United Kingdom 1995: London, England - The London bridge & my fair lady....

"You only live once - but if you work it right, once is enough..." - Joe E. Lewis

London, England

(4 - 10 April 1995)

London will always hold a special place in my heart. It was where I met my husband after embarking on a solo journey across the world - a trip that was both exciting and slightly intimidating for a lone traveller. Arriving at the bustling Heathrow Airport was overwhelming. I had no checked luggage, only a small backpack slung over my shoulders. Surrounded by streams of travellers moving confidently in every direction, I found myself momentarily lost, trying to get my bearings and simply following the crowd.

Then came the biggest surprise of the trip.

While queuing at immigration, I was singled out and escorted to a separate room for further inspection. My backpack and passport were thoroughly examined, and I was questioned for almost an hour. Apparently, arriving from overseas with only a small backpack raised some suspicion. Thankfully, I remained calm throughout the process and answered all their questions honestly. The officers seemed particularly reassured when I produced my return ticket.

The reason I was travelling so lightly was simple. My husband had arrived in London earlier to attend a seminar and had packed my clothes in his luggage. Our plan was to spend a few days exploring England together before flying home.

(The Tower Bridge)

After the airport episode was finally behind us, we made the most of our first day in London. We boarded one of the famous Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing buses and spent the day visiting some of the city's iconic landmarks, including Madame Tussauds, Big Ben, and Tower Bridge. Seeing these famous attractions, which I had previously known only from books and television, was a surreal experience.

(A beautiful sunny day)

(A self tour of London)

The following day, we rented a car and drove to Reading, making a memorable stop at Windsor Castle along the way. As the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, Windsor Castle has served as a royal residence and fortress for more than 900 years. Walking through its historic grounds gave us a fascinating glimpse into Britain's royal heritage. At the time, it was also known as one of the Queen's official residences, where she traditionally spent part of the Easter season.

(Visiting the Windsor Castle)

On our third day, we visited Bank Negara Malaysia's London Representative Office in Berkeley Square, where I had the opportunity to meet several former colleagues from the Investment Department. It was a pleasant reunion and a reminder of how small the world can sometimes feel. We visited the staff apartment and passed by the late Freddy Mercury's house.

(The famous iconic Big Ben)

(Visiting the Buckingham Palace)

(A photo with the Royal Guard)

Whenever we had free time, we wandered around the West End, soaking in the atmosphere of one of London's most vibrant districts. What impressed me most was the city's remarkable blend of history and modern culture. New landmarks such as Tate Modern, together with revitalised institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum and Tate Britain, showcased London's enduring commitment to the arts.

(With my favorite band, the Beatles)

(London Rock Circus)

Among all the attractions we visited, Madame Tussauds and the London Rock Circus were my personal favourites. Another pleasant surprise was the free admission offered by many of London's museums and galleries, making it possible for visitors to enjoy world-class collections without spending a fortune. We took advantage of this whenever time permitted.

Before long, our short holiday came to an end. The return journey was thankfully uneventful. We spent most of the flight watching movies and reflecting on the wonderful experiences we had shared.

(A cool day in Spring)

(Charing Cross Station)

(London's red phone booth)

Looking back, this trip was far more than just a holiday. It was my first experience travelling alone across continents, navigating unfamiliar situations, and discovering that sometimes the most memorable journeys begin with a little uncertainty. Heathrow may have tested my nerves, but London rewarded me with unforgettable memories that I still treasure today.

👈 1996: Johannesburg, South Africa

1994: Amman, Jordan 👉

Jordan 1994: Amman - First Century BC Philadelphia...

"Happiness is found when you stop comparing yourself to other people..."

Amman, Jordan

(13 - 16 November 1994)

All in the family were stranded in Jordan for three days!

For this Umrah trip we requested TH Travel to make ground arrangement for a 3-day tour of attractions in Jordan and surrounding area. To our disappointment, when we landed in Jordan International Airport, nobody was waiting for the eight of us. We were lucky that the Airport personnel assisted us to be transported to the transit hotel. For the three days, we were provided with free lodging and meals. On top of that, the Manager of the hotel had arranged for the hotel limo to bring us to the many attractions in Jordan on the house.

