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 👉

Saudi Arabia 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

New Zealand 2006 - Exploring the North Island...

"Happiness is in the heart, not in the circumstances..."

05 June 2006
Day-1 : The Thermal Wonderland

(Our spacious 2-berth caravan)

Arrived at Auckland International Airport at 11.00 a.m. We decided to rent a campervan that will allow us to explore the beuty of New Zealand lush green landscape at our own pace. The Apollo Motorhomes Holiday sent a pick-up at the airport and after some paper works at the office, we were off on our journey in a cute and well-equipped Cheapa-campa, a 2-berth campervan. The day was sunny and the weather cool and wonderful!

(Serene beautiful morning)

Drove to Manukau Supermarket for provision. On the way to Rotorua we stopped in Hamilton for a fillet-o-fish lunch at McD. It was already dark when we reached Rotorua. Rotorua is situated on the shore of the lake Rotorua, the thermal heartland of the volcanic central North Island. We camped the night at Holidaypark Campsite. After dinner, we slept in like babies. The heater in the campervan kept us warm till late morning.

(Misty cool morning drive)

06 June 2006
Day-2 : Maori Culture

(A photo shot with the furry)

We had bread and scrambled eggs for breakfast. We drove to Rotorua Agrodome for Sheep Shearing Show and bought some souvenirs. Other attractions include a helicopter ride for a breathtaking view of the vast sheep farms and a tour of the organic farm.

(An energetic cultural show)

Next attraction was the Tepuia Thermal Wonderland to watch the Maori cultural show with contemporary song and dances, including the welcome ceremony, stick dance and the ferocious haka, the posture dance.

(A scary stance)

Later we joined a guided tour around the Ngamakaiakoko Mud Pool and the world famous Pohutu Geyser, the largest of several geysers within the valley. The Pohutu geyser erupts on average once or twice each hour and can reach heights of up to 30 meters.

(The crater of the moon)

We later took the Thermal Explorer Highway to Taupo. On the way we stopped at Waikato River’s biggest Huka Falls. Arrived Taupo around 4 p.m. and stopped at the lake side for a rest. We filled up petrol and bought some provisions. Took the lonely dessert road to Turangi. The road was winding wet and some parks covered with frost. We had McD dinner in Bulls. As it was already late and the weather was extra chilly, we stopped at Sanson Caravan Camp for the night.

(The helipad at the Agrodome)

07 June 2006
Day-3 : Windy Wellington

(Cloudy dark sky)

Breakfast with cereal and scrambled eggs. We drove to Palmerson North through Levin and Otaki. Stopped at Puikura Beach for a short rest. We continued to Wellington and headed to Te Papa Museum. Visited the Lord of the ring Exhibition. We had a sumptuous lunch at one Thai Restaurant.

Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, sits near the North Island’s southernmost point on the Cook Strait. A compact city, it encompasses a waterfront promenade, sandy beaches, a working harbour and colourful timber houses on surrounding hills.

(Calm blue water at the Lambton Quay)

Called Kid Noraini and promised to arrive at her house in Churton Park by 3 p.m. Her Consulate husband was at work but their chidren Muhamad and Sarah were home. Stayed for a while and she packed Nasi Briani and beef curry for us. We drove to Napier, but on the way we stopped at Waipikurau Campsite for the night.

(At Kid Noraini's house with Sara and Muhamad)

The weather was wonderful and we had a good night's rest.

(Lake Rotorua - scenic view)

08 June 2006
Day-4 : Shadow of the Sun

(Cool nice weather in the morning)

Breakfast with bread and beef curry. Drove to Napier and stopped at Pak n’ Save and the Bank to exchange some foreign currency. Took a rest and photo shots along the beach. Drove direct to Taupo and had late lunch at the lake side. Toured around the Crater of the Moon, steam vents and boiling mud pools at Wairakei Terraces. Drove along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Auckland. Reached Manukau Campsite late night. Dinner was bread and chilli sardine. The weather was wonderful and we had a good night's rest.

(The iconic statue by the beach)

09 June 2006
Day-5 : City of Sails

(Rough white water rapids)

Early morning we drove to Devonport and parked our camper at the car park and took a ferry across to the Ferry Terminal at Auckland City. We took the Hop-on Hop-off bus for a 1-hour tour of scenic views around the Auckland City.

(Auckland view from the ferry)

After the tour, we took the ferry back to Devonport and drove to Whangarei along the Twin Beach Discovery Highway. Drove back to Auckland and stayed another night at Manukau Campsite. Before we sleep we packed our bags, Our flight tomorrow is at noon but we need to return the campervan before 10 a.m.

