Soyuz docking with ISS

Today 13.10.07, the Soyuz spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS (International Space Station, at 12.21 am local Malaysian time. Very fitting because today Oct 13 is also Hari Raya. The father of Malaysian astronaut managed to speak to his son in outer space to wish him Selamat Hari Raya. The power of technology.

I manage to capture the initial moments after the 3 astronaut joined the other 3 astronauts on ISS. Shots taken off my TV screen.





Our handsome astronaut is also an orthopedic doctor, part time model and co-owner of a restaurant.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

October 13, 2007 is HariRaya AidilFitri, a Muslim celebration to mark the start of the new month Syawal. The celebration is very meaningful to Muslims because it also signifies the end end of 30 days of dawn-to-dusk fasting.

Imagine not any having food or drinks from 5.30 am to 7.30 pm (or thereabouts). I couldn't last half a day without food, what more 30 days in a row.

Incidentally, our Malaysian astronaut Dr Sheikh Muztaphar went into space during the Ramadhan month, and eveyone is keen to find out whether he kept to the fast as required by his Muslim faith.

On my part, I look forward to do some visiting on Raya day. I have a cousin who is married into a Muslim family, and Hari Raya is a day when we (all 30 odd cousins, aunties and uncles) get to enjoy Ketupat, Rendang, Lontong, and the delicious cookies.

This year, the Prime Minister is having an open house at PWTC hall in Kuala Lumpur from 2pm onwards (Oct 13). A few years back, I went to the open house of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir - at the Putrajaya residence. It was an experience- the orderly queue outside the gates, the rush to enter the official residence and the rush to get the food. The gardens is beautifu! If you have the chance to go to the official residence of the Prime Minister in Putrajaya, do go!

Selamat hari raya