Percutian anak Sabah di Perancis

Airbus Complex di Toulouse


Istana Lama Carcassone, di sempadan Perancis - Sepanyol




Ini video yang sempat kami rakamkan. Dengarkan, ada loghat percakapan Sabah di tengah tengah Paris!! Woww.. Aramaitiee

Percutian anak Sabah di Perancis dan Aramaitiee di Restoran dungeon bawah tanah di Toulouse, Selatan Perancis.

Pada 8 hingga 10 April 2010, saya berkesempatan ke Perancis untuk majlis penyerahan pesawat ATR 72-500 kepada syarikat penerbangan Maswings, anak syarikat penerbangan Malaysia, MAS.

Penerbangan tanpa henti dari Kuala Lumpur ke Paris menggunakan pesawat Boeing 777 mengambil masa 12 jam dan kami mendarat di lapangan terbang Charles De Gaulle, Paris pada jam 6 pagi waktu Perancis bersamaan 12 tengahari waktu Malaysia.

Perbezaan masa antara Perancis dan Malaysia ialah 6 jam.

Bulan April, tiada salji namun cuacanya amat sejuk di waktu malam, dibawah 5 Celcius.

Setiba di Paris, kami mengambil penerbangan Air France ke Toulouse selama 1 jam 30 minit menggunakan pesawat Airbus.

Selepas berehat di Toulouse, kami dibawa makan malam ke sebuah restoran dungeon atau restoran bawah tanah berusia 1,000 tahun di Toulouse.

Lumrah orang Perancis, masa makan malam, pasti ada Red Wine.

Maka sambil minum wine, kami menjamu selera.

Rupanya selepas meneguk beberapa gelas red Wine, rasa mengantuk kami kerana jet lag terus hilang.

Maka kami pun mengambil kesempatan beramah mesra dengan rakan rakan dari Perancis sambil belajar bahasa Perancis.

Saya pun dapat belajar beberapa bahasa Perancis seperti Bonjour bermaksud Hello atau Good Morning, Merci maksudnya Terima Kasih, Merci Boku – Terima Kasih Banyak dan ada lagi tapi saya lupa.

Maka orang Perancis tanya kami, apa Cheers atau Minum dalam bahasa Sabah dan kami jawab “ARAMAITIEE”!!

Selepas 4 botol besar Red Wine dihabiskan, orang Perancis itu tadi yang namanya Christophe, sering mengulangi perkataan ARAMAITIEE kerana dia sudah high atau kick atau sudah terkena kesan alkohol Red Wine.

Esoknya kami menghadiri majlis penyerahan pesawat ATR 72-500 di pusat pemasangan pesawat ATR di Tolouse yang bersebelahan dengan kompleks pembinaan pesawat Airbus.

Sungguh besar kompleks itu, tidak hairanlah Toulouse dikenali sebagai bandar Udara di Perancis sama seperti bandar Seattle di USA yang menjadi pusat pemasangan pesawat Boeing.

Pesawat terbesar dunia iaitu Airbus A380 turut dipasang di Toulouse.



Selepas majlis di Toulouse selesai, kami dibawa melancong ke Carcassone, sebuah bandar berhampiran sempadan Sepanyol yang berbangga kerana memiliki Istana Lama Carcassone yang dibina ratusan tahun dahulu dan kini diiktiraf sebagai tapak warisan dunia oleh UNESCO.

Istana Lama Carcassone turut dijadikan tempat pengambaran filem Robin Hood dibintangi aktor Hollywood, Russel Crowe yang pernah berlakon dalam Gladiators.

Dari Carcassone, kami menaiki pesawat ATR 72-500 ke Paris selama 1 jam setengah dan mendarat di lapangan terbang Le Bourget disebut La Borje yang menempatkan ratusan pesawat persendirian.



Selepas menghabiskan masa 4 jam di pusat beli belah dekat Le Bourget, kami memasuki pusat bandar Paris sekitar 7 malam dan menyaksikan ratusan manusia sedang bersantai di bandaraya tersohor itu di tepi Sungai Seine.

Saya dapat melihat bangunan Muzium Louvre yang menempatkan potret paling mahal di dunia Mona Lisa yang dilukis Leornado Da Vinci.

Saya juga nampak bangunan Notre Dame.

