Memorable Weekends @Duqm - 2

The wonderful journey and moments of enjoyment at Duqm continued much more after Mr Right and I reached the 5* Crowne Plaza Hotel. Upon arrival at the lounge, we were warmly welcomed by the hotel staff who soon served us with truly cool drinks to quench our thirst though in the coach we were already served with bottled drinks. Thank You to our great host MOFA and the Duqm Crowne Plaza management team for their ever warm welcoming hospitality! 

Some of our colleagues took the opportunity to scout the hotel green grounds while the others relaxed on the various seats available for guests while waiting for the room keys and handling of our luggage by the porters. At the same time most of us still could not stop from sharing and comparing notes about our experience of flying 1hr 20mins in the Charlie! It was also once in a life time experience for many of us especially the DS like me. Hence, I am truly Thankful and Blessed for the opportunity. And, most of all my gratitude goes to my Mr Right who insisted that I should join the trip. 

After we received our individual room keys, we parted and headed to our rooms for a short rest. But we told to come down for lunch at 1noon, and later to be ready by 3pm for an evening visit to Duqm Port. Well, once I reached the assigned room, I felt blissful with its beautiful deco and lay out. I admired its grand bed and comfy beddings. Also, a basket full of fresh crunchy fruits were waiting to be consumed. 

A pleasant surprise of Omani sovenir was also neatly laid on the table for us to take home in a form of picture frame comprised of the ever symbolic dagger the Kanjar along with a beautiful card "Welcome to Duqm." And, overlooking the balcony I saw a scenic scenery which was facing the spread green palm garden and the wide blue ocean! Oh! Life there was exceptionally tranquil and blissful on that beautiful afternoon. The scenic view becomes more spectacular in particular at night with the full moon above our heads during Dinner Time, and for that I Thank Al Mighty Allah SWT for the happy hours and minutes spent with Mr Right in this blessed land. Amin.

But before the night came where we were invited to a formal dinner hosted by the Deputy COP of MOFA, we were invited to a guided tour to Duqm Port which was not far from the hotel which we stay. For that occasion, I decided to wear a much more comfortable attire a maroon top with a blue pants and a matching comfortable shoes since we were told that we might be taken for a walk to view the dry dock and later the port. 

The journey from the hotel to Duqm Port only took us less than half an hour, but along the road we witnessed the development of Duqm as an industrial city with many buildings being built. In fact, I was made to understand that the Oman Tourism Development Company is striving to increase tourism into the 'oil town' which I truly feel was a wonderful move.

When we finally arrived at the port, we were once again given a VVIP treatment by the Organisers. Refreshments were served with lots of canapés, savoury desserts and delicious cookies as well as many different types of mouth-watering cakes apart from coffee and tea just after a short but informative, educational and useful presentation about Duqm Port by its Dutchman Commercial Director, Reggy Vemeulen. 

More information about Duqm Port, we were informed that it has "undergone development" and a ship building facility to facilitate the port had already been built. In fact, Jan De Nul Group was entrusted to develop the area in particular to improve the breakwaters and quay wells. Referring to the performance of the port in handling cargos, Mr Vermeulen narrated that the port has handled almost a hundred cargo ships since it commenced early operations, which was truly impressive. 

While touring the Duqm Port, I was fascinated by the views of it which was ultra modern.  It was equipped with a Ship Repair Yard and Dry Dock Facility, which is first of its kind in Oman. From the short presentation by its Director, the Dry Dock was operated and managed by the Port of Duqm Company, S.O.A.C. And, it's main aim is to be a strategic commercial port on the Arabian Sea. 

Throughout my tour to the Port area, not only the buildings and a number of VLCC caught my eyes, but most of all as the sun goes down, the sights of crimson intertwined with mandarin coloured sunsets was feastful to my Chinese eyes which in one sentence connotes 'spectacular'! This part of my first day stay in Duqm was enchanting and truly memorable. Pictures which I snapped on that day spoke a thousand words :D

Briefing session by the Port Authority and Management

Walkabout along the Duqm Port with Mr Reggy Vermeulen and a snap with Mr Right for remembrance!

A VLCC in one of the dry docks waited to be repaired ...

