Friday, August 31, 2007

Sumantri - Care to community - Zanzabil






Care to community - Zanzabil by Sumantri. Bandar Seribegawan July 2007. A weekly routine learning tafsir Al Quran organised by Kerabat Nusantara an Indonesian association of Brunei Darussalam lead by Ustaz H Abdurrahman Haqqy called "Zanzabil" The uniqely of this routine learning tafsir Al Qur'an at the end of the class a special drink " Wedang Jahe " in Javanese or ginger tea is served. Attend by mostly Indonesian but open to all citizen in the Sultanate. This program study about Al Quran and beyond. Begin with reading the first and the last 10 of surrah and l Al kahfi followed by Tafsir and explanation. Question and Answer session also available for those who need further explanation and more information. My wife and my self will be really missed this class. Photos shown our last joining the class. I do hope that me and my wife will get the same knowledge in my new home.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Sumantri-Travel Experience article - Sholat at Dian Al Mahri Mousque


Travel Experience article - Sholat at Dian Al Mahri Mosque by Sumantri. Sawangan - Indonesia 17 August 2007. The mosque remembering me of Brunei Darussalam. Where many mosque always with gold dome at the centre. Mosque of Dian Al Mahri located at Sawangan - Depok- Indonesia, a huge and grand mosque open in 2005 one of beautiful mosque in Indonesia. Dian Almahri the founder of this mosque, there is no infomation on her and on how she build the mosque however it doesn't matter. This magnificent mosque is build by her for the Moslem's community surrounding Sawangan area. Allah Bless her !!!.

Sumantri - Snap Shot Collection - Sandal


Snap Shot Collection - Sandal by Sumantri. Depok - Indonesia, 16 August 2007. The photo shown a symbol of " connection " where you can see each of sandal gather together and connect each other. You can easily find the mobile of sandal seller around bus station at Depok area- Indonesia. This picture taken by Sony 3.2 mega pixel.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Sumantri - Culinary Experience - Rambutan


Culinary Experience - Rambutan

The rambutan, Nephelium lappaceum) is a medium-sized tropical tree in the family Sapindaceae, and the fruit of this tree. It is probably native to southeast Asia, although its precise natural distribution is unknown. It is closely related to several other edible tropical fruits including the Lychee, Longan and Mamoncillo. It is believed to be native to the Malay Archipelago where the name quite literally means 'hairy'. In Costa Rica and Nicaragua, it is known as mamón chino.


Description

It is an evergreen tree growing to a height of 10-20 m tall.
The
leaves are alternate, 10-30 cm long, pinnate, with 3-11 leaflets, each leaflet 5-15 cm long and 3-10 cm broad, with an entire margin.
The
flowers are small, 2.5-5 mm, apetalous, discoidal, and borne in erect terminal panicles 15-30 cm long.
Rambutan trees are either male (producing only staminate flowers and, hence, produce no fruit), female (producing flowers that are only functionally female), or
hermaphroditic (producing flowers that are female with a small percentage of male flowers).
The
fruit is a round to oval drupe 3-6 cm (rarely to 8 cm) long and 3-4 cm broad, borne in a loose pendant cluster of 10-20 together. The leathery skin is reddish (rarely orange or yellow), and covered with fleshy pliable spines, hence the name rambutan, derived from the Malay word rambut which means hairs. The fruit flesh is translucent, whitish or very pale pink, with a sweet, mildly acidic flavour.
The single
seed is glossy brown, 2-3 cm long, with a white basal scar; it is bad-tasting and should not be eaten with the fruit flesh.


Production

It is a popular garden fruit tree and propagated commercially in small orchards. It is one of the best known fruits of southeast Asia and is also widely cultivated elsewhere the tropics including Africa, Cambodia, the Caribbean islands, Central America, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. Thailand is the largest producer. Rambutan production is increasing in Australia and, in 1997, was one of the top three tropical fruits produced in Hawaii. It is also produced in Ecuador where it is known as "achotillo".
The fruit are usually sold fresh, used in making
jams and jellies, or canned. Evergreen rambutan trees with their abundant coloured fruit make beautiful landscape specimens. Taken from wikipedia

Sumantri - Award & Reward - Home




























Bandar Seribegawan 11 August 2007. Saturday at 12.45 pm is last day for both of us staying in Brunei, hope I'll be back some day for what ever reason. I am leaving Brunei and moving forward to the new assignment and new challenge in Medinah, Saudi Arabia.












