Our family umrah trip by road

Journey from Qatar to Riyadh to Madinah then Mekah and back to Qatar by road.

 It has been long since we ever made a long trip journey other than to Malaysia since we had Mishel. We thought to give any trip a rest, until the kids got slightly bigger. But at the end of March, somehow we were invited to go to Mekah to perform Umrah. Alhamdulillah.. not everyone are invited, it is the most privileges invitation a muslim can have. Be it you have all the money in this world, if HE didn’t invite you, then you will not be allowed to go.. and if HE decided to invite you.. a short notice invitation is all it takes for HE is the best planner of the universe. AllahuAkbar.

I just started a new job with a completely new field in an oil and gas industry. I was always TV/Media kind of person. Have always been in operation and now, migrated, in hope to achieve a better mindset and a better family-oriented kind-of job. Yes.. I am thankful, now I am working 7-3.. just nice for school hours.. yes, although Maqeel and Mishel are currently at home, but soon they’ll join the nursery too.. so this is by far, the best job option Allah had granted me with. Alhamdulillah.. another Arafah prayer has been answered.

I started my new work officially on 12th of March, luckily enough, my boss allow me to go for a short break from 26th until 30th March for this short-notice umrah trip, and back to work the following Sunday.. blissed.. and I tought I’m going to feel tired and restless.. but I was wrong.
Thanks to Mr.Ai’s brilliant plan, we manage to complete our Umrah and Ziarah mission in 5 days, without feeling restless, nor tired. Here we share our itinerary to Umrah by road in hope that many more people could benefit from this and get their chance of invitation too.

25th March 2013

1400hrs we pushed off to border and completed the whole yada yada process in approximately 2 hours. Made our way to Riyadh and reached our hotel around 2230hrs.

26th March 2013
0900hrs we pushed off to Medina Al Eiman Taibah (N 024 48.969, E 46 37.947). Reached there just nice for Asr prayer. Parked our car, checked in.. then rushed to Masjid Ad-Nabawi. The hotel is not too far from the masjid.. a 5 minutes walking distance, which is acceptable. That night, after Isyak, I went to Raudah with my P.A.. Yup.. our main point of going to umrah must be because of her.. she is quite warak and never have left Dhuha prayer.. and Alhamdulillah.. our journey has been made easy, and I believe it is partly because of her too. Allah have given her this rezk by inviting the whole family. My experience in Raudah also was easy this time. I could just walk straight to the very last point where they stopped you to wait for your group turn just before the Raudah..but still, it took about an hour of patience to be allow an entrance.. finally.. I manage to enter and perform my solat there.. praying.. hoping that all that I have asked for came true. InsyaaAllah.

27th March 2013
0800hrs we pushed for Masjid Quba’ (N 24 26’17.6” E 39 37’03.5” ). He who take wuduk from home then perform 2 solat sunat in Quba’ will be granted the same amount of rewards as if performing Umrah. InsyaaAllah..

After prayer, we visited masjid Qiblatain (N 24 29 02.2”, E 039 34” 43.4”), Madinah Quran factory (N 24 30’55.6”, E 39 32’ 19.9”) then straight to Miqot Bir Ali (N 24 24’ 53.8” E 39 32’ 34.1”)..before continuing to Mekah.
Note: If you thought about putting wakaf copies of Quran in Masjid Nabawi or Masjidil-Haram, please be sure to put the version printed from Madinah Quran factory. If they see any other version, it will eventually be removed and put into other masjid. So be sure to get the original copy from the factory shop itself, not from stalls selling Quran outside of the masjid area. The Medina Quran factory opening hours is from 0730am till 12pm. And only men are allowed to go in for visit. Women can only enter the shop. Visitors to the factory will be granted a free copy of Al-Quran.

We reached Miqot Bir Ali at around 10am, we changed to ihram and set our umrah niyah. LabaikAllah.. humalabbaik.. 5 hours later, we reached the Kuday free parking area (N 21 23’54.6”, E 39 49’39.5”), pared there and then took taxi to our hotel in Mekah Al-Mukarammah (N 021 25.17”, E 39 49.607”). Alhamdulillah.. just in time for Asr prayer. After Asr, we performed our Umrah.
One of the experience that I felt was meant to happened to teach me a lesson was, when I got separated from my family. I was carrying Mishel in my arm, while performing tawaf.. she cried most of the time due to the heat.. I then opened up her clothes and pray that she’ll get better and sleep. Thankfully, after the 5th round, she fell asleep. I finished my tawaf, and still hoping to find my family again.. but I couldn’t. Then it was almost time for Maghrib, so I took sleeping Mishel into the women’s praying area. Still praying and hope that my family will find me. But they didn’t.
 It was somehow meant to be, I didn’t have any money or my phone with me.. it was hanged on the wheelchair that carries Myra and Maqeel.. . After Maghrib Mishel was hungry.. thankfully somebody gave us 2 pieces of Tamar, more than enough for us to gain some extra energy to perform Sai’e. I went to Safar, hoping that I’ll see them.. but still.. no sign of them at all. Luckily, I got to borrow one of the nice men phone to send a text msg. I then perform Sai’e with Mishel in my arm.. feeling just like Siti Hajar.. running back and forth looking for water and food for her child. I could hardly bare her in my arm anymore.  After Isyak, we settled, we went back to our hotel, I was barefooted. Luckily enough, the bell boy remembers me, as Maqeel’s Ummi. He hand me another copy of the hotel card, so I manage to go in to rest.
Alhamdulillah.. even in the worst, Allah still provide helps, one after another.. and if I hadn’t been separated, I wouldn’t have appreciate it more than I am today.
It was an experience to remember.
That night, I took Shaklee Collagen and 4 tabs of Shaklee Ostematrix. My arm was numbed .. ached all over from shoulder down to my back. But I woke up feeling fresh and re-charged.. ready for more.. Alhamdulillah. Click here if you need more info of the product. Highly recommended as they are very very good.

28th March 2013
We stayed 2 night in Mekah.. and Alhamdulillah.. Allah has answered my prayer.. finally, I got to kiss Hajar’ul Aswad.. something that I have not considered from my last 2 visit to Mekah before.

29th March 2013
After performing tawaf Widaa’, we stop by the Zam-zam distribution center in Kuday, then pushed off to Riyadh.. the most long and tiring journey.. 9 hours to be exact.

30th March 2013
After a nice and relaxing time, we made our way back to Doha. Reached Saudi border at 1430pm and finished by 1450pm. Yup.. going out is fairly easy and fast. We reached Qatar border at 1515pm, performed our jamak prayer and safely entered Qatar at 1523pm, stopping at Hyatt Plaza for a nice family meal.. before heading home to Gharrafa.

It was amazingly smooth and everything was somehow made very easy for us. Alhamdulillah.. may we be invited again someday.

My Shaklee e-store

Hi all (if I still have any follower that is :)

Check out my other blog, mostly talk about our personal experience with Shaklee health product. We are satisfied-customer turn distributor. Drop by to see latest update and promotion from time to time.

TQ!

Saya sukavitamin.com

12.12.12

Dear Maqeel,

It's your 2nd birthday today. I could still remember the day I went to the hospital.. thinking that you'd be out in a jiff.. how i was wrong.. but Alhamdulillah.. all good now. May Allah protect you all the time.. so you grow to be a good Muslim, a true khalifa of the world, a dear son, continue to be a loving brother that you're already is and loved by many. Stay humble and true to yourself..

Love you always,
Mommy

World of Oz

Yup.. blog yang bersarang tebuan.. shud be ready for harvesting now :P

Just so you know.. I am a mother of three now! yup.. I can't myself digest that very fact just yet.. so pardon my so many excuses of not updating the blog.

Last raya, we went back to Malaysia.. and yes.. it was a very tricky and tiring journey with the 3 kiddos. Myra is an angel - Maqeel on the other hand.. hmmmm pffff kne banyak sabor ajela. Sampai Mr.Ai said.. that's it.. our next vacation will only happen in 3 years time! yikes.. 

Talking about vacation, during our last stay in Malaysia, we managed to steal time to escape to Oz.. not that Dorothy-red-shoes-world-of-Oz.. it's AUSSIE mate! I 'accidentally' booked the flight like a year ago.. so with no choice.. hafta drag my poor hubby and 2 kiddos along with the crazy adventure.. ahaks. Mishel (that's my latest daughter) being left in Malaysia with the nanny and my lovely MIL. But I still blame it on Airasia.. not gonna fall for their promo trick anymore! :P

And best part is, another fren and her family also being hasuted to follow.. siap tolong plankan itinerary lagi :D (I use the same-above-mentioned-excuse of having 3 kiddos-and-no-spare-time.. so slamat takyah plan this time around hik hik)

So here goes the story of our vacation..


The other family (capt's) flew in to Melbourne a day earlier, so they fetch us from the airport.. Mmg plan yg sangat cantik. We rented a motorhome - yup! another motorhome adventure :) for a week, they have the motorhome for a day before we came, and we have the motorhome a day after they left and shared the other 6 days we were together venturing Melbourne-Sydney and back.



Picture courtesy of Capt's - i so love this pics.. :)











24Aug- After being fetched from the airport.. Mr Herol directly brought us all to Lake mountain resort, which is only 2 hours away to play some snow! Yup.. the still tired-and-restless-and-smelly-us juz follow the flow. No time to waste! hehe.(And in case you are wondering.. Oz takde snow ke? nape nak kne gi mountain resort? yup.. check your fact before planning your holiday, if you are after a snow fun adventure, know that even the country is in winter season.. with freezing cold-temperature, it doesn't necessarily have snow. You just have to go up the mountain, and yess.. the road is not that bad and scary, our motorhome were fit enough to climb us there safe n sound. Before entering the resort, there's a ticket booth to pay, and a-must-by-law tire chain to be rented (just in case we are stuck with heavy-snow, which is not in our case because end of August is already towards the end of winter in Oz- so less snow). Fyyyuohhh 

Snow overalls, boots and tobbagon are also available for rent.
Despite the cold and windy surrounding, the kids enjoyed their time playing snow and tobbagon for a bit. Yup.. like in any European country, shops and in this case snow resort are closed at 4, so off we go to our first campsite Marysville Caravan park, which is not far from the resort.


25Aug - The crazy long adventure begins. We traveled to Sydney! A 9 hours journey to be exact. Stayed and relax at Lane Cove River Tourist park
The next following day, taking our sweet time exploring the Opera House, Wildlife Sydney & Aquarium (Which I don't really recommend, as there is no fun watching animals from behind the glass) But then again.. kids still enjoy their time. We then take the infamous harbour cruise, which lucky for us, got a major saving ticket pack for parents and kids on Saturday.
A short but worthy of our travel time to Sydney.. coz come to think of it.. bile lagi nak sampai Sydney kan?
After the free and easy experienced, we head back to Lane Cove River Tourist park for overnight. Next morning, a quick stop at Sydney town for a shop and dine at Mamak, Chinatown. We had great time watching roti canai terbang (flying paratha) show there. 3 canaiteer- specially imported from Penang, Malaysia just to make roti canai in Sydney, how cool is that, huh?! 

Supposedly, we were meant to stop by another campsite, but because of the unsatisfying experience we had with the Wildlife Sydney. One thing, they don't even have Kangaroo! (Kangaroo section was closed for renovation) and another.. it's like seeing the animals in the zoo- no direct contact with the animal like we'd imagined. Mr.Ai and Mr.Herol decided to stay awake and take the 16hours drive to Phillip Island Wildlife Park. During which, we accidentally came to a Bull Point lookout point, having the most amazing view from the hill down towards the ocean.


Phillip Island was crazy fun.. it's worth every second of Mr.Ai and Mr.Herol's sacrificed time staying awake. Kids love it.. and we love it too. The Wallabies and Kangaroo run free.. we can touch and feed them with no fear at all. At first they look a bit intimidating, especially during our first encounter with the hungry Kangaroo- she literary hopped towards us and snatch the brown-paper-bag from my hand! But the kangaroo is actually harmless.. and very tame. Even Maqeel found it very easy to adjust and tease the Wallabies and Kangaroos.   

After the park, we dropped by A-Maze-N-Thing which have may amazing stuff that one can't think is possible! It sure challenged one's mind ;)

After the long unshowered journey, we head back to Melbourne city, overnight at Ashley Garden Parks. which is conveniently located near to the city, and easy access to the airport too. Oh.. not forgetting our quick stop at K-Mart along our way to Melbourne... buying silicone molds! Thanks to Capt's.. terguda jugak aku beli.. because they're not just cute, but cheap too! 2dollar, 5 dollar, and max 10 dollars top, for a cake carrier! mane tak borong.. huhu

The next morning, is our turn to send Capt and Family to the airport.. Since we have the motorhome until the next evening, we have decided to venture to The Great Ocean Road.. going to see the amazing 12 Apostle.

It was the right decision to make, the 12 Apostle was great.. a no-money-can-buy and no-word-can-desribed sight.

We overnight at the nearest campsite. Then head back to Melbourne the next morning. Returned the motorhome safe and sound.. checked in to Formule 1 hotel (located at the heart of Melbourne city), browsing through Melbourne city.. was unfortunate as the Queen Victoria Market was already closed, even before 3pm. But fortunate enough to have other stores opened till 8pm (they usually closed as early as 5 if not for weekend night). Early next morning took the shuttle van-taxi to the airport- for our flight home to Malaysia.

Aussie.. thanks for the wonderful experienced.. we love cha :)

Malaysia be-reak

One and a half years since I last came back to my home country. Finally the day has come.. 16 December 2011. We've booked the ticket long ago, and can't really believe that it finally arrived. It was Maqeel's first journey back to Malaysia. He didn't show much curiosity during the flight. Might be because of the late hour, just few crack of cries.. until he felt asleep.. and yeah.. the baby bassinet is no help for my too-lenghty-of-1year-old-infant. He'll sense it every time we try to put him in, and will burst with yet another cries.
Long story short..after few hours, we arrived safely with no serious turbulence .. hooray!

Bagan Lalang
2nd days in Malaysia, we went to HM seafood restaurant in Bagan Lalang, Sepang. It was my plan for my side of family get-together. I chose the place via the recommendation that I got from the internet. I didn't realized that the place was quite far. But okla.. worth the travel n trouble :)
Food was nice.. and reasonably priced. We got all there is on the menu for our big feast, and yet harge kiteorg makan beramai-ramai (there were 13adults and numbers of nieces n nephews) murah dari macam harge makan kat TGIF kat doha utk 5adults.

So for those yang blank taktau nak makan ape whilst in KL/Selangor.. go to Bagan Lalang.. no need to go to Melaka anymore. Here's their website for more details; http://www.hmsribaganlalang.blogspot.com/ 

yummilicious seafood - demm i miss u!

While you are there, do try out their famous pepahat masak cili.. for me ok ok la.. but tgk tak sampai 5 minit dihidang.. dah licin.. so must be super-delicious to others :)



JPO
The next day, we made our way to Johor Premium Outlet. Yeah yeah I know.. so many people are overly excited about this newly opened branded outlet in Malaysia, and have check it out with their full swing of reviews. Well.. doesn't hurt to add another one from me.
I was excited ever since I was in Doha, preparing our long list of itinerary and things to eat when I heard that the first phase of the outlet is finally ready to public.
But my excitement went down a little the minute I arrived - I saw too crowded a place. (Well I am famously known to hate crowds, well not THAT famous hehe)
The outlet is new, and not running in full swing yet, so I guess we hafta cut some slack for any of it's down-sided.
In term of shopping, mainly in clothing- looking for sizes are a real challenge and there aren't that many choices anymore, maybe due to the fact that when we arrived, the so called super-mega sale just ended days ago.. so what left is just either too expensive stuff or too ugly and not that many the "in-between".

Don't judge the crowd by this picture :P

Dalam duk susah nak carik tu, dapat jugakla rembat sepasang CK (NOT Calvin Klein hehe), a wristwatch, pairs of baju kecik, a suit for him and some jeans n tops for the kids. Not bad.. jadilah sikit-sikit.. kang kopak pulak kan. Hehe.And the wristwatch nye price is not too bad.. berbaloi beli.. cam tak jauh beza ngan harge kat US.

But one thing that I still can't get my mind off was the time when I dengan slambe badaknye masuk Burberry shop from its upper-side entrance to find rows of people queuing in agony at the lower-ground entrance. What the?! Klaka.. why queue on the first place? Pastu buat dua entrance lak tu.. and jage satu side je.. kesian mereka2 yang tertipu.. (luckily wasn't me) hiks..

And yeah another good point of having this outlet in Malaysia is finally ade proper surau, and most of the salesgirl/salesman are from Malaysia, so sonang nak cakap lam BM.. kalau tak bergulung lidah den nak bertanye hehe..(seb baik takleh tawar menawar je.. :D)

After few hours, we left to Pulai Spring Resort, that was suppose to be near and convenient for a stay nearby the outlet, but I find it to be rather contrary.. Tapi, sebab kiteorg bayar harge promosi.. tak banyak komplen la.. duduk ajela.. hehehe

Melaka
The next day, we made our way to Melaka. Konon-konon nak jalan-jalan cuti-cuti malaysia.. wanted to bring the kids to see the Taman Mini Melaka, A famosa, and tempat-tempat yang sewaktu dengannye. That night we even ride the boat along the Melaka River.. bes sangat.. the view is fantastic at night! They've cleaned up Melaka well! I specially like the rows of rumah melaka village and the graffiti paints of Melaka well known legends and such. Such a beauty! I'd say even better look than the ever so-famous gondola ride in Venice.

Next day we when for a tricycle ride or also locally known as "beca" around the city (well not quite around the city, just few tourist attraction site). Myra and Maqeel got really excited..posing here and there for pictures (which we still kept in our laptop.. so god knows when that'll be out to public haha).

I love going to Melaka now, the place is not only historical, but also well kept and clean. The only thing that I didn't get to do following my itinerary was our visit to Taman Mini Melaka.. sadly they closed for renovation. I hope we get to go again during our next break in hari raya (yup! we are going back for raya this year..yay yay insyaallah).

Around KL
One day, we brought the kids to see KLCC, KL tower and around the Perdana lake to see the Tugu Negara, along with their two cousins. It was a fun outing. The first experience for their cousins too. yeah, I understand.. nobody will tot about visiting this place while living in Malaysia, but now that we are out, tot they are pretty interesting place. Next time, we'll go to the Zoo Negara, Istana Negara n all k Myra, Maqeel?

Thunder n lightning everywhere.. but luckily it didn't rain

That night, we went to Wong Solo Ayam penyet in kampung baru. Oh man, why is that nobody ever tells us that kampung baru is no longer safe for feeding! Maqeel vomitted horribly that night. And not until afternoon, we discovered that most of us too were poisoned resulting with diarrhea and stomach pain! I hate WONG SOLO! Remember guys.. be careful with this place! We ate the (delicious self-made chili in the bottle, but ended up with food poisoning.. so i guess the chili must be old)

Jump around! (yeah lucky two who didn't get poisoned)

PENANG
The following day, is the day to travel to Penang. We've already booked our hotel in Penang, so despite not feeling good.. we had to proceed with our journey to Penang. Poor aza, she had everything ready and excited to bring us to all interesting places in Penang, but we ended up not being well enough to enjoy :(
Not even had the appetite to eat all sort of food in Penang. I'm sorry Penang, maybe some other time we'll meet again k?

Nonetheless we didn't left Penang empty handed, got the chance to visit Rumah P.Ramlee, Toy Museum and Hard Rock (why is hard rock becoming places of interest for Malaysian i don't know??? tapi mestii sume nak gi situ n buy a souvenir.. are we somehow being brain-washed by it??? Pelik tapi benar). Mengagahkan diri untuk pergi jugak jalan2 even sikit sebab pikir, bile lagi?

I don't have any picture of the interesting rumah P.Ramlee.. will upload it once I got it transferred.For now, tgk gambo the brain-washed keras batu jela.. hehe

"Keras Batu"

Journey to Hajj 1432- sneek peek

Hajj - the plan

9 days to go. InsyaAllah..

Today we've got our rough itinerary. Hopefully everything run smoothly according to plan. May Allah grant us sabr.


We are travelling through Hamlah Ali (one of the hajj agent here) to Makkah & Madinah by bus. Yup.. You read me right, by bus.

The plan is to gather on Thursday, 27th of Oct 2011 (29th Dzul Qa'da 1432) at 11:30am at Masjid Aspire near to Khalifa Stadium.  We have 2 groups, with 3 buses; 2 buses coming from Doha and another bus from Al Khor. This is different than the journey that our friends took last year, which was scheduled at night. Well there must be a hikmah disebalik, though this just mean, not that many people can see us through before the journey.. ramai mase tu mesti tengah kerja. It's ok. Maybe it is for the better.InsyaAllah.

Then we were told that in Makkah, we will get the chance to use the interchange train (that was meant for people coming from Saudi and the Gulf countries for now). Alhamdulillah.. another plan for a smoother journey. InsyaAllah.

This mean, we only have another Friday here before 'the awaiting journey begins'.

May Allah protect us all.