DESTINY IS A FATE REALLY!

Neldy Jolo

My flight to Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei was at 1:10PM from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The flight was a bit late, from 1:10PM became 1:40PM – supposedly arrive to Brunei at 3:30PM – it arrived 3:48. I queued for immigration check. I was actually in transit passenger to Kota Kinabalu for the 4:50PM flight. I rushed to the check in counter.


Masjid Sultan Omar Saifuddin, Brunie Darussalam. Photo: Neldy

I was told “it’s already closed”. I asked to whom I could talk with. She directed me to ticketing office. I then talked to the assigned staff here with a big “breathing scene” because I was running through the stairs to arrive here. In my mind I shall be calling this staff as “Ms. Fa-Na”, Bruneian.

She asked me to wait. She was attending the customer. I waited for a few-more minutes. I was sad that she never solve my problem when I thought that she could when she said “please wait for a while, I will just finish this”.

She told me that “you are late; the counter will be closed 45 minutes before departure”. I replied, “it’s the aircraft not me, what can you do for this – does any alternatives that you can help me to solve this. No humanitarian considerations? I have no enough funds.”



Brunie Prince Symbol. Photo: Neldy

  “I can’t do anything, the least I can help you is to let you buy for new ticket and this is our system. Your ticket is forfeited, I wanted to help but I can’t” she stressed with kindness. She even spoke in Malay, more or less if I was not mistaken to understand, “so sad for him that he has no enough money”.

 I was expecting though, even their system is already like that, it doesn’t really mean they can never help people in times of crisis or problems – after all I was their passenger, the loyalty is for their airline only. All of my trips in Southeast Asia, Air Asia would my first choice. I just can’t understand why they cannot help – for that simple problem. The control is in them.

 

Near Bus terminal and Brunie Hotel, Banda Seri Begawan, BD. Photo: Neldy

In this episode of time that happened to my life in 5 June 2010, nobody could be blamed. I can’t blamed Air Asia, I can’t blamed the staff, I can’t blame time and most I can’t even blame God for this is the destiny of life – and it’s a fate that was already programmed by God to happen within this point in time! InshaAllah, tomorrow I would be taking ferry to Labuan, for I can no longer afford to buy another airfare for Kota Kinabalu. My firm belief is to Allah. I leave my life to him. He will protect me from every bit and beat of seconds, every minutes of instance and every hour of times.

Ya Allah forgive those people who hated people, who cheated people, who denied the rights of people as human. Praying that in Sulu this kind of incident could be solved. Human is human – should not be totally following the system which human controls – if human controls the system there should be immediate solutions. Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Amin Ya Rabbal Alamin!

VISITING TANJUNG BUKIS, LAHAD DATU!

Neldy Jolo

After arriving from Kuching, I headed to Sandakan. After two days we went to Lahad Datu. We directly visited a cape which I named it Tanjung Bukis (open cape), its vicinity is widely open towards the sea that resembles the glaring sky and sparkling sea water into a beautiful horizon. This cape is known to the people here as Tanjung Alangga (Cape of Ant). People here are Tausug. They are very kind and generous.

Yaz in action taking pictures of the vicinity of Tanjung Bukis, Lahad Datu. He is more than a professional Photographer. He loves views that embraces natural setting.

Yaz and Bining had expressed his enthusiasm to see this cape. This is adjacent to the Kampung Silam in Lahad Datu. It could be reached around 5 minutes from Kampung Silam. It is along the Darvel Bay where many sea urchins could be seen at sea bottom from the sea surface. The sea water is of white-crystalline that could satisfy our longings to the sea – for swimming..

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We were served of diyaral iklug and sardines in our lunch, bangbang mamun (cake) for dessert in long table outside Langgal or small mosque. Of course the common drink was soft drinks – the soda. We were invited to other house to drink more. This has been the culture of the Tausug inherited from their forefathers for being kind and generous – generally it is the entire culture of human for being kind and generous.

