About Me

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I am married to my loving husband for more than 40 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 24 November 2011

Thailand 2011: Kanchanaburi - Wet Monsoon Ride...

"Life is about laughing and living in good and bad times. Getting through whatever comes our way and looking back with a smile..."

(24 - 29 Nov 2011)

(Seven bikes lined up...)

Day 01: Thursday - 24 November 2011
(KL - Surat Thani)

The bikers gang met at Sungai Buluh R&R and started our ride just after subuh prayer. We rode free and easy on the North-South Highway towards north. The weather was sunny, we had a few stops along the way for refueling and rest.

(The bikers gang)

In Changloon, we settled our motor insurance, filled up border passes and changed money for some Bahts. At Bukit Kayu Hitam, the border entry was simple and easy. The Thai immigration, which is officially called the Sadao Immigration Checkpoint, used to be conducted at Sadao town but has since moved to Dannok just before the border gate of Malaysia/Thailand. We had Tomyam lunch at one of the muslim restaurants in the border town.

We rode on Thailand's National Highway 4 towards Surat Thani. The weather changed suddenly from sunny to heavy rain with some parts of the highway covered with flood water. The highway was a straight road which runs all the way to Bangkok via Hat Yai but the rain had made the road wet and slippery.

(Riding in the rain)

It was already dark when we reached Surat Thani. After checking in at The Grand Thara Hotel, we went for a hearty Sup ekor dinner at one Muslim restaurant by the river side.

(City Pillar Shrine)

Day 02: Friday - 25 November 2011
(Surat Thani - Kanchanaburi)
'
(Group photo by the river bank)

Surat Thani is the capital of the province Surat Thani. It is situated near the mouth of the river Tapi on the Gulf of Thailand. The city offers no major tourist attractions, thus mainly known to tourists as a transfer to the nearby popular islands. The name Surat Thani mean "City of the Good People" but Surat Thani is also known as “the province of a thousand islands” -- many of which lay off the coast in the Gulf of Thailand, including the archipelago that contains Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and the Mu Koh Ang Thong Marine National Park.

(Roti telur breakfast...)

We had late breakfast of roti telur before we started riding towards Kanchanaburi. As it was difficult to look for muslim restaurant on the highway, we had light lunch of bread and tuna at one of the rest areas to fill hungry stomachs.

(Deep in discussion, checking the route...)

We took the main highway via Hua Hin, a famous beautiful beach resort town. Hua Hin Beach extends some five kilometers southwards from a rocky headland until Kao Takiap, a southern headland where a Buddhist temple clings to the cliffs.
'
(Road junctions...)

We reached Kanchanaburi late night. After checking-in The Luxury Hotel, we took a van to have nasi briani dinner at one of the muslim night stalls. After dinner we had a leisure walk back to the hotel to rest. Some detoured to enjoy Kanchanaburi night life, or spend a few hours of therapeutic thai massage or just laze around and listen to live bands at a nearby joint.

Day 03: Saturday – 26 November 2011
(Kanchanaburi)

On the second day in Kanchanaburi, despite an early-morning wake up, everyone seemed bright-eyed and energetic. We had breakfast of toasts and eggs in the hotel restaurant and later decided to rent a van for a personalized tour to some of the major attractions.

Kanchanaburi, is located where the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai rivers converge into the Mae Klong river and is a popular spot for travelers. Located at the edge of a mountain range makes it much cooler than the other provinces of central Thailand. Kanchanaburi boasts a beautiful natural landscape of dense tropical jungles, crisscrossing rivers and streams, and spell-binding waterfalls with emerald-coloured pools.

Hellfire Pass

Hellfire Pass is the name of a railway cutting on the former "Death Railway" which was built with forced labor during the WWII, in part by Allied prisoners of war.

