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…

Sunday 20 September 2015

2015 Pakistan Day 12: Karachi - Kuala Lumpur

“Our happiest moments as tourists always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else.” — Lawrence Block

(An ethnic figurine in the National Museum)

Day 12: Sunday, 20 September 2015
Route: Karachi – Bangkok - KL 
TG 346/TG 415


After breakfast we brought down our luggage and checked out. We aranged for the luggage to be kept in the hotel and will retrieve them in the afternoon, on the way to the airport.

(A canvas painting in our hotel room)
( A picture with the hotel guard)
(After breakfast, waiting for our transport)

This morning we planned to visit some historical places in Karachi and if we have the time, we would go for a last minute shopping later.

(The side gate of the Jinnah Mausoleum)

Our first stop was at Mazar-e-Quaid also known as the Jinnah Mausoleum or the National Mausoleum. It is the final resting place of the Great Leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, as well as his sister, the Mother of the Nation, Fatima Jinnah, and Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan. Official and military ceremonies take place here on special occasions.

(Basketful of fresh fruits for ice-blended drinks)
(Pomegranate ice-blended drink to quench our thirst)
(The grand entrance of Jamiatul Ulumul Islamiyah)

Our next stop was at Masjid Jame’ New Town also known as Jamiatul Ulumul Islamiyah. It is an Islamic School situated in Banoori Town. The school continues the tradition of the Darul Uloom system initiated by Darul Uloom Deoband. There are more than twelve thousand students in different departments of the Jamiah and its branches, including a number of foreign students. We had a refreshing ice-blended pomegranate juice in a restaurant next door to the mosque.

(A structure at the roundabout in Karachi city)
(Cheap sales before Eid-ul-Adha)

We went back to Mehran Hotel to retrieve our luggage and later had a buffet lunch at one of the restaurant in town and performed our prayers there.

As some of us still wanted to buy some more textiles and saris, we drove to Tariq Road for the Loot Sales but we did not stay long as it was too hot to be walking the streets.

(A painting of Muhammad Ali Jinnah playing snooker)
(Pakistan National Museum)

In the afternoon we visited the National Museum of Karachi. There are at present a total of 11 Galleries in the Museum including an exquisite ‘Quran Gallery’. The National Museum has more than 300 copies of the Quran, out of which around 52 rare manuscripts are on display in the gallery. The Museum also contains important collection of items relating to Pakistan's Cultural heritage.

(Figurines of one of the many ethnic groups)

Some other galleries display Indus Civilization artifacts, Gandhara Civilization Sculptures, Islamic Art, Miniature Paintings, Ancient Coins and Manuscripts documenting Pakistan's Political History. There is also an interesting Ethnological Gallery with life size statues of different ethnicities living in the four provinces of Pakistan. The Museum has a collection of 58,000 old coins dating from 74 Al-Hijra, and hundreds of well-preserved sculptures.

(The many antique coins collection)
(The Quran Gallery))
(An old hand-written Quran on display)

(More displays of the antique Qurans) 
(Miniature displays of  Pakistan's history)

We went for a last minute shopping for souvenir t-shirts at Zainab Mall. The Mall is one of the exclusive market for export leftovers, leather goods, local jewelry, and traditional clothing. There are three markets adjacent to each other which all promote local industry. You can also find authentic leather jackets at a very cheap price. The third section is of local cottage industry which sell cloth, pashmina shawls and stitched clothes.

(BBQ lamb and chicken kebabs for dinner 

It was already dark when we looked for a place to have dinner. Dinner was lamb and chicken mixed grill at one of the restaurant on the way to the Jinnah International Airport. We were at the airport just in time to check-in. We had ample time to perform our prayers at the praying hall in the airport and bought a pair of leather jackets and some souvenir at the duty-free shops.

(Karachi Jinnah International Airport)

Our flight was on schedule. Feeling tired and exhausted, we napped all the way with classic rock blaring in our ears till the plane touched down in KL.

By late afternoon we were back in our Bidara house, safe and sound. Alhamdulillah…

👈👈 Vietnam Fly & Ride:

Saturday 19 September 2015

2015 Pakistan Day 11: Lahore - Karachi

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert

(Arriving at Karachi Cantonment Train Station)

Day 11: Saturday, 19 September 2015
Route: Lahore - Karachi
Distance: 1,286 Km
Hotel: Mehran Hotel


Although the Karakoram Express boast the best train ride, having an experience travelling on the Shalimar Express was not that bad after all. Almost everyone woke up early, taking turn to use the washroom at the end of the carriage. To while away our time we either recite the Quran or listen to the music while waiting for breakfast to be served. There was a Bollywood movie playing on TV but nobody was watching. We had toast and tea for breakfast and try to catch the sunrise on the horizon of Pakistan countryside and the rest of the journey was spent napping till it was time to get ready for arrival.

(My bed at the top-most narrow bunk)
(A man selling tid-bits along the narrow walkway)
(Hyderabad Train Station)
(Busy traffic at the intersection)
(The homeless living in tents)
(Arabic writings on the walls)

When we arrived in Karachi Cantt Station, we were swarmed by porters who were ever ready to carry our heavy luggage for a small fee. From the Railway Station we were swiftly transported to Mehran Hotel for a buffet lunch and had a short rest before our afternoon activities.

