The Wonderful Journey (Part 7)

The View From The Red Sea Hotel

Before we leave KSA, we spent a night in Jeddah. We stayed at Red Sea Hotel which I noticed as the most favourite hotel for tourists since it's closed to Balad Market. The hotel was nice however it's the old luxury hotel. Balad market is a trade centre which sells abaya, perfumes, rugs, key chains, wallet and souvenirs to bring home. They also sell branded things with lower prices. The most important thing was there was a stall that sell Indonesian meatballs. I love it!! You have to buy carpets there cause they are in good quality and come in affordable prices and it can be delivered via courier to Indonesia.

Then in our way to airport we visited Jeddah Floating Mosque which located at Corniche along the Red Sea coastline of Jeddah. This was my second time being there. It's more beautiful than I remembered because last time I've been here was in the dawn just before the sunrise so everything was dark. The mosque is actually built in the sea and the high tide so it seems like to be floating in the water. The wind blew so hard, but the sun was shine so bright. I had to hold my umbrella tightly to prevent from the hard wind.

Always looking forward to be back to this city in the future.

Cheers, Dhidie

Beautiful Wall at Red Sea Hotel

Balad Markets

The Favourite Shop Toko Ali Murah

Yummy...

Picture from the front of the floating mosque

the mosque tower

Umbrellas

The Wonderful Journey (Part 6)

Still in Madinah. In the other day, we had opportunity to explore more of this city. Another place that we have to visit in Madina is Masjid Quba. This place was our Prophet (SAW) accompanied by Abu Bakr first arrived and stayed after emigrating from Makkah. And this date marked as the beginning of Islamic Calendar or Hijra. The masjid itself was beautiful and we performed tahiyat-ul-masjid prayer by the time we arrived.

Another mosque to visit was Masjid Qiblatain. This place was very important for moslem, since this place was where the revelation of Quran came to change the direction of qibla from Bait Al Maqdis in Jerusalem to Kaba in Makkah.  This masjid used to have two mehrabs, one in directions of Bait Al Maqdis and one towards Kaba. However the old mehrab now is been covered. This moment was remembered of the independent of moslem from Jews.

The Wonderful Journey (Part 5)

Madina come to be my most favourite city in the world. The city is very calm and serene. But the most important thing is our Prophet (SAW) chose this city as hijrah destination. I've told my best friend that if I she could not find me anywhere, she could find me in Madina.

This was my second time to visit the city and it's not change at all. And I still love it, cause I feel really close to our Prophet (SAW) and I could say that I could stay forever here in Madina. 

I love wandering around in the morning only to take a breath of fresh air and see the beautiful buildings and birds those flocking around the clock tower. There are some places to visit nearby the Nabawi Mosque. Maybe not many people know there is one place that very important just few metres from the mosque gate. The place was used as the meeting place when people decided who will take a lead after our Prophet (SAW) died. Its name Sokaifat Bani Saedah. It's now a park that still well-maintained. You can read the history about this venue all over the internet.

Not too far from the park there are Asmaul Husna Museum. It the must visit place, it's very modern museum and it has big screen to show how the Almighty Allah SWT in creating this universe and we're just nothing compare to the universe.

 I'm thinking that I have to visit this place again with my kids. 

Then the local market not too far from the museum. All local traders those usually sell their things in a way to the mosque now located here in one place. It's still heaven for me cause the price is very cheap and you can find fresh local fruits here.

I can't wait to step my foot again to Madina.

Cheers, Dhidie

One Of the historic place

The City

the local market on the right

My view when I walked from the mosque

My Favourite Spot

Shopping anyone?

My favourite fruits, Fresh Kurma.

Girls Things

Fresh Fruits everywhere

In front of the museum Asmaul Husna

The Wonderful Journey (Part 4)

The best part of travelling to another country is going local. Or I may say, act globally eat locally :)

I can tell you what to eat during your trip to KSA.

Have you ever heard about the famous Al Baik Chicken? Or you have to try KSA KFC? Seven Days Croissants and all delicious juices, Lays, Doritos, Kirrin Cheese, Kebab in Madinah, Bakso in Jeddah, the local dessert called Um Ali ( not Oom Ali for sure), Mandi or Kebuli Rice with roast chicken...

Let me go through the foods one by one:

1. Al Baik Fried Chicken

The famous Al Baik Fried Chicken can be found near the Masjidil Haram in Makkah. Al Baik is the first broast chicken in KSA. You can find a lot of broaster in Makkah and Madinah, but you can tell different. The chicken is not too oily like others and queuing in front of all their outlet will make you curious to try their menu.

2. KFC

Of course it's still the same KFC like everywhere, however I made a promise to myself that I have to try the local KFC everywhere I go :) The fried chicken was more spicy so you don't need chilly sauce. And they served the chicken along with french fries and bun.