Kami kemudiannya makan di sebuah restoran Pakistan dekat Eiffel Tower.

Menariknya, orang Pakistan itu menawarkan kami Red Wine without alcohol.

Selepas habis makan malam sekitar 10 malam, kami melawat pula Eiffel Tower pada waktu malam. Setiap 1 jam, menara ikonik Eiffel Tower bergemerlapan dengan pertunjukan lampu yang amat indah sekali.

Cuacanya sejuk 5 Celcius dan ramai penjual cenderamata berupa kunci dan replika model Eiffel Tower kelihatan mencari pelanggan, kebanyakan mereka golongan pendatang.

Dengan hanya 10 Euro anda boleh mendapat 20 pemegang kunci Eiffel Tower.

Selepas 1 jam di Eiffel Tower, kami melalui pula lorong paling terkenal di dunia iaitu Champ Elysess sehingga ke pintu Gerbang Paris.

Kami tidur di sebuah hotel di pinggir Paris yang turut menempatkan ramai pramugara dan pramugari dari MAS.

Selamat Tinggal Paris.

Au Revoire. Je Taime.

Dato Shake, permata Malaysia di Paris, Perancis

Dato Shake dulu




Dato Shake sekarang bersama anak bujangnya, Amaro hasil perkongsian hidup dengan Datin Milena.






Lagu bahasa Perancis ini Rien N'est Plus Beau que L'amour amat popular di Perancis, sekaligus melonjakkan Dato Shake antara penyanyi paling hebat di Perancis.


Ini juga lagu popular Dato Shake, Tu Sais Je T'Aime

Siapa tidak kenal Dato Shake, kelunakan suaranya dengan lagu mendayu dayu pada awal 80an seperti Umi, Pulanglah, Anugerah dari Kegagalan dan Kau Bungaku serta banyak lagi.

Saya berpeluang menemui Dato Shake atau nama sebenarnya Datuk Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Bakhbereh, di Hotel Legend pada 12 Disember 2011 ketika beliau baru saja tiba dari Paris menerusi penerbangan terus 12 jam ke Kuala Lumpur.

Dato Shake berada di Malaysia atas jemputan CEO Erama Records Datuk Afendi Hamdan yang juga pernah menjadi penyanyi kumpulan tersohor Sabah, D'Atomic Power.

Saya berkesempatan berbual dengan Dato Shake dan dia berkata dia sudah banyak merakamkan album dalam bahasa Perancis. Dia amat fasih berbahasa Perancis, namun tidak lupakan bahasa ibunda, bahasa Malaysia dan susur galurnya di Johor.

Kini, Dato Shake berusia 61 tahun namun tampak masih handsome, kacak dan bergaya.

Dato Shake turut membawa bersama seorang rakannya, anak muda yang juga bekerja di Perancis.

Menurut anak muda itu yang namanya saya sudah lupa, Dato Shake sendiri yang mengazankan bayinya ketika lahir. Wahh... sungguh syahdu.

Menerusi perbualan ringkas saya bersama Dato Shake, menurutnya, dia berhijrah ke Eropah untuk mengembangkan karier seninya pada 1973, destinasi pertamanya ke London sebelum ke Paris, Perancis pada 1976.

Dia menempuh pelbagai onak, ranjau dan rintangan sebelum bergelar penyanyi berjaya dan amat dikenali di Perancis sebagai anak Asia yang menjadi penyanyi popular.

Kini dia ada 2 anak kembar hasil perkongsian hidup dengan seorang wanita Perancis. 2 anak kembarnya itu adalah pembuat filem dibawah naungan syarikat sendiri Hypervandals.

Perancis menganguherahkan Dato Shake dengan medal Chevalier des Art & Letre kerana menghargai sumbangan beliau dalam mempromosi bahasa dan kebudayaan Perancis di Asia.

Sehingga kini, Dato Shake sudah merakamkan puluhan lagu dalam bahasa Perancis dan mengadakan konsert di pelbagai negara Eropah. Dato Shake juga sudah ditampilkan di 30 program TV di Eropah, Kanada dan Asia.

France gave Shake the medal Chevalier des Art and Lettre "In the Honor of Art and Letter" as he has promoted the French language and Culture in Asia, where English is the main language. Shake has performed on more than 30 television shows, variety appearances in Europe, Canada and Asia.