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When I saw the Istah Kulapu (fish) after we disembark the boat, I thought “I should have been eating this delicious fish in a fried cook or tiyula’”. Yaz took a picture of it, so much I. We took the picture of the fish with someone holding it for a kind of display..

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He was so enthusiastic showing us the fish – but never offered us to get one. It cost 30RM a kilogram. Could it be sounds expensive? Yes, it is a special fish. I was hoping that I could have eaten one!

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The vicinity of village at Tanjung Bukis. A typical wooden boat is the main mode of transportation of the villagers.

When we started to move to the town, the tire of our small car got pierced. Bining, Utu’ Abdulhadi and Apa' Satia did fixed it immediately.

I find Lahad Datu as a haven of kindness and generosity. There many fruit stands in the streets, much in the central market. The fruit stands are near the central mosque. Buahan (lanzones), Duyan, (durian), Duku, Nangka (jackfruit), Orange and Cempedak (a family of jackfruit) are colouring the vicinity of the town. A Tausug family gave us to taste the Duyan and Buahan – for free! Thank you for being so generous!

Vendors are majority Tausug or known here as Orang Suluk from different ethnicities, Bajau, Jama Mapun and others. Others are Indian, Bugis, Bisaya, Melayu, Chinese and Jawa. In our first visit with the Asreesulu or Asreemoro (the composer and singer of a Tausug song “Indah”), we found that Orang Jawa and Orang Bugis are famous here of their delicious Bakso.

“Waduh Mbak enak sekali bakso nya ya (Oh Mbak your Bakso is very delicious)!”, as we said to the kind lady who served us the Bakso. Sabaw-sabaw thing is Yaz’s favourite foodstuff. “Maghurut da kuman” to describe his love to sabaw-sabaw.

Langgal or small mosque where we were served delicious food.

Boat from/to Tanjung Bukis, chartered for free. Bining is saluting the sun or sighting the horizon.

Fisherman showing his fish with enthusiasm. Love to eat this fish!

So much for this description about Lahad Datu and the people around, it is also known home to Wali Allahu that we had known as Tuan Muda or Tuan Guru Hadji Ghulam Hassan Al-Bikangi. The mosque where he was doing his religious activities and teaching still exist until to this day, it is found in the hill side of the town – adjacent to the Police Station. The mosque called as Masjid Awal Tuan Guru Hadji Muda or Early Mosque of Tuan Gur Hadji Muda.

Muslims are open to do their prayers in this mosque. I don’t know for the tourists of different faiths. Give a try, maybe tourists of different religions are allowed to visit. I assumed there are religious tolerance and no religious discriminations here, although some restrictions may present.

Lahad Datu according to Yaz in his blog, www.alltausug.blogspot.com, it could have been derived from the Sama-Tausug word which mean the “Place of the Tausug Datu”. Lahat became Lahad that would mean “place”. The other meaning of Lahad is a space in the grave of a Muslim buried within that is covered by piling boards.

Lahad Datu is a two-hour drive from Sandakan City. It could be personal car and shuttle bus that cost only 25RM. Lahad Datu is profoundly related to the history of the Tausug and the Sultanate of Sulu. Please do visit for your own understanding!

Photos: Neldy Jolo

EXPLORING BORNEO!

Neldy Jolo

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I have nothing to post recently. I decided to post something that could remind me to remember the route to explore Borneo of Brunie, Borneo of Malaysia and Borneo of Indonesia. After our wanders to explore Borneo of Malaysia, specifically North Borneo of now known as Sabah,we separated our ways. North Borneo still in a leased but sanctioned by UN as part of Malaysia state started in 1963. It was Sultanate of Sulu who leased North Borneo represented by Sulu Sultan Jamalul Ahlam to Baron Overbeck and Alfred Dent Company in 1878.