We managed to get in contact with TH Travel via fax in Kuala Lumpur and they promised to give us a refund plus hardship expenses when we return from our Umrah trip.

Amman is the capital of modern day Jordan and houses almost half of the country's population. It is a pleasant city and a vibrant place with its own history, culture and monuments. Built around several hills and no more than five hours drive from anywhere, it is a convenient base for your tour. However, do spend time in Amman and experience the sounds, smells and sites of one of the oldest cities in the world.

Wander through the streets of Downtown Amman and absorb the hustle and bustle that makes the city so buzzing with life. There is certainly no dearth of shops and stalls to purchase exotic treasures and souvenirs nor is any trip to Amman complete unless you've stopped at a maqha (café) for a quick game of backgammon or have savoured the sweets and mezzah (appetizers) of traditional Arab cuisine.

Downtown Amman is where you'll find cheap accommodation which is good since all the main the sites are only a stone's throw away. Just East of Downtown is the large Roman Amphitheatre built into a hillside in the 2nd century AD and which seats 6000 people. Within the theatre located at one side of the stage, there is the small Folklore museum which displays various aspects of Jordanian culture past and present. On the other side of the stage is the Jordanian Museum of Popular Tradition. Here you will find among other things beautiful collections of Palestinian and Jordanian embroidery as well as charming mosaics from 4th to 6th century Jordan churches.

Further East is the Roman Odeon which was a venue for musical shows and close by is the city's main fountain or Nymphaeum built around the same time. A small walk away will bring you to the splendid King Hussein Mosque which bares a plaque that reveals that the original mosque was built by the second Caliph of Islam, Omar Ibn Al-Khattab.

To the North of the city and to the top of Jabel Qal'aa and you'll have reached the Roman Citadel where excavations continue to unearth great findings of earliest settlements. Here the Jordanian Archaeological Museum is certainly worth a visit for anyone interested in exhibits of Dead Sea Scrolls, Roman stone copies of Hellenistic legends as well as other priceless ancient artefacts. The Museum is conveniently located around three sites: the 8th century Omayyad Palace, the 2nd century Temple of Hercules as well as the Byzantine Church flanked by columns and the remains of a wall. A walk beyond the Hercules Temple will bring you to a great spot for viewing Downtown Amman and the Roman Theatre.

P.s. Our camera was left somewhere near the Makam Nabi Musa. Thanks to Sara.....

👈 1995: London, UK

1994: Madinah/Makkah, Saudi Arabia 👉

Saudi Arabia 1994: 2nd Umrah: Madinah/Makkah - Family Umrah and Ziarah trip

"You don't have to have it all figured out to move forward..."

Madinah/Makkah, Saudi Arabia

(3 -13 November 1994)

(Sorry, no pictures)

This was our family trip to the holy lands and a short holiday in Jordan. Our three children, my parent and Mother-in-law were with us.

Our camera with loads of Umrah and holiday photos was lost in Amman. 

👈 1994: Amman, Jordan

1993: Soul, Korea 👉

South Korea 1993: Seoul - The Little Dragon...

"Never let your memories be greater than your dreams..." - Doug Ivester

(Self-tour in Seoul)

Seoul, South Korea

(12 - 18 July 1993)

After my Management Development Program in Manila, hubby flew to Manila and we flew to Seoul, Korea for a week holiday and visited attractions around Seoul.

Seoul’s many attractions and excellent transport links make it South Korea’s number one destination for foreign visitors and the logical place from which to embark on a tour of the country. The capital since 1394, it is a bustling, sophisticated commercial centre, which nevertheless retains numerous reminders of its rich heritage. Seoul’s greatest attractions are perhaps the royal residences, several of which are UNESCO-listed.

Changdokkung Palace is surrounded by the picturesque Secret Gardens, while the nearby Chongmyo Shrine, set in wooded grounds, contains the ancestral tablets of the Kings of the Yi Dynasty. A colourful Confucian ceremony takes place here annually on the first Sunday in May.

