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Wednesday, 11 November 2026

MY TRAVEL INFO (OVERSEA)



Travelling abroad during working days can be an exhilarating experience, blending professional commitments with the thrill of exploring new cultures. Whether it's for a conference, a business meeting, or a project collaboration, these trips often provide unique opportunities to network and learn.

One of the best aspects of travelling for work is the chance to immerse yourself in different environments. You can savour local cuisines, visit iconic landmarks, and engage with locals, all while balancing your professional responsibilities.

To make the most of your travel, consider these tips:
  1. Plan Ahead: Schedule meetings and work commitments efficiently to allow for some leisure time.
  2. Stay Organised: Keep all travel documents, itineraries, and work materials in one place for easy access.
  3. Embrace the Culture: Take time to explore the local culture, whether it’s trying new foods or visiting historical sites.
  4. Network: Use this opportunity to connect with colleagues and professionals in your field, which can lead to future collaborations.
  5. Reflect: After your trip, take a moment to reflect on what you learned and how the experience can enhance your work.
Travelling abroad during your working days not only enriches your professional life but also broadens your personal horizons. Embrace the journey!

The following is a list of foreign countries that I have visited:

AUSTRALIA
CHINA
  1. CHINA: HOTEL MEMORIES.
  2. 2001: BEIJING, TIANMEN & CHENGDE.
  3. 2001: THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA, BEIJING
  4. 2001: SUMMER PALACE, BEIJING
  5. 2001: TIANANMEN SQUARE, BEIJING
  6. 2001: FORBIDDEN CITY, BEIJING
  7. 2001: THE 13 MING TOMB, BEIJING
  8. 2001: PUTUO ZONGCHENG TEMPLE, CHENGDE
  9. 2003: SONG DYNASTY TOWN, HANGZHOU
  10. 2003: GRAND CANAL CRUISE, SUZHOU
  11. 2003: ORIENTAL PEARL TOWER, SHANGHAI
  12. 2003: HUANGPU RIVER, SHANGHAI
  13. 2003: MOSQUE IN HANGZHOU & SHANGHAI
  14. 2016: MADIAN MOSQUE & NIUJIE MOSQUE, BEIJING
  15. 2016: BEIJING (2016).
  16. 2017: MY TRAVEL INFO: GUILIN, CHINA.
  17. 2017: SHANGRILA PARK, GUILIN
  18. 2017: THE NIGHT TOUR OF GUILIN
  19. 2017: LIPU RIVER, GUILIN.
  20. 2017: LI RIVER & XINGPING VILLAGE, GUILIN.
  21. 2017: ELEPHANT TRUNK HILL & FUBO HILL, GUILIN.
  22. 2017: CHINESE TEA, JADE AND MIRAGE SHOW, GUILIN.
  23. 2017: SILVER CAVE, GUILIN & BAMBOO UNLIMITED, YANGSHUO. 
  24. 2017: HIGH-SPEED TRAIN, GUILIN TO GUANGZHOU.
  25. 2017: GUANGZHOU (1ST DAY). 
  26. 2017: GUANGZHOU (2ND DAY).
  27. 2017: GUANGZHOU TO KUALA LUMPUR. 
  28. 2017: CHINESE MUSLIM RESTAURANTS IN GUILIN & GUANGZHOU
  29. TRAVEL: MUSLIMS IN CHINA
  30. TRAVEL: ISLAM IN CHINA
EUROPE
HONG KONG
INDIA
  1. 1985: PASSAGE TO INDIA
  2. 1985: MADRAS & MAHABALIPURAM
  3. 1985: KD MUTIARA & INDIAN OCEAN.
  4. 1985: INDIAN OCEAN - WHEN KD MUTIARA MET THE BIG WAVES WITH KD HANG TUAH IN 1985. 
  5. ZULHEIMY: THE SHORES OF MAHABALIPURAN: A SAILOR'S TALE FROM 1985.
INDONESIA
NEW ZEALAND
REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES
SAUDI ARABIA
  1. SPIRITUAL JOURNEY: UMRAH 2012.
  2. SPIRITUAL JOURNEY: UMRAH 2015 - MASJID QUBA & JABAL UHUD.
  3. SPIRITUAL JOURNEY: UMRAH 2015 - MADINAH AL-MUNAWARRAH & MASJID NABAWI. 
  4. SPIRITUAL JOURNEY: UMRAH 2015 - MASJIDIL HARAM & KAABA.
  5. PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA - THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME
  6. MY TRAVEL INFO: THE RED SEA & MASJID AR RAHMAH,JEDDAH
  7. JOURNEY OF FAITH: ABRAJ AL JANADRIYYAH (2017)
  8. JOURNEY OF FAITH: WUQUF AT ARAFAH (2017)
  9. JOURNEY OF FAITH: MUZDALIFAH (2017)
  10. JOURNEY OF FAITH: MINA, MEKKAH (2017)
  11. JOURNEY OF FAITH: RAMI AL-JAMARAT (2017)
  12. JOURNEY OF FAITH: TAWAF IFADAH & SAIE AND TAWAF WIDA (2017)
  13. JOURNEY OF FAITH: MEKKAH & MASJIDILHARAM (2017)
  14. JOURNEY OF FAITH: MADINAH & PROPHET MOSQUE (2017)
  15. JOURNEY OF FAITH: MEKKAH TOURS (HAJJ 2017)
  16. JOURNEY OF FAITH: MADINAH TOURS (HAJJ 2017)
  17. HAJJ JOURNEY 2017: BRIEFING AND DOCUMENTATION.
  18. HAJJ JOURNEY 2017: FLIGHT TO JEDDAH. 
  19. HAJJ JOURNEY 2017: MEKKAH - TAWAF & SAIE, ABRAH AL JANADRIYYAH.
  20. HAJJ JOURNEY 2017: MEKKAH AL MUKARRAMAH. 
  21. HAJJ JOURNEY 2017: WUQUF AT ARAFAH.
  22. HAJJ JOURNEY 2017: MUZDALIFAH & MINA.
  23. HAJJ JOURNEY 2017: THROWING THE JAMMARAH.
  24. HAJJ JOURNEY 2017: TAWAF IFADAH & SAIE / MEKKAH TO MADINAH.
  25. HAJJ JOURNEY 2017: AL ANWAR MADINAH MOVENPICK HOTEL. 
  26. HAJJ JOURNEY 2017: MASJID NABAWI, MADINAH. 
  27. HAJJ JOURNEY 2017: TOUR IN MADINAH.
  28. HAJJ JOURNEY 2017: RETURN TO HOMELAND.
SINGAPORE
SOUTH KOREA
THAILAND
TURKEY
OTHER INFO:
  1. 2012 - 2018: Yayasan Jantung Malaysia: Jelajah Satu Malaysia
  2. Travelogue: Catatan Perjalanan ku (Dalam Negeri)
  3. Travelogue: Catatan Perjalanan Ku (Luar Negeri)
Hj Zulheimy Maamor
Lembah Keramat, K.L
7/11/2026: 4:44 p.m.
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BOOK: THOMAS BRIGHTWELL - NOTED ON THE PENTATEUCH (1840)