(POW laborers hard at work...)
The pass is noted for the harsh conditions and heavy loss of life suffered by its laborers during construction. Hellfire Pass is so called because the sight of emaciated prisoners laboring was said to resemble a scene from Hell.
'
(Wooden railroad...)
(Pancakes for lunch)

Death railway

In 1942 Kanchanaburi was under Japanese control. It was here that Asian forced laborers and Allied POWs, building the infamous Burma Railway, constructed a bridge; an event immortalized in the film Bridge on the River Kwai. Almost half of the prisoners working on the project died from diseases, maltreatment and accidents.

(Death railway...)
Krasae Cave

This cave, which houses sacred Buddha images, is located approximately 55 km from Kanchanaburi, beside the surviving remnants of the Death Railway overlooking Khwae Noi River near Wang Pho Railway Station. The cave is within walking distance from the railway tracks of Wang Pho Railway Station, the most beautiful view point along travelling by train Kanchanaburi - Namtok Train Station.

(Railway by the River Kwai...)
(Bridge over the River Kwai)

Bridge over the River Kwai

The infamous Bridge over the River Kwai is probably the most visited attraction in Kanchanaburi. Once a year a carnival comes to town and is set up in the area next to the bridge. At night there is a small pyrotechnics display that re-enacts the wartime bombing of the bridge. The Death Railway is, today, one of the most scenic rail routes in the country.

(Floating restaurants)
JEATH War Museum

(Art Gallery and War Museum)

In Kanchanaburi there is a memorial and two museums to commemorate the dead. The Thailand-Burma Railway Museum and the JEATH War Museum dedicated to the bridge and the Death Railway. The city is also home to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.

Day 04: Sunday – 27 November 2011
(Kanchanaburi - Krabi)

(Petronas Petrol Station, Kanchanaburi)

We started riding early morning from Kanchanaburi and headed towards Krabi. On the way we detoured and had lunch at one Muslim restaurant and performed our solat at a nearby madrasah.

(Solat break...)

Using the Garmin to navigate, we thought of taking a short cut but we were met with a dusty rough road and we had to turn back and took the highway instead.

(Off-roading for a short distance...)

We reached Ao Nang beach, Krabi late night in the rain and checked-in Ben’s House, a cosy boutique resort. Later we took a tuk-tuk for a hearty tomyam dinner.

(Taking the right junction...)

Due to its central location in the Andaman Sea and to its fabulous topography and sporting opportunities, Ao Nang is arguably Thailand’s best all-round beach destination. It is predominately a family and sports destination. Whilst it lacks wild nightlife, it does have a few relaxed bars and nightclubs.

(Abundance of muslim restaurants...)

Day 05: Monday – 28 November 2011
(Krabi - Hatyai)

(One of the Ao Nang beaches...)

We checked-out early and before we headed to Hat Yai, we stopped for a hearty nasi kerabu breakfast and stopped at the beach front for photo shots of the pristine sandy beach and later went shopping at the many souvenir shops along the beach.

(Beautiful pristine beach...)

Ao Nang itself has two idyllic, unspoilt beaches, which are lapped by clear, warm water. Other beaches are located on a number of outlying islands which can be accessed cheaply and quickly from Ao Nang by local long-tail boats. Thai and muslim food is abundant in Ao Nang and is available 24 hours a day.

We reached Hat Yai late afternoon. The Versys riders rode off to spend the night at Dannok. We stayed back with another couple and spent the night at The Lee Gardens Hotel.

(City skyline from the 27th floor...)

Hat Yai, a city in southern Thailand near the Malaysian border is the largest city of Songkhla Province, the largest metropolitan area in Southern, and third largest metropolitan area of the country. It is often mistaken as being the capital of the province, but Songkhla is the capital and the center of administration and culture, while Hat Yai is the business center. Hat Yai is well-known as a shopping destination for both Thais and foreigners. There are numbers of department stores and markets around the city.

Day 06: Tuesday – 29 November 2011
(Hatyai - KL)

(Ready to ride back...)

We had breakfast in the hotel restaurant and went for a last minute shopping for t-shirts and gloves. We checked-out at noon and rode towards the Thailand/Malaysian border. We had lunch at Dannok and headed direct to KL in the heavy rain with a few pit stops for refueling...