Sebelum berpisah di The Mall pada hari bersejarah itu, Dato Shake ada memaklumkan kepada saya untuk mengadakan konsert jelajah Malaysia kerana dia amat merindui peminat tempatan. Katanya kali terakhir dia mengadakan konsert di Malaysia ialah 1986.

Malahan dia juga pernah mengadakan konsert di Sabah.

Kata Dato Shake, selain Paris, dia juga bermastautin di Beverly Hills, California, USA bersama keluarganya.

Semoga terus berjaya Dato Shake. We Malaysians, love you.

Usahawan dan Pereka Fesyen Sabah, Datin Rahmahjan Sulaiman Khan menempa nama di Eropah dan Amerika Syarikat

Bermula sebagai hobi, kini mendatangkan hasil amat lumayan dan menembusi pula pasaran Eropah.

Itu kisah seorang usahawan wanita dari Sabah yang kini boleh berbangga apabila rekaan beg tangan dan bajunya, bukan sahaja mendapat sambutan di dalam negeri, malahan juga di eropah..

Individu dimaksudkan, Datin Rahmahjan Sulaiman Khan, 42 tahun, dilahirkan di Sandakan, Sabah.

Beliau kini boleh berbangga sebagai antara pereka fesyen paling berjaya di Malaysia.

Produk beg tangan, jenama J-Khan dan koleksi baju jenama “RJ coutoure” rekaan datin Rahmahjan, bakal menembusi pasaran fesyen di Paris dan juga London, selepas mendapat sambutan di Milan, Itali.

Namun, untuk sampai ke tahap dinikmati sekarang, bukan mudah.

Terpaksa menempuh pelbagai kesulitan.

Datin Rahmahjan, anak seorang pegawai polis, dulunya hidup susah setelah kematian kedua ibu bapa.

Dia terpaksa melakukan pelbagai pekerjaan untuk membiayai persekolahan 3 adik beradiknya.

Namun, minat dalam bidang rekaan fesyen, mengubah nasib keluarga itu.

Dengan kerjasama seorang penjahit pakaian warga Korea, Datin Rahmahjan mula berkecimpung sepenuh masa dalam rekaan fesyen baju sejak 4 tahun lalu dan rekaan beg tangan sejak 3 tahun lalu.

Koleksi pakaian “RJ Coutoure” dan beg tangan jenama “J-Khan”, mendapat sambutan luar dugaan.

Ini kerana fesyen rekaannya unik dan mempunyai tarikan tersendiri, yang sesuai untuk semua acara termasuk casual, sopistikated dan untuk bekerja,

Sekaligus mendorongnya membuka butik di Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur dan Singapura.

Januari 2010, rekaan fesyen baju Datin Rahmahjan, menyertai pertunjukan fesyen Milan di Itali dan mendapat sambutan di kota fesyen itu.

Mac 2011 lalu, koleksi beg tangan J-Khan dan pakaian, diperagakan dalam pertunjukan fesyen di Paris.

Menurut Datin Rahmahjan beliau ada cadangan untuk memasukkan motif tradisional kaum etnik Sabah iaitu Kadazan, Dusun dan Murut dalam beg tangan dan jika diperagakan di Paris, Milan atau London, maka semua orang akan tahu kaum Kadazan, Murut tu berasal dari Sabah.

Kini, koleksi rekaan beg dan fesyen baju rekaan Datin Rahmahjan sudah boleh didapati di Paris, Dubai dan juga Amerika Syarikat.


Ratu Malaysia Universe 2011, Deborah Harry berkata beg tangan rekaan J-Khan mampu
dimiliki dan berkualiti tinggi, rekaannya juga bagus dengan bahan menarik, ini sesuatu yang menarik bagi pereka fesyen Malaysia untuk memperagakan jenama di Paris.



Inilah Pasaraya terkenal London, Harrods



Ketika ini, Datin Rahmahjan mahu memasarkan beg tangan rekaannya di pasaraya Harrods London, jika tiada halangan kelak dan dalam tempoh terdekat.

Jika berjaya, dia rakyat Malaysia kedua selepas Jimmy Choo (pereka kasut antarabangsa) yang berjaya memasarkan produk rekaan mereka di Harrods yang dimiliki jutawan Arab, keluarga Al-Fayed.



