Reminiscing Madinah

~Salam Ramadhan Al-Mubarak 1442hijri to all Muslim~

In Islamic Calendar, Ramadhan is the 9th month whereas Muharam is the 1st month. 

"1 Muharam detik permulaan
Perkiraan tahun Islam Hijrah
Perpindahan Nabi dan Umat Islam
Dari Kota Mekah ke Kota Madinah"

Such an inspiring song about the migration story of our Prophet Muhammad and other Muslims from Mecca to Medina, marks the beginning of  Islamic Hijri Calendar. Indeed, our New Year is fall on 1st Muharam. It's not just a resettlement, it's more to sacrifice, struggle, brotherhood, unity, belief, and love. When I was in high school, I learn basic Arabic اللغة العربية. Madinah in Arabic simply means "city". And Madinah is a very beautiful and peaceful city in the world. 

Welcome to Madinah

 

By taking Saudi Arabia Airlines (SV), we flew directly to Madinah via Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport. Although we arrived after 6pm, but it was already dark, and already time for Maghrib. From this new airport, only takes less than 30-minutes drive to Masjid Nabawi.

MASJID NABAWI

 

The beauty of exterior and interior look of Masjid Nabawi. Modern, holy, yet cozy. I'm really impressed with the 'umbrella' look-alike awning. So practical. Perfect idea ever!

RAUDHAH

A week before departure, we received an updates on the schedule to visits 'Raudhah' for women. All this while, I always heard people mentioning 'Raudhah', but I don't really understand and I can't imagine anything until I went there myself. 'Raudhah' is actually a small area inside Masjid Nabawi, which extends from the tomb of Rasulullah to his pulpit (mimbar). The most sought after spot in Masjid Nabawi where every Muslim wants to be in. Why? Because it is the place where your do'a will comes true. The closer the better. But to get into the spot will never gets easy. Imagine that you'll need to bump shoulder-to-shoulder with other bigger and tough Muslimah. But no worries, patient is the key. May Allah ease everything~

Tips : Wear black/dark telekung instead of white. They gave priority to the local people. Bring along the provided folded chair. You may pray at the Raudhah with less hassle and more focus, as no one will step on you.

ACCOMMODATION

In Madinah, we stayed at Al-Fayroz Shatta Hotel. It's not the best hotel but as long as it's affordable and close to Masjid Nabawi, then it's good enough. In fact, we spent most of our times at the mosque and tour. Hence, hotel's condition is not our top priority. Now, how close? It's located at the same building with Golden Tulip Al-Zahabi; less than 50meter walk to Gate 25. And this Gate 25 is one of the entrances to women's praying area. If you have more budget, you may stay at 5-star hotel where available. You may stay at The Oberoi, Madinah Hilton, Anwar Movenpick etc. 

If you can see from above photo, there's a newly built of ladies or washroom; for convenience. The same building with the basement parking. There are plenty of it. Probably 6-7 for ladies and 6-7 for gents. And each of it probably have 25-30 toilets. Definitely time effective, no need to run back to hotel's room if there's 'emergency'.  

ZIARAH DALAM

Walking tour surrounding Masjid Nabawi.

 

ZIARAH LUAR

Tour about 10km away from Masjid Nabawi by coach.

Qiblatain Mosque

Jabal (Mount) Uhud and its Archer's Hill. sirah

Hop-on Hop-off, guys!!

a field of Tamar (dates)

SHOPPING & EATING

 

 

My first fishing experience

When the numbers of Covid-19 daily cases in Malaysia shows the great improvement to single digit only from last June to August 2020, our government has imposed Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) which means there's NO restriction for interstate traveling. Yeahh! No roadblocks.. Therefore, we took this opportunity to have a staycation in Port Dickson (with no foresee that the Covid-19 case will be shockingly spiked on the following month and sadly until today). 

~ LEXIS PORT DICKSON ~

low-tide at Lexis PD's Water Chalet

Honestly, Lexis PD is not in our hotel bucket list but apparently other hotels already fully booked. Not only two of us who craving for some holiday. Obviously everyone are dying to go out after months of lockdown. We prefer to stay at the next building, Grand Lexis Hotel due to their private swimming pool. But it's OK, some other time. InsyaAllah~

View of Malacca Strait

Thankfully I booked for a Seaview Room. Therefore, there's a chance for my husband to show-off his fishing skill. But first, we need to get the fishing equipment at PD town. My husband used to have few fishing rods back in US, but he sold them off before went back to Malaysia for good. 

bought by the roadside #supportlocalbusiness

wish this kid for a better future endeavors

big 'catch' before the real catch

no luck this time.. just a cockroach

Let's do other fun thing... at

~ PD WATERFRONT ~

6km away from hotel, there's PD Waterfront; where you can enjoy PD's London Bus ride, playing bubbles with your family, archery, or satisfy your hunger at the fast food restaurants or from the Food Trucks while listening to buskers' performance. Yeap! We enjoyed our night in PD.