There is a "Malay / Malayan" reference in Thomas Brightwell's Notes on the Pentateuch (1840).

The book is described as:

"a compilation, with original notes on natural history, published as Notes on the Pentateuch, 1840."

The Malay reference is not original to Brightwell. He is quoting other authors on ethnology and the diversity of languages — a common discussion in Pentateuch commentaries around Genesis 10-11, the Table of Nations / Tower of Babel.

Google Books indexes the passage as:

"and extends the limits of the group a good deal farther.' Besides the Malayan,'"

Full quote as it appears in the 1840 edition:

"Besides the Malayan," says he, "there are a variety of languages spoken in Sumatra, which, however,... are the general language which is found to prevail in, and be indigenous to, all the islands of the eastern sea, from Madagascar to the remotest of Captain Cook's discoveries..."

Same passage in another scan:

"There are a variety of languages spoken in Sumatra, which, however, have not only a manifest affinity among themselves but also to that general language which is found to prevail in, and to be indigenous to, all the islands of the eastern sea, from..."

And:

"...and extends the limits of the group a good deal farther." Besides the Malayan," says he, "there are a variety of languages spoken in Sumatra, which, however,...general language which is found to prevail in, and be indigenous to, all the islands of the eastern sea, from Madagascar to the remotest of Captain Cook's..."

What is he talking about?

Brightwell is citing William Marsden's History of Sumatra (1783) — via Nicholas Wiseman's lectures — to illustrate the Malayo-Polynesian / Austronesian language family.

The phrase "Besides the Malaye" is Marsden's original:

"Besides the Malaye, there are a variety of languages spoken in Sumatra, which, however, have not only a manifest affinity among themselves but also to that general language which is found to prevail in, and to be indigenous to, all the islands of the eastern seas, from Madagascar to the remotest of Captain Cook's discoveries..."

In early 19th-century biblical scholarship this was used as evidence that: 
  1. Malay is not isolated—Sumatran languages (Achinese, Batak, Lampung, etc.) share affinity.
  2. There is a "general language" indigenous from Madagascar to the Pacific — what we now call Austronesian — "comprehending a wider extent than the Roman or any other tongue has yet boasted"
Brightwell includes it to support the Mosaic account of the dispersion of peoples and languages after the Flood.

