The Journey - KLIA-Jeddah-Madinah
We left for the airport after Zuhur prayers, sent off by Daddy and Jiji who supposedly took the day off to send us *they went shopping the whole morning instead!*
Met up with the rest there. Abang and IJ also came to see us off. After prayers and a round of drinks, we were given our passports and boarding passes. Excited to leave, we said our goodbyes and headed straight to Gate C (with pitstops along the way looking at duty free goodies). As soon as we got our seats, Buster and I fell asleep. We didn't even realise that we've taken off! Buster slept and snored throughout the flight, while both T and I read and slept off and on.
We arrived in Jeddah at about 2045 hours local time (-5 hours Msian time). It was an hour earlier than scheduled. Good. Alhamdulillah, everything went well at the customs. Very good. Our travel agent had even filled up our landing cards. Even better.
Our first hiccup came after that. As soon as we walked out the gate, a group of locals asked for our passports and took them away in a jiffy. Still blur on what happened, we went after them. I asked 2 other families - one had their passports while the other was in the same boat as us. We followed the guys all the way to where the buses were waiting, and told them we were waiting for our own muttawif (Travel guide). They turned a deaf ear. We panicked. After 20 minutes of Mama's stern orders to return our passports, they finally did but kept one eye on us to make sure we don't go away. Mama and T went back to the terminal, trying to look for the rest of the group, leaving us with those scary people. Got a call from T to tell us that we should head back and join them as the rest of the group were there. Told this to the next 2 families and off we were - despite the angry cries of the bus agent people. *phew*
LESSON 1: Never give your passports to people other than the immigration officers and your muttawif!
Were we glad to see the rest of the group with purple sling bags! Someone called our muttawif to inform them that we have waited for almost an hour. The reply came - go and perform Maghrib and Isya' first, they were still on the way. Right..I kept telling myself not to say anything. Another half of hour of waiting, we were FINALLY met up by the muttawif. Hj Shook apologise and said he was caught in a terrible jam from Makkah, it being a weekend an all, they left slightly later, yadda yadda yadda. *lion3ss bit her tongue* We were given food (white rice, fired chicken and salad) and drinks, and left in a bus to Madinah.
The journey took just 4 1/2 hours instead of the 6 hours estimation. We only stopped once at a rather deserted looking rest area. White, old looking buildings in the middle of a desert. Scary. I tried my best to turn a blind eye when I visited the loo. I slept the whole way and didn't even touch my food.
LESSON 2 : Bring a jacket in case the bus is extra cold. Saves you the trouble of going to the toilet!
Reached Al Anwar Movenpick Hotel, Madinah at 0335 hours. It was soooo near to Masjid Nabawi, that it took less than 5 minutes. And the sight of the mosque, fully lit is so breathtaking. I just stood in front of the bus in awe. Masya Allah - magnificient!Our travel assistant advised all of us to check in first, rather than go straight to the mosque.
Second hiccup. They didn't have our rooms ready yet. We waited, and heard the first azan for Subuh from the mosque. We waited some more, then came the second one. We still didn't get our keys, so the men left for prayers while us ladies stayed behind.
We finally got our rooms at about 0445 hours. We were tired, hungry and irritable. But all praise to Allah, our 4-star accommodation were very nice, comfortable and complete. No complains whatsoever. Rooms are good, the bathroom spacious, lots of elevators, the works. And we even have our own mall in it! We rested peacefully before we were to meet again at 0700 hours for our Ziarah Dalam (internal visit) to the mosque.
LESSON 3 : Always, always have faith that Allah works in mysterious ways..and that for every hurdle, there must be a hikmah!
To be continued : The Visit
Met up with the rest there. Abang and IJ also came to see us off. After prayers and a round of drinks, we were given our passports and boarding passes. Excited to leave, we said our goodbyes and headed straight to Gate C (with pitstops along the way looking at duty free goodies). As soon as we got our seats, Buster and I fell asleep. We didn't even realise that we've taken off! Buster slept and snored throughout the flight, while both T and I read and slept off and on.
We arrived in Jeddah at about 2045 hours local time (-5 hours Msian time). It was an hour earlier than scheduled. Good. Alhamdulillah, everything went well at the customs. Very good. Our travel agent had even filled up our landing cards. Even better.
Our first hiccup came after that. As soon as we walked out the gate, a group of locals asked for our passports and took them away in a jiffy. Still blur on what happened, we went after them. I asked 2 other families - one had their passports while the other was in the same boat as us. We followed the guys all the way to where the buses were waiting, and told them we were waiting for our own muttawif (Travel guide). They turned a deaf ear. We panicked. After 20 minutes of Mama's stern orders to return our passports, they finally did but kept one eye on us to make sure we don't go away. Mama and T went back to the terminal, trying to look for the rest of the group, leaving us with those scary people. Got a call from T to tell us that we should head back and join them as the rest of the group were there. Told this to the next 2 families and off we were - despite the angry cries of the bus agent people. *phew*
LESSON 1: Never give your passports to people other than the immigration officers and your muttawif!