Bus Express from Miri - Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia

Vicinity of Kampunbg Ayer, Brunie Darussalam

Cat Monument to commemorate Kuching as City on 1 August 1988

Another Cat Monument

Sarawak State Assembly Hall (Dewan Undangan Negeri) along Rejang River, the largest river in Malaysia

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I headed to Kota Kinabalu at night from Lahad Datu at around 9pm, they extended their stays at Lahad Datu and then proceded to Sandakan. We visited Kunak, a small town and a symbol of of still ancient town. I arrived Kota Kinabalu early morning then headed to Menumbok, the best way to reach Labuan by speed boat that cost 15RM. To enter Brunie only coast 35Rm around 1 hour in 45 munites. From the Muara Ferry Terminal reaching Bandar Seri Begawan about 45minutes by taking Shuttle bas that cost 2 Ringgit Brunie or 7RM.

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This was my second visit to Brunie and I was overwhelmed by the magnificient beauty of the Sultan Omar Shaifuddin Mosque located at the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan, adjacent to the knwn water village called Kampung Ayer. Kampung Ayer is similar to the ancient Jolo town, that was historically known as Suba' Bawang and was being called Madi Mahat (Maddy Mahat) the traveller's great place during that time, around 11th century.

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I proceded to Miri the day after paying 18 Ringgit Brunie. These routes are the best way to explore whole Borneo. Looking at its forested side help people to protect the beautiful enviroment. The way to reach Kuching, Sarawak, Miri is the starting point, it is only cost 80RM. Before reaching Kuching by bas, it will take the way to reach Bintulu, Sibu.

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To pontianak from Kuching will cost around 65RM, unfortunately I was not able to visit. It is only from 6-8 hours travel. The only place near to Indonesia I got visited was Serikin, the haven of cheap products that are sold by Indonesians, Serikin is the boundary between Sarawak, Malaysia and Indonesia.

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Kuching as fondly called Cat City by the locals and foreign tourists and travellers made the government to erect the Cat Monument around the city. Kuching was derived from the Malay word Kucing or Cat but having its name, perhaps it was mistaken to be Cochin or "Port" in ancient Indian name.

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There is also a theory by naming it from the Mata Kucing or Cat Eye's Fruit. There are many affordable inns and hotels around greenhills street for backpackers. Not to forget the Kek Lapis or the Lapis Cake.

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Hope to give more stories soon. Have to look at some notes to put details. In the evening of Feb 8, I took Air Asia flight in a cheap cost. Thank you to Abang Samad for the guidance. Talk to you later. Yaz, you should try to look for time to explore Borneo soon. Have to thank you for your effort in booking the ticket. Hope to have you on travel soon.

Photos: Neldy Jolo

KAPE ZAMBO Y BUSY BEE: HIVE OF ARTISTS AND PHILANTHROPIES

Neldy Jolo

It is very common for human to wander to any handsome place that satisfy their fancy and happiness in life. I am one of them – a human too. I like to do urban adventure – considers Zamboanga City as one. The lights in the City Hall are overwhelming.

 

Zamboanga City is a common melting pot of different people from different islands of the Sulu Archipelago and the Peninsula as well as from countries of the 7 continents of the world. The city was known as the “City of Flowers” from the Tausug word Jambangan but it is now known the “Asia’s Latin City” that famously brought into being due to the broken Spanish dialect – the Chavacano aside from widely spoken ancient Bahasa Sug.

The people belong to various faiths, ethnicities, nationalities, faces, ages and those coming from the diverse interest in life flock here to find common ground that is happiness and peace. One of these people is artists and philanthropies.

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One of the hives here I like to hang my tedious mood is in the KAPE ZAMBO: Y BUSY BEE where many people like “busy bee” enjoying their moments. It is like I was throwing my boredom into the bin of satisfaction. It was in 2006 I first entered this hive.

I was invited by Rameeta (Rameer Tawasil), a genuine Tausug Painter – he was had his gig here. As have been nick as the “reunion and acoustic venue” many local performing acoustic artist having their gigs here.

