I AM THE BORNEO EXPLORER 婆罗洲探险者

Initially, I should ask for permission to took photos inside the museum. But I was attracted by all the beautiful antic of the Islamic culture, and then I just start to press on my camera shutter on autopilot.

From my knowledge what I understand from Islam is that they need to conduct prayer very early in the a.m. On Friday they need to go to the mosque to pray, that’s why government staff has two hours lunch break, and each year before the Hari Raya, they need to fast for one month before, then they celebrate the breaking fast festival (Hari Raya), and I can visit my Malay friends and have delicious curry chicken, and ketupat to eat.

What have I gain after visiting the Sarawak Islam Museum?
The Islamic culture is not just on reading the Quran, but they also have astronomy study, their own coinage, weapon, clothes, antique, and etc.
And I learn that Islam some to Sarawak is because of a Chinese name Zheng He. He is a Chinese Muslim from China, and during his voyage to Malaysia, he also brings in the Islamic religion to here.

So who is Zheng He?
After some research from the net, this Zheng He is a Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat, and fleet admiral. who made the voyages collectively referred to as the travels of "Eunuch Sanbao to the Western Ocean" or "Zheng He to the Western Ocean", from 1405 to 1433. The development of Islam in Indonesia and Malaya is intimately related to Admiral Zheng He. He built granaries, warehouses and a stockade, and most probably he left behind many of his Muslim crews during his voyage to Malaysia.

What’s my favorite on the Islamic culture?
Personally I like the Islam astronomy, and weapon. Most of the weapons look more or less the same like the old Chinese, or English weapon use in the battle.

here comes the photos, my dear reader I hope you like it.

islam_museum_00

This is the main entrance to the Sarawak Islam Museum, I went there during the evening time.

islam_museum_01

this is a time capsule seal on the year 1999 at Bintulu division, and set to be open on the year 2099.

islam_museum_02

A painting of Mecca, and a ancient stone which have quran carving on the stone. It was found at Sarawak

islam_museum_03

this is a replica mosque at Mecca

islam_museum_04

this might be a tradition Malay fishing boat, I didn’t read the description for it

islam_museum_05

the Islam coinage on the old days

islam_museum_06

A navigation device

islam_museum_07

it comes with accessories if you click on buy now, so hurry limited offer only : P

islam_museum_08

this is a scribe’s box

islam_museum_09

this is my favorite it is a celestial glob. What, and how it function, I dono. But it looks very high tech. I always am very impress on the gadget the ancient people invent, with no computer, but they still manage to invent stuff, very intelligent.

islam_museum_10

many armlets, there have a pair of silver gilt armlets, decorated with a climbing plant mofif, it is used as a part of traditional malay wedding attire.

islam_museum_11

this is the weapon division. A big axe

islam_museum_12

oh…don’t let your girlfriend have this. This is danger when have a fight, anything they took, they will throw it at you.

islam_museum_13

A 106cm long mace, a large steel borned devil’s head mace, etched with typical floral and animal designs.

islam_museum_14

what do you think this it? *beep* is not a horse. Is a camel, yep a strange looking camel, what they display here is the camel saddle.

islam_museum_15

guns

daggers

knife

ancient armor

islam_museum_19

keris, a traditional Malay sword.

islam_museum_20

spears

arrows

shield, wonder how heavy is that thing? Imagine last time the warrior need to wear steal vest n armor, hold shield, carries big sword, and wear iron boots. Can they still move with all of this heavy equipment?

islam_museum_23

email me your birthday, this will be your birthday present.

islam_museum_24

or you want this as your present?

islam_museum_25

Tray from China. It have quran writing and Chinese style painting on it.

islam_museum_26

Quran writing with Chinese words translate on the top.

islam_museum_27

a wooden chest to store the Quran

islam_museum_28

Quran rack
-------------------------------------------
All the information on the Islamic culture are base on my knowledge and own observation, so comments, or correction are most welcome : )
Have a nice weekend everyone

Talang Satang is a private island which is wholly owned by the descendant of *inhale* Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah bin Datu Bandar Abang Haji Muhhamad Kassim *exhale* (a very long name huh!!). I went to the island for a day trip with a few of my buddies, and some new friends. In this island are the spot for turtles to lay their eggs. To go to the island, first we must go to a fishing village called the Telaga Air at Matang. At the village, the primary income for them is fishing; they also sell some vegetable, fruits, and small food stall. That day the village have a small karaoke competition, I guess besides finishing, singing will be the only entertainment available here.

To get to the island, we have to rent a boat. The boat transport service can be arranged easily. After bargain on the transport fees, we’re off to the island. Is a 50mins boat ride to the island, but we can reach there faster, just that the boat are going to slow. There’s no big wave on our way, and the weather are just fine, as the sun is hiding shyly behind the clouds. We can see Mount Santubong, and even Damai beach coast line.

Land behold, yeah Talang island is just in front of us. The shape of the island is like a bowling pin that cut into half. The sea water is clear and cold, and the sand is in brown color. There are people playing on the beach when we arrive. After we settle down, we’re getting ready to get into the water. I notice they don’t have any electric supply nor water supply at this island (….wait a min!!! what am I saying, this is an island). They use generator for electric supply, and gather rain as their water supply. I went to explorer the island around, according to the people there is will take one days to circle the island. And some part is block by sea water, so need to swim across. For the turtle to lay eggs, the people told us that the turtle only lay their egg during the am. We would need to overnight here to see them lay egg.

We had a great time on the island, warm breeze blowing, birds singing. I sleep under a big tree after I had my lunch. It feels really good, no heavy traffic, no sound pollution, this is a great place to relax. We stay there until the evening when the boat man said is going to rain. He advice that we go back, else the wave will be big and danger when the rain come. Another 45mins back to the village is a great island. Next time we will overnight there to witness turtle laying egg.

talang_00

Welcoming sign board can be view upon arrival at the village.

talang_01

village people use up the open space area to sell watermelon, price range from RM2 to RM14.

talang_02

A signboard welcome to Village Telaga Air

talang_03

speed boats, wonder how much this thing cost?

talang_04

This is a historical well. Now it is no more in use, I try to go in to take a close look, but it is locked.

talang_05

I should ask the villages on the story of this well.

talang_06

my friend bargain with the ship owner on the transport fees to bring us to the island.

talang_07

many of this wood pole had been use to mark the “parking space” for boats.

talang_08

abandon ship, the green goblin is abandoning.

talang_09

our boat is the one in white color, with a small engine. Only 30 horse power….

talang_10

along our way, there is this small fish following our boat, they jump out from the water, then dive back again. Very interesting, they must think that we’re one of them.

talang_11

land ahead, this is the Talang Satang island. It look like a bowling pinball cut into half.

talang_12

This is the first time I’ve ever came to a private island. What is he going to do with the island?

talang_13

This is me with the signboard. See the turtle picture on the top left, ya this turtle usually lay their eggs in the am, so we need to overnight here then we can see live turtle laying eggs.

talang_14