SAND STORM 8-08-2008

Tuan Harmadi and his Black Hammour.

Approximately at 8:30 am, after catching many fishes at the coral patch, the hot air from inland started blowing towards the sea and brought suspended sand and dust (sand storm). The hot wind gust developed choppy sea waves and created unpleasant fishing environment. Therefore, the team decided to pack things up and departed to the floating hotel. Fishing continued with few catches and we adjourned for briyani lunch at 12 noon. Immediately after lunch, we moved back to shore for Friday prayer.

CORAL PATCH 08-08-2008

Tuan Hamizan and his large Hammour.

BARRACUDA TROPHY 08-08-2008

Tuan Harmizan won the "Barracuda Trophy" this week!!!!

RED SNIPER TROPHY

This sportsman was missing from the tournament for many weeks for personal reason and came back this week with the "Red Sniper Trophy". Congratulation!!!

WONDERFUL CREATION

The fishing team went back to the coral patch in the early morning of Friday 8-08-08 to continue with the fishing rally. The weather was very pleasant and the sea was seen flat. The seawater was crystal clear and we were able to see several meters below the surface. In actual fact, the Red Sea was experiencing the lowest tide of the year. We were blessed by Allah to see His wonderful creation of moon shape white coral. It was our first encounter of such beautiful coral.

BUILD TO BE TOUGH

On Friday night 7th August 2008, the fishing team stopped by the coral patch approximately 700m from the shore on the voyage to the floating hotel. We left the jetty at 6:45 pm and reached the location approximately 7:00 pm. Therefore, we had to conduct the maghrib prayer on the boat. Everybody was given a bottle of mineral water for ablution. Tuan Harmadi had his first catch (junior barracuda) after the prayer. Approximately at 8:30 pm, the wind from the East started to blow inland and created unpleasant waves. Two of the members had minor sea sick and we had to call off the fishing because of the rough sea and continue the journey to the floating hotel. The fishing rally continued at the hotel.

Remember Albert Einstein said: A ship is always safe at the shore but it is NOT what it is built for.

SATELLITE DISC AGENT

This is one of the activities the PECD Construction Manager does during his free time. Fixing and maintaining the satellite disc. I believe this is the only technology transfer he gets from Sudan. How many channel you want, brother? 500 or 1000? I don't think he does the work to earn his living at the desert community.

He may want to enter into satellite TV business at Sabah and Sarawak after retiring from this project. No need big capital, used "kuali" will do!!! Make sure you prepare a manual on how to fabricate, install and commision a satellite disc before you leave the country....

NATIONAL DAY

The only two remaining PECD personnel at site are expressing their gratitude to the beloved country by installing the national flag at the construction camp in anticipation of the coming national day on August 31, 2008. The ongoing financial turbulance facing the employer does not deter them from being firm at this land of uncertainties and facing the negative consequences. May Allah bless them with patience.

MERDEKA!!! MERDEKA!!! MERDEKA!!!

DEEP WATER FISHING - 18 JULY 08

This photo was recorded on the 18th July when Hamizan catched a big "Siti Nurhaliza" fish. He was declared fisherman of the week at that particular weekend. It took us two days to finish the steam fish. He didn't manage to defend the title on 25th July and 1st August, 08.

FISHING TRIP - AUG 1, 08 (9)

We ended the fishing trip with a group photo. InsyaAllah, depending on the weather condition, we will be back to the same spot next week.

FISHING TRIP - AUG 1, 08 (8)

Tuan Hamizan was posing with all the catches yesterday morning before we ended the trip with briyani lunch. As I reported earlier, it was the most memorable fishing trip so far.

FISHING TRIP - AUG 1, 08 (7)

This time, Tuan Mahadi with a large "Siti Nurhaliza".

FISHING TRIP - AUG 1, 08 (6)

As the time running out, finally Tuan Hamizan managed to catch this fish at the last hour of the tour. It has been a tough day for him.

FISHING TRIP - AUG 1, 08 (5)

Tuan Harmadi with a dark reddish Hammour fish.

FISHING TRIP - AUG 1, 08 (4)

Daing had managed to release his stress after catching this fish at the last hour of the trip. It was an intense competition!!!

FISHING TRIP - AUG 1, 08 (3)

Tuan Hamizan and Bapak Abdul Bashir with large barracuda!!!

FISHING TRIP - AUG 1, 08 (2)

Tuan Harmadi with his large catch of Hammour. He was declared as fisherman of the week.

FISHING TRIP - AUG 1, 08 (1)

We went to the coral patch opposite the grounded cruise ship. It was a pleasant summer morning and the temperature was bearable with slight cool breeze moving from the land to the east. Everybody was so excited to be at the location after missing many earlier opportunities.

It was a challenging day for some except for Tuan Harmadi that easily brought back a full sack of fishes. For some, the fishing hooks may have snapped because the smart hammour tried to make an escape by hiding under sharp coral edges. Sometimes, the barracudas made an easy escape by cutting the fishing line using their sharp teeth. Anyhow, the trip was considered the most exciting fishing trip so far.

Look at Tuan Daing in the attached photo. He lost several catches because of the challenges mention above but managed to get a fish at the last hour of the tour. Alhamdulillah. Allah Karim.