Cameron Valley in Cameron Highlands is celebrated for its breathtaking natural beauty, where rolling green tea plantations blanket the hills in sweeping, picturesque layers... we are greeted with panoramic views of lush highland terrain, serene walking paths, and tranquil streams that flow through the estate... as part of the renowned Bharat Tea Plantations, the valley offers scenic lookouts, boutique tea houses, and the opportunity to stroll or take a buggy ride down into the vibrant tea fields, immersing us in the refreshing cool climate of the highlands... these expansive landscapes - rich with greenery, fresh air, and uninterrupted horizons - make Cameron Valley one of the most captivating spots for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts alike...
Tanah Tinggi heritage village - known as Kampung Taman Sedia - is one of the earliest and most vibrant Malay settlements in Cameron Highlands, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into the cultural heritage of the highland community... nestled in the cool climate of Tanah Rata, this charming village is surrounded by strawberry farms, homestays, small eateries, and family‑run agro‑businesses that highlight the unique lifestyle of the local residents... often celebrated as a heritage village, it remains a favourite stop for us seeking a blend of traditional charm, fresh produce, and the warm hospitality of the Malay highland community...
oatmeal and brown rice are wholesome, nutrient‑rich staples known for their natural goodness and health‑boosting benefits... both are excellent sources of complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber, providing long‑lasting energy while supporting healthy digestion... oatmeal offers a creamy, comforting texture and is especially valued for its heart‑friendly beta‑glucan, while brown rice delivers a nutty aroma and retains essential vitamins and minerals thanks to its unpolished grain... together, they form a versatile duo that fits effortlessly into a balanced diet, whether enjoyed as a warm breakfast bowl or a nourishing base for savoury meals...
the massage is done, the cupping session is done, and now I'm trying acupuncture... it is an ancient therapeutic practice originating from traditional Chinese Medicine, involving the gentle insertion of extremely fine needles at specific points on the body to encourage healing and restore balance... traditionally, it is believed to regulate the flow of qi, or life energy, through pathways called meridians, while modern Western perspectives suggest that these points stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissues to activate the body’s natural pain‑relief mechanisms... today, acupuncture is widely used to help relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve overall wellness, with research showing benefits for conditions such as headaches, back pain, menstrual discomfort, and postoperative nausea... its long history, combined with growing scientific support, has made acupuncture a popular complementary therapy for those seeking natural, holistic approaches to health... they started with the points on my face, and then continued with those on my hands and feet... once the needles were inserted at each acupuncture point, I had to wait for about 30 minutes - a good time to rest while reciting zikir and making doa to Allah SWT...
this is the beautiful artwork created by Azim... it began with a simple tracing exercise, but the final result shows that he truly has a natural talent for drawing... it’s wonderful to see his creativity taking shape, revealing a skill we didn’t fully realize he had...
National Science Centre offers an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages, featuring interactive galleries, themed exhibitions, and hands‑on science activities that inspire curiosity and discovery... the centre is open Saturday to Thursday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the last admission at 4:00 pm... ticket prices remain affordable, with RM6 for adults, RM3 for children aged 7 to 12, and free entry for children under 6 and OKU visitors... with its family‑friendly environment, diverse exhibits, and convenient operating schedule, the centre continues to be a top choice for fun, learning, and exploration in the heart of Kuala Lumpur...
a family celebration was held for Azim on his 9th birthday, together with his cousin Aqil Redha Al‑Attas, who turned 12... may they both be blessed with a life filled with goodness and guidance in this world and the hereafter...
K‑Street Subang Jaya is a popular halal Korean restaurant located in the vibrant SS15 area, known for delivering an authentic Korean street‑food experience in a lively, K‑themed setting... established as one of the earlier Korean eateries in Malaysia, it features a décor inspired by the sights and atmosphere of South Korea, giving diners an immersive cultural feel from the moment they walk in... with signature dishes such as Korean BBQ Chicken, On‑Fire Fried Chicken, and Fried Chicken Raboki, K‑Street has earned a loyal following among fans of bold, flavourful Korean cuisine... its convenient SS15 location and distinctive K‑culture ambiance make it a favourite spot for students, families, and Korean food enthusiasts alike... enjoying a Korean brunch with the birthday boy...
this is Haji Zainal, the person I always engage for grass‑cutting services... he is very meticulous and does the job neatly and thoroughly - and this time, he even included my neighbour’s house as part of the package... Alhamdulillah, the outside area of the house now looks so spacious and tidy... for anyone in Bandar Puncak Alam who needs his services, you may contact him at 013‑350 1091...
we attended the wedding of Ami Yasin’s granddaughter at Royale Palace, Shah Alam, at 1.30 pm... congratulations to the newlyweds, Syarifah Alia and Fitri Aniq... during the event, someone approached me and asked, “are you Sir Syed Munir?” to my surprise, the bride’s younger brother is actually a UNITAR student - previously in the Diploma in Tourism Management and now pursuing his Bachelor in Tourism Management... I also only discovered today that I’m considered as his uncle within this extended family - something I never knew! his name is Sayed Ali Aizudin Syed Ahmad Fauzi... and unexpectedly, I also ran into my cousin, Syed Umar Barakbah...