(One of the many tourist attractions)

(The War Museum at Seoul Tower)

(Visiting museums and art galleries)

The Museum of Modern Arts is within the grounds of Toksukung Palace, a former royal villa which presents an interesting contrast with the surrounding skyscrapers. Kyongbokkung Palace, the most impressive of the palaces, dates in part to 1394 and has within its grounds the excellent National Folk Museum and temporary displays of treasures from the fantastic collection of the National Museum of Korea, currently being reconstructed. Symbol of Seoul, the Great South Gate Namdaemun was the main gate in the city’s 15th-century defences. Pagoda Park or Tapkol Park commemorates the 1919 Korean Declaration of Independence.
'

(Cultural Village next)

For fine city panoramas it is worth ascending Seoul Tower which sits atop landscaped Namsan Mountain in the heart of the city. The War Memorial and Museum on Yongsan-gu military base traces the history of conflict on the Korean Peninsular. Seoul is a great place to see performances of Korea’s vibrant performing arts. For those interested in finding a unique souvenir, the traditional shopping area of Insadong offers everything from antiques to calligraphy brushes.

(Taking a break at Lotte World)

(Heading back to the hotel)

Bargain hunters will enjoy the city’s huge markets such as the daily East Gate Dongdaemun Market, while for fashion shopping and nightlife the Itaewon district is the place to head for. Lotte World is a massive entertainment complex featuring everything from a major theme park to sports facilities and a luxury hotel.

After spending a week in Seoul, we flew back to Manila and spent a few days in the capital city of Philippines.

👈 2004: Madinah/Makkah, Saudi Arabia

2003: Manila, Philippines 👉

Philippines 1993: Manila - Where Asia wears a smile...

"Happiness makes you smile, sorrow can crush you..."

Manila, Philippines

(18 - 21 May1993)

I was in Manila for nearly two months attending a Leadership Development Program at Asian Institute of Management. Hubby came after the program and we spent a few days in Manila and later flew to Seoul, Korea for a week of relaxing holiday.

Manila, the capital of the Philippines is as different to the delicate white flower after which it was named as you can get. A sprawling metropolis, covering nearly 250,000 sq miles and home to approximately 10 million people, it is almost the antithesis of the rest of this laid back often breathtakingly beautiful archipelago country.

(Manila Hotel)

That's not to say Manila doesn't have its charm. A cultural melting pot where East meets West, where Spanish colonial churches stand side by side with Oriental mosques, where horse drawn carriages vie for road space with jeepneys and homes with no running water or electricity stand in the shadow of steel and glass uber-towers. The largest city in Southeast Asia, Manila is not for the feint hearted, its relentless bustle and notorious nightlife are both enthralling and draining, but if it's action you're looking for, prepare yourself to be spoilt rotten.

(Rizal Memorial)

Philippines 7000 islands that comprise the Philippines are the forgotten islands of South-East Asia. Off the main overland route and with a recent history of martial law and endemic corruption, the country has struggled to attract tourists in the numbers many of its southeast Asian neighbours have. Since the demise of the authoritarian Marcos regime, the Philippines has fared better; however, the last few years have sent the country's fortunes tumbling once again. The Philippines is the most disaster-prone country on earth. It named typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, garbage landslides and military action against Muslim insurgents as just some of the problems both locals and tourists have had to deal with.

(Rizal Memorial)

Despite these difficulties, most of the Philippines is laid back, stable and relatively safe. The country likes to promote itself as the place where 'Asia wears a smile' and the locals are, by and large, an exceptionally friendly and helpful bunch. On top of this, transport is cheap, the food is good, accommodation is plentiful and English is widely spoken.

(One of the beautiful beaches)

👈 1993: Seoul, Korea

1992: Makkah, Saudi Arabia 👉

Saudi Arabia 1992: 1st Hajj & Umrah: Makkah al-Mukarramah - First pilgrimage to the Holy lands...

"We make our own fortunes and call them fate..." - Benjamin Disraeli

Makkah al-Mukarramah
(13 May - 17 June 1992)

Ya Allah,

We intend to perform the Umrah and Haj,

render it easy for us,

and accept it from us...

(Completed our Hajj, jemaah resting at the Dataran)

(Covering from the heat)

Ya Allah,

open for us the doors of Your mercies,

and make easy for us the means of livelihood..

