Makkah, Madinah Umrah

Did my umrah in 1995. It was unplanned. One fine day my brother in-law (bro) requested me to accompany him for a jab in a clinic in Selayang. He had planned to go for umrah with some ustaz. I accompany him and asked myself why not I also have a jab.

Upon getting home I asked wifey if I can join the group for umrah. trip Since I still have some money claim from my US trip last month, use the xtra fund to buy air ticket on MAS. We did not use the agent. The trip was done during Ramadan. My bro took Saudi air and the ustaz use another airline. I arrive early and had to wait for bro. While the ustaz will arrive the following day. We took a cab to Medinah. Checed into a guest house and later visited Masjid Nabawi. The next day we met the ustaz.

After couple of days, we went to Mekah. Stopover for Mikat and don the white robe. Upon reaching Mekah, we performed the umrah ritual ie Saie and Tawaf. Once done I put back my standard clothing and conduct the standard ritual for the rest of the stay. Being Ramadan, the Arabs are very generous giving away food for breakfasting. Occasionally I would join them in the mosque.

After spending 10 days, I decided to come back early for Hari Raya celebration. My bro and the ustaz stayed until Eid. My earlier plan was to stay in Mekah until Raya.

Rome, Genoa, Venice-Italy

Spanish Steps

Piazza Navona

Visit Marconi R&D office in Genoa, Italy in 1995. We took the train from Rome to Genoa. Genoa is in the north west part of Italy close to the border of Switzerland.

On the way back to Rome, we stopover at the famous city of Venice. It is a 2 hours drive to this watery town. After a night stay and a ride in its gondola, we flew back to Rome.

In Rome we visited the famous site of the Coleseum, the Vatican City and other place of interest. There are lots of fountain here. We took home some smoked cheese which I dispose after some period of time. Cheese untuk tikus saja.

Istanbul, Turkey

Bosphorous ferry ride

While I was with R&D department, I had the opportunity to visit Turkey R&D in Istanbul. Me and Dr Rahman was assigned to scout for talent and new research prospective from an R&D Institute in Istanbul. Over the weekend, our host took us to visit the famous Instanbul. We visited the famous Bosphorous. We took a river cruise along the river Bosphorous which link the Red Sea and Sea of Masmara.
Istanbul is full of historical and interesting places to visit. We also went to Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque and the Bazaar and Haga Sopia Museum. The Grand Bazaar has thousands of shops and miles of covered passageways.

Food is a luxury since Briyani is plentiful.

Kristiensen-Norway

Kristansen Cafe

Had a seminar in Norway. It was a small fisherman town called Kristiensen. From Malaysia, had to stopover in Copenhagen for the connecting flight to Kristeinsen. The connecting flight was served by a propellor plane since the trip was only half an hour and there are not many passengers on this sector. Had seafood for dinner. Nothing to venture here. Next day we spend whole day in the seminar. Left for Copenhagen next day. Bought a Bodumn tea set for the wife at Copenhagen airport.