Alhamdulillah, I was finally reunited with my wife and children at 4 pm in KLIA... the joy and relief were overwhelming after missing them so deeply throughout my days in Medina and Mecca, where our only means of communication was through Yahoo Messenger... it was a moment filled with gratitude and emotion... now, it is time to rest, recover, and distribute the small gifts I brought home for everyone...
we safely arrived at KLIA at 10 pm, followed by a 3‑hour transit before boarding the connecting flight to Alor Setar together with the northern‑region pilgrims... Alhamdulillah, we reached Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Alor Setar at 2 am... we gathered there for a brief farewell session before everyone returned to their respective homes... each pilgrim received 5 litres of Zamzam water - I only collected those for Walid and Umi, and I planned to collect mine later at KLIA in the afternoon...
after reaching home, I rested for a while... following the Subuh prayer, I continued sleeping to recover from the journey... Alhamdulillah, my Hajj journey with Walid and Umi for the year 2018 has come to an end... I did not attend Friday prayers today, and performed only Zohor, as I needed to check in for my flight to KLIA at 2 pm... now, it is finally time to reunite with my wife and children...
Jeddah International Airport, officially known as King Abdulaziz International Airport, is Saudi Arabia’s busiest and most important gateway - especially for millions of pilgrims travelling to Mecca and Medina each year... located about 19 kilometres north of Jeddah, the airport features modern facilities, including the expansive Terminal 1 and the iconic Hajj Terminal designed specifically to handle the surge of Hajj pilgrims...
we arrived at Jeddah International Airport at midnight... check‑in would only open at 6:30 am, so we rested in the designated waiting area... we performed the Subuh prayer in congregation at the nearby surau... we were visibly exhausted... I chose to stay awake and avoid sleeping, as I planned to rest during the flight later...
during check‑in, each of us received a copy of the Al-Quran from the Saudi authorities - Alhamdulillah, I was truly grateful, as this was my first time receiving Al-Quran here... After all we had cleared Immigration, we boarded flight MH8319 at 8:00 am, scheduled to arrive at KLIA at 10:00 pm...
Tawaf Wada (the farewell tawaf) is compulsory for all pilgrims performing Hajj or Umrah, as well as for anyone leaving the city of Makkah to travel a distance of 2 marhalah or more, as a gesture of honouring and showing respect to Baitullah... it is sinful for anyone to omit it without a valid excuse, and a dam becomes compulsory... however, there are exceptions for:
a woman experiencing menstruation or post‑natal bleeding...
a woman with non-menstrual abnormal bleeding when she is normally in a state of menstruation...
a person with wounds that cause excessive bleeding...
a person who cannot obtain water or tayammum material to perform the major purification...
a person who fears for their life, dignity, or property...
someone who fears being left behind by their group...
a person suffering from continuous urine discharge or similar uncontrollable conditions...
a person who is forcibly prevented from performing the tawaf...
someone who fears being confronted by creditors when they are genuinely unable to repay their debts...
an elderly person who must be assisted or carried due to physical weakness...
Tawaf Wada is performed only after everything is fully prepared for departure from Mecca... once a person has completed Tawaf Wada, I am no longer permitted to return to the accommodation except for essential purposes such as performing the obligatory prayers, using the washroom, retrieving belongings, or eating and drinking - provided that the time taken is not excessively long...
Alhamdulillah, we completed our Tawaf Wada after performing the Isya prayer in Al Haram mosque... tears flowed as we prepared to leave Baitullah... we then made our way back to the Masat Al-Badaya, collected our luggage from the room, completed the check‑out process, and immediately boarded the bus provided for our departure...
we were informed by the Tabung Haji officers that baggage collection would take place at midnight... we needed to have our luggage ready and place it in the hotel lobby... Alhamdulillah, I had already bought items to bring home to Malaysia gradually over the past 3 days... All the shopping was done at Jaafaria Souq, which is very close to Masat Al-Badaya... it is one of the oldest and most popular traditional marketplaces, widely known for its vibrant atmosphere and bargain‑friendly shopping experience - perhaps because I inherited bargaining skill from my late mother... with its charming Arabian-style architecture, shaded walkways, and rows of small shops, the souq offers everything from perfumes, oud, and prayer essentials to clothing, handicrafts, and souvenirs - making it a favourite stop for us looking to buy gifts before returning home...
selesai sudah semuanya, termasuk kemaskini bagasi... barang-barang lain cuma masuk dalam beg galas sahaja...
