A traveller's reflection: Umrah Day 07: Makkah

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…

Saturday, 14 September 2024

Umrah Day 07: Makkah – Madinah

“Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well...” – Jack Kornfield

(Tawaf Wida' - our last day in Makkah)

Day 07: 25/08/24 (Sunday)
Route: Makkah – Madinah
Hotel: Madinah Emaar Elite Hotel

This morning, we had a full leisurely breakfast at the Al Zahra Restaurant.

(A good spread of food)

(Our last breakfast in Makkah)

Although we were not performing our umrah, we had to be in our ihram attire to be allowed to enter the Mataf. The new ruling is that Mataf area is only allocated for those who perform the umrah. Those who desire to perform tawaf sunat need to perform their tawaf on the upper floor. By 8.30 am, we completed our Tawaf Wida early as there was less crowd performing their Tawaf umrah at the Mataf area. Back at the hotel, we had brunch of pancakes with honey and chocolate at Al Zahra Restaurant. And cappuccino and coffee latte macchiato for beverages.

(Less crowded very early in the morning)

(Alhamdulillah, completed our Tawaf Wida')

(Pancakes and maple syrup for brunch)

By 2.00 pm we boarded our bus for a six hours journey to the holy city of Madinah. We dropped off some jemaah at the Makkah Train Station. It is located at Al Rasaifah. This modern transportation hub connects Makkah to major cities like Jeddah, Medina, and Riyadh. The station offers a range of services including a spacious waiting area, ticket counters, baggage handling, and prayer rooms. There is a dedicated platform for the Haramain High-Speed Railway. Only fourteen of us will ride on the bus, the rest will ride on the high-speed train to Madinah. We had the opportunity to travel on the high-speed train from Madinah to Makkah during our Umrah Trip in 2022.

(Goodbye Makkah al-Mukarramah)

(Makkah modern skyline)

We made a comfort stop at a R&R at Khulays. It is a resting station for pilgrims travelling between the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. We bought falafel and fries to fill our hungry tummies.

(The sun is setting on the horizon)

(Waiting for our packed food and drinks)

We arrived in Madinah about 10.00 pm and checked in Madinah Emaar Elite Hotel. Had our late Asian dinner at the dining hall. Performed our Isya'/Maghrib prayers before we retired for the night.