Well, not far from Malaysia-lah.. Singapore it is.. Was a last minute assignment appointed by Jamiyah Islamic Organisation to cover visit by Angkasawan (Astronaut) Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor to Jamiyah Orphanage Home Darul Ma’wa.

Darul Ma’wa or Jamiyah Children’s Home was set up to provide holistic residential care for orphans and less fortunate children. Visit their website here

Thanks to Lyn Creativo and Hawa for promoting me for this job. After rush of doing passport and bus hunting to Lyn’s hse in Johor, I managed to reach Larkin at around 6am Saturday. Had a quick bath and breakfast then headed to the border and met Hawa. We continued our journey to Jamiyah HQ in Geylang. After a short brief with the Chairman Mr Hasbi, we were taken to our room at Jamiyah Olf-folks home, Darul Takrim in Tempines. At around 3pm, Hawa and her clique Lisa took us for sight-seeing in the city. First time being in Singapore was a bit of “jakun” when I saw the Esplanade. Amazed by the architecture, I managed to get some exterior shots.

Also not forgetting the famous Merlion. Cacat-lah under maintenance.

*Credits to Lyn Creativo

Enough of fun-time. After having some ‘tea-time-with-ice-cream-thx-to-hawa”, we went to Darul Ma’wa to accompany the kids to Changi Airport. Dr Syeikh Muszaphar reached Singapore at around 840pm. With a van waited for us outside the airport, we depart to J’ Walk Restaurant for dinner. I was asked to go into the same van with him. Its an honor for me to get to sit exactly next to him! I introduced myself to him and we had a bit of chat there. After sometime i shifted place sit infront of him to get some shots.

Had some rehearsal for the motivational talk at the same night. Came back to our room at 2am. Next day Lyn’s task was to cover the motivational talk at the Masjid Sultan and I went to Darul Ma’wa waited for Dr Sheikh for his visit. Pixs at Darul Ma’wa can be seen at the end of this entry. Im not allowed to post pix from the motivational talk as requested by client. After Darul Ma’wa, again I got to be in the Soyuz capsule with Dr Sheikh. This time we headed to Masjid Sultan for Dr Sheikh slot of motivational talk. Really had a great experience travelling with a man who made history for Malaysia.

Photonaut – Cosmonaut

Last but not least, a photo with Dr Sheikh at Changi Airport before he depart back to Malaysia. Notice me with an autographed book “Reaching For The Stars” authored by his late brother, Sheikh Mustapha Shukor *Al-Fatihah.