C&P
11 November 2026; 12:49 a.m.

By Hj Zulheimy Maamor at
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Monday, 9 November 2026

MH 370 AND THE INDIAN OCEAN

In the eerie silence of the Indian Ocean, a new chapter has emerged in the disturbing saga of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, the plane that disappeared without a trace, leaving the world searching for answers.


The story of MH370 has become the stuff of modern legend. On March 8, 2017 (11 years ago), the Boeing 777 carrying passengers and crew disappeared from radar screens, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and shattered lives.
"Good night, Malalaysian 370," the last message from the cockpit of MH370, the plane that disappeared... remains one of the most baffling mysteries in aviation history. Despite years of extensive search efforts, the aircraft's fate remains unknown and unsolved, adding to the lore of the unexplained phenomena that inhabit the vast and mysterious depths of the Indian Ocean... the 3rd largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering 70,560,000 km². The Ocean has large marginal, or regional seas, such as the Andaman Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Laccadive Sea.
Malaysia is bounded from the west by Malacca Straits and the Andaman Sea, both connected to the Indian Ocean, and from the east by the South China Sea, being the largest marginal sea in the Pacific Basin...
A scary fact about the Indian Ocean is that it is home to one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent history – remember the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami....



My experience of sailing the Indian Ocean in 1985 with KD Mutiara is a memory that is hard to forget... I'm imaging sailing on a calm sea when suddenly, a massive wave three times the size of the surrounding waves appears without warning... These are what we call rogue waves, and they can reach heights of up to 100 feet. Even the most advanced ships and experienced sailors can fall victim to these unpredictable monsters of the ocean.






Do you know that this ocean hides over three million shipwrecks resting at the bottom of the ocean, from ancient vessels to modern submarines...many of it remain undiscovered...? Imaging exploring these underwater graveyards, uncovering the eerie history of our seas...
I still remember, throughout the voyage across this Indian Ocean in 1985, I always prayed to God that our ship would not be one of the ships that disappeared without a trace in these terrifying oceans... Thank you, God....
My most memorable ship experience is crossing the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean. I've been through some of the rough seas on this planet and a generous share of storms, and occasionally both at the same time. But in this Bay of Bengal, the worst rough seas I have ever experienced, everyone gets seasick. I've sailed the ocean half of my life, so I've had my fair share of rough seas...smooth seas never made a skilled sailor. A rough day at sea is better than any day in the office.






Life is like the ocean. It can be calm or still and rough and rigid. But in the end, it is always beautiful.

As I reflect on my passage through the Indian Ocean, a tapestry of vivid memories unfolds, each wave whispering tales of adventure and awe. The vast expanse of water, stretching endlessly under the sun, was both a friend and a formidable foe.

The gentle lapping of the waves against the hull of our ship created a soothing rhythm, a lullaby that contrasted sharply with the sudden ferocity of storms that would arise without warning. I remember one particular night, the sky darkened, and the winds howled like a pack of wolves. The ocean transformed into a churning beast, and we were mere specks in its embrace. Yet, amidst the chaos, there was a strange beauty—a reminder of nature's raw power.

Sailing through the Indian Ocean also meant encountering its rich tapestry of life. Dolphins danced alongside our vessel, their playful leaps a joyful sight against the backdrop of the deep blue. The sunsets were nothing short of magical, painting the horizon in hues of orange and pink, a breathtaking spectacle that made every challenging moment worthwhile.

Each port we visited brought new experiences and stories. From the bustling markets of coastal towns to the serene beaches where time seemed to stand still, the Indian Ocean was a gateway to diverse cultures and traditions. I cherished the moments spent with locals, sharing laughter and stories, forging connections that transcended language and distance.

Yet, the ocean also held its secrets—mysterious shipwrecks lying silently beneath the waves, remnants of journeys long forgotten. The thought of these hidden histories added an air of intrigue to our travels, a reminder of the countless souls who had traversed these waters before us.

In the end, my passage through the Indian Ocean was more than just a journey; it was a profound experience that shaped my understanding of the world and my place within it. The ocean, with all its beauty and unpredictability, taught me resilience, humility, and the importance of cherishing every moment.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor
Lembah Keramat, KL 11/3/2025: 12.54 a.m
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TRAVEL INFO: REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES & INDIA (1985).


Hj Zulheimy Maamor
16 March 2024 > 5 Ramadan 1445H

Among the experiences in the navy that I cannot erase from my memory is sailing across the Indian Ocean to the ports of the Republic of Maldives and Madras in India with the ships KD Mutiara and KD Hang Tuah in 1985.
I served onboard KD Mutiara, a Royal Malaysian Navy hydrography vessel responsible for hydrographic measurements, meteorological observations, and limited oceanographic observation research work.