Route taken: KL – Bkt Kayu Hitam – Dannok – Surat Thani
– Kanchanaburi – Krabi – Hat Yai – Dannok
– Bkt Kayu Hitam – KL
Bikers gang: Mus/Mun, Din/Yati, Azim, Chon, Zali, Rozlan and Syed
Total mileage: 3,300 km

Sunday 17 July 2011

Thailand 2011: Betong (II) - Riding across the border just the two of us...

"Don't let someone else's opinion of you become your reality..." - Les Brown

(July 17 - 19, 2011)

(At the Immigration Centre for border check)
(Butterfly Princess Hotel)
(The Post Office and biggest mail box)
(Riding around following the road signs)
(Cooking eggs in the boiling water @ The Hot Spring)
(Jungle trekking to the communist tunnel)
(Exploring the Piyamit Tunnel)
(Taking a rest @ Winter Flower Garden)
(Resting area along the winding road)

Route taken: KL - Grik - Betong - Tapah - KL
Total mileage: 900 km



Monday 18 April 2011

Saudi Arabia 2011: Makkah Al-Mukarramah - Our 10th Umrah and Ziarah trip...

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on..." - Franklin D Roosevelt

Makkah al-Mukarramah
Al-Mohdar Diamond Hotel
(18 - 25 April 2011)

Monday - 18 April 2011
Madinah - Makkah

(Painting on the hotel wall)

After solat Zohor, we performed the Ziarah Wida' to bade good-bye to Rasullullah SAW with a promise to come again to this holy land. We started the 5-hour journey to Makkah in our ihram attire. The bus stopped at Bir Ali Mosque for miqat and we performed our solat sunat ihram and niat for our first Umrah. All along the journey we recited the doa and talbiah before we entered the holy city of Makkah.

(Miqat at Masjid Bir Ali)

We checked-in Al-Mohdar Diamond Hotel, situated just behind Hilton Makkah, a 10 minute walk to Masjidil-Harram. After a short rest, led by Ustaz Halim, we performed the Tawaf dan Sa'ei and completed our 1st Umrah by midnight.

(Performing the tawaf at night)
(Clean shaven after 1st Umrah)

Tuesday - 19 April 2011
Makkah - Tannaim

After breakfast we took a taxi to Tannaim for miqat and performed our 2nd Umrah. The rest of the day was spent in the room resting and performed the solats in Masjidil-Haram.

(Air-conditioned praying area)

Wednesday - 20 April 2011
Makkah - Tannaim

We went to Tannaim again today to miqat for our 3rd Umrah.

(One of the historical pillars in Masjidil-Haram)

Thursday - 21 April 2011
Makkah – Ja’ranah

(Saying prayers on Jabbal Rahmah at Padang Arafah)

We started early morning and the bus headed for Ja'ranah, which is 20 km away from Makkah to miqat. On the way we stopped at Jabal Thur, Jabal Nur, Jabal Rahmah at Padang Arafah, Mina and Mudzalifah.

(The 5-storey Jamrat and tents for Haj season)

We were amazed by the new developments especially the five storey Jamrah stone throwing (melontar) location.

(Miqat at Masjid Ja'aranah)

We completed our 4th Umrah before the Zuhur solat.

Friday - 22 April 2011
Makkah - Tannaim

(Building under construction on fire)

Today we took a taxi to Tannaim to miqat for our 5th Umrah. Since Friday was the weekend holiday in Saudi Arabia, Masjidil Haram was packed with worshippers hours before the noon Friday prayers. We elected to remain in Masjidil Haram till the completion of the Friday prayers.

Saturday - 23 April 2011
Makkah – Hudaibiah

(At the camel farm)

The whole group headed to Hudaibiah by bus after breakfast. Ustaz Halim narrated the history about the Treaty of Hudaibiah, between Muslims and the enemies. On the way we stopped at a camel farm to drink camel milk and bought a bottle to bring back to the hotel. We did not have the opportunity to meet the Melaka born imam of the Hudaibiah mosque.