I remember the song from dauthry"home", if you remember American Idol this song is always played when participant did not continue the show, going home!!. Photos shown when we were at Brunei Airport with all best friends. Friends from my company and communities from Malay to Chinese race from Muslim to free thinker, from Indonesian to Brunei from children to adult women to man old to young. See you Brunei. I'll be back






Here's the song





I'm staring out into the night,Trying to hide the pain.I'm going to the place where loveAnd feeling good don't ever cost a thing.And the pain you feel's a different kind of pain.Well I'm going home,Back to the place where I belong,And where your love has always been enough for me.I'm not running from.No, I think you got me all wrong.I don't regret this life I chose for me.But these places and these faces are getting old,So I'm going home.Well I'm going home.The miles are getting longer, it seems,The closer I get to you.I've not always been the best man or friend for you.But your love remains true.And I don't know why.You always seem to give me another try.So I'm going home,Back to the place where I belong,And where your love has always been enough for me.I'm not running from.No, I think you got me all wrong.I don't regret this life I chose for me.But these places and these faces are getting old,Be careful what you wish for,'Cause you just might get it all.You just might get it all,And then some you don't want.Be careful what you wish for,'Cause you just might get it all.You just might get it all, yeah.Oh, well I'm going home,Back to the place where I belong,And where your love has always been enough for me.I'm not running from.No, I think you got me all wrong.I don't regret this life I chose for me.But these places and these faces are getting old.I said these places and these faces are getting old,So I'm going home.I'm going home.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Sumantri - Award & Reward - Leaving on the Airbus





























Leaving on the Airbus by Sumantri.


Bandar Seribegawan 11 August 2007, I begin to feel an emotional moment when both my wife and myself foot step touch down the hotel lobby of Sheraton Utama Hotel-Brunei. Approximately 20 to 25 associates from various department included the hotel General Manager, Mr.Alex Riva and the hotel guest Mr. Khalid Affandy lines up to bid farewell to us, a song titled " leaving on the jet plan" were followed. Even though they were not proper in sing that song but it doesn't matter, i do really know the contains, i do really know the willingness of the associates. My tears drop immediately there was nothing can to stop. I remember American Idol during elimination term, Rian Seacrest the host will say " after 1 million voted America decide you are safe Melinda" or if opposite "You going home"!!! or on Akademi Fantasi were luggage become a symbol of going home. Of course I am not eliminate by Sheraton no body say to me " After 15 years dedicated, Sheraton decided you going home Sumantri "but you can used that word as a joke perhaps.

Well i am going home....after 15 years with Sheraton, after 7 years in Brunei but moving to another better career.


By the way here's the song :




All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go.I'm standing here outside your doorI hate to wake you up to say Goodbye But the dawn is breaking it's early mornThe taxi's waiting he's blowin' his hornI'm ready I'm so lonesome I could dieCHORUSSo kiss me and smile for meTell me that you'll wait for meHold me like you'll never let me go'cause I'm leaving on a Jet PlaneI don't know when I'll be back againOh babe I hate to goAh-ah-ah-ahhhThere's so many times I've let you downSo many times I've played aroundI tell you now they don't mean a thingEveryplace I go I'll think of youEvery song I sing I'll sing for youWhen I come back I'll wear your wedding ringCHORUSNow the time has come to leave youOne more time let me kiss youThen close your eyes and I'll be on my wayDream about the days to comeWhen I won't have to leave you aloneAbout the times that I won't have to sayCHORUSI'm leaving on a Jet PlaneDon't know when I'll be back againOh babe I hate to go.(And I'm) Leaving on a jetplane.


7 years Sheraton Utama and Brunei has been our home for both of us, countless stories been created and happen, thousand pictures been taken, million word been using to communicates, Many people been connected and so much memories been recorded. Brunei and Sheraton Utama were always special and there is always space in my heart. One of the reason is i find my Love's one here in Brunei and I married also in Brunei. Well once again Thank you Sheraton and Thank you Brunei



























Saturday, August 11, 2007

Sumantri - Award & Reward - Last day with EXCOM at Sheraton Utama - Brunei











Last day with EXCOM at Sheraton Utama by Sumantri - Brunei. Bandar Seribegawan 10 August 2007. There was a moment of truth when a small of Executive committee in Sheraton Utama Hotel - Brunei Darussalam invited me for the last time. I am leaving Sheraton and Brunei. "I am sure you will be join again someday and i am looking forward to work again with you someday. You have a spirit! You have a passion! A lot people afraid to work again with Starwood because they go out from the back door, but you from the front door. I sure soon or later you will come back again as our family" hat was A very strong message by Mr.Alex Riva the hotel General Manager address to me. On my reply note, I said " The opportunity is always open anytime something is possible if i have to join starwood again, Brunei and Sheraton Utama two thing that i couldn't make the differentiate both have the same emotional connection, i find my love here in Brunei and married in Brunei. I'll continue to make history and make a difference. Attend on this occasion were Doris Newn - Finance Manager, Damian Chua - Dir of Sales and Marketing, Ken Yeong - Exec Chef, Robert - FB service manager, Nanetta Jordan - Human Resources and Jaliha - a newly promoted Housekeeping Mgr