When the sun goes down, my heart beats faster yet tranquil ...

After more than two hours exploring the Duqm Port and visiting its dry dock, I looked forward to an eventful dinner back at Crowne Plaza Hotel. Since the weather was cool at night, the dinner was held outside under a bright moonlight and with lots of brightly decorated lamp posts and sea of candle lights that made the dinner area truly a spectacular scene for the eyes! Oh! The spread of foods both western and middle eastern cuisines prepared by the Chef were exceptionally delicious and definitely fulfilled my hungry belly. The cool breeze from the sea also added to the good appetite. Indeed, I ate more than the usual days for an evening meal yet, I never regretted! I walked back to my room with full stomach and heavy eyes after greeting good night to my colleagues who were in the same situation as me! Indeed, we all had a great day together, though hectic but full of fun and laughter. 

Till today, I could still picture the fantastic and spectacular sights of both Duqm Port and the welcoming Crown Plaza garden which were feast to my  eyes and kept lingering on my mind. Yeah! I was mesmerized and amazed by Duqm's natural beauty. 

A feeling of 'paradise' surrounded by enchanting lights :D

Memorable Weekends @Duqm - 1

In a month's time, both Mr Right and I will be heading home-sweet-home after seven years abroad. We truly looking forward to set foot again in MotherLand. We also shall take home with us memorable memories of our lives staying in Muscat for the past three years since our arrival in May 2011. And, one of the beautiful memories was a 'paradise feeling' of a weekend stay in Duqm! It was once a small fishing settlement of Janubah tribe in Oman, but now has turned into an industrial oil town with a notable port. 

It all started in early April this year when I was visiting my children and attending my niece Wedding in Shah Alam, when my better half called me late one night and said, "We (all Head of Missions) received an invitation by MOFA to visit Duqm!" And, my spontaneous reply was "When? And How?" Immediately Mr Right responded, "Darling, in two days time and via Charlie! Do you want to join?" At first, I was skeptical to change my ticket and wasn't really interested to join the all-paid-for familiarization tour. Yet, on second thought, I quickly replied to him that I'll try my best to get my flight ticket from KL to Muscat changed. If Oman Air allowed it without any extra charges, I will definitely join him. Just give me till morning time for me to sort the matter out and I will give him the thumb's up! Alhamdulilah, when I contacted Oman Air, they have no problem at all to change the ticket and without much hassle they quickly emailed me with the new ticket! Thanks to the virtual world where most things could be done online :D

So, I boarded the plane back to Muscat and was happily received by Mr Right at MIA arrival lounge. The welcoming smile and quick kiss showed that he was very pleased that I was finally home to accompany him on the Duqm trip! It was on late Wednesday evening. And, the flight to Duqm in a military Charlie was to take off on the very next morning at 10.10am, but we had to assemble in the airport by 9am. Hence, I had no time to think of jet lagged! Instead, I was truly excited 'dreaming' to go on board the military plane. A First to me! And, there went my sleepless night with a definitely bright grin ...

The next morning, without much sleep or just 'tidor-tidor ayam' style, I woke up at dawn and was ready for the exciting trip. Soon both of us were ferried in the official car to the Military Airport and was warmly welcomed by the Deputy COP of MOFA and other officials. Also, I was truly delighted to once again see the happy faces of my husband's colleagues and their ever sporting and welcoming spouses who had missed my presence in Muscat although I only went home for just two weeks! But, it seemed like I had been home for ages. After all the friendly greetings and huggings, we were ushered into the huge beautiful hall by ever welcoming Omani lady officers where we were soon served with the Omani coffee and halwa. It was a warm welcoming showered upon us the usual Omani hospitality, which I truly admired and respected! 

Just before we boarded the Charlie at 10.10am sharp, the lady officers came to us and informed that there's no 'toilet facilities' inside the plane. Since the flight shall take approximately 1hr 20mins, hence it was advisable to ease ourselves before we boarded the plane. Also, the journey from Duqm Airport to Crowne Plaza where we gonna stay for the weekend will take another 45mins ride by bus, I told myself that I should not take any chance of 'self-accident' or any untoward incidence inside the plane. So do my other friends and their spouses. 