Ya Allah,

Give us contentment in that which

You have provided for us

and bestow us with Barakat therein,

and be a successor of all whom we have left behind...

(A visit to the three Jamra'ats)

(With friends at Jabal Rahmah)

(The Kungfu Master at Jabal Uhud and Jabal Rahmah)

(The view from the top of Jabal Rahmah)

(The iconic monument on top of Jabal Rahmah)

(Riding the camel with Minah, one of my roommates)

Ya Allah,

grant us goodness in this world,

and goodness in the hereafter

and save us from the punishment of the fire...

Ya Allah!

We ask You to exalt our fame

and to ease us of our burdens,to set right our affairs,

to purify our heart

and to appoint light in our grave,

to remit from us our sins

and to bestow unto us the highest of degrees in Paradise...

(An empty street, a few days before wuquf)

(Wuquf day, our tent in Padang Arafah) 

(Mabit in Muzdalifah and spending the night at Mina)

Ya Allah,

We ask You for beneficial knowledge.

and abundance in provision,

and cure us from every ailment...

(Nafar Awal, a long walk back to Makkah from Mina)

(Exhausted after walking for almost 7 miles)

(Nafar Awal and out of ihram)

Ya Allah!

Let not any of our sins go unforgiven,

nor any of our worries undispelled,

nor any of our needs unfulfilled.

Ease our task for us,

relieve our hearts and minds,

and end righteously our deeds...

(Malaysian Jemaah ready to go home)

👈 1993: Manila, Philippines 

1992: Madinah, Saudi Arabia 👉

Saudi Arabia 1992: 1st Hajj & Umrah: Madinah - First pilgrimage to the Holy lands...

"With great passion, observe every details of the sacred journey..."

Madinah al-Munawwarah
(6 - 13 May 1992)

Ya Allah,

we seek virtue and piety from You

in this journey of ours

and the act which pleases You.

Lighten this journey of ours

and make its distance easy for us...

(Masjid Quba')

Daripada Anas bin Malik RA, bahawa Nabi SAW bersabda:

مَنْ صَلَّى فِي مَسْجِدِي أَرْبَعِينَ صَلَاةً، لَا يَفُوتُهُ صَلَاةٌ، كُتِبَتْ لَهُ بَرَاءَةٌ مِنَ النَّارِ، وَنَجَاةٌ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ، وَبَرِئَ مِنَ النِّفَاقِ

Maksudnya: “Barangsiapa yang solat di masjidku (masjid Nabawi) 40 kali solat (40 waktu) dalam keadaan dia tidak pernah terlepas walaupun satu solat (waktu) pun, akan ditulis baginya keselamatan daripada api neraka, pelepasan daripada azab dan terselamat daripada sifat munafiq”.

Out of the forty days, we spent eight days in Madinah before we moved to Makkah for our Haj rites. We also had the opportunity to tour historical places around Madinah and visited Masjid Quba', Masjid Qiblatain and Masjid Tujuh. Another place visited were Jabal Uhud and Kurma Souk.

The Quba Mosque is located in the Hejazi region, built in the lifetime of the prophet Muhammad. It is thought to be the first mosque in the world, built on the first day of Muhammad's emigration to Medina.

(Solat sunat in Masjid Quba')

(A beautiful white mosque, newly renovated)

(Masjid Quba')

On other days, in between solat when time permitted, we roamed around Madinah and explore the holy city on our own.

(Free time spent roaming around Madinah)

(Afternoon tea @ the Square)

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...

(Masjid Nabawi @ the background)

(Self tour around Madinah)

👈 1992: Makkah, Saudi Arabia 

1991: Medan, Jakarta 👉

Indonesia 1991: Medan - Danau Toba the largest lake in South East Asia...

"Man can believe the impossible, but never believe the improbable..." - Oscar Wilde

(All in the family at a Batak Village)

Medan & Dano Toba, Indonesia

(5 - 9 June 1991)

We had a family holiday in Medan, Indonesia during the school short break. On arrival, we spent a night in Garuda Plaza Hotel in Medan. Then we travelled to Lake Toba and spent two nights at the Toledo Inn by the lake. The final night was spent in Garuda Plaza Hotel in Medan again before we fly back to Kuala Lumpur.