The holiday is coming to its end. Kia Ore...

👈 2006: Madinah, Saudi Arabia

2006: Bratislava, Slovakia 👉

Slovakia 2006: Bratislava - An Old Historical City...

"Failure doesn't mean you are a failure... it just means you haven't succeeded yet..." - Robert Schuller

(Blooming tulips)

The day-excursion to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia began at 7.15 a.m. we saw vineyards on the slopes of the Little Carpathian Mountains, where they meet the Danube River. The Austrian border is almost within sight of the city and Hungary is just 16 km away. Many beautiful monuments survive in the old town to tell of its past under Hungarian rule, and Bratislava's numerous museums are surprisingly rich.

(A Jewish Synagogue)

When we arrived at the main bus station, a guide took us to the old city and the castle area which are the best parts of Bratislava. The old city is packed with museums such as the Municipal Museum which comes complete with torture chambers and the Museum of Wine Production and Primate's Palace and the Mirbach Palace.

(A poster on the wall)

The castle, built above the Danube, was a frontier post of the Roman Empire from the 1st to the 5th century. Since the 9th century it has been rebuilt several times, most recently between 1953 and 1962. Up the hill are the very interesting Slovak National Museum expositions within. The Natural Sciences Museum of the Slovak National Museum and the Slovak National Gallery on the river are also worth a visit.

(A horseman marble statue)

Hviezdoslavovo námestie Square is a convenient orientation point, with the old town to the north, the Danube to the south, and Bratislava Castle to the west. Bratislava's main train station, Hlavná stanica, is several km north of town. The Old Town offers numerous good places to eat and a rich nightlife but we took the afternoon bus so that we could spend more time in Vienna.

(Brass sculpture at the man-hole)

👈 2006: New Zealand North Island

2006: Budapest, Hungary 👉

Hungary 2006: Budapest - The City of Spas...

"A fool despises good counsel, but a wise man takes it to heart..." - Confucius

(Unique architecture heritage)

Today we drove through the enchanting countryside of western Hungary to Budapest, a city rich in traditions. Hungary is a landlocked country in central Europe. Hungary is bordering with seven countries, Austria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine.

Budapest is about 250 km from Vienna and the road trip took about 2.5 hours. Buda and Pest blend several centuries of architectural and cultural heritage with all the innovations thrown at it by modern life. Historic buildings and monuments are renovated and restored.

(The view of Buda and Pest)

The Castle District, the River Danube embankments and the whole of Andrássy út have been officially recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Castle District in Buda is the ancient kernel of the capital's right-bank settlement.

(A viewpoint in the city) 

The whole area within the ramparts is protected as an ancient monument: the lines of the streets and the foundations and architectural remains of the buildings retain the atmosphere and memories of the medieval and eighteenth and nineteenth-century capital.

(Visiting the attractions around town)

A panoramic view of the whole city from the Fishermen’s Bastion is an absolute must! In Pest, the most important sight is Andrássy út. As far as Kodály Körönd both sides are lined with large shops and flats built close together. Between there and Heroes’ Square the houses are detached and altogether grander.

(The Police Headquarters)

Heroes’ Square is dominated by the Millenary Monument, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front. To the sides are the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Arts, and behind City Park opens out, with Vajdahunyad Castle on its own island in the little lake, and further off the Zoo.

(A rest in the garden)

There are many sights to be seen just from riding along the embankment of the River Danube, Pest side, the Matthias Church, the Fishermen’s Bastion, the Castle District, the Chain Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge, Gellért Hill, the Gellért Hotel and Baths. Just before the Lágymányosi Bridge the new National Theatre and Palace of Arts.

(A small chat with a local)

On the return journey there is the Corvinus University building, the Central Market Hall, the Vigadó Concert Hall, and the Gresham Palace and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences both on Roosevelt Square.

👈 2006: Bratislava, Slovakia

2006: Wachau, Austria 👉

Austria 2006: Wachau - Scenic Romantic View...

"Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss..."

(Scenic view from the cruise boat)

Today we took a full-day excursion to Wachau, Northwest of Vienna. It boasts Austria's most dramatic wine landscape, stretching for about 20 miles between the towns of Melk and Krems and hugging the Danube River. The first part of the trip from Vienna was by bus and second part by boat. The journey drived through the beauty of Wachau scenery full of history and legends of the Danube.