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The ambience was fascinating – adding that the owner is a painter, kind and generous – gorgeous lady of arts in her own craft of unique genre – Ms. Bambut F. Montano. I was warmly welcome, seems to have met her before. Rameeta said Kape Zambo is one of his favourite corners in town – a place where people are welcome treated like in their own house.

After about three years of not having visited this hive and it is now the 9^th year of its existence– I am here again. This hive is common but unusual – it is the unusualness of what people are looking for.

The much vibes I missed here is now relieved, especially when I tasted one of their specialties, the Basilan Brewed Coffee – in an affordable price. Tausug coffee aficionado could visit here if they missed the scrumptious coffee in Jolo Island, Sulu. I still have to taste their Arroz Caldo and Ubud Fresh Lumpia.

The hive is found at Mayor Jaldon Street, Canelar (Fronting Metro Bank) and can be contacted at (062)-9924052/9227894 and email: kapezambo@yahoo.com for any catering services and deliveries, especially for pasalubong – the Fresh Homemade Peanuts, Cookies and the known Basilan Brewed Powder Coffee. It is open 7 days a week, every Monday to Sunday from 7:30pm-12am. Guests from different countries could go via Sabah, Malaysia and Manila, Philippines. Take flights direct from Manila to Zamboanga City and from Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia via ferry, sometimes flights.

Photo: Neldy Jolo.

SULU FIRST MOSQUE: A GREAT HISTORICAL TOURISTS SPOT

Neldy Jolo
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It has been many weeks ago I wasn’t able to tell something about Sulu wonders. I wasn’t having a great time to guide you for the past few weeks. Please accept my apology. When I browse the photo album I spotted the picture of the first Mosque in Sulu, so I prepare to guide you to visit here. I remember when we visited this mosque in 2003. It was a privilege to have visited the mosque and shrine.

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Remaining old Pillars inside the Mosque and the Mosque at http://colloidfarl.blogspot.com

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Surely the tourists will have a great time to see the enchanting beauty of this place. The original old mosque structure is within the new built mosque that is seen today. There are four remaining old pillars inside. The most interesting here, it was said that measurement of the square length of the mosque was based from the two hands of the Sheikh. The Sheikh did he was just stretching out his hands to measure its length wide.

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The burial ground of Sheikh Muslim Missionary lies just beside this mosque. Other tomb of Sheik Al-Makhdum is in the Island of Sibutu beside of also one of the oldest mosques in Sulu. One friend from Bongao had it to say according to his research that there is even early mosque that was built here in 1315. 65 years before the mosque in Tubig Indangan was built. This is the oldest Islamic landmark as a national shrine in recognition to the contribution of Islam in the development of culture and civilization in the country, Sulu and Southeast Asia.

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It was believed that at the height of Muslim defense against American colonial government, Muslim leaders met with General Leonard Wood at the mosque wherein historical talks and agreements were forged. Gen. Leonard Wood was the one who order to "Kill or Capture the Six Hundred" Sulus in Bud Dahu, Sulu.

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The mosque is located in the town of Tubig Indangan, Island of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu Archipelago. The island is the home of the Sama ethnic of Sulu. The Sama ethnic are lovely and peaceful people. This island is also known as the den of beautiful charming dames or ladies. Their beauties are blending of Sama ethnic Sulu and Arabs.

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Tubig Indangan, Simunul is about 30 minutes trip from Bongao City by wooden boat. There are many available boats in the port area for private hire -that is for an affordable charge. It is near the Bongao Central Market. The regular trip to the Simunul Island is once a day only. Tourists could reach this island via Malaysia and the Philippines. Please see the oldest post of the way to arrive Sulu.

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The mosque was name Sheikh Karim Al-Makhdum, in honor to the Muslim Missionary master when this was built in 1380. Al-Makhdum is a group Muslim missionary that was landed to Sulu and being called Makhdumin – the group of blessed Muslim Masters.