along the street.

Some of the shops in Katmandu

Roadside exhibition! table cloths, bedcovers etc for sale.

 It was a long walk a midst traffic jams to the halal restaurant, the Anatolia in Katmandu city. The food was good. I particularly liked the nan and chapatti which were soft and fluffy, unlike those I used to have in PJ and KL.

Swyambhunath shrine or Monkey Temple on a hill in Katmandu. It was almost  almost dark when we arrived there. 111012

It was getting dark at the hill to Swyambunath temple, overlooking Katmadu city.

The Swyambhunath shrine

Climbing the steps to Swyambhunath shrine almost dark. 

We checked in at the Soaltee Crowne Plaza and immediately left to tour the city. Unfortunately the day turned dark at 6 pm and by the time we arrived at the Swyambhunah temple or the Monkey Temple on a hill, there wasn't much to see. We left the temple when it was really dark. There are a lot of fat, thick coat monkeys. Some looked like Mok, my beloved dead cat. I still miss Mok!! White foreigners called this temple, the Monkey Temple.
In town, walking towards Anatolia restaurant, were distracted with the shops and were reminded to go to dinner first. But on the way back to the bus, some serious shopping was done with amicable bargaining. Most shopkeepers were delighted when they know we are Malaysians. So 'apa khabar' and  'Malaysia Truly Asia' as well as a few Malay words became the introduction greetings. Most wanted to talk, not minding if we didn't buy. We felt welcome. Many have worked in Malaysia, saved enough money to open shops in Katmandu. The shops were opened late till midnight with many tourists around shopping and looking around.
Back to the hotel, I fell asleep as soon as I hid the bed. My room-mate Ramlah slept later when I was already in dreamland. Tomorrow I got to get early at 4.30am for subuh prayer and get ready to get down to the lobby at 5.40am. I am going to see Mount Everest tomorrow, my dream will come true. After that, a long road drive to Pokhara, another authentic city in Nepal.
Sad to say, problem started on the first day. The two older ladies disregarded time and made us wait like their maids, everyday and every time. Izan, as a leader, had to call and reminded them every time. In the morning, when everybody was on time waiting in the bus, they were still chatting in the restaurant. We had to wait for some time before they were ready to join us. We were disgusted. For me, this is the first and the last time I would travel with them.