DINA STAR CHIEF OFFICER

Dina Star chief officer as of 11 July, 2008. Waiting for the historical day to leave Red Sea.

MUTTON MASALA

Mathur (orange coverall) is an Indian food specialist. On the 11 July 08, he prepares for us mutton masala. Everybody eats more than one plate of rice!!! I heard that he owns a restaurant in India and used to be chief cook for one of India oil company. Thank you very much for your kindness.

ZAMAN THE MILK SHAKER

Each of these guys has their own speciality. Zaman is good in making capati and milk shake. Babuji is their inspirational leader that motivate them to prepare delicacies. He has the biggest tank among all.

MILK SHAKE

These three gentlemen make good milk shake. They serve me banana and almond milk shake at night before sleep at apple/almond milk shake before lunch. I think I am gaining additional weight!!! May Allah bless you for the kindness.

THE HEAT IS ON

High concentration!!!! The heat is on...47 C!!!

CATCH OF THE DAY

First catch of the day, 11 July 2008.

TOUR PROGRAM AT RED SEA

As usual, this is part of the weekend tour program at the floating hotel.

HINDUSTANI MOVIE

This photo is part of an old Hindustani movie. Babuji looks like Inspector Saab.

BABUJI

As usual, Babuji is a great host. He serves his guest with utmost sincerity. Alhamdulillah.

THE ARABIAN KINGS

The capati is ready and we had a group photos before proceed with the dinner. It is indeed a wonderful weekend at the floating hotel. We talk about past experiences, cooking, traveling, fishing and many more.

ZAMAN AND CAPATI

Me and friends visit the floating hotel (now I call it the African Ann) on Thursday evening, 10th July, 08. Brother Zaman prepares vegetable capati that evening. You can see him cooking with the Pakistani traditional dress.

HONOURING THE LEADER

These gentlemen are bidding farewell to their beloved leader (Muzafar) before he leaves for Dubai. I guess they will be missing him for a short while. The leader has made an assurance that he is leaving the floating hotel temporarily, InsyaAllah. You can see by looking at his smiling face. This is the biggest crowd I ever seen accompanying someone leaving the Red Sea. He must be a VIP!!!

I believe Dina Star crews are anxiously waiting the historical moment that they will be finally leaving the tug. It is going to be very soon!!!! InsyaAllah.

VIP

The beloved VIP (on the left) is being escorted by bodyguards from the floating hotel to shore. The VIP seems to be happy because he is leaving for Dubai. Have a nice trip!!!

SAND STORM

This photo is taken at 8 am this morning outside of a car at Red Sea coast. The land and sea are both dark red. Sand storm hit this area around 4:45 am, July 8, 08.

WHY PEOPLE CALL IT RED SEA

I guess this is how the Red Sea get it's name. Whenever there is a sand storm, the visibility is so poor and the sun light that reach the sea and the land become reddish. Subhanallah.

DON'T MISS THE BOAT

He is sleepy either because of eating too much "mutton pulau" or fishing till late night !!! I hope he is happy with this fishing trip. The guy with the red shirt arrived from Malaysia on 3rd July and without hesitation joining us two hours after check in to the shore hotel. Fishing at the Red Sea is his main hobby.

ALWAYS BRING BACK GOOD MEMORIES

The Malay proverb says "Never refuse provision given by Allah". The host never let us go back with empty stomach or without special meal. These two gentlemen are having "Mutton Pulau" before leaving the floating hotel for Friday prayer. Indeed, they go back to shore good memories.

DINNER ON THE FLOATING HOTEL

It is nice to see Babuji back to the floating hotel. We have a lot of things to catch up and hear from him. We go to sleep at night with our stomach full of "capati". We never refuse others kindness. Alhamdulillah and Allah Karim.

THE FLOATING HOTEL CHEF

I guess Muzafar is happy with his cook!!!

FISHING TRIP - 4TH JULY, 08

During morning of 4th July, 08, strong wind blows from South towards North direction and carry along dust particles from nearby bare land or desert. The dust suspends in the air for many hours before the easterly wind bring it to inland in late afternoon. Bad air quality and visibility do not deter my friends from fishing. Their hair turns into brown color. The dust blocks the sunlight and heat and make the day a little pleasant but humid. Alhamdulillah, we are blessed with some small fishes and receive several large fishes from the Dina Star chief officer too. Later in the evening, we cook sweat and sour and soy sauce fish for dinner. It is not easy to live by our home standard in this part of the world!!!

