A Lizard

Image1: A Leopard Gecko
(Photo Credit, courtesy of Google)

Image2: A Leopard Gecko being handled by a pet owner

(Photo Credit, courtesy of Google)

Image3: I found this little creature in the backyard one morning. It is just a common lizard in the bush called cengkarung (of no monetary value)

The Elusive Cure

I happened to run smack into a little creature on the stalk of my papaya tree. I took some snapshots at different times but mostly for two mornings

It’s been variously described as an animal holding out. Its ancestors were dated to the dinosaurs' era. It’s distant cousins are the alligators , fresh water crocodiles,monitor lizards, the desert dhab and the Komodo dragon.

Interestingly enough, all these ‘cousins’ were known to us before. They  were either to be avoided (alligators and crocodiles) treated with respect or considered a nuisance (house lizards) or even as barbecued offerings for those adventurous enough and not squeamish about having them for dinner.

What was surprising was that in recent times one of these geckos have been adopted as pets . They came in different colours and texture and traded and exchanged among pet owners. Not enough with that a report recently had them as a cure for AIDS and priced accordingly at close to USD1000 or even double that in the Philippines.

What people will pay for the elusive cure!

Azhar Growing Up!

A Recent Snapshot: Azhar with his office colleague Syam

Nostalgia Series #4
These are selected snapshots of Azhar. I have a lot of coloured slides gathering dust in one corner. I decided to post some selected ones here (which otherwise Azhar himself might not even have seen , especially the earlier ones)

1988 TTDI K. Lumpur
Very modest 1st birthday cake-cutting
From Left: Hank, Azhar cutting the cake and Hafidz

1988 Subang Airport
Azhar snugly in his pram awaiting embarkation to the USA

At the airport lounge
1988 Japan
Transit in a Tokyo hotel awaiting connecting flight in the evening. 

Azhar with his mama, Shadah

1988 Chicago's O'Hare Airport, USA
Awaiting connecting flight to Orlando, Florida with brother Hafidz.  

Azhar gleefully holding his boarding pass

1988 At the Epcot Centre, Disney World, Orlando, Florida
Saying 'Hello' to Pinnoccio upon arrival at Disney World

Disney Main Street
Disney Main Street
From Left: Shadah, Azlin and Hafidz. and Little Azhar in the pram

The Dome in the background at the Epcot Centre

1988 Florida
Visiting the Crocodile sanctuary on the outskirts of Tampa, Florida
with sis Azlin
1988 Kissimmee , Florida
Window shopping at a Mall
1990 TTDI K. Lumpur
Azhar with his 1st vehicle before his MyV

1995 Los Angeles Disneyland
Azhar with his Mama Shadah

At the Shark and Dolphin Enclosures

Patting the dolphin
In front of the famous Walt Disney castle with sis Azlin

In front of Dumbo the Baby Elephant ride

1995 Los Angeles Universal Studios
Waiting to see the various attractions
From Left: Hafidz, Hank, Azlin, Mama Shadah and Azhar

Meeting cowboy Woody of Toy Story fame

1996: Pulau Tioman
By the rocks after a swim
1997: Singapore
Jurong Bird-Park with  Mama Shadah

Underwater World
A swim at Sentosa Island, Singapore

1997: Bali, Indonesia
1998: Sacramento, USA
The gentleman joined us as he was playing alone. 

He played only 1 nine with us.

1998: Lake Tahoe/ Reno USA
Azhar experiencing snow for the first time

Azhar waiting his turn for the snow scooter. Actually the scooter rink 

was a part of the local golf course converted such during winter.

Azhar on board with Azlin

A snapshot before having lunch at Lake Tahoe together with 

Azlin's housemates in Sacramento

1998: Marine World, Vellajo (located south near San Francisco)
Azhar, Azlin, Bonda Mariam (Shadah's Mom) and Shadah

Azhar enjoying his favourite, his ice cream. In the back-ground 

the twisting roller-coaster.

