About Me

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I am married to my loving husband for more than 45 years now. I am a mother to 3 beautiful children, until years ago when I lost my youngest son. Since then my life is forever altered but yet unbroken....

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Thursday, 25 May 2017

2017 UK Trip: 12 Glasgow, Scotland - The Shipbuilding Capital of the World...

"Certain things catch your eyes, but pursue only those that capture the heart..."

(An interesting signage on the building)

Date: 10 May 2017 (Wednesday)
Route: Fort William – Glasgow 
Distance: 109 miles (2 hr 28 min)
Hotel: Travelodge Glasgow Paisley Road Hotel (£94)

Our onward journey from Fort William to Glasgow on M8 passed through Loch Lomond and hoping to meet charming locals and friendly highland cows.

(Heaven for motorists , bikers and cyclists)
(Amazing view guaranteed)
(The awesome mountain ranges, scenic lochs and lush country side)
(Plenty of lochs to explore)
(Deep waters, wild glenns crisp fresh air)

Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch which crosses the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain by surface area. The loch contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles. Loch Lomond is a popular leisure destination and part of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

(Entering the city of Glasgow)
(The traffic is building up nearing the city)

From our Travelodge at Paisley Road, we walked quite a distance to the nearest sub-way station to board a train to Buchanan Street in Glasgow city center. The train tickets cost us £6.40 return trip. We took the 2-hour city tour on the Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off which cost us £15/pax.

(Arriving at Buchanan Street station, Glasgow)
(A must visit in any trip)
(A ideal shopping destination)
(A line of taxi waiting for passengers)
(Queen Victoria statue in George Square)
(George Square or War Memorial Square)

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, and third largest in the United Kingdom. Historically part of Lanarkshire, it is now one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It is situated on the River Clyde in the country's West Central Lowlands. Inhabitants of the city are referred to as Glaswegians.

(Hop On Hop Off Glasgow sightseeing bus)
(Visiting the many attractions in town)
(Listening intently to the guide)
(The Clock Tower in the centre of the city)
(Incredible architectural heritage)
(A unicorn at the Public Library?)

Glasgow is a port city on the River Clyde in Scotland's western Lowlands. It's famed for its Victorian and art nouveau architecture, a rich legacy of the city's 18th–20th-century prosperity due to trade and shipbuilding. Today it's a national cultural hub, home to institutions including the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland, as well as acclaimed museums and a thriving music scene.

(The SSE Hydro is a multi-purpose indoor arena)
(The Armadillo Concert Hall Glasgow)
(The Riverside Museum or Museum of Transport)
(Baitur-Rahman Mosque and Muslim Centre)
(The University campus of Glasgow)
(Kelvingrove Art Gallery And Museum)

After the city tour we took the subway from Buchanan Street Station back to Shield Road station and retrieved our car from the parking lot at the Travelodge.

(Taking the subway to Shield Road)
(Vibrant coloured train)
(Many Muslim eateries and shops around the Travelodge)

Before leaving the city of Glasgow we visited the Islamic Centre and Glasgow Central Mosque located on the south bank of the River Clyde central Glasgow. It was a few minute drive from the Travelodge. The mosque is Scotland's largest mosque.

The Mosque was built in 1983 on a 4-acre site, the present Mosque has a new Islamic Centre adjacent to the main building. The new Islamic Centre serves as a general purpose hall for public events and also provides sports and changing facilities, meeting rooms, library, cafeteria and facilities to offer education and welfare support to the community.

(The Islamic Centre for the Muslim community of Glasgow)
(A single minaret mosque)

The courtyard of the mosque is in keeping with the traditional Arabesque style. It is enclosed on one of its sides by gardens and on the other by a long façade of arched windows. The main entrance is arched with etched glass doors of a floral design. In the courtyard one of the most noticeable features is the Minaret where the Muezzin recites the call to prayer.

(Ample parking spaces around the mosque)
(The building material is old red sandstone)

The other more noticeable feature is the dome above the main prayer hall allowing natural light into the building. The mosque combines Islamic architecture with the characteristic Old Red Sandstone material used to build many of Glasgow's buildings. The building can accommodate 2500 worshipers.

(Our lodging at Paisley Road, Glasgow)


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