(The Karachi Train Station)
(View from the overhead bridge crossing the rail tracks)
(Porters carrying heavy loads of luggage)
(Waiting for our transport to the hotel)
(The lobby of Mehran Hotel)

This afternoon we were brought to the famed Tariq Road. It is located in the heart of Karachi and amongst the top shopping locales of Karachi. There are more than a thousand shops and showrooms in this area, selling jewellery, garments, cosmetics, foods, computers, and footwear. While the rest were looking for Saris and textile, we ended up buying some more kurtas of different types.

(The busy Tariq Street)
(Qingqi and motorbikes add to the congestion)

When the sun began to set, we drove to the beach front and had grilled dory and French fries for dinner at Charcoal BBQ and Grill Restaurant. The food was not bad but no match to their neighbour Kolachi Restaurant which claimed to be better in food and service. Tonight the service was a bit slow as it was a Saturday night with thousands of guests waiting for their dinner to be served too.

(One of the many seaside restaurants)

👈👈 2015: Karachi - KL
2015: Besham – Lahore, Pakistan ðŸ‘‰ðŸ‘‰

Friday 18 September 2015

2015 Pakistan Day 10 : Besham - Lahore

“Today was about chasing sun-rays and sunsets. All things beautiful that give you peace are worth chasing. Everything else isn't…” - April Mae Monterrosa

(Minaret of Badshashi Mosque during sunset)

Day 10: Friday, 18 September 2015
Route: Besham - Lahore
Distance: 612 Km 
Shalimar Express Train

We woke up very early in the morning. By 03:30 we were already on the road and a Police vehicle was already waiting to escort us. We stopped at a mosque for subuh prayers and continued our journey towards Mansehra where we stopped at a restaurant by the highway to have breakfast of roti canai and coffee.

(College students with our guide, Peter)
(The hustle bustle of a busy morning market)
(Mansehra hill-top restaurant and view point)
(Two men waiting for a public transport)
(Qingqi and Donkey cart, other forms of transport)

We bypassed Islamabad and drove on the Grand Trunk Road then entered the M-2 Motorway and had our lunch and prayer break at the R&R. While having our lunch, there was a breaking news on TV. At least 29 people, including an army captain, were killed as militants attacked a heavily-guarded Pakistan Air Force base in Badhaber area on the outskirts of Peshawar early this morning. The armed group Tehreek-e-Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. This was the reason for the extra tight security we noticed along the highway this morning.

(Arriving at the Tol Plaza in Lahore)
(A Police vehicle escorting us in Lahore city) 

We reached Lahore in late afternoon and our coaster was once again escorted by a Police vehicle. As we will be boarding the train to Karachi, we stopped at Hotel Fort View to arrange for packed dinner. At the rooftop restaurant we celebrated a birthday and had Mango lassi while watching the sun set.

(A brief tea break before boarding the train)
(A painting on the wall)
(The rooftop restaurant during sunset)

Although escorted, we had to throng the massive traffic jam of Lahore to get to the Railway Station to board the 20:00 Shalimar Express. The Shalimar Express is a daily express train service between Lahore and Karachi. It covers the 1,286 km distance in more than 18 hours with a few stops at major towns of Faisalabad, Multan cantt, Bhawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Rohri and Hydrabad.

(The busy Lahore Train Station) 
(Saying goodbye to our Police escort)
(Boarding the Shalimar Express)

As it was dark outside, the long-haul train ride was boring at night. With nothing to see or do, right after dinner, we straightened our tired backs on the narrow bed of the 6-berth carriage and slept soundly till morning.

Thursday 17 September 2015

2015 Pakistan Day 09 : Karimabad - Besham

"It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out; it's the grain of sand in your shoe..." - Robert W. Service

(At the confluence of three rivers)

Day 09: Thursday, 17 September 2015
Route: Karimabad – Besham
Distance: 418 Km
Hotel: PTDC Motel

We had breakfast before we checked out and on our way to Besham.

(A writing on the wall of a madrasah)
(A simple sentry point)
(Our escort coming out of his hiding place)

On the way, we stopped at the confluence of Gilgit and Indus rivers and three mountains junction view-points again to have a better view this time.

(A view point of the rivers and mountain ranges)
(A better view high up)
(Where three rivers meet)

(Our coaster and Omar, the driver)
(A common scene, a jeep full of passengers)
(Tourist buses heading towards south)

We were early when we arrived at Shangrila Riverside Resort in Chilas to have lunch. This resort is built on the edge of Indus River with very peaceful and calm atmosphere. This area will one day be under water because of the construction of a Dam. We performed our prayers there and were on our way again passing the site for the Diamer Bhasha Dam Project.

(A tranquil Riverside Resort)
(The view of the Indus River)
(An intricate doorway leading to prayer area) 
(The dam site, work in progress)
(The area to be evacuated and flooded)

We stopped at the same restaurant in Dassu for toilet break and a cup of hot milk tea and roti. And the opportunity to straightened our backs.

(Taking a much needed rest)
(A break to our Police escort too)
(Boys relaxing on a rock next to the mighty Indus)

All the way we napped on and off while Omar drove patiently and carefully along the steep treacherous mountain terrain.

(Road signages on the Karaoram Highway)

We arrived Besham safely late at night and have a hot meal before we retired to our room. We had arranged for a very early wake-up call tomorrow morning. Tonight we washed some dirty cloths and air dried them under the fan.