MUTTON PULAU

Me and several friends visit the Arabian Ann on late evening of 3rd July and left by noon on 4th July, 08. It is a wonderful night and day at the floating one star hotel as we are served and entertained with tea with milk, "capati", "mutton pulau" and fishing. We run away from the onshore camp just to keep a distance from our daily routine work. These are indeed our truly friends and brothers whom never say no to our request. They are very great host and always show smiling face even though their heart are severely broken by the fact that they are still stranded at the Red Sea for the past one year. May Allah bless your kindness and priceless hospitality. I don't think I will experience the same in the future.

I have the opportunity to learn "mutton pulau" recipe and thanks to the chefs (Michael and Muzafar). From the photo you can Babuji is sweating while eating the spicy "mutton pulau".

SUBSEA HOSE INSTALLATION

13 months ago, a young, slim and handsome prince was swimming above the surface of 70m water at Bashayer 2 MT. We were anxiously connecting SPM subsea hoses and umbilicals and later installed the strings beginning from sunset. It was on 19th March, 2007. The photo shows the prince was wearing navy blue coverall and riding on the marine hose. At that time, I wished I could swim like him. Now, his figure is beyond the medium size. Never mine, as long as someone loves him very much!!!!

WATCHING AFTER THE BUDDY

The man who was entrusted to take stock of OSW equipments for re-exportation. His other task was to ensure Raja Muhamad behave in reasonable manner. He was like a "malaikat" recording his and Raja movement. He had a lot of money in his black pouch and he went to sleep with the pouch intact!!!

AN ENJOYABLE MOMENT

Everybody including the Chief Officer of Dina Star gave their helping hands. It was a happy moment as everybody felt the time for them to leave for home had coming nearer.

THE LEADER THAT TAKE THE HEAT

Close up view of Muzaffar. The leader in action.

THE MAN THAT YOU CAN RELY ON

Muzaffar (on top of red container), Raja (blue coverall) and Ady (not in picture) were working together on barge "Nautica Wave" to offload OSW 20 ft container. Muzaffar was the key factor in the whole demobilization operation.

NEVER LOOK BACK

At last, some of the items leave the site forever... There is no look back.

DINA STAR CHIEF OFFICER

Proudly present the Chief Officer of tug "Dina Star". The man that lives above Red Sea water for close to 36 months. What a patience human being/ male!!! I am proud to have him around. He is one of my very few favourite suppliers of fresh fish.

All movements at the barges location during OSW equipment demobilization have given him and many others on Arabian Ann, Tug Majid and Tug Dina Star signs of hope that they will be leaving the country/Red Sea soon. InsyaAllah. May Allah bless all of them that have sacrificed their personal life for this land of uncertainties.

HIGH HOPE

Tuanku, where is your hard hat? You are really hard headed.

It is an ambitious plan to deliver this 20 ft container to a nearby jetty for unloading onto a trailer truck. The King is standing in front of the lifting activity with high hope mixes with concerns. The plan has failed to complete because Allah has His own plan. InsyaAllah it will reach him someday. Nothing is certain even our provision for tomorrow. Allah knows better. At least Tuanku and Muzaffar had made the very best effort.

Remember what I say "Land of Uncertainties, Testing Your Patience and Endurance"

PROUDLY PRESENT

Proud to present to the their boss that OSW items are still in good condition and order.

SOLE ANN

The sole transport between the Arabian Ann and the shore, the "Sole Ann". A multipurpose work boat.

LEAVING THE PAST

The King and Ady were unloading diving equipments from the Sole Ann to the temporary jetty.

BACK TO THE PAST MEMORIES

The King is obviously can be differentiate among the three. The other two are common people. We are on Sole Ann approaching the Arabian Ann (the working barge).

FIRST THING IN MIND

First thing that the King asked me when he arrived at Port Sudan was food. He missed the "Kharuf" rib very much. See how much he had gained weight!!! I have enough fat already....

RETURN OF THE KING

The King (wearing light blue T-shirt) was so excited to recover his throne at Port Sudan. I have never seen a person who was so anxious to be here. He must be a damn good asset to the company that he works with. If a person can make his way and survive at this land of excitement, I would give him a multiple medal of honor. I was glad to see him back to this hometown after 9 months living in exile. Was there any significant change here?

The photo shows Raja Muhamad and Ady arrive at the Mercure Hotel (previously Port Sudan Hilton).