THE THIRD BIRTHDAY PRESENT ARRIVED THIS AFTERNOON

   9TH OCTOBER 2026    ~ A parcel arrived in the afternoon. The sender was unknown. However, the sender messaged me after that and it was a huge relief that I did not have to find out from whom it came from.

I had already predicted it should come from a UPM TESL friend. Thanks to Puan Hazlina Aziz for her kind thought. Only Allah may repay her kindness.

THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE: SEARCHING FOR TERRACOTTA ARMY IN XI'AN - PART 3

CONTINUATION OF PART ONE AND PART TWO

   4th SEPTEMBER 2026    ~ The best time to visit the Terracotta Army in Xi'an would be during the weekdays I supposed. We were there on Saturday during summer, and everybody seemed to be going out at the same time. I had to squeeze through the crowd and find a gap nearest to the excavation area to get a better view of the clay statues. At the same time, I needed to make sure I would not be separated from my tour group.

Some interesting facts about Terracotta Army:

• It was made by Qih Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China.
• The clay statues were constructed to guard the Emperor in his afterlife, a traditional Chinese custom and belief.
• The remnant was first discovered in 1974 when a farmer was digging a well in his farm.
• There are over 8000 Terracotta warriors in the museum, with the average heights of 180-190 cm.
• The Terracotta warriors are unique as each statue has a unique face with different facial expression.

This is a once in a lifetime trip for me, and I am glad to see the remnants of the past civilization that have been unearthed for people of the present.

[MY XI'AN TRIP MAIN PAGE]

THE SECOND BIRTHDAY PRESENT OF THE YEAR ARRIVED TODAY

A parcel was awaiting for me outside my door when I arrived home from the Surau after the Isya' prayer.

It was a birthday present from another UPM TESL Class of 1993 friend, Puan Aunillah Hilmi and her husband.

Thanks a million to the lovely husband and wife couple. Only Allah may repay your kindness.

KEM BESTARI SOLAT PROGRAMME AT UiTM PASIR GUDANG

Pasukan Kebajikan Kanak-kanak of Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat Johor Bahru organized Kem Bestari Solat [Smart Praying Workshop]. The programme was held at Universiti Teknologi Mara [UiTM] pasir Gudang at its mosque. It was a collaborated activity with the university's Islamic Centre. A discussion with the staff was earlier held, two months before the event [READ HERE].

The focus group comprised of one hundred school students and juveniles under the observation of the Department.

The programme started at 8:00 a.m. and ended by 1:00 p.m. Then the participants performed the Zohor prayer in group [jamaah] and lunch was served for everyone.

This was the last activity for Pasukan Kebajikan for the year 2026. I have to thank and congratulate Puan Norhamizah for all the hard work that had been put to run all the programmes for the Group throughout the year. May we continue with other programmes for the children for 2027.

THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE: SEARCHING FOR TERRACOTTA ARMY IN XI'AN - PART 2

CONTINUATION OF PART ONE

 

   4TH SEPTEMBER 2026   ~ After the challenging ordeal to get into the Terracotta Army complex, we finally made ourselves into the first building.

There were two main buildings which housed the remnants of the past. Both were huge and there was not enough light inside. The bright areas were the centre area where all the Terracotta Army had been excavated.

Terracotta is actually a clay-based brownish-orange ceramic material that hardens when fired. [SOURCE: AI Overview]. In other words, it is similar to the ceramic flower pots that you have outside and around the house.

However, the Terracotta Army statues in Xi'an were constructed in 246-206 BC. How long had these Army lasted, you do the Maths.

One could only observe and admire the clay statues from afar. Another challenge that needed to overcome, to walk and mingle with the big crowd in the buildings.

Make sure you try to take as many photos as possible here, and that would be the only best thing that I was able to do here.

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART THREE

[MY XI'AN TRIP MAIN PAGE]