New Year 2011 Countdown Fireworks at Sunway Carnival, Penang

Finally, I got this clip uploaded for you to watch it here or at You Tube.  As a little child, my daddy and mommy and elder sisters used to tell me to go and watch the fireworks and would bring me there whenever there were fireworks to be let off at night especially during the special occasions in the small Royal Town of Arau, Perlis such as when His Royal Highness (HRH) the Late King or "Raja" Tuanku Syed Putra Ibni Jamalulail was celebrating his birthdays or the special celebration like his installation as the Third King of Malaysia.  My late daddy whom I called Pa and my mommy used to get invitations for the Royal Banquets at the Royal Palace in Arau, Perlis near the Arau Railway station and opposite the Police Station. Now this little royal village boy has moved to Big Foot Hill or Bukit Mertajam in Seberang Perai or Province Wellesley on the mainland side of Penang State.

Those days, little children used to light their own fireworks or fire crackers during festivals like Muslim celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha celebrations start after the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide or Chinese Lunar New Year or Hindu's Deepavali or Christmas and New Year.  Now fire cracker is banned in Malaysia and Singapore.  Pity my nieces and nephews here and there and our present day kids as they cannot play with fire crackers as we did in the good old days.

Now that there is no royalty or royal palace at Bigfoothill or Bukit Mertajam or Penang State as we only have the Governor in state of Pulau Pinang, Bigfoothill took every opportunity to rekindle the sweet memories of the excitements that I enjoyed watching fireworks being let off at every celebrations held around here in Bukit Mertajam and nearby areas.  One thing for sure as the bible tell us so, Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  So the fireworks were set-off at Auto City Juru during recent Christmas Eve Countdown to celebrate the arrival of Christmas or the birth of the Royal Baby born in the manger, Jesus.  Now it is time again to rejoice in the King of Kings during this New Year 2011 for me and family.

As for you and others, you have many other reasons to celebrate the New Year 2011 as you could be promoted on your career or you boss is giving you a raise or giving you a fat bonus recently or a fat red packet in the coming Chinese Lunar Year of the Rabbit.  Bye bye Tiger..soon.  maybe, some of you are proposing to your girlfriend and planned to get married in 2011. Do invite me to your wedding reception or dinner.  I could then capture your precious moments in life live on my Sony Handy cam DCR-SR47 model. Whatever cause you are celebrating, I wish you all the best wishes and may you find 2011 a blessed year and God with Us, Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14 NIV).  You can refer bible verses through this link here to BibleGateway.com http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%207:14&version=NIV1984.

Immanuel is spell as Emmanuel especially in Espanol, French or other languages.

Here is an interesting sermon on Isiah 7:14 from Rev. Adrian Dieleman form the Trinity United Reformed Church, Visalia, California , USA preached on December 25, 2001 which you can click on this link http://www.trinitycrc.org/sermons/is07v14.html

Credit goes to BibleGateway.com for their bible references and resources.
Credit goes the Pastor and Trinity United Reformed Church for the resources on Emmanuel, God with us.

Hope you enjoy the fireworks here for those who did not catch it earlier at the Countdown to New Year 2011.

A Visit to Kuala Juru Fishing Village by BigFootHill

Dawn at Kuala Juru Fishing Village

Sun rising behind the swamp and Kuala Juru village

"Sampans" or small boats lying on cockle shells bank of the jetty

Wednesday November 17, 2010 was a public holiday in Penang State of Malaysia in conjunction with the celebration by the Muslim faith brethren especially for the Pilgrims who have performed their Hajj pilgrimage at Mecca in Saudi Arabia with their family and friends.  On this special day, the less fortunate, poor and needy are remembered and taken care of by the blessed Muslims when they went to mosques to perform prayers and thereafter sacrificed some cows and cut it to pieces to be distributed to the community. I remember those days some decades ago, when I was living in the Royal town of Arau, Perlis, another northern state of Malaysia, the folks there were very excited about the Festival of Pilgrimage also known as Festival of Sacrifice or Hari Raya Aidil Adha,
As early as 5.00am, the Muslim folks will wake up and get to round up the herd of cows and goats to be sacrificed near the mosque compound.  A group of them will help to hold down the animals and tied them to the coconut trees while the local butchers will perform the task of killing and cutting the animals for distribution to the needy in the community. Usually the Royal Highness "Raja" or King of Perlis and his royal family households will contribute towards purchasing of most of the animals to be sacrificed for that day. Thereafter, the folks will go visit the graves to pay their respects for the departed kins who are buried there and clean up the compound. In Perlis and other northern Malays states, the declared Public Holidays are two days to celebrate the Festival of Sacrifice by Pilgrims.  The other "Hari Raya Aidil Fitri" or "Hari Raya Puasa" or Festival to celebrate the end of Fasting month of Ramadan is celebrated with two days of Public Holidays.