(The ruins of old Masjid Hudaibiah)

After buying some trinkets, we went back to Makkah to complete our 6th Umrah before the Zuhur solat.

Sunday - 24 April 2011
Makkah – Jeddah


(Masjid Kisas in Jeddah)

Today is our last day in Makkah. We took a taxi to Tannaim to miqat for our 7th Umrah. After resting a while in the hotel room we went back to Masjidil-Haram to performed our Tawaf Wida' and recited our doa at the Multazam. We checked out after lunch and departed Makkah for Jeddah around 2.30 pm. We had a short city tour of Jeddah, passing maqam Siti Hawa, Masjid Qisas and Masjid Terapung (Masjid Siti Rahmah) at the Red Sea.

(Floating Masjid Siti Rahmah by the Red Sea)

By 5.00 pm we checked-in Jeddah International Airport and had packed dinner at the boarding lounge. The flight from Jeddah to Ammam was a little delayed so we had time to perform the solat jama’ Maghrib and Isyak.

Monday – 25 April 2011
Amman – Kuala Lumpur

The 2-hour flight reached Amman around 10.00 pm. We transited for 4 hours in Amman Airport before we boarded the flight back to Kuala Lumpur. We had some coffee to unsuccessfully help keep us awake while waiting for the flight.

The flight safely reached KLIA 7.30 pm after an hour stoppage in Bangkok. Alhamdulillah…

We are already planning for the next trip…..

(Fly away...)

Friday 15 April 2011

Saudi Arabia 2011: Madinah Al-Munawarah - Our 10th Umrah and Ziarah Trip...

"Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful..."

Madinah al-Munawarah
Elaf al-Taiyibah Hotel
(15 - 17 April 2011) 

Friday - 15 April 2011
Amman – Madinah

From the Syrian border our POTO group went direct for a Morrocan lunch at Tawaheen Al-Hawa situated in a suburb of Amman. After retrieving the rest of our luggage, we headed to Amman International Airport to catch the 7.15 pm onward flight to Jeddah.

The flight to Jeddah took 2 hours. After immigration and customs clearance, we were greeted by Ustaz Halim. He was our local guide and Mutawwif throughout our visit in Madinah and Makkah.

Saturday - 16 April 2011
Madinah

We boarded the bus for a 5-hour journey to Madinah with one stop at Yaman Restaurant for supper. We reached Madinah and checked-in the Elaf At-Taiyibah Hotel just in time for solat Subuh at Masjid Nabawi.

(Hotel Elaf Al-Taiyibah at the background)

After breakfast we had time to rest in the room until prayer times. After solat Asar, lead by Ustaz Halim, the group went to visit historical places around Masjid Nabawi.

(Entrance to Maqam Rasulullah)

After solat Isya', the ladies were lead by an Ustazah to visit Maqam Rasullullah and Maqam Saidina Abu Bakar and Saidina Othman. At the Raudah, the gardens of Jannah, we recited the selawat and conveyed the salam from family members and friends and performed our solat sunat and recited our doas.

(Inside Masjid Nabawi)

Sunday - 17 April 2011
Madinah

After a hearty breakfast we gathered at the lobby at 7.00 am for the ziarah around Madinah city and visited Masjid Quba’ the first mosque of the muslims, Masjid Qiblatain - the mosque where the qiblat was changed from Baitul-Muqaddis to Kaabah and passed by Masjid Tujuh.

(Masjid Quba')
(Masjid Qiblatain)

We visited Jabal Uhud and Maqam Saidina Hamzah and the Shuhada’ and recited doa for them. On the way back we stopped at Tamar Souk to buy dates and nuts.

(Jabal Uhud)
(Tamar Souk)

After ‘solat Asar, we gathered in the dining hall and recited the tahlil and listened to a short tazkirah by Ustaz Halim.

(Ice-cream kiosk)
(Cakes and donuts for Sara's birthday)