Spiritual Journey - Makkah and Madinah

This series of photos were shot (secretly) during my Umrah, a couple of years ago. All photos were capture by using my Nokia Communicator E90.

Masji AL Nabawi, also known as Masjid Nabi

Buka puasa was such a simple yet a fulfilling spiritual experience. Its amazing how more tahn 1 million people from different background, nationalities, social status can have proper buka puasa within10 minutes and the whole Masjid is ready for Maghrib prayer. And it's free.

Makkah is always busy, hectic and I felt the crowd. Madinah is peaceful, quiet and cooling. I love Madinah. I felt like I was on a holiday.


 

This scene is typical during Ramadhan. People reciting the Quran - throughout the day - and night.

The 5 item on the foreground is actually a stand for air Zam Zam

These are retractable roofs which is opened at night. The mechanical movements of the huge roof opens up to the sky.

The Raudah - where most prayers are answered by His Almighty.

The hotels - just a stone throw away from the Masjid

Nepal

NEXT

Cape Town Revisited

I just came back from Cape Town, 10 days of really good fun.

Perfect cycling weather. My brother would appreciate this (and sooo do I). Next time, I want to bring my bike!

It was my second time there but I don't mind going there again.

There are so many more things to see and lots of (outdoor) things to do.

I cooked dinner for my wonderful hosts. This one is stir fry vegetables purchased from Pick & Pay supermarket.

This time around I pretty much covered not just Cape Town, but also almost the whole Cape Peninsula.

I took MANY photos.

Waterfront - always a lot of people - locals, tourists and buskers! Really cool place for everybody. We had dinner there once at an African fine dining Restaurant.

And I climbed up the great Table Mountain - hiking. It was wonderful experience. The view at the top - takes your breath.

I cooked breakfast, sometimes, for me and my hosts.

When we drove through beautiful little towns like Camps Bay (beautiful mansions overlooking Atlantic Ocean with the 12 Apostles as backdrop), Betty's Bay (African penguin colony), Hermanus (Whale Watching), Cape Agulhas (the southernmost tip of Africa) and many many more.

Drove up to Signal Hill admiring the bird's eye view of Cape Town.

I am back to reality now and quite busy with work and photography. I will try to share some photos - soon.

I purchased this in Long Street downtown Cape Town. A painting on plywood - from the Year 1974. I hand carried it, even the South African customs people liked it at the airport. I couldn't fit the overhead luggage compartment on board. The stewardess was kind enough to store it in the cabinet in Business Class.

The Kiasu-land Got It Right!

What can I say?

I hate to admit it,

but if



Malaysia - Boleh!



The Kiasu-land - Been there, Done that! (and perhaps kept the tee shirt too! - quote unquote: DECKY)

I landed at Changi, picked up my hand luggage from the overhead compartment, crossed the aerobridge, put my hand luggage on the small trolley, well positioned signage lead me smoothly to the immigration counter, stamped my passport, proceed to the carrousel to pick up my luggage, walked through the green lane, hopped into a taxi, reached the hotel without machet, checked in and voilà! I was in my hotel room!

No waiting at all!

At least I had the time to try the wide-angle lens loaned by Mr. D70s before having drinks and dinner with my Aussie partners.








A little note:

I only like the efficiency of this city-state, just that.
The city lacks of spirit.
Everything is done for money and business.

A comment given by a foreigner:

Singapore perceives itself as a developed western city. But, I, as a foreigner do not think Singapore is a western city. It lacks spirit, everything is highly regulated and sterile.


I personally feel like living in a Big Boarding School!