3. Kebab in Madinah

Please don't expect it as Doner Kebab. It's more humble. It's very small and consist of slices lamb/chicken, vegetables and....potato wedges. So it's fully carbs. But you have to try it.

4. Mandi Rice/ Kebuli Rice

In Makkah there are many stalls sell this food. And you Must try it. Cause it's very delicious and I love it. They have two different kinds of chicken, but I forget the name, but I tried both. And both were delicious. I can tell you that I can't get enough of these dishes.

5. When we first arrived at the hotel in Makkah, we've been told to try a dessert from Egypt called Oum Ali. The name is funny so we try it straight away. It's like a bread pudding but instead of bread it using puff pastry. It's very sweet, the taste of coconut remind me of the traditional klappertart. I think I have to learn how to make it since my husband really love it.

6. Bakso in Jeddah. During our trip I miss bakso so much. So when we transit in Jeddah before we're fly back home. We tried this famous Bakso Mang Oedin which located at Balad Area or Corniche Commercial Centre. Where we can buy carpets, Perfume, shoes with lower price. The taste of bakso was authentic and even they have " teh pucuk" and Fried Wonton to accompany with. Now I can put a smile on my face.

7. Fresh Kurma or young kurma. You have to try this. I bought it at local market in Madina. It's very delicious, make me can't stop eating.

8. Local Snacks. There's a local snack name Seven Days. It's croissant with variety taste. At first I don't like it but later I love it cause it's a snack that always given by the tour from time to time. And it has delicious chocolate filling inside. 

That's all, don't forget to eat locally during your trip.

Cheers, Dhidie.

Al Baik and Mandi Rice with roast chicken

I Love You, KFC!!

Madinah Kebab

Bakso Mang Oedin Jeddah

Love's Labyrinth and Doritos

Indomie in a cup!! Proud to Indonesian.

My kind of snacks :)

The Wonderful Journey (Part 3)

my view from the roof top of our transit apartment

Our first stop after we landed safely was our transit apartment. It's located about 5 KM from Haram Mosque. Makkah city was very busy during the hajj season. However it's very colourful because all moslem from all over the world came to the city for pilgrim. We stayed about one week in apartment then stay in Mina for about four nights then we moved to hotel just near the Masjidil Haram. 

In Makkah, we visited Jabal Tsur, Jabal Rahmah, Jabal Nur/Gua Hira, Museum Kabah and Hudaibiyah Camel Farm. 

1. Jabal Tsur is the mountain and the cave where The Prophet (SAW) and Abu Bakr (RA) hid  from Quraisy during the blessed hijrah from Makkah to Madina. It's a 458 metres height mountain and the cave is located on top. We didn't climb to the cave since it will take about 1,5 hours to of up there.

2. Jabal Rahmah is located at Arafah, is known as the meeting point of Adam and Eve in this world. There's a monument of the meeting point. And this special thing about this mountain, this was were The Prophet (SAW) received the last revelation during the wukuf.

3. Jabal Nur/Hira Cave. It's the place where The Prophet (SAW) received the first revelation. We had to climb hundreds of stairs and about 600 hundreds meters away and Hira Cave is located on the top. We departed from hotel at 3 AM and we arrived about 30 minutes later. And started to climb, I had to take a lot of breaks to catch my breath. But it was paid-off once we arrived on the top.  I didn't enter the cave cause it's so packed with people. However we arrived just right the Subuh Adzan so we prayed right away. After that we waited our friends that still on the way up and drank some coffee and ate the food that we brought. The sunrise was breathtaking, wish I could ever go there again with my kids.

4. We stopped by at Hudaibiyah Camel Farm. We fed the camel and drank the camel milk. It taste strange :) 

5. Museum Ka'bah was a must visit place. It has the history of Makkah city and the city plan for the future. It's also packed with people, but lucky me that I had visited this museum for second time.

Cheers, Dhidie

Street in Makkah

Jabal Tsur

Love's Labyrinth at Jabal Rahmah

The View From The Top of Jabal Nour

Took a picture and caught a breath

I can't believe that I could climb that high

Feeding the camel

This is us, in front of the Ka'bah Museum

The Wonderful Journey (Part 2)

After sort all things at home during my absence. Now It's time to pack my things. I'm not a packing queen and I think my husband can do that better than me. Why? because I'm a person who can be freak out that I'll left something behind. So I will feel more secure if I bring all the things along with me. But I can't do that now, since I'll go for almost a month only bring one medium luggage and one cabin luggage. 

So I just bring all the clothes and whatever I need and put it mounting up in my medium luggage. 

Can you tell me how to close this thing?