Soon it was time for us to board the huge 'cheloreng' Charlie which has four fans with a black spot dolphin nose and two big engines that could accommodate about hundred passengers - we, the diplomats and spouses plus our host, the Organiser, the Security Personnels and Officers from MOFA. When I first saw the 'Charlie' on the Tarmac I was truly excited and feeling  'Jakun'! But, Mr Right was exceptionally cool for he had been inside Charlie and had good ride in it several times. Anyway, he felt excited for me and could not stop from snapping my pictures using both the iPhone and iPad! Indeed, I thank you, my Mr Right. You always know how to make me happy and put grins on my face :)

Mr Right & I on our way to 5* Memorable Trip in Duqm <(•^•)>

Inside the flight, all of us who were mostly first timers could not help ourselves from feeling excited. We kept snapping pictures of ourselves using digital gadgets and mobile phones the ever popular iPhones, iPads and other Tablets. Some were feeling afraid since the seating set up wasn't like normal plane and had to cling on their spouses arms although I believed we were all fully strapped with strong metal seat belts! After all the excitements intertwined with anxieties, coupled with high humidity inside the Charlie, most of us fell into deep sleep before we finally arrived our intended destination - the Duqm Airport! When the plane landed, we found ourselves - Oh! Wow! We were in the middle of the desert with no sign of other buildings except the hangar for the planes! 

But, the ever ready Organisers had made available two comfortable 5* Coaches for all of us to be ferried to our ever beautiful 5* Crowne Plaza Hotel which was about 56km from the airport. And, just after I boarded the cozy coach, I was feeling a little uneasy because I badly needed the 'washroom' yet I had to patiently wait for another 45minutes journey by road till I finally reached the final destination! Oh! Boy :D. What a long wait where I have to savour the emptiness of both sides of the well tarred road. Yet, I felt truly elated when I saw the bold print 'Crowne Plaza Hotel' and quickly took the opportunity to click a picture of it from inside the moving cozy coach! 

Aghh ... Feeling 'lega' and blessed surrounded by fresh air from the palm garden and truly cool swimming pool facing the true blue Indian Ocean!

Art of Saying Thank You!

I have not posted or updated my blog for sometime. Perhaps three months or so since the last posting. Actually, I had scribbled some words here and there, yet I wasn't sure to share or not to share, hence they remained as drafts! Also, I was thinking of what suitable material to post and share '(•^•)'

Until today, when I was invited to give a talk and share parts of Malay Culture to ISC Ladies Wing in Muscat. And, I chose to share the Art of Saying Thank You - the MusWay!

As a DS abroad, I always feel it is my duty to share with others and international colleagues who wish to know more about Malaysia and its diversified traditional cultures based on its multi ethnic groups. So, I began my talk with a very simple introduction of where Malaysia is located and its multi racial population that live peacefully and harmony despite its different race, different religion and different skin colour.

Then, I narrowed down the scope to just the culture of the Malay Community which form the majority or half of the Malaysian population. It centered on MalayWeddings  and 'Majlis Cukur Jambul & Berendoi' for newborns. I touched on the processes of the common Malay weddings from Merisik to Bertunang and followed by Majlis Akad Nikah, Majlis Berinai, and the Majlis Bersanding Ceremony. I also took with me some samples of Bunga Rampai and Bunga Telor and distributed to the audience as well as demonstrating the talk with the assistance of pictorial slides for easy visualization and understanding of the subject matter which I wished to share with them.

I shared with my audience the art of Merisik where poetry words or Bahasa Kiasan were normally used instead of direct asking for the Bride's hand! For example, the representives from the groom's side would start with a phrase such as "We come from afar. Another district and another town. And, in here we saw there is a beautiful blooming flower in your garden! If it is not being booked or taken, we would like to seek for permission from the rightful owner to pluck it on behalf of a waiting gentleman (the to-be groom)."

Then, the representative of the bride-to-be will answer such as "We have many blooming flowers in this garden. There is a red rosé, a jasmine and even a budding water lily. Which of these flowers your gentleman is interested in?" This question may then be answered with a sentence like "Oh! Our young gentleman prefers the young budding water lily." These phrases of poetic questions and answers will go on and on until both sides settled to an agreement. 

