VISITING THESSALONIKI, GREECE IN 2012

Nestled in the Thermaikos Gulf, Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and is located approximately 520km north of Athens. I had the chance to visit this charming city during the autumn of 2012 while traveling for WOMEX, the World Music Expo. 

Thessaloniki is full of historical sites, from Byzantine monuments to Ottoman-era hammams, giving it a unique beauty and character. During my visit, I explored the city's traditional market, visited the famous Aristotelous Square, and watched the stunning sunset from the waterfront in the city centre. 

The culture of the Greek people in Thessaloniki is beautiful and elegant. The locals are incredibly friendly and helpful, and the city is incredibly safe. On one night, three teenage students helped us find the only Indian restaurant in the city, and refused to take a dollar note from a friend of mine who wanted to gift them. 

Thessaloniki is a great destination for those seeking adventure, with easy access to both Athens and Istanbul by road. I would suggest at least three nights stay, and for the best updates, check out the Visit Thessaloniki Facebook page. The person handling the page is incredibly friendly and helpful.

MOBILE INTERNET IN GREECE

Vodafone SIM card bought for 10 euro

After a long and tiring flight with multiple layovers, all I wanted was a hot shower and an internet connection. Fortunately, I was able to find a convenient solution for my internet needs while abroad. 

Upon arriving at The Met Hotel in Thessaloniki, I stopped by a nearby grocery store where I was able to purchase a prepaid SIM card for only 10 euros. The shop owner spoke good English with a strong Greek accent, and he had all the SIM cards I needed. When I asked if the card came with an internet connection, he replied with a chuckle, "Internet on the phone? I don't know, but you can make a call!"

Other than phone cards, the kiosk also selling this.

I had assumed that all prepaid SIM cards nowadays come with internet access, but when I inserted the SIM card, I was met with a popup notice saying it was not provisioned. When I told the shop owner, he asked me what a Blackberry was. I explained that it was a phone that could access the internet, similar to an iPhone. He then said that if I couldn't make a call, it wasn't a good phone. 

Back at the hotel, the helpful receptionist informed me that the issue wasn't technical, but rather a political decision for security reasons. She explained that the only way to get a prepaid mobile internet subscription in Greece was to sign up for a monthly contract, which was a postpaid plan. She also mentioned that it was difficult to get a postpaid mobile internet subscription and not really worth it for tourists staying in Greece for a short period.

Thessaloniki Stunning Sunset

  Thessaloniki Waterfront 

                                                

RAMADHAN FULL OF BLESSINGS

Ramadhan is the month in which the Muslims will fast from dawn to dusk. Everyday in Ramadhan is full with blessings. 

10 FOLD REWARD: The time of iftar (breaking of the fast) is a blessed moment for acceptance of prayers. Further, if a person invites another person to iftar he earns the reward of another Saum. Subsequently if you invite ten persons to iftar (even with a date or curd) you get reward of ten Saum in one day.

70 TIMES REWARD: Voluntary prayers (sunat) is considered as obligatory (fardhu), and obligatory prayer is rewarded seventy times more in Ramadhan. The reward is increased to 100,000 times when prayers performed in the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

TARAWEEH, THE GIFT OF RAMADAN: Generally one part of the Holy Qur'an is recited daily in Taraweeh thus according to Hadith, when the full recitation of Qur'an is completed, 70,000 angels pray for the people attending it.

NIGHT OF POWER: Lailatul Qadr is one of the greatest gifts of Allah during Ramadan. This night is more virtuous than a thousand months. You get the reward of worship for more than 30,000 nights if you worship in this night, which is equivalent to 83 years and 4 months. This night lies within the last 10 days of Ramadan every year. Most people offer prayers on these nights.

SALAATUL-LAIL: The last 10-nights of Ramadan are the most rewarding. People offer Tahajjud during these nights. This prayer is offered during the last 10-tights in the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah attended by over a million people.

REWARD OF HAJ: An Umrah performed during Ramadan is equal to a Haj, according to Hadith. In another version of the Hadith, it is equal to a Haj performed with the Holy Prophet s.a.w.

SPENDING ON THE FAMILY: Everyone wish to spends on their family to increase the joy of thier wife and children during Eidul Fitr. According to Hadith whatever a person spends modestly on their family is considered Sadaqa or a monetary worship.

FASTING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR: If a person observes fasting for 6-more days after Eid (or in the month of Shawwal) he/she gets the reward of fasting the whole year - according to Hadith. However it is not obligatory.

WINNERS AND LOSERS: The people who observe Ramadan with full devotion and care have been promised great rewards by Almighty Allah. Those who do not care for Ramadan or spoil their fasting by bad habits, a painful punishment awaits them. Ramadan is the best chance to win Allah's pleasure and His forgiveness. Allah says that, "The Fasting is for me and I shall grant (enormous) reward for it".   