CROSSING THE BAY OF BENGAL, IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

My most memorable ship experience is crossing the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean. I've been through some of the rough seas on this planet and a generous share of storms, and occasionally both at the same time. But in this Bay of Bengal, the worst rough seas I have ever experienced, everyone gets seasick. I've sailed the ocean half of my life, so I've had my fair share of rough seas...smooth seas never made a skilled sailor. A rough day at sea is better than any day in the office. 

Life is like the ocean. It can be calm or still and rough and rigid. But in the end, it is always beautiful. 

The Bay of Bengal is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. Geographically, it is positioned between the Indian subcontinent and the Indochinese peninsula, located below the Bengal region. The bay is about 1,600 km wide with an average depth of more than 2,600 metres. 














REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES
The Maldives is a country and archipelagic state in South Asia in the Indian Ocean. It is southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 750 km from the Asian continent's mainland. 
There are 26 reefs gazetted as territories containing a total of 1,192 small islands. Only 200 islands are inhabited by humans.

The Maldives Islands were once colonised by the Portuguese (1558), the Dutch (1654), and finally the British in 1887. The Maldives declared its independence from the British in 1965.







The structure of Munaaru, the distinctive historical minaret of the Male Friday Mosque (Male Hukuru Miskiy), located in the capital of Male. It was built by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar in 1675, 18 years after the adjacent coral stone mosque was under construction. 
The entire complex is a treasured national landmark and is on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status. 


Outside the National Museum in Male, Republic of Maldives. The museum is located in Sultan Park, and the building seen is the older structure, which was the only remaining part of the Maldivian Royal Palace compound that survived a fire in 1968.

MASJID SULTAN MUHAMMAD THAKURUFAANU AL-AUZAM
Named after one of the most celebrated of Maldivian heroes, the mosque is the largest mosque in the Maldives and also one of the largest in South Asia, admitting over 6,000 people. Opened in 1984 by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.









The Maldives, with its white sandy beaches, sparkling blue water, and beautiful sunset, makes it the perfect getaway. 

1985 - MADRAS, INDIA 
KD Mutiara's next destination is Madras in India (now known as Chennai), located on the Coromandel Coast facing the Bay of Bengal. It is the capital of Tamil Nadu and the fourth largest metropolitan city in India. The name Madras comes from Madraspatnam, the site chosen by the British East India Company in 1639.




MADRAS PORT

KD Mutiara Communicators at Madras Harbour, India (1985)






The Alankar Theatre complex at Mount Road (now Anna Salai), not far from the LIC (Life Insurance Corporation) building. 






The house of Dr M.G. Ramachandran (now MGR Memorial House) was a famous Tamil film actor, producer and politician. He served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death in 1987. 
His full name is Maruthur Gopala Ramachandran (born January 17, 1917 – December 24, 1987). We had the opportunity to stop for a while in front of his house on the way to Mahabalipuram, located at Arcot Street, T. Nagar. 

MAHABALIPURAM
Mahabalipuram, or Mamallapuram, is a town on a strip of land between the Bay of Bengal and the Great Salt Lake in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It's known for its temples and monuments built by the Pallava Dynasty in the 7th and 8th century. It is a historic city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tamil Nadu.











INS ADYAR – a prominent base depot ship and shore establishment of the Indian Navy, located in Madras, Tamil Nadu. It serves as a vital logistics, maintenance and administrative hub under the Eastern Naval.
It was commissioned on 19 February 1954, located at Fort St George, near the port of Madras. It functions alongside the HQ of the Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area. 

This year (2024), as this blog is written, would be the 20th anniversary of Tsunami striking the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004. 
Immediately before the 2004 tsunami struck the Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal, the ocean water of Mahabalipuram's coast pulled back approximately 500 metres. Tourists and residents who witnessed this event from the beach recalled seeing a long, straight row of large rocks emerge from the water. 
On the 2004 tsunami, more than 230,000 people, mostly in Southern Asia, were killed by a 100-foot-high tsunami triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean. 

Other readings:
1. Tsunami 2004: Tamil Naidu remembers victim on 18th anniversary
2. Tsunami uncovers ancient sculptures in Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu.
3. Tsunami reveals Temple of Mahabalipuram

If you have time to explore Madras (now Chennai), this 284 sq-mil (400 sq km) conglomerate of urban villages and diverse neighbourhoods making up Tamil Naidu's will pleasantly surprise you. Its role is as keeper of South Indian artistic, religious and culinary traditions. 

Hj Zulheimy Maamor
Lembah Keramat, KL
17 March 2024 > 6 Ramadan 1445H: 8.03 am
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