Sumantri-Travel Experience article - Morning at Kianggeh open market




























































































Morning at Kianggeh open market by Sumantri. Bandar seribegawan 10 August 2007. Kianggeh open market or " Tamu Kianggeh " as it is know to Bruneian, is a colorful open air market offering a variety of the freshest product from fruits, vegetable, fish,food to home made handicraft of local product and antic. King of fruit "durian" can be found easily during season, a fresh and colorful chilies and tomatoes are inviting your eyes to look at them. A nicely arrange dry anchovies also something very interesting to watch. Talk to local there, they will nicely respond with smile. Explore other food area, nasi lemak, from local Malay kueh such as banana platter, kulupis and more to local Chinese kueh such as ham sim beng, yau cha kuay and much more. Try also kolomee for your breakfast, Buy "tudung saji" or food cover a colorful local food cover for your gift. Your morning will be feast on the eyes and the adventurous stomach! This Kianggeh located exactly in the capital city of bandar seribegawan next to kianggeh river. Highly recommended to visit in the morning Friday and Sunday, you will see more crowded, but open daily from 6.00 am t0 8.00am. My self and my wife were enjoying so much and that could be our last visit to this market. Thank you Brunei.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Sumantri - Award & Reward - My " Thank You " note


Bandar Seri Begawan, 8 August 2007
Dear Colleagues,
I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I am leaving Starwood. I will be starting a new position as a Director of Rooms Division at Al Rashid Golden Orchid Hotel – Medina – Kingdom Saudi Arabia next month.
I have enjoyed my tenure with Sheraton and I appreciate having had the opportunity to work with Sheraton. Being the biggest International chains hotel, Starwood is always become my biggest education center, I changed and grow with starwood; my weigh had proven from 72 kg 7 years ago when I touch down Brunei and now to 90 kg, further more of course I also changed in term of knowledge and capability from planning to execution, from initiative to the establishment, from no sigma to six sigma, from branding to re-branding. Thousands and countless knowledge’s I’ve learnt from it.
Thank you for the support, guidance, and encouragement you have provided me during my time at Sheraton in Indonesia, Vietnam and Brunei for 15 years. Even though I will miss you and the company, I am looking forward to this new challenge and to starting a new phase of my career.
Please keep in touch, I can be reached at my personal email address : sumantriendang@yahoo.com or checked this out : www.desumantri.blogspot.com/ if you wish to know what ‘s happen with me or simply looking for an ideas of you life style, there are hundred life skill inspiration there.
Thanks again for everything.
Yours truly,Sumantri
About Sumantri :Former : Executive Housekeeper, Lobby Ambassador, Chairman of Hotel Sport & Social Club, Property Service Culture Trainer, Chief Butler for numbers of Head of States – SHERATON UTAMA BRUNEI, . Supporting team – Rooms Division – SHERATON HANOI – VIETNAM. Guest Service Manager, Night / Duty Manager, Executive Housekeeper, Laundry Manager – SHERATON BANDARA. Supporting team – Rooms – Housekeeping – SHERATON BANDUNG – INDONESIA. Supporting team – Housekeeping– SHERATON YOGYAKARTA – INDONESIA, Supporting team – Rooms – Housekeeping – SHERATON TIMIKA – IRIAN JAYA – INDONESIA..About Madinah : Medina also transliterated into English as Madīnah; officially al Madīnat al Munawwarah) is a city in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia, and serves as the capital of Al Madinah Province. It is the second holiest city in Islam, and the burial place of Muhammad. It currently has a population of more than 1,300,000 people (2006). Madina is located at 24.28° N 39.36° E. Madina was originally known as Yathrib, but later the city's name was changed to Madīnat al-Nabī ( "city of the prophet") or Al Madīnah al Munawwarah ("the enlightened city" or "the radiant city"), while the short form Madīnah simply means "city". Madina is celebrated for containing the tomb of Muhammed, whence it ranks as the second holiest city of Islam, after Mecca (Makkah). [1] Madina is 210 miles north of Mecca and about 120 miles from the Red Sea coast. It is situated in the most fertile spot of all the Hejaz territory, the streams of the vicinity tending to converge in this locality. An immense plain extends south of it; in every direction the view is bounded by hills and mountains. The city forms an oval, surrounded by a strong wall, 30 to 40 feet high, that dates from the 12th century C.E., and is flanked with towers, while on a rock, stands a castle. Of its four gates, the Bab-al-Salam, or Egyptian gate, is remarkable for its beauty. Beyond the walls of the city, west and south are suburbs consisting of low houses, yards, gardens ,and plantations. These suburbs have also walls and gates. The mosque of the Prophet stands at the east of the city and resembles that at Mecca on a smaller scale. Its court is almost 500 feet in length, the dome is high and three minarets picturesque. The tomb of the prophet, who died and was buried here in 632 C.E., is enclosed with a screen of iron filigree, at the south side of which the hajji goes through his devotions, for all of which he pays, but is consoled with the assurance that one prayer here is good as a thousand elsewhere (1954 Encyclopedia Americana, vol. 18, pp.587-588). The tombs of Fatima Zahra (Muhammed's daughter) and Abu Bakr (first caliph and the father of his wife Aisha), and of Umar ibn Khattab, the second caliph, are also here. The mosque dates back to the time of Muhammed, but has been twice burned and reconstructed (1954 Encyclopedia Americana, vol. 18, pp.587,588).
Medina's importance as a religious site derives from the presence there of the 'Tomb of Prophet Muhammad' inside 'Masjid-e-Nabawi' or 'The Mosque of The Prophet'. The Mosque was built on a site adjacent to Muhammad's home and as Muslims believe that Prophets must be buried at the very same place that they die, and accordingly, Muhammad was buried in his house. The tomb later became part of the mosque when it was expanded by the Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid I. The first mosque of Islam is also located in Medinah and is known as Masjid Quba, (the Quba Mosque). It was destroyed by lightning, probably about 850 C.E., and the graves were almost forgotten. In 892 the place was cleared up, the tombs located and a fine mosque built, which was destroyed by fire in 1257 C.E. and almost immediately rebuilt. It was restored by Khaid Bey, the Egyptian ruler, in 1487 (1954 Encyclopedia Americana, vol. 18, p.588).
Like Mecca, the city of Medina only permits Muslims to enter, although the haram (area closed to non-Muslims) of Medina is much smaller than that of Mecca, with the result that many facilities on the outskirts of Medina are open to non-Muslims, whereas in Mecca the area closed to non-Muslims extends well beyond the limits of the built-up area. Both cities' numerous mosques are the destination for large numbers of Muslims on their annual pilgrimage. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims come to Medina annually to visit the 'Tomb of Prophet' and to worship at mosques in a unified celebration. Muslims believe that praying once in the Mosque of the Prophet is equal to praying at least 1000 times in any other mosque. ( taken from wikipedia )
Inspiring reason to relocate to Medinah :
He who emigrates (from his home) in the Cause of Allâh, will find on earth many dwelling places and plenty to live by. And whosoever leaves his home as an emigrant unto Allâh and His Messenger, and death overtakes him, his reward is then surely incumbent upon Allâh. And Allâh is Ever Oft­Forgiving, Most Merciful.
suurah al-nisaa, ayah 100
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Narrated Jabir: A bedouin came to the Prophet and gave a pledge of allegiance for embracing Islam. The next day he came with fever and said (to the Prophet ), "Please cancel my pledge (of embracing Islam and of emigrating to Medina)." The Prophet refused (that request) three times and said, "Medina is like a furnace, it expels out the impurities (bad persons) and selects the good ones and makes them perfect."
Sahih al- bukhari Volume 3, Book 30, Number 107:

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Sumantri-Travel Experience article - Grand Finale Sultan Brunei Birthday Celebration






















Grand Finale Sultan Brunei Birthday Celebration by Sumantri. Bandar Seribegawan 4 August 2007. Thousand of Brunei resident arrived to Bandar Seribegawan to watch the Grand Finale of Sultan Brunei held in celebration of His Majesty's 61st birthday. The grand eve start with the colorful of parade procession and a march-past involving various government and non government which i watch the front of Sheraton Hotel. Meanwhile at The padang sir Omar Alie Syefudin display of pyrotechnics and fire work craft the sky. Final tug of war also held.

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Sumantri-Travel Experince - Beduk


Beduk by Sumantri. Bogor, Indonesia 22 July 2007. Beduk called in Bahasa Indonesia, huge drum use to calls or to mark praying time for Muslim in Nusantara / Indonesia. Made from leather of cow , the cylinder drum made from wooden craft in traditional way. Available in any of Mushalla or Mosque.

Sumantri - Care to community - Kingdom Saudi Arabia road show







Kingdon Saudi Arabia road show by Sumantri. Jakarta, Indonesia 19 July 2007. Recently i witness the cultural road show organised by Embassy of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at Sudirman mall, Jakarta Indonesia. There were overwhelming response from audience to visit this road show. Apart from music performance the road show also giving out book and Al Qur'an

Sumantri - Care to community - Sultan Brunei 61 birthday celebration
















Sultan Brunei 61 birthday celebration by Sumantri. Bandar Seribegawan 3 July 2007. This year Sultan celebration could be the last celebration we will witness, The 61 birthday celebration remain exciting and the same program. Celebrate wide nation of Brunei, promised an experience how people of Brunei love his king from night market,dancing,tug of war and much more will only happened once a year every july.