Were we glad to see the rest of the group with purple sling bags! Someone called our muttawif to inform them that we have waited for almost an hour. The reply came - go and perform Maghrib and Isya' first, they were still on the way. Right..I kept telling myself not to say anything. Another half of hour of waiting, we were FINALLY met up by the muttawif. Hj Shook apologise and said he was caught in a terrible jam from Makkah, it being a weekend an all, they left slightly later, yadda yadda yadda. *lion3ss bit her tongue* We were given food (white rice, fired chicken and salad) and drinks, and left in a bus to Madinah.
The journey took just 4 1/2 hours instead of the 6 hours estimation. We only stopped once at a rather deserted looking rest area. White, old looking buildings in the middle of a desert. Scary. I tried my best to turn a blind eye when I visited the loo. I slept the whole way and didn't even touch my food.
LESSON 2 : Bring a jacket in case the bus is extra cold. Saves you the trouble of going to the toilet!
Reached Al Anwar Movenpick Hotel, Madinah at 0335 hours. It was soooo near to Masjid Nabawi, that it took less than 5 minutes. And the sight of the mosque, fully lit is so breathtaking. I just stood in front of the bus in awe. Masya Allah - magnificient!Our travel assistant advised all of us to check in first, rather than go straight to the mosque.
Second hiccup. They didn't have our rooms ready yet. We waited, and heard the first azan for Subuh from the mosque. We waited some more, then came the second one. We still didn't get our keys, so the men left for prayers while us ladies stayed behind.
We finally got our rooms at about 0445 hours. We were tired, hungry and irritable. But all praise to Allah, our 4-star accommodation were very nice, comfortable and complete. No complains whatsoever. Rooms are good, the bathroom spacious, lots of elevators, the works. And we even have our own mall in it! We rested peacefully before we were to meet again at 0700 hours for our Ziarah Dalam (internal visit) to the mosque.
LESSON 3 : Always, always have faith that Allah works in mysterious ways..and that for every hurdle, there must be a hikmah!
To be continued : The Visit
posted by lion3ss | 4:15 PM
12 Comments:
Not hiccups la... normal what.... THere are worst cases. My advice, tell of the wonderful things they. The one that bothers you, keep it between u n Allah.
Lion3ss,
Masa lalu padang pasir dari Jeddah to Madinah, ada nampak tak kambing gurun lambai-lambai pada awak? Kucing saya Pak Malim sms pada kambing gurun suruh look out for U there.
ray and the desert cats
DG : Yessir, note taken! Not complaining la, just sharing experience. Things to watch out and expect in case others have to go thru it!
Ray : No wonder the kambing came running across the desert, but dia tak sempat lambai. I think they might have sms-ed the camels sebab the ones we saw on the way kept grinning at us.
Interesting. Love to hear more..
I always like to hear travel stories. So more please.
Ala Dade tak leh tell ke, we can learn a thing or two.
would love to be able to see pictures... can upload some, dear??
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness
some momentary awareness comes,
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
Still , treat each guest honorably
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Rumi
lollies : Will update soon with more stories. And although DG marah (smile DG!), will definitely write in the lessons learnt, maybe in a better way!
famy : Still trying. A bit hard cos am using office computer. Rumah takde internet line yet!
Anon: Welcome, my house guest. I am grateful that you came.
Bukan apa la Lioness and Lollies, takut tersalah cerita, sebab kita semua InsyAllah akan pergi lagi dan lagi..... kat tanah haram, semua bayar tunai. Takut la kan... I nak cite lebih lebih pun bukan I ni tahu dan faham sangat.
One example, the year before I went for my Haj, there was this outspoken man. He just love complaining about his trip there. Then one day in the masjiddil haram, he complained to Tabung Haji personnel about something la, and maybe just a coincidence, he actually drop right there and then and died....... Only God knows....
Alhamdulillah - seronok baca pengalaman orang membuat umrah. will be back for yr next entry.
anonymous - that is a good one. very relevant and eye opener.
dade ghost-whoa! That's the thing I want to learn from. I pun kena belajar jaga adab way before I pergi sana. ada my friend tu yang terbiasa cakap F*** bengkak mulut fore three whole months! three whole months.
Well, I can see that you came back in one piece, safe n sound Insya Allah.. :)
No craziness or any of those 'balasan di Mekah' things people always talk about. So hopefully berkatlah your trip, Insya Allah.
BTW, glad you're back :). This place is quiet w/out you.
DG : Yes, I understand. Have heard too many stories about it, and even had learnt our own lessons on keeping unnecessary comments to self during the last visit. Thanks for the reminder.*smile*
Kak Teh : Thank you for dropping by.
Lollies : Scary kan? I have also heard ada yang tak nampak Ka'abah and so on!
Leez : Alhamdulillah the trip went very well. Hmmm..this place is quiet? Hehehe..nampak sangat I am quite the chatterbox?
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