Datin Rahmahjan juga aktif sebagai ketua wanita Umno Tenom, Sabah dan sering memberikan bantuan kepada masyarakat di tenom yang memerlukan, termasuk di bulan puasa lalu Ramadhan 1432 Hijrah.

Syabas dan tahniah Datin Rahmahjan, Sabah boleh dan Malaysia boleh.

Gambar menakjubkan Eiffel Tower di Paris, dipanah petir

Kunjungan anda ke Paris, France, tidak akan lengkap jika anda tidak melawat atau bergambar dengan menara ikonik setinggi 324 meter atau 1,063 kaki ini yang dibina pada 1889, rekaan Gustave Eiffel. Menara Eiffel mengambil nama sempena perekanya Gustave EIffel, adalah struktur tertinggi di Paris dan struktur paling terkenal di dunia. Asalnya menara Eiffel dibina untuk Pesta Perdagangan Dunia atau World Trade fair di Paris.



Malahan ketika perang dunia ke 2, Jerman yang menakluk Perancis, enggan memusnahkan menara ikonik ini kerana ia sejarah tak ternilai untuk Perancis dan dunia. Malahan Adolf Hitler sendiri bergambar di hadapan menara iknoik ini.




Inilah gambar menakjubkan oleh Bertrand Kulik yang diambil pada July 2010 (tetapi ada yg kata dirakamkan pada 2008). Apapun gambar ini menunjukkan Eiffel Tower dipanah petir.



Sungguh hebat dan menakjubkan imej ini kan??

Terima kasih kerana membaca.

AIRASIA X SIGNS A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT (IFE) SOLUTION

Source : Air Asia Communications

AIRASIA X SIGNS A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT (IFE) SOLUTION

PARIS, France, 22 JUNE 2011, Wednesday : AirAsia X, the long haul, low fare affiliate of Malaysian based AirAsia Group signed a Memorandum of Undertaking (MOU) with Tune Box for the development of an In-flight Entertainment (IFE) solution for the airline.

The customised In-flight Entertainment (IFE) solution is expected to create a new profitable ancillary stream for AirAsia X and further enhance guests’ in-flight experience.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Azran Osman-Rani, the Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia X and Sami El Hadery, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Tune Box. The signing ceremony was witnessed by YB. Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Chairman of AirAsia X, and Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun, Co-Founder and Director of AirAsia X. The signing ceremony took place today at the Paris Air Show, France with the attendance of AirAsia X board members, AirAsia senior management and members of the media.

The In-flight Entertainment (IFE) solution concept will be developed to meet the airline’s low cost model (lower capex cost and simpler operations) while offering media content in an innovative way which will further enhance AirAsia X’s services to its guests. The concept will take advantage of existing server hardware on board the AirAsia X aircraft and distribute content to Passenger Electronic Devices (PEDs) using WiFi technology.

Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X said “AirAsia X’s partnership with Tune Box for the new innovative technology and concept of the In-flight entertainment (IFE) system would help us accentuate our ancillary product offerings across our network, while holding true to our business model. This would further elevate the AirAsia X brand to greater heights in all markets we fly to.”

“AirAsia X’s near to long term expansion plans has made it all the more important for us to be at the forefront of innovation. As we grow our network, fleet and operations, AirAsia X remains steadfast to its commitment of offering the best products and services to our guests”.

The proposed new installed system will be lighter weight and use less power than traditional in-seat systems, which would translate to lower fuel burn, efficient cost savings and hassle-free maintenance.

Sami El Hadery, CTO of Tune Box, added “We at Tune Box are very excited to be developing a bespoke IFE and connectivity solution for AirAsia X that will give passengers access to a rich new interactive experience while staying true to Tune and AirAsia X’s mantra of affordability.”

AirAsia is the largest low cost airline group in the Asia-Pacific region and operates an all-Airbus fleet.

In 2010 AirAsia X achieved best-in-class technical reliability rates for its fleet of A330s, surpassing established long-haul carriers in the region, and its continued efforts in providing 5 star value services and innovative product offerings underpins its on-going pursuit of operational quality excellence with its world’s best cost performance.

AirAsia is World’s Best Low Cost Airline for third consecutive year!

Pictures / Articles : Air Asia Communications



PARIS, FRANCE Wednesday 22 JUNE 2011 – AirAsia is the world’s best low-cost airline for the third consecutive year!