(Absorbing the view from the Danube)

The Wachau is a stretch of the Danube Valley between Melk and Krems, a landscape of high visual quality. It preserves in an intact and visible form many traces in terms of architecture, monasteries, castles, ruins, towns and villages, and agricultural use for the cultivation of vines.

(On the cruise boat)

The romantic boat trip started from Spitz, winds its way past charming old villages and steep wineyards. The old castles, one of them the Durnstein is famous because here King Richard the Lion Heart was imprisoned, while waiting for his ransom to arrive from England.

(Visiting the Abbey)

The heart of the Wachau is the old wine-merchants’ town of Krems. The highlight of the visit is Melk, the magnificient Benedictine Abbey.

(The huge library)

👈 2006: Budapest, Hungary

2006: Vienna, Austria 👉

Austria 2006: Vienna - Fine Arts and Natural History...

"To be old and wise, you must first have to be young and stupid..."

(The Austrian Note Printing Plant)

7 May 2006

Day 1: Dinner at Ken’s

Arrived at vienna at 6.15 p.m. with hotel transferred already prearranged. The Astoria Hotel is situated right in the middle of Stephanplatz. Allen and the Philippines’ team have checked-in earlier. Dinner was at Ken’s, a Turkish Restaurant where we had nasi briani and lamb kebab. Roger and wife, Gernoit and Wife and Dr. Raluca, from the Austrian Mint team joined us

8 May 2006

Day 2: Visits the Austrian Mint and Printing Plant

(Murals on the wall)

Picked-up and transferred to OeBS at 8.30 a.m. General presentation was by Oliver F on Company profile and products. Together with the Philippines’ team visited the origination team, National Analysis Center, production department and finishing department.

Transferred to the Austrian Mint and visited GSA and listened to a briefing by G Maier. Visited the precious metal casting and blanking, proof production and auto packaging system. End of day dinner with K Meyer, the Director of the Mint at the Wok, a Malaysian Chinese restaurant.

(KTM, the Austrian motorbike)

9 May 2006

Day 3: Witness dies destruction

The Philippines’ team flew to Zurich this morning. I was picked-up and transferred to OeBS at 9.30 a.m. Expert presentation was by Dr. D Schwarzbach on security features. Transferred to the Austrian Mint and toured the plant with B Wohletz. Later witness the destruction of dies and signing of certificates. Lunch was with B Wohletz and Bridget at a seafood restaurant.

(Beautiful and clean park)

By 3 p.m. I was back at the hotel and dear hubby was already in the room waiting for me. His flight from KL reached Vienna very early in the morning. We had ample time to have breakfast before my appointment with the OeBS and the Austrian Mint. 

The Astoria Hotel is situated at the center of Stephanplazt, with rows of shops and famous Viennese cafes. For those keen on shopping there are plenty of flea markets and shopping streets to browse through. At the end of Stephanplazt stood the Gothic Imperial Chapel, houses a wealth of art treasures where the Vienna Boys’ Choir performs during High Mass on Sunday, is also a remnant of the Imperial Palace during the Middle Ages.

(Chelsea and historical buildings)

Places of interest

Vienna has plenty to offer for everyone. The world capital of music was home to numerous opera, operetta and musical composers. In 2006 Vieana is celebrating Mozart's 250 birthday. In the center of the old city, you can admire the splendor and magnificence of the daily life of the noblest family of the Habsburg monarchy. The Imperial Palace, which until 1918 was inhabited by the imperial family, was originally a castle built in the thirteenth century. The Vienna Opera House has a world-wide reputation for its first-class opera performances and is also known because of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. A night at the State Opera is one of the most impressive events any visitor to Vienna can experience. The building itself closely resembles Italian Renaissance, as this epoch was immensely important for art and music. The first operas were written and performed in Italy during the 16th century.

Vast Heldenplatz, Square of Heroes, situated next to it, is very impressive, too. Equestrian statues of Archduke Karl, who won the battle of Aspern against Napoleon's troops, and Prince Eugene of Savoy, who defeated the Turks, attest to Austria's glorious past. Heldenplatz is more than a square, it is one of Austria's symbols of national identity. The trip turn around the old city, we could see Otto Wagner's Post Office Building, the Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna's City Park, the Vienna State Opera, the Imperial Palace, the Museums of Fine Arts and Natural History, Parliament, the Burgtheater, the University and the Stock Exchange.

👈 2006: Wachau, Austria

2006: Bordeaux, France 👉