Selamat Berpuasa

Image 1: Hafidz holding up Naqib. Retrace back one year ago when Naqib was born (here)


Image 2: Nabil and Sarah Aishah


Image 3: Norman, Nabil and Sarah Aishah with food in front of them.

Selamat Berpuasa and a Birthday Do

I’m a Leo guy. Today Aug 01 is my birthday. It is also the first day of Puasa. A combination of 2 very auspicious days personally to me and such a wonderful coincidence that augurs well for the ensuing year!.

Happy Birthday Hank! Each passing day is a day older. At this age it is a bonus! Selamat berpuasa to everyone!

Pray do to ALLAH SWT the Almighty to extend good health, good tidings and prosperity for me and for everyone in the family. The wish is also for all my friends for the kind support and wonderful companionship in blogosphere.

Yesterday, Hafidz called Shadah suggesting to celebrate Abah’s birthday. Almost everyone were around except for Kimie and Azhar. Kimie had gone outstation with Fahmi the day before and Azhar had a prior engagement with Yana. We adjourned to a neighbourhood shop catering for Chinese Muslim cuisine for a modest birthday do.

Azhar sprung a pleasant surprise early this morning when he presented me with a nicely wrapped ‘ Doctor in the House’. I had yearned for Che Det’s book ( but had not indicated to Azhar) Somehow he could read my mind. I never missed Che Det’s blog postings, He has a knack for expressing his thoughts in very simple language and his English is that easy to understand and to appreciate.

Passing The Baton

Nostalgia series #3

It was reported in the press today that OP Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid will be relinquishing his position as Chairman of the Board in MAS. He'll be passing the baton over to OP Tan Sri Mohd Nor Yusof effective from Aug 01, 2011.

I managed to rummage through some old black and white prints a while ago. Not quite clear but enough to recognize familiar faces. It brought back fond memories of school days at the RMC.


1964 Week-end Camp,
Trolak, Kuala Kubu Bharu


Image 1: Clearing the camp area and pitching tent upon arrival
Extreme Left: OP Pui Cheng Wee


Image 2: OP Hank putting on his jungle boots in the morning


Image 3: Relaxing in the afternoon by the stream
From Left: OP's Suhut, Wan Halim (Datuk, Prof, Dr) Ghazali, Mansor Salleh ( Datuk, Prof. Dr)


Image 4: Another take by the stream
From Left: OP's Hank, Wan Halim (Datuk,Prof,Dr) Ghazali
Back: OP Mansor Salleh (Datuk,Prof,Dr)


Image 5: Cooking chow in a mess-tin in the evening
From Left: OP's Hank, Ahmat Samat, Yang Mohsin


Image 6 : Map reading exercise. We were crossing one of the many streams in the area.
From Left: OP's Leong Chai, Weng Yin, Munir Majid (Tan Sri) and Samsudin Osman (Tan Sri)


Image 7: Fording the stream where necessary
Extreme Left: OP Leong Chai (with dagger at his waist)


Image 8: A breather mid-stream
From Left: OP's Weng Yin, Rajendren, Samsudin Osman (Tan Sri) Nasir Hashim (Dr) Ben Lee, Jon Azman (ever so cheeky! ), Munir Majid (Tan Sri) and Hank

I believe OP Mohd Nor (Tan Sri) was also there that morning before we set out. He could be with another group for the exercise. His image did not appear in either of the snapshots.



Some 47 Years Later. These are recent snapshots.


OP Tan Sri Samsudin Osman (ex- Chief Secretary)


OP Tan Sri Mohd Nor Yusof (incoming MAS Chairman)

OP Tan Sri Munir Majid (outgoing MAS Chairman)


OP Datuk Prof Dr Mansor Hj Salleh (ex-UiTM Director now Prof at Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology, MIMET, Lumut)


OP Dr Nasir Hashim ( Chairman PSM currently ADUN Kota Damansara)