In the annual global survey conducted by respected London-based aviation consultants Skytrax, almost 19 million travelers polled worldwide chose AirAsia as the World’s Best Low Cost Airline for the third consecutive year. AirAsia came out tops in the independent survey that measures airlines’ product and service standards.

AirAsia Deputy Group CEO Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun accepted the award on behalf of the airline at the ceremony in Paris, France on 22 June 2011.

The award ceremony was held as part of the Paris Air Show. AirAsia was also named Best Low Cost Airline Asia in the same ceremony.





Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO, said, “We are very humbled by the support that our guests have given to us. AirAsia being voted the best in the world for a third consecutive year proves that our constant efforts to improve and innovate on our products and services are working. This award is very special to all of us at AirAsia as it is voted by travellers, and we are very proud to be the People’s Champion once again.”


“This award is attributed to all AirAsia staff - the Allstars, who are the pillar of AirAsia’s success. We are turning ten this year, and I am sure they would be delighted to know that the passion, dedication, hard work, creativity and commitment that they invest in AirAsia everyday has resulted in the best present we could receive for AirAsia’s tenth birthday – being the world’s best for the third consecutive year,” Fernandes added.

AirAsia remains a popular choice among air travelers with its consumer-friendly products and services, including low fares, a modern fleet, an extensive network and great flight frequencies, convenient booking and payment channels, and choose-your-own features for meals, seats and baggage allowances.

The airline is known for its innovations, popularizing technology-backed travel services such as web and mobile bookings; web, mobile and kiosk check-in services; no admin fees and the use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and its blog in communicating with guests in real-time throughout the globe.

AirAsia’s operations are anchored in its mission to democratise travel, encapsulated in its tagline Now everyone can fly.

It has ferried more than 120 million guests to date.

AirAsia has also established itself as the Truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline, with its unmatched connectivity in the region and its “sky bridges” – routes – that link the capitals and communities of Southeast Asia to each other and beyond.

Since its launch as a Low-Cost Carrier in late 2001, AirAsia has grown from 250 employees, two aircraft and one destination to an Asean-wide Group with more than 8,000 employees, 104 aircraft and more than 78 destinations.

AirAsia has been operationally profitable from day one of its launch as a low-cost carrier. Together with its low-cost, long-haul affiliate AirAsia X, the airline now links three continents – Asia, Australia and Europe.



About AirAsia and AirAsia X

AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network with approximately 160 routes covering destinations in Asia, Australia and Europe.

Within 9 years of operations, AirAsia has carried more than 120 million guests and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to approximately 104.

The airline today is proud to be a truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, servicing a network stretching across all Asean countries, China, India, Sri Lanka and Australia.

This is further complemented by AirAsia X, its low-cost long-haul affiliate carrier that currently flies to destinations in China, India, Australia, Taipei, New Zealand, Tehran, Paris and the UK.

AirAsia is the regional carrier with the largest destination network and highest flight frequencies. AirAsia was named World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax for three consecutive years in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Malaysian Airlines, MAS to buy 10 more Boeing 737-800s

LE BOURGET (Paris, France) 21st June 2011 : Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has exercised an option to buy an 10 additional Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft from Boeing, in a deal said to be worth over US$800 million (RM 2.43 billion).

The national carrier's latest deal means it has now placed 45 firm orders for the Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Managing director and chief executive officer Tengku Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz said the carrier decided to exercise the option in order to meet market demand .

"We will focus first on taking the delivery of 35 aircraft up to 2015. The additional 10 will be delivered beyond 2016," he told a news conference after the signing with Boeing at the second day of Paris International Air Show on Tuesday 21st June 2011.

At the signing ceremony, Tengku Azmil represented MAS while Boeing by commercial airplanes vice-president for sales Marlin Dailey.

In 2008, MAS ordered 35 of the Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes, with an option to buy another 20 aircraft. So far, MAS has taken delivery of five 737-800s.

Tengku Azmil said the additional 10 aircraft will support the airline's business transformation strategy.

"Boeing's Next-Generation 737, with its economic advantages, including its unmatched fuel efficiency, is the right airplane to support our business and our customers," he said.

On funding, he said MAS, which currently has low gearing, can use various options such as commercial finance market, Japan leasing market, Exim Bank and Islamic financing.

