31 March 2008

In my recent pilgrimage to Israel, I have visited The Sea of Galilee or Lake Kinneret (Hebrew ים כנרת). The Sea of Galilee is Israel’s largest freshwater lake and it is 13 miles long, 7 miles wide, 32 miles in circumference and 686 feet below sea level.

This is a view of the Sea of Galilee from Mount of Beatitudes.

The Galilee was the centre of roads crossing in all directions at the time of Jesus. The good communications, the extreme fertility of the valley, the beauty of the landscape and the hot springs here, drew a considerable population with a scene of continuous activity.

The water is pure and generally calm. To the Israelites, the Sea of Galilee is one of the major source of water.

During the Byzantine Empire, the lake’s significance in Jesus’ life made it a major destination for Christian pilgrims. This led to the growth of a full-fledged tourist industry, complete with package tours and plenty of comfortable inns just like today.

Allowing the tourists to embark onto a replica of an ancient boat and sail around the lake was definitely an eye-opening experience.

It truly reminds me of Jesus preaching and teaching most of the time in Galilee, how Christ walked on water to save Peter and how He asked the fishermen to cast the net down for fish.

It is more than fascinating.

As we started to sail, the boatman raised the flag of Malaysia as we sang the national anthem.

I think most of us sang out of tune, please don’t laugh!!!

The boatman even taught us a Jewish dance which we enjoyed ourselves very much.

We even have a reenacting of Titanic!!!!!!

WOW, I hereby present you TITANIC (Part 2 – Sea of Galilee)!!

28 March 2008

I was in Dubai for about half a day. From KLIA to Dubai International airport, it took me approximately 6 hours by Emirates Airline. As I stepped onto the Arab ground for the first time of my life, I was amazed.

Almost every building is newly constructed, and some are in the midst of construction. You see tons of cranes and tractors in the city as early as 7am (GMT+4).

We had our chance to walk around the old part of Dubai before our breakfast. The weather was just nice as it was neither too hot or too cold. Perhaps, it is similar to the weather in Camerons Tea Plantation (in between Ringlet and Tanah Rata).

Wow, they even have started branches of OSAMA in Dubai!!!! Oh No!!

They even have a GOLD Street here. Unlike Malaysia, the goldsmiths do not need any security guards or metal shutters to guard their shops.

The law will protect them inevitably.

The punishment of theft or robbery is as severe as murder in this Arab nation. This is no wonder, they can parade tons of gold at the display window.

Dubai is in the midst of changing its skyline. Look at the amount of towering buildings they have now.

The 2nd building from the right, the Burj Dubai became the world’s tallest structure and is expected to be taller by several hundred feet, once construction is complete. Including the antennae and spire the total height of the Burj Dubai will be an estimated 818 meters.

Gila ni!

Look at the Dubai skyline from afar. The picture is not really clear as I was in the bus. However you could see how modern-looking Dubai is right now.

A big thank you to the income from oil!

In near future, I would agree that Dubai skyline will definitely beat the ones in Kuala Lumpur as well as Hong Kong.

The ever famous 7-star hotel known as Burj al-Arab Hotel, which is also the world’s tallest hotel is just right behind me. Located near to a beautiful coastline, covered with white sandy beach and crystal clear water.

Who wouldn’t want to stay in this hotel?

But, are you willing to pay at least USD 1,500 for a 1-night stay in the basic room of this luxurious hotel?

I doubt!

25 March 2008

I’ve watched Awake yesterday.

AWAKE, is an unsettling thriller that illustrates a deeply troubling medical problem faced by Clay (Hayden Christensen). “Anaesthetic awareness” is a rare but dangerously prevalent condition that affects nearly 30,000 individuals a year, in which patients who have been put under anesthesia before surgery remain paralyzed while still being aware of their present situation.

Hayden Christensen and Jessica Alba were cast as lovebirds in this film.

Don’t expect too much of lovey dovey scenes as this is supposed to be a thriller, not a romantic flick!!

In my humble opinion, Hayden Christensen’s acting has improved significantly compared to his ‘Anakin Wood Skywalker’ in Star Wars. I kinda like him in this movie compared to the action saga.

In this thriller, Hayden has more room to show his acting skills rather than just waving the Light Saber.

Overall, Awake’s production was kinda mediocre; this psychological thriller is nevertheless gripping in its reality-based terror.

Here is the trailer if you need a little spoiler.

23 March 2008

Today is Easter Sunday.

Christians all over the world celebrate Easter as a reminder of Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead after the crucifixion on the cross more than 2000 years ago.

Source of picture

With my recent pilgrimage to Israel, we were brought to the route where they believed it is ‘The Way of the Cross‘, or Via Dolorosa, which marks Jesus Christ’s final path through the streets of Jerusalem to his Crucifixion. There were 10 stations before the nailing of Christ on the cross.

First station was where Pontius Pilatus, a Roman Procurator, who condemns Jesus to death.

Second station was where Jesus takes up the Cross. This is also where Pontius Pilatus presented Jesus to the crowd proclaiming,”Behold the Man!”

We did something very memorable here. We had taken turns to carry a replica of the Cross which is slightly lighter than the actual one. Four of us carried it together while we walked through Via Dolorosa.

Third station was where Jesus falls for the first time under the weight of the Cross.

Fourth station was where Jesus meets his mother. (Third and fourth station was side by side only.)

Fifth station was where Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the cross. There was a handprint of Jesus left on a nearby wall.

Sixth station was where Veronica wipes Jesus’ face.

Seventh station was where Jesus falls for a second time.

It was my turn to carry the cross. Honestly speaking, I could not hold on my tears when the reenacting of the cross began from 2nd station. I could not imagine how heavy the cross will be for Christ to carry alone, and to walk such a long way to the crucifixion place.

Eighth station was where Jesus consoles the women of Jerusalem.

Ninth station was where Jesus falls for a third time. This is the Gate of Coptic Patriarchate.

Then, the tenth station was where Jesus is stripped of his garments.

Golgotha (known as Calvary to some people), is a site outside the ancient city walls served as stone quarry, and it is where the crucifixion of Jesus took place.

In the 70AD, the Romans destroyed the city during the Jewish Revolt. However in 135AD, there was a reconstruction for this place and the Hadrian has ground levelled to build Temple of Aphrodite and the tomb was covered.

Then in 323AD, under the Byzantine Period, Jesus’ tomb was uncovered during construction. Thus it became a Christian City under the Emperor Constantine. Of course, there were wars and battles that took place in the Holy City.

Centuries later in 1149AD, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Basilica and chapels united under one roof) was restored and dedicated after Christians recapture city, ending the 400 years of Muslim rule.

This is the Eleventh station, where the soldiers begin to nail him on the cross.

12th station was where Jesus died on the cross.

Here I was, staring at the replica cross, imagining the situation of 2000 years ago.

All of us queued up to touch the stone quarry where the crucifixion happened. Tears just kept overflowing.

13th station was where the removal of Jesus from the cross.

I know, my eyes were teary red.

14th station was where Jesus is buried.

In fact, I am glad that my pilgrimage to Jerusalem has opened up my eyes to see how Christ has endured for us.

Today, the tomb of Jesus is empty.

WHY?

This is because, He has resurrected from the dead and He lives in us.