Of course one of the most exciting times during Ramadhan is Iftar. That is the breaking of the fast at the end of the day; well at Maghrib that is. With our youngest boy starting to fast for the 1st time this year, it means the whole family is fasting together this year. We always encourage the kids' excitements during Ramadhan and Iftar is of course one of the main agenda of the day....with the selection of the Iftar menu being a family affair.
Over the past 10 days we've had various dishes for Iftar with menu ranging from traditional malay dishes with sambal petai udang and ayam masak merah to chicken biryani with tandoori chicken, pizza and even lamb roast with mash-potatoes.
We also make a point of having desserts with Iftar and the kids (oh well....also abah and ummi) always look forward to it. We've had pies, creme caramel, ice-creams (including with goreng pisang) and even kueh seri muka.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Television in the UK
Interestingly, we found that there are more interesting contents in the TV here (SKY - paid TV like Astro). Our favourite channel that unfortunately is not available in Malaysia is Peace TV. It's a channel of Islamic Education especially featuring Dr. Zakir Naik. Listening to this person talking is simply amazing....subhanallah. Apart from Dr. Zakir Naik, there are also a number of other well-known scholars and orators featured in there such as Ahmad Deedat, Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, Abdur Rahim Green and many more. From Malaysia, Hussain Yee a regular presenter.
It is quite unfortunate that this channel is not available in Malaysia as it is full of beneficial shows and are both educating and entertaining. In fact, it is quite ironic that in a muslim majority country like Malaysia, this Islamic TV channel is not available whereas is it available by default with a subscription to the Sky Network here in the UK.
However, alhamdulillah we found out that it is actually available on live streaming as well.
Another channel that we find interesting as well is the Islam Channel that again is available here. This is