Sunday, April 25, 2010

Why I ride in Putrajaya

Putrajaya was planned to be a garden city.

It was deliberately designed to see greeneries in abundance and where its citizens would have nature at their doorsteps, so to speak.

Such planning has seen Putrajaya developing into a city where nature is woven seamlessly into the urban fabric. The lake, wetlands system, the wooded areas and endless green corridors, as well as the promenade all add up to an urban nature sanctuary bar none, dare I say.

This means that Putrajaya has - inadvertently perhaps - turned into a heaven for cycling.

For, besides the Putrajaya Challenge Park which is now well on the way to becoming a "must ride" venue for every mtb enthusiast worth his salt, you also have the trails in the wetlands and the kilometers of promenade which offer interesting rides within cool, shaded environment with the sounds of insects and birds chirping in the background.

And, by the way, Putrajaya also hosts the monthly Putrajaya Critical Mass.

Enjoy some pics taken during my morning ride in Putrajaya Wetland today with three of my riding buddies: Pak Adib, his son Maher, and Maher's office colleague Henri.


Pak Adib and gang preparing for the ride

Cool, crisp morning air - fresh air!

The lone rider: being one with nature

Lake side wakaf stop

Tranquil, serene place for respite


Wildlife in the wetlands

Macho riders

Putrajaya Lake/wetland

Pak Adib: he walks, he cycles, and now he wants to sail too! Seen here looking longingly at a boat

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Friday, April 23, 2010

Glitzy Hong Kong

The iconic Hong Kong skyscrapers during dusk

The way to go

Hong Kong hospitality at its best. I'm personally greeted by the TV screen as I entered the hotel room and switched on the TV set


Hong Kong has been described as one of the most dynamic cities of the late 20th Century. It is a center of trade, light industry and finance.

Roger Tang, one of my former classmates and a close friend during university days stays here.

I've visited Hong Kong twice. And both times we had the chance to meet up, renew old ties and talk about the good old days.

Roger himself, together with family, has visited my Kampong Kepayang Fair Park and met with my parents.
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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Charming Kg Kepayang Fair Park

A traditional village it might be, but sleepy, laid-back Kg. Kepayang Fair Park - my birth place - has its own rustic charms and attractions.

Enjoy some pictures from my recent trip back home.



The kampong's padang

Plentiful wild flowers near the railway line

The railway line which now has double-tracking. Quite a lot has changed here, compare this picture with the one at the top of this blog (masthead) which shows the same spot about 40 years ago



The bridge over Sungai Kinta - it links "Kepayang Dalam" and "Kepayang Luar"

The famous Sungai Kinta, after which comes the name of Kinta Valley which was once the richest tin mining area in the world



Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Façade design from Makkah?

Whilst in Wakaf Che Yeh, Kota Bahru recently I came upon a few rows of shophouses with façade designs resembling buildings one would more often find in Makkah and Madinah.

I thought it was quite clever of the architect to 'copy' the facade design and adapting it to our local shophouse design, what with Kelantan fondly referred to as Serambi Makkah.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Kembara Putrajaya hari ke-3

Approaching Tok Bali

Beach at Penarik with beautiful green sea

Approaching Kuala Terengganu

Masjid Kuala Ibai (Masjid Terapong)


Hari ini konvoi Kembara Putrajaya bertolak dari kota Bahru ke Cherating melalui Tok Bali (tempat Sakinah menyertai PLKN).

Jarak perjalanan hari ini adalah yang paling jauh dalam sehari, iaitu sejauh 300km lebih dan saya menjadi pemandu - sangat memenatkan.

Konvoi menyusur pantai Terengganu yang indah sepanjang perjalanan. Di K Terengganu, kami berhenti di Masjid Terapong Kuala Ibai untuk lunch dan solat. Tiba Cherating jam 5.40 ptg.

Esok konvoi akan sambung perjalanan ke Kuantan dan Temerloh sebelum pulang ke Putrajaya.

Saya stay on di Kuantan untuk dua hari lagi bagi menghadiri Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Perundingan Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Kembara Putrajaya hari ke-2

The driver and vehicle owner, Hj Razaob

The co-pilot and second driver, yours truly


Hari ini konvoi Kembara Putrajaya bertolak dari Gua Musang ke Kota Bahru. Perjalanan amat mencabar kerana jalan ini sibuk dek kerana petempatan di kiri-kanan jalan.

Hentian pertama hari ini adalah Maahad Tahfiz di Kg Lak Lo', Kuala Krai.

Konvoi tiba di Wakaf Che Yeh, Kota Bahru jam 12tgh untuk program bersama anak yatim dan ibu-ibu tunggal.

Selepas itu ke Maahad Tahfiz Daril Naim, suatu petempatan pondok untuk pelajar tahfiz. Di sini juga terdapat pondok-pondok yang disewa kepada mereka yang ingin tinggal bersama untuk mengaji ilmu agama.



Saturday, April 10, 2010

Kembara Putrajaya 2010

Kereta marshall konvoi beratur di belakang (Proton Perdana berenjin twin turbo!)

Kereta peserta konvoi


Sedang menyertai Kembara Putrajaya mulai hari ini 11 hingga 13 April. Program mengembara sambil beramal - program sosial Perbadanan Putrajaya.

Seramai 80 orang pegawai dan kakitangan Perbadanan Putrajaya menaiki sejumlah 30 buah kereta akan melawat rumah-rumah anak yatim, mahad tahfiz dan rumah warga tua di Pahang, Kelantan dan Terengganu dengan membawa sedikit sumbangan.

Perjalanan akan diiringi marshalls dari Kelab Proton dan kenderaan polis dari setiap daerah yang akan ditempuhi.

Bertolak dari Putrajaya 8.30pg tadi. Sekarang berada di hentian pertama iaitu Rumah Anak Yatim Bentong.

AZMAN AHMAD TERMIZI: 12 Januari 1964 - 30 Julai 2022

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