He said the capital cost will raise with the acquisition of new aircraft but the airline will increase its efficiency and enhance utilisation.

Tengku Azmil said the current 747-800s are used for variety of routes such as domestic short-haul flights and Asean routes.

As the new 747-800s have better range, he said MAS also intends to use the aircraft for some destinations in India and China.

As for the old aircraft, he said they will be phased out, so that by 2015, MAS will have the youngest fleet of aircraft in the region, with an average age of five years.

To another question, he said MAS' subsidiary, Firefly, will start taking over Sibu-Kuala Lumpur route with twice a day flight.

According to Boeing, the 737-800, which can seat from 162 to 189 passengers, is 771kg lighter, can fly 583km farther and 335m higher while carrying 12 more passengers than the competing model.

Malaysia Airlines, with a 64-year history as the national carrier of Malaysia, operates a mixed fleet of short- and long-haul airplanes, including Boeing 747 passenger and freighter, 777, 737-800s and Classic 737 airplanes. The airline flies nearly 45,000 passengers daily to more than 100 destinations worldwide.

Source : NSTP Online 21st June 2011



A nice video inside a Boeing 737-800 flight simulator.

"TAKEN" - the movie to watch while in Paris

Excuse me, what is the name of this tower???


Views of Paris as "TAKEN" by my camera



A street near the Eiffel Tower



This is the way people in Paris park their car - gangland style isn't it??



Charles De Gaulle international airport, Paris - the main airport - there is another airport exclusively for private jets - The Le Bourget (pronounced La Borje) airport


The famed Paris Opera House

Now done with the various views of Paris as "TAKEN" by my camera

While on a trip to Paris last April 10th, 2010, i remembered a movie, aptly-titled "Taken" filmed on various locations in Paris.

"Taken", starring Liam Neeson tells the story of a 17 year old American girl, kidnapped and forced into prostitution by a Bulgarian Paris-based human trafficking gang.

Enraged, the father of the kidnapped girl, played by Liam Neeson rushed to Paris from the USA and turned Paris upside down. He single handedly took on the entire gang, successfully rescued his daughter, but not before killing almost 50 bad guys!!!

In one particular scene, he killed a bad guy with a 24 hour continuous 350 volt electrical jolt, connected from the main switch of a ganghouse straight to 2 metallic plates, pierced and nailed on that unfortunate guy thighs. Before that he said "I need you to be focussed"!!!!!!

In another scene, Liam Neeson shot an already dead guy, 5 times inside an elevator...!!!!!

And of course the catch phrase "Jean Claude, i will tear down the Eiffel Tower if i had to"!!!!!!!

Cool isn't it...???

Watch the movie.. You will not regret it..!!!





The electrical jolt scene can be seen from 01.23 onwards in this video. Cruel but effective!!! I need you to be focussed!!!! At 01.59, Liam Neeson shot an already dead guy 5 times inside an elevator!!!! at 02.38 - the catch phrase "Jean Claude.. i will tear down the Eiffel Tower if i have to"!!!!!!!!!

Bonjou... Merci (thanks) for dropping by...

Volcanic eruption in Iceland

This amazes me. Volcanic eruption can happen everywhere. Even under water or under sea and even in one of the coldest region in the world. Who can imagine, volcano can rule and erupts in Iceland. Mind you, the name speaks for itself - ICEland - means the land of ice.

Well, the eruption of a volcano beneath Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull not only resulted in dangerous amounts of volcanic ash in the sky, but also huge headaches for air travelers. The eruption was also captured on camera and it the scene of fire mixed with ice were sublime.

The eruption caused a 3.7 mile high plume of ash, creating havoc on flights across the Europe and around the world. The ash has the ability to knock out jet engines. Thousands of travellers have been grounded across the world. Additionally, there is no telling when the ash will disperse. It could take days before the sky clears up.

France has shut down all of its 24 airports including the main airport - Charles de Gaulle and also the other airport in Paris - Le Bourget airport.

London's Heathrow airport was also closed. Many airlines cancelled flights to Europe. Malaysia Airlines for example cancelled direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Paris and also to London and Amsterdam.

Australia's Qantas also cancelled flights to Europe.

Meanwhile, many photographers captured stunning images of the ash's effects on sunsets in Europe. To them, the ashes resulted in "fantastic spectacle."