Just Keep TRI-ing

Today, the KBT group in two cars went to Al-Sheehaniya Camel Race Track to see some of these revered creatures in the Arab world. We went to this place without any expectation, but we glad we did. I have never seen that many of camels in my life, but today I have witnessed hundreds or maybe thousands of them practising along the race track getting ready for the upcoming racing season. We drove along the track and taking pictures as if we were in a safari park. The experience being surrounded by these handsome animals (ignore the smell) is not something you see everyday, even in Qatar. Here are some of the photos from the outing. at dusk Calvary of camels at war? Fascinated are we? Nostalgic ? Afternoon jog?

I finally got my Qatari Drivers License on 9 June 2009. My reluctance and procrastination not to enrol for lessons at driving schools and taking up driving tests earlier was a blessing in disguise. As of last month, Malaysia’s driving licence holders are not required to sit for the local driving tests. It saved me a lot of money, time and not to forget frustrations as the tests were known to be a killer.     The name of the agency was Ar Rayyan Car Rental. The idiot in charge (Again from the Sub Continent) was asking far too much as if we were beggars. First he asked for my passport. I told him why does he needs my passport when I can provide him with my Qatari ID? Then he said they will retain the original passport. I jumped off my seat. What an idiot. We told him that it is against the law to hold someone’s passport. After a long argument, we settled with me providing a copy of the passport. Then he complained that my license was new, so I am not eligible to drive or rent a ...

We took a long way back to Doha via Europe. From Singapore we flew to London, stayed for two days, took a Eurostar train to Brussels from London St Pancras for a day trip before heading west to Paris onboard Thalys train and stayed for another two days and back to Doha via London. It was a trip packed with activities, but it was great. We spent a lot of time walking and soaking up the atmospheres of each city. We could not believed that we were married. All this while we were separated from each other, so this experience was too good to be true. We never gone on a long trip together before, this honeymoon is something that we will remember forever. We learned more about each other on this trip while enjoying the new experience as a married couple. Grand Place - Brussels Tour Eiffle - Paris The Louvre - Paris Tower Bridge - London The Ritz - London The Ritz - London London Eye - London Palace of Westminster - London Parc du Bruxelles - Brussels

Oh GOD, am I really a married man? I played with the ring that loosely clings on my henna tainted finger, still in disbelief; next to me was my bride, laid face down, sleeping like a baby. We were both extremely exhausted. I just could not sleep. My head was throbbing with headache and my body was feeling rather lethargic. Having had four receptions and ceremonies in five days was tiring. Off course it was fun to get all the attention, meeting all the people you love and cared for, and the ceremonies were all beautiful and grand but having FOUR of them??? I wouldn’t hesitate to trade it with a drive-in wedding like those in Vegas. One of my close friends even said it was like I was married four times to a same woman. We had one day off after the Majlis Nikah dan Berinai (Solemnation Ceremony) on Thursday. We spent that Friday for last minute preparation for the next three ceremonies to be taken place three days in a row. Driving the entire breadth and length of this sprawling metropoli...

I did not get to sleep last night. My mind was active thinking of what my future is going to be like. Tired of tossing and turning, I got out bed and joined Along and Om watching Champions League Final on tele. I went to bed again after the game, and only managed to get some two hours of uninterrupted sleep. At 8.30am, my entourage was ready with all the ‘hantaran’ (Gifts for the bride) and we arrived at my now parents in law’s house just before 9.00 am. I tried to hide my apprehension. I believe all my trainings and participations in debates and acting were paid off. I managed to put on a game face and acted cool even though my hands were actually trembling and my heart was pounding as fast as a steam engine on a locomotive. I took my place on a specially made mattress for the groom opposite the Kadi. The rather long ceremony started off with a sermon and recitals of all sort of vows etc2. I was still maintaining my composure and did not really pay attention to what was going on aro...

Diam tak dia dah nak masuk 6 bulan aku berkelana di Qatar ni. Masa mula-mula datang dulu macam-macam yang aku tak suka tentang Qatar ni. Ada saja yang tak kena pada aku. Tapi bila dah lama sikit, bila dah boleh menyesuaikan diri dan kawan pun dah bertambah, aku jadi suka pulak. Suka maybe a little underrated, aku boleh kata aku dah mula menganggap Qatar sebagai rumah kedua aku. Dengan peluang dan rezeki yang ada di sini dapat aku membantu keluarga kalau tak banyak pun sedikit.

London 13 May 2009 Flight aku pagi, macam biasa Kaduk hantar aku ke airport. Aku bawak satu beg kabin je tapi punyalah berat dan padat, yelah pasal aku akan terus balik kahwin lepas tu. Bila sampai Heathrow, aku terkenang saat-saat masa first time datang London tahun 2007. Masa tu aku pergi berenam, ada Arwah Suffian, Sam, Che Noni, Kak Long ngn Farid. Senyum2 aku teringat Sam kena tengking ngn immigration officer masa tu, pada hal belum sampai turn dia. Masa dia waiting in line tu, officer tu (bukan mat saleh pun) dengan kiurang ajarnya tunjuk kat Sam, lepas tu jerit kuat-kuat ”You, You’ What you do?” Terkujat Sam sambil terketar-ketar jawab ”I am an architect”. Kali ni aku masuk UK tak ada masalah, pegawai immigresen tu punya lah budiman (Org putih) siap sempat borak2 lagi ngn aku.. pasal aku kata aku nak shopping untuk wedding aku kat London. Lepas semua clear, aku gi tempat hisap rokok kat luar terminal tu. Kat situlah dulu aku hisap rokok ngn Arwah sampai-sampai je kat London. ...