UAE 2006: Abu Dhabi/Dubai - Emirates family holiday...

"Perseverence is not a long race; it is many short races one after another..." - Walter Elliot

(A family photo shot at Ski Dubai)

Abu Dhabi/Dubai Emirates family holidays...

(15 - 17 September 2006)

After our Umrah trip, we decided to stop-over Dubai and rent a van to Abu Dhabi to visit my nephew. We stayed 3 nights there and had time to visit interesting places in Dubai as well as in Abu Dhabi. In Dubai we visited Ski Dubai, a first indoor ski resort in the Middle East and offers an amazing snow setting for skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing, or just playing in the snow. Young or old, there is something for everyone. Ski Dubai is a unique mountain-themed attraction that offers you the opportunity to enjoy real snow in Dubai all year round.

(A painting on the wall)

We have a peek at Burj Al Arab from Dubai's big shopping complex. This luxury hotel was built in 1999 on Jumeirah Beach Road next to the Wild Wadi Water Park. The 27 story hotel is positioned 280 meters offshore on a man-made island and is designed in the shape of a blowing Arabian dhow sail, symbolizing Dubai's ancient traditions. The hotel is 25km from Dubai Airport, and a limousine service is available for those staying at the hotel. The hotel's luxury has given it the approval of being a seven star hotel.

(Burj Dubai in the background)

Dubai's central business district is divided into two parts: Diera on the north side of the Creek and Burj Dubai to the south. They are connected by a tunnel and two bridges. A stroll along its banks will remind you of the city's centuries-old trading traditions. And each side has everything from great hotels and stores to mosques and souks.

(At Ski-Dubai)

Some of Dubai's prettiest beaches are located along the Jumeirah strip. This long stretch of beach is lined with palm trees and has plenty of lifeguards on duty. Jumeirah Beach is especially appealing to women, as they have their own days to bask in the hot sun without the unwanted male attention. Next to the beach is the Jumierah Park, which provides a nice break from the sun and sand to eat lunch or gather with friends.

(The back alley of a shopping complex)

Next Trip: 2006: Phnom Penh/Siem Reap, Cambodia

        2006: Makkah, Saudi Arabia 👉

2006 8th Umrah: Makkah al-Mukarramah - A family Umrah trip

"Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of being..." - John Wooden

Makkah al-Mukarramah
(09 -14 September, 2006)
Hotel Makkah, Makkah

(With my sisters and Abah at Masjid Tanaim)

Reached Makkah at 2130 and checked-in Zahret Makkah Hotel. Had dinner and later entered Mesjid-el-Harram. With tears of longing, we entered and walked towards the kaabah...

"Ya Allah,

open for us the doors of Your mercies,

and make easy for us the means of livelihood"

Completed our 1st Umrah at 0100. Alhamdulillah... I thank Allah for allowing me to fulfill my promise to bring my two sisters to this Baitul-Haram. The next day, after Subuh prayer and breakfast, we went to Tannaim for miqat. Completed our 2nd umrah at 1000. After Asar went for shopping. Bought a few jubah, sejadah and other buah tangan. After dinner slept soundly after a good foot massage. We performed our umrah almost every day.

"Ya Allah,

We intend to perform the Umrah,

render it easy for us, and accept it from us."

(A group photo at Jabal Uhud)

(Reciting prayers at Jabal Rahmah)

(In front of Masjid Jaaranah)

A day is dedicated for ziarah to some historical places around Makkah. Visited Jabbal Thaur, Jabbal Rahmah, Mudzalifah and Minna. We did not have the opportunity to visit the Jamrats because of the on-going construction works. Miqat at Mesjid Ja’aranah. After performing our umrah, we would go for a shopping spree and bought lotsof souvenirs.

(Sara and I on the bus for ziarah)

(Masjidil Haram, a view from our hotel)

On a different day we rented a van to go to Hudaibiah to miqat. Met Haji Abd Rahman, the Imam of Mesjid Hudaibiah, a Malaysian from my home town in Melaka. On the way back stopped at a Camel Farm to drink and buy a few bottles of camel milk. Visited Makkah museum. Completed our 5th Umrah around 1230 in time for solat Zuhur.

(A photo with the Imam of Masjid Hudaibiah)

(Amah and Zai at the camel farm)

(Hubby and Abah at the Museum)

(A group photo at masjid Tanaim)

(The two us at Masjidil Haram)

On the final day in Makkah, after breakfast took a taxi to Tannaim to miqat for our 7th Umrah. After Solat Zuhur, performed the tawaf wida’ and recited the doa at the Multazzam.

"Ya Allah,

set right for us our religion which is the safeguard of our affairs.

And set right for us the affairs of our world wherein is our living.

And set right for us our Hereafter on which depends our after life.

And make the life for us of abundance for every good

and make our death of comfort for us, protecting us against every evil..."

(A visit to the floating mosque by the Red Sea)

After lunch packed our bags and departed Makkah for Jeddah. Visited the Mesjid Terapung at the Red Sea. Checked-in and had dinner at Jeddah Airport.

Our flight to Dubai was delayed for almost 2 hours. Although dead tired, everyone was excited and looking forward for our short holiday in Dubai and Abu Dhabi...

👈Next Destination: 2006: Abu Dhabi/Dubai, UAE

Madinah al-Munawarah 👉

2006 8th Umrah: Madinah al-Munawarah - A family Umrah trip

"You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims..." - Harriet Woods

Madinah al-Munawarah

(6 -8 September 2006)

Hotel Hilton, Madinah

(Masjid Nabawi at night)

Eight of us departed from KLIA at 0055. Transited in Dubai for 4 hours. Departed for Jeddah at 0800. Ustaz Shamsul Bahari, from Triways Travel was already waiting for us. Took a van to Madinah and reached the holy city after Asar. Checked-in at Madinah Hilton Hotel. Went to Masjid Nabawi for Maghrib and Isya prayers.

(My sisters, Amah and Zai)

After the Subuh prayer, got ready for ziarah at historical places around Madinah. Visited Masjid Quba’, Masjid Qiblatain, Masjid 7, Jabal Uhud and the Tamar Souk. All along the journey, we were enlightened with interesting stories and tazkirah by Ustaz Shamsul. After the ziarah, visited makam Rasulullah to say salam from family and friends.

(Luxurious Hilton Hotel)

(Ayat Al-quran on the wall)

At the Raudhah recited the dua'.

"Ya Allah,

fulfill our needs,and make our affairs easy,

and open our hearts and accept our visit

and remove the fears and grant us safety

and conceal our faults and forgive our sins

and remove our difficulties and let our end be with our good actions

and count us with Your pious servants, who do not fear or grieve by Your mercy..."

(Street vendors at Jabal Uhud)

After the Friday prayer, we donned our ihram and went for ziarah wida’ to bade goodbye to Rasulullah with a promise that we will come to visit again, Insya-Allah... Departed Madinah for Makkah at 1530 together with Ustaz Shamsul. Stopped to miqat at Bir Ali. Performed the sunnat-al-ihram, recited the dua' and talbiyah.

(A group photo before leaving for Makkah)

(Hubby and Abah at Bir Ali)

 

👈2006: Makkah, Saudi Arabia