My mom and her friends will tell us children not to look at the action of the killing of the animals as they said that the old superstition that once the boys looked at the action, the boys will be naughty and cruel.  I belief our moms would want to spare us from the frightening sounds and cries of the animals when they are killed after the prayers' rituals and to spare us from watching the horrors of bloods oozing out from the killing of the animals we use to chase away from our backyards, or to see the lifeless carcass after the meat have been cut for distributions. These grand old stories are told again and again each time we come to celebrate the festival annually. 

Coming to back to the picture of the small fishing boats, I was excited to celebrate the festival by sacrificing my sleep and waking up early at 6.00am and getting my family to join me to watch sunrise at Kuala Juru at Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Perai Tengah, Pulau Pinang.

The Kuala Juru Fishermen Association

 

It was also an opportunity for me to catch the life of the villagers at Kuala Juru.  We arrived the place at about 6.30am and went all the way to the end of the road where it stop at the foothill. The nearest house was some 50meters away.  We were the only ones there while the place was still very dark and misty.  My two companions were feeling spooky when we passed by the local Muslim cemetery and they wanted to turn back. Well, I never been there before and so it is better to be safe and so we turned back to the nearest point which have bright street lights and it happened to be near the Kuala Juru Fishermen Association as in the above shots.

Just then, a small lorry arrived to pick up loads of cockles packed in recycled plastic bags used for packing sugar.  In those days back in Arau, Perlis, I followed my mom to the market near the Arau Railway station, the cockles were delivered by the wholesalers in bags of gunny sacks which were environmental friendly.

Roller washing and filtering equipment to clean and pack the cockles in bags

The escalating conveyor to help lift the bags when loading into lorries

By then, we watched and talked to the men briefly and then walked to the jetty.  We looked for the sunrise but it was not the best place to view as it was partially blocked by the hill at Kuala Juru and the swampy trees.  So we just took some pictures and after some thirty minutes, there were two fishing boats passing through the river mouth of Sungai Juru which was how the place is named after Kuala Juru.  I did not manage to get the picture of the boats passing by as they were quite fast while I was still trying to adjust my camera setting.

Later we came across two senior adults or uncles and greeted them, Both of them have been staying here for more than sixty years and have been fishermen mostly rearing and harvesting cockles besides trapping the crabs, prawns and the mantis prawns or for living.  The place was quiet as that day was a public holiday and most of the Muslim fishermen were taking a day off. Behind the picture of the two uncles are the sheds occupied by local fishermen and a Thai "tom yam" (a kind of sour and spicy soup cooked with fish and prawns) restaurant owner originated from Southern Thailand.  There is only one common bathroom and toilet for the people staying there according to the uncles.

Pakcik Nordin and Pakcik Ismail

Brightly lit cement pathway to the jetty

Sampans docking at the jetty

As we were chatting with the uncles, my two companions were attacked by the little "kamikaze" mosquitoes and they retreated to the brightly lit areas to avoid being bitten by them. Soon we saw the swallow birds flying above the sky and then the white herons were hovering above the river mouth and landed on the banks and shallow parts of the river to catch and eat the little fish or crustaceans.

Herons

Fishing boat powered by motor passing by towards the sea

The landing jetty at Kuala Juru

The netting traps and ropes on board

two newer boats with red linings

Hunting for breakfast?

After the sky turning brighter, we can see the swamps clearer and there were more boats docked at the wooden jetty used for landing.  Up in the dark blue skies, we saw air planes taking off from Penang International Airport at Bayan Lepas towards our direction and over us.

The airline flying crossover to Kuala Juru

The Plane! The plane!...Welcome to Fantasy Kuala Juru

The seafood restaurant

Children playground opposite the Kuala Juru Fishermen Association

We then drove over to the other side of Kuala Juru which is near to the other restaurant and went to the end until we came across a quarry where there was new jetty being constructed by the Kuala Juru Fishermen Association.

New under construction landing jetty at the other side of hill of Kuala Juru

The new under construction landing jetty overlooking the Penang Second Link which is also under construction

Sunlight rising above the hill at Kuala Juru shinning upon the crossbars .

The hill and granite quarry at Kuala Juru

 

A sunny reflection on the pool of water at quarry at Kuala Juru

On the way out, we discovered a gem and scenic view of Big Foot Hill which look like we were on a narrow and winding road to the Swiss Alpine...ha.ha..so we really enjoy the holiday on a tight budget with airlines all over at Kuala Juru.