 

Indeed, we all are sea-lovers; even we knew that the quality of the water here is not at the best condition.

Honeymoon in Krabi

:: Work Hard, Play Hard ::

But in our case, we play hard first then work hard later. It wasn't because of bad planning at all. I've booked 4-months in advance for return flight ticket during Air Asia's promo fair @ RM 93 only per person. The initial plan was to stay in Krabi for 4-days from 29th June to 2nd July 2019. But then, a day before travelling (exactly on 28th June) my husband received an order from his CEO to attend an important meeting in Bangkok on 2nd July. Since Air Asia's policy doesn't offer for flight re-routing, we have to purchase another tickets from Krabi to Bangkok, and from Bangkok back to Kuala Lumpur. While my husband is having his prime meeting, I can meet up my Thai friend, Tusneem. And on the same time, I can do an inspection for upcoming Bangkok trip 2-weeks after that. From carrying some light swimming wear, he had to bring along his laptop and a complete working attire together. 

Let's have some fun in Krabi

For this 4D3N Krabi trip, we managed to get a very affordable package @ RM 300 per person; inclusive with hotel stay with breakfast, return airport transfer, city tour with lunch; and choices of 1-hour free massage or 1x dinner at hotel.

:: Krabi La Playa Resort ::

 

During my first visit to Krabi in 2012, I stayed at a 4-star Mercure Krabi Deevana Resort. But now the hotel is no longer under Accor group. The name has changed to Deevana Plaza Krabi Ao Nang. Both Krabi La Playa and Deevana are not Halal hotels in Krabi. If you are looking for a hotel with Halal breakfast and at the best location, I will suggest Ao Nang Princeville. I'd experienced dinner by the swimming pool before. However, please do expect mosquitos! 

6-9 years ago, there's a Night Market along the Ao Nang beach-side road, all the way up to McDonalds. But on my recent visit, the street market has been moved to one corner and only few steps away from Krabi La Playa. Hence, it was easy for us to find best local cuisine at reasonable price. We totally enjoyed the fresh fruits, home-made ice cream, Thai pancake, Pad Thai, grilled seafood, fresh coconut etc. As I've been told that the night market in Krabi Town still operated. Some of my friends willing to rent a scooter and drive approximately 30-mins to/fro. 

:: Krabi City Tour ::

Before Krabi has their own airport (roughly 20 years ago), people were taking a flight to Phuket and travel by land all-the-way to Krabi via Phang Nga (I've been to Phang Nga Bay or also known as James Bond Island) or we Malaysian travelled by road via Malaysia-Thai border and thru' Trang to reach Krabi like in my previous trip in 2013. 

10km away from Krabi Airport, there's Tiger Cave Temple. Some temples are under renovation. 

The Crab Statue which is located by the river is a new tourist attraction in Krabi Town. 

Apart from night markets, you may shopping at Jee-Or Souvenirs Shop, Big C (there's a good souvenir shop on the 1st floor); and Outlet Village Krabi.

 

 

 

:: Island Hoping ::

For the 4-Island hoping by long-tail boat, we paid for RM 45 per person including snorkeling gear, professional (and funny) guide, picnic lunch and hotel pick-up & drop-off. Such a great deal, right? But actually the rate excludes a compulsory Marine National Park entrance fee at 400 baht. I know it's quite expensive but I heard that the money will be channel for the conservation and beach cleaning program. If it's for a good cause.. so, why not? 

I've been to Phi Phi Island for 4-5times (click here and here for the entries) from Phuket. Although Phi Phi Island is under Krabi territory and closer to Krabi than Phuket, but I rather to get my vitamin-sea from their wonderful Tub Island, Poda Island, Chicken Island and Railay Beach (3km away from Ao Nang Beach). Each island has their own specialty and uniqueness such as you can see or experience yourself (if you dare enough) the real Rock Climbing at the Bat Cave or Phra Nang Cave; or the beauty of tombolo at Tub Island during low or high tide.  

first stop - Railay Beach

 

second stop - Chicken Island. Can you spot the head of the 'chicken'?

 

third stop - Tub Island during low tide. We enjoyed the crystal clear water!

Forth or the last stop was at Poda Island for the picnic buffet lunch; before we went back to Ao Nang pier in the late evening.

:: Bye Bye Krabi, Hi Hi Bangkok ::

No, we don't have time to go to Emerald Pool. Next!