Ref:  Abu Tariq Hijazi compilation

ETHNIC GROUP IN SARAWAK

Classified as among the lowest population growth in Malaysia, Sarawak's population according to census in 2010 was only 2,399,839. As the largest state in Malaysia, the population density is approximately 22 people in one square km.

The Iban from Batang Lemanak near Batang Ai.

Here are the Classification of Ethnic Group in Sarawak :

MALAY
Beliun | Narum | Beluru

MELANAU
Bintulu | Kenowit | Matu | Rejang | Seduan | Segalang | Tanjong

IBAN
Balau | Batang Ai | Batu Blah | Maloh | Milikin | Sebuyau | Undup

BIDAYUH
Buker/Sadong | Biatah | Bau/Jagoi | Singgie | Selakau | Lara

BISAYA
Belait | Tutong

KEDAYAN

KAYAN

KENYAH
Badang | Berawan | Kiput | Lelak | Lirong | Murik | Nyamok | Sebob | Sipeng

KELABIT
Saban | Tabun

MURUT
Tagal

PENAN
Punan | Tatau

OTHERS
Bukitan | Kejaman | Lahanan | Sekapan | Lugat | Lisum | Sian | Ukit/Bukit

CHINESE
Cantonese | Foochow | Hakka | Henghua | Hokkien | Hailam [Hainanese] |Teochew


Ref:

"Mapping the People of Sarawak", Professor Michael Leigh,  Inaugural Director of the Institute of East Asian Studies, UNIMAS, 2002.

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RWMF 2012 LINE-UP REVEALED

This July 13-15, the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) will be celebrating its 15th anniversary in Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak in Borneo. With 12 international line-ups and 4 Malaysian bands, including two from Sarawak, the festival promises to be an unforgettable experience. 

On the first night, the Sarawakian-born internationally renowned singer-songwriter and guitarist, Zee Avi, will be performing with a band from the USA. Zee Avi, who recently became the Tourism Ambassador for Sarawak, is sure to bring a unique and exciting energy to the festival.

Raiz De Cafezal of Brazil for RWMF 2012

The international performers include Raiz De Cafezal, a group of Brazilian Amazonian Indians with a lady dancer, Oreka TX from Spain, La Zikabilo of France, String Sisters, a group of fiddlers from Scotland, Ireland, Scandinavian countries and the USA, Kanda Bongo Man of Congo, Cankisou from the Czech Republic, Daniel Waro from the Reunion Island, Hata-The One, a group of musicians from Malaysia, Korea, Turkey and Taiwan, Khusugtun from Mongolia, Mamadou Diabate from Burkina Faso, and Le Trio Joubran from Israel/Palestine. 

This year's RWMF is sure to be an unforgettable experience, so don't miss out on the chance to rock in the rainforest!

HUMPBACK DOLPHIN NEAR KUCHING SARAWAK

Have you ever wanted to watch dolphins without having to travel abroad? Well, now you have the chance to explore this majestic marine life right here in Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia! On my fifth dolphin trip last week, I was lucky enough to have a truly unforgettable experience. 

For those who are interested, I would highly recommend booking a tour with a registered tour agent in Kuching or an experienced boatman in Santubong. As these are wild animals, there is no guarantee that they will make an appearance during your trip, but your boatman can ensure that you have a fascinating wildlife experience.

We set off from the fishing village of Santubong, located at the foot of the majestic Santubong Mountain, and headed towards Bako National Park. Here, we were lucky enough to spot the rare Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin. These dolphins change colour as they get older, and when they are young they have a speckled appearance, becoming pinker as they age. This species is found in shallow tropical waters and feeds on fish, octopus, and squid.

PENANG WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL IS COMING BACK !

18 international World Music performer lined-up, Penang World Music Festival (PWMF) is coming back this year after about three years being suspended.

Penang Tourism Development and Culture is hoping the return of PWMF this year will be better and to put it back among the major music event within the region. 2012 considered the third organising year and the success of the Sarawak's Rainforest World Music Festival has always been seen by many as the boundary to rate its success measure.

Among the Malaysian act to heat-up the night stage will be the Penang Dhol Blasters (Penang), Kumpulan Minah Moh (Negeri Sembilan), Aseana Percussion Unit (Kuala Lumpur), Geng Wak Long (Kelantan) and representing East Malaysia is Didit Dinai from Sarawak. Other international performer are Gus Teja World Music (Bali), Tori Ensemble (South Korea), Wild Marmalade (Australia) Maite Hontele (Columbia) Kalja Ridim Klan (Vanuatu) and Beoga (Ireland).  

Penang World Music Festival will take place at the Botanical Garden for three nights from March 30 to April 1. The event organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, while the management consultant of the event is UCSI Communications. More updates at www.penangworldmusic.com/ .