Big Foot Hill like a scenic Swiss Alpine

The narrow, long and winding road out from Kuala Juru quarry to Bukit Mertajam or Big Foot Hill or 大山脚

Please note that there is a different in the version with regards to Prophet Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac(Ishak) bore by his wife Sarah in reference made to the Holy Bible as compared to the Holy Qur'an which mentioned Abraham's son name as Ishmael(Ismail) bore by the Sarah's Egyptian maidservant, Hagar (Siti Hajar).  

Please see my earlier post "Looking for Church at Bukit Mertajam to celebrate Christmas" by clicking here : http://bigfoothill.blogspot.com/2010/11/looking-for-church-at-bukit-mertajam-to.html "

It reminded me of the story in the Bible book of Genesis Chapter 22 Verse 1 to 19 of Abraham offering his son, Isaac, as the sacrificial lamb to God and of his obedience to God and God's blessing upon him and his descendants of nations on the earth. Article is copyrighted by and courtesy of Focus Radio link http://www.facingthechallenge.org/gen22.php " 

Credit goes to the Ministry of Information of Malaysian Government for the information of the Festivals and public holidays.

 

Misty morning in Bukit Mertajam

View of Big Foothill . from Kota Permai near RT Office (Orange building at the right foreground)

Misty view of one of the basketball courts at Kota Permai

After heavy rainfall last night, this morning the Big Foot Hill a.k.a. Bukit Mertajam was misty. The mist finally went away and it appeared again around 8.50am local time. These shots were taken at Kota Permai, Bukit Mertajam near community hall  for Resident.

It was a nice cool weather and it had been months since the last time we had such a misty morning in Bukit Mertajam. It reminded me of Cameron Highlands. Oh..how wonderful if I could sleep a little longer this morning. No..no.. if I am looking for Bigfoot which was reported to have visited Malaysia recently in southern state of Johor which is opposite the causeway to Singapore.

For some residents, it is the usual morning routine exercise and dance in the early hours. For some, it is time to go to work as today is a working day for Penang State as we only have one day Public Holiday. As for the school children, it is just the beginning of the long year-end holidays.

Football field at Kota Permai near community hall

Mist slowly clearing up

Thick mist enveloped the sky around Bukit Mertajam

The mists and clouds were moving away revealing the hills and the blue sky

Every morning, there are residents here doing their morning exercises.  There are dancing lessons and Chinese martial arts exercises conducted at the cemented floor in front of the hall every morning except rainy days and  a certain day of the week.  Majority of the participants are ladies.  You can join in or enroll for the lessons to keep fit and healthy.

Wind was blowing from North West direction

In the afternoon usually after 5.00pm local time, this field in front is also the game place among footballers and the enthusiasts of seven-a-side futsal teams till the sky turn dark. You can find many fans of the English Premier League(EPL), the Spanish La Liga or the German's Bundesliga or the Italian's Serie A playing here, hoping to be spotted by the coaches like Sir Alex Ferguson, Carlo Ancelotti, Fabio Capello or Jose Maurinho or Mancini or Rafa Benitez. So, if you enjoy kicking and running, here is the place for you.  There is a basketball court if you like man-to man marking.

My beautiful Big Foot Hill

Of course, there is a children playground on one of the corners of the field. You can have fun time with the little ones.  Some of the local residents have also planted some green vegetables and flowering plants on the edge of the field. You can admire the green vegetables or flowers and help to water the garden.

You can pick to sit back on the cement benches to watch the activities or just lying by the side on the green green grass of home if you happen to bring your mat.

As for the night fall activities, there are seasons where on the other corner directly opposite the RT office, Concert or Chinese Opera are held to celebrate the events organized by the little temple there.  On another corner to the left of RT, there is another temple with the big rock which is located along the main Jalan Kota Permai which also held such events in the past at the other corner.  During those seasons, you can take a good peep at the famous local artistes in their colorful and glittering "sexy" outfits when they perform the shows.  You have to put up with some congestion on those avenues and roads as there are many patrons and worshipers lighting incense and giant joss-sticks.  The show is not over till it is past 12 midnight. The musics are loud and clear during these period.

There will usually be some hawker stalls mushrooming nearby by the stage and temples selling foods like famous "Penang Laksa", Prawn Noodles, Cuttlefish dessert with water glory bind or water spinach or swamp cabbage and other type of Chinese desserts

Sun above the shady trees along the edge of field where I was standing while the mist was still clearing up

The peak of Bukit Mertajam with its Ground Satellite Antennas station

The RT hall is also used as the kindergarten which is sponsored by the government for the local community's children in the morning.  So if you are looking for some recreation, sports or meeting new friends, this is the place that help you to get to know your community.

As for those more adventurous and hunting for Bigfoot at Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Perai Tengah, Pulau Pinang, you can begin with trekking up the Bukit Mertajam Hill and see if you can find any giant footprints in the forest.