Indeed, this new knowledge of poetic like 'merisik' event was something new to my audience staying in Muscat, and I truly felt good sharing with them. In actual fact, I learnt this art of 'merisik' indirectly from my late Nyai who was once a 'Mak Andam' in Happy Village. She used to tag me along with her when she represented many grooms-to-be families as a spokesperson in asking hands for the brides-to-be from their families. In fact, this art is still practiced among the Malay families in Malaysia, which was later followed by Majlis Bertunang or Getting Engaged when the Merisik event has been accepted, especially through the show of acceptance of the Tepak Sirih, which comprised of betel leaves, betel nuts and edible limestone. 

During my presentation, I also shared the processes of Majlis Menyarung Cincin both during Merisik and Bertunang time. In most cases, it is usually done by the mother or paternal grandmother of the to-be-groom. Once the ring has been successfully placed on the to-be-brinde's finger, she will show her acceptance, gratitude and respect to her future in laws by kissing their right hand. Hence, she is then officially known as the fiancé of so and so! 

Normally the engagement period varies from three to six months and sometimes one year before the Majils Akad Nikah or Solemnization actually take placed. This depends on the arrangement made by both sides of the families. They usually prefer the time for Solemnisation and Wedding Ceremonies during school holiday seasons where they truly need ample time to make invitation to guests and tedious preparation for the grand event. 

Indeed, wedding ceremonies within the Malay community are very important event to the brides and grooms since it is always hoped to be just once a life time experience. They are called the Raja Sehari or The King and Queen for a Day! More offen then not they are treated as 'true King and Queen' during their wedding day where all things are done to them by other people. It is indeed a life time experienced by all newly-wed couples who were beautifully dressed in their wedding attires and adorned with glittering Jewellery and also sat shyly on the well decorated dias and surrounded by families from both sides!

It is also here, the art of saying thank you to our guests who came to the wedding ceremonies applied. When the invitees were invited to give their blessings to the newly-wed couples on the dias, in return they will receive a bunga telor to be taken home. It is a gesture that symbolizes the heartfelt Thank You from the couple's families to their guests who took precious time off from their daily works just to attend the gathering and give their blessings at the wedding ceremonies. The bunga telor is actually a handmade flower usually made of gold or silver papers which then turned into a beautiful flower. On it will be a neatly covered hard boiled egg in a lace sack and carefully hang onto the flower! I was told by my late Nyai that a hard boiled egg symbolizes fertility, hence by giving our guests who attended the wedding ceremony as 'buah tangan'  it is hoped the newly-wed couple will be blessed and cherished with children. 

Together with the bunga telor, in most wedding ceremonies and at the Majlis Cukur Jambul occasions, a bag of Bunga Rampai is also handed to the guests before they left for home as a show of deepest and hearffelt appreciation for their presence.  Bunga Rampai is liken to aromatic potpourri which has beautiful fragrance. It comprises of sweet smelling finely sliced green pandan leaves and colourful mixtures of fragrance flowers such as red roses, white jasmines, yellow kenanga, dahlia and sprinkled with sweet scented perfumes or agar wood essence! 

On this wonderful and examplary gesture of Saying Thank You to the guests, I personally believe it is part of the beautiful Malay Culture to show respect and appreciation by giving someone who came to rejoice the happy occasions. What better way to show our gratitude to our guests who came to our functions than giving them a simple yet truly 'Ikhlas' from the heart as cute as Bunga Telor and as sweet fragrance as Bunga Rampai as the Buah Tangan. They made everyone happy - both the giver and the recipient! 

Hence, I did the same. Just before I end my short presentation, as a show of Thank You to be invited to share some Malay Culture and Experience to the fun loving and attentive audience, I too distributed some Bunga Telor and Bags of Bunga Rampai as remembrance. I truly thankful to the Organisers for the opportunity to share with the ISC Ladies Wing :D

A snap taken with ISC Ladies Wing and the wonderful Organisers Madam Bridget Ganguly and Madam Aditi Nadgauda.