(Arriving at Medan Kualanamu International Airport)

(Our transport for the day and to Lake Toba)

Medan is the capital of the province of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Located in the northern part of the province along the coast, Medan is the third largest city in Indonesia. The city is bordered by Deli Serdang Regency to the east, south, and west, and the Strait of Malacca to the north.

(Ready for the day tour)

(Visiting museums and palaces)

(Photo opportunities at the museum)

(Maimun Palace, one of the historical palaces in Medan)

(The interior of the palace and museum)

There are many older buildings in Medan that still retain their Dutch architecture. These include the old City Hall, the central Post Office, the Water Tower, which is Medan City's icon, and Titi Gantung - a bridge over the railway. There are several historic places such as Maimun Palace, where the Sultan of Deli lives, and the Great Mosque of Medan built in 1906.

(Medan Great Mosque - Masjid Raya Al-Mashun)

The next day, very early in the morning we travelled to Lake Toba. There were several options to get to Lake Toba from the city of Medan. The most convenient is the public transports, bus, taxi or train. For our convenience, we rented a van with a driver to transport us to Lake Toba. A Malay couple and their daughter joined us on that trip.

The trip to Parapat via Berastagi took us almost five hours with a few stops along the narrow winding road. The journey was slow as the old rented van was struggling to manage sharp inclines and hairpin bends. The road began levelling when we were nearing the crater of the volcano. Lake Toba is what is left of a huge volcano that erupted near 100,000 years ago. 

From Parapat, we took a ferry to Samosir Island. Also known to the locals as Danau Toba - the giant lake sits at an altitude of 800 meters, and is 100 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide. The lake is situated in the caldera of the huge Toba volcano which erupted about a decade ago. The eruption of Toba was one of the most massive eruptions ever on Earth. The eruption probably lasted two weeks until finally the volcano collapsed and formed the caldera which is now Danau Toba.

(The ferry ride to Samosir Island)

(Ja is nervous to ride the ferry)

The bottom of the volcano rose and formed the island of Samosir which is beautifully situated in the middle of the blue waters of Toba. Danau Toba is a must see of Sumatra. The beautiful Danau Toba was absolutely breathtaking. 

(Visiting souvenir shops)

(Historical sites on the island)

(A guided tour on the island)

(The Batak village and their community)

(At a Batak village on Samosir Island)

(Dinner time at Toledo Inn)

Next morning we joined a large group to visit some attractions around Lake Toba. Sipiso-piso Waterfall is one of the tourist attractions. This waterfall is located in the hills with an altitude of about 800 meters above sea level and is surrounded by pine forests. With a height of about 120 meters, Sipiso-piso Waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls in Indonesia. It has become one of the most popular tourist attractions for domestic and foreign tourists.

The view point is at the top of the hill overlooking the beautiful scenery of Tanah Karo and Samosir Island in the middle of Lake Toba.

(Our hotel by the lake)

(A nice view of Lake Toba)

(Waiting for the Wisata bus)

(Joining a big group for a day tour)

(Visiting Si Piso-piso waterfalls)

(A Cultural village)

(The interior of a heritage house)

(Our three children, Sara, Iwan and Ja)

(Ja under the kolong)

(A replica of a boat)

(The kids were having fun)

(Mirwan Ashran with a scary mask)

(The kids are having a great time together)

(Buying buah salak at the market)

(Back at the hotel - exhausted)

(Time for dinner, the weather was cool)

(A stroll in the garden after dinner)

On the last day at Lake Toba, we checked out early and boarded the ferry back to Parabat where our van was already waiting to drive us back to Medan. We reached Medan early afternoon, ample time for the children to go for a swim in the pool.

Although it was a very short holidays, it was worth spending quality time with our three beautiful kids.

(Early morning departure to Medan)

(Spending a night at Garuda Plaza Hotel)

(Free and easy in the hotel)

(Having a deep in the pool on a humid afternoon)

(Garuda Plaza Hotel in Medan - Goodbye!)

👈 1992: Madinah, Saudi Arabia 

1991: Tiwana, Mexico 👉