If you are not looking for Bigfoot then, you can proceed to its market for breakfast which have several food and beverage stalls and then go shopping at the nearby Billion Supermarket at the other part of Kota Permai, Bukit Mertajam.

As for those who aspired to be the next Badminton Olympic Champions like our local hero, Datuk Lee Chong Wei, you can train at our public badminton hall right above the market food and beverage stalls at Kota Permai, Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Perai, Tengah, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.

Hunt for Bigfoothill using GPS satellite?

Bigfoot in Malaysia go north to Bukit Mertajam next?

Story of Bottled Water 瓶裝水的故事

After BIGFOOTHILL visited Sungai Juru  recreation park,  I became more aware of the No Plastics Campaign around the world and in particular, my home state Penang in Malaysia. I am distressed by what I saw especially the floating empty plastic bottles flowed and trapped at the Sungai Juru river entrapment. I came across the story of bottled water from the website E-dump which have it by the side of its page.  I am interested to have this Story of Bottled Water 瓶裝水的故事 (created by Annie Leonard  who created the Story of Stuff Project) added to my blog to create the awareness and help to make Bukit Mertajam or Big Foot Hill a..k.a "Tua Shua Kha"(in Chinese Hokkien) a town in Penang to be part of the campaign to make Penang  the first green state in Malaysia.


I did not realize that I have been contributing to the pollution by being an ignorant consumer as I used to grab a bottle of bottled water at the local coffee shop for my drink as I go there to watch English Premier League(EPL) Football matches on the live television broadcast thinking that I it is safe for my health instead of drinking other drinks and that the shop will recycle the empty bottle. I use to order mineral water and the shop assistant being hired from another country could not understand 'mineral' water always ended up giving me the drinking bottled water.  Cannot blame him either as there are so many brands and type of bottled water (Reverse osmosis(RO), Minerals, Drinking and Carbonated) in the market to choose from.

The best way is to stop consuming bottled water totally from now onwards to ensure I play my part.  Let us be responsible for our action.  I urge you to share this message with our friends as we can have greater and faster impact to heal our hurting environment from this very day.

We can see many bottled water in plastic bottles with house brand being provided at hotels and restaurants for guests staying at the hotels and at the conferences and seminars at their venues. We need to get the hotels to play their parts too by offering drinking waters in stainless steel pots or tanks where we can pour or fill our own cups and glasses. There are so many other events such as wedding, birthday and house warming parties, lunch and dinners and even at funerals where the bottled water in plastic bottles or cups are being distributed.

To begin with, the Penang State government will have to ensure they take the lead and the NGOs give their full supports and actively campaign with the local community. So the government functions will also have to ensure that they stop providing drinking bottled water from January 2011 to take one step further.

We need the supermarkets, hypermarkets,convenience stores, the fast foods chains, restaurants and coffee shops to not only stop providing plastics bags from January 2011. We need them to STOP selling bottled water.  If we are made to pay twenty sen for the plastic bag on no plastic bag days, it will be fair to consumer and coffee shop to just provide a glass of drinking water at twenty sen. Easily a bottled water would cost RM1.00(Ringgit Malaysia one only) which is 400 times profit.  Would anyone of us want to buy a loaf of bread or a packet of famous Malaysia food called "Nasi Lemak" which is a Malaysian favorite breakfast food made of steamed rice in coconut milk top-up with curry anchovy and hard-boiled and garnished with cucumber slices costing 400 times more than it is worth its value?

After all, our Penang State through its state-owned company Perbadanan Bekalan Air (PBA) is known to have produced the cleanest water in Malaysia and also the cheapest tariff.   There are eatery outlets that charge RM0.50( Fifty sen) for a cup of plain drinking water as they do not provide free drinking water. The funny thing is many of us would think that the fifty sen for a cup of drinking water is expensive compared to the bottled water which is merely the packaging and advertisement that dubbed us into thinking that it is worth paying for.  The worst thing that happens is that we are being made the culprit that contributes towards the pollution of our environment by our demand for such bottled water.

Mind you, if any of us are to be careful to check on the label of the bottled water, most will realize that the drinking water source is tap water like one particular brand that came from the state of Selangor.  I did thought of making money from bottling water from tap water supplied by PBA by just getting some filters and do the reverse osmosis and shared that idea with a friend of mine as I came across a local coffee shop also had its own brand of drinking water which is sold at RM1.00. Anyway, there is the need to get the licensing and the relevant health authorities to approve it.  So it seems in Malaysia, the government has the power to enforce the law of banning such practice of bottling drinking water.

We become more aware of the environment as see these images of bottled water doing damages to our Mother Earth.

You can watch the videos on BigFootHill Video Bar on the side bar or click here for link to The Story of Bottled Water http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se12y9hSOM0&feature=channel

You can get more on how to help realize a green environment with Annie Leonard on the link below:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM&feature=channel