Then I came to my sense. I just follow the guidance book and lucky me that in January I had my Umrah trip, so I can imagine things that I really need there. I even buy a luggage organising storage on the web. It contains 6 pockets, variety from small to the biggest one. It helps a lot. So I can organise my stuffs by item and It helps me a lot to not digging my luggage searching for something.

Here the list that's given by my travel organiser:

1. Ihram Clothes (all whites)

I bring 2 sets of hiram clothes (One set was gamis and one set of tunic and baggy pants); bergos or you can also wear mukena instead. Just make sure you wear inner/bandana inside to avoid the appearance of your hair, covering gloves (the moslem store usually sell the gloves specific for umrah/hajj so it keeps your palm open), arms inners/full body inner so you will perfectly cover, toe socks.

2. Moslem Clothes

Long gown/gamis (bring since you can also wear these for prayer) and tunic set for travelling. About the colour, I love wearing white or black or gray to mosque.  I only wear the colourful ones when travelling or other occasions.

3. Mukena

I bring two sets, but actually I only wear the top since I prefer wearing gamis to mosque. But it helps if you had to pray while travelling. Or you feel like in a rush it most practical than bergo since I can't wear bergo without inner. 

4. Bergo/hijab

Bring the big ones so you don't have to wear mukena while praying. It's more practical. You just have to mix and match with your gamis/tunic. Bring some colourful for tour or other occasion.

5. Sleeping wear/night gown

2 sets. It can be pyjamas or night gown. Sometimes you don't sleep at all, so you don't need it.

6. Sarong

I don't bring this one. But maybe you'll need it for emergency while sleeping in tent in Mina if you went pilgrim.

7. Small and Big Towels

I think no explanation needed :)

8. Shoes/sandals

I brought one sport shoes so it can be wear for tour and travelling. And I bring 2 pairs of flip flops cause it made me move easily and can walk for far distance.

9. Socks

If you don't feel like doing the laundry during your trip you have to bring at least 5/6 pairs of socks. I love toe socks cause I wear my flip flops a lot.

10. Personal toiletries, 

soaps, shampo, tooth paste, tooth brush, body lotion, lip balm, nail clipper, tissue, wet tissues.

11. Skin care/feminine hygiene care

Night cream, sun lotion, body lotion, lip balm, sanitary napkins.

12. Personal medicine

minimal bring some medicine for allergic, cough, migraine, stomach, cold, diarrhoea, and constipation. That kind of sick can be happen all the time. Since we have different climate and food we eat locally.

Don't forget to bring small pocket of detergent, it's very useful when you need to do laundry. You never know when you spill those curry on your clothes.

There are many convenient stores everywhere but it sells in big bucket so it such a waste to buy it there. Also bring some ties/plastic ropes just in case you need to dry your clothes and also bring few clips for hang the clothes. You can also use these ties when you pack your full luggage, cause it's now  full of things you buy for your relatives back home :)

Below I share what we wear that we found it comfortable during our stay.

Cheers, Dhidie

 

The Wonderful Journey (Part 1)

Makkah at night

Assalamualaikum.

Last year I had a chance to do Umrah and Hajj in the same year. And I'm so blessed. I can't stop thinking how lucky I was to had such a wonderful opportunities.  The Umrah was on January and On September I did my pilgrim.  I was being terrified to leave my kids for almost a month. However I'm telling myself that's everything will be okay since both of my parents will be there to take care of them. So my husband and I can do the service peacefully. 

I really want to share everything about my holy journey to Makkah and Medina. But I don't know how to start. So I'm going to give you the big pictures of what to prepare at home before you go, the things that you need to bring along with you, what to wear, places to visit and what food you should try and any detail. But I won't tell you the detail about the service since it's not my capacity to do that. However, I hope anybody can get the useful information from this post.

Ten things that you should do before you go:

1. Do Groceries shopping and prepare the kitchen supplies and daily amenities that sufficient enough for certain time until you come back home. 

2. Write down the daily menu 

3. Pay all bills (electricity, water, gas, credit card bill, insurance, etc)

4. Give information to closest neighbours, school, another parents about your leaving

5. Prepare the medicine for the kids including the insurance information and the nearby hospital and the regular doctor to visit.

6. Share the teachers phone numbers, neighbours, and another parents, your office mate to your parents or any person that will take care of your house and kids.

7. Put everything that valuable in the safe deposit box in a bank such as jewellery, bank books, house certificates, etc. And don't forget to share this information to your closest  person that you can trust. 

8. share the information about your life insurance to your brother/sister

9. Prepare some money for daily needs and emergency needs 

10. Give information to your close family so they'll take care of your kids and parents during your leaves.

That's the must do list, however if you have another thing to add to the list I'll be happy to know.

Next posts about my journey will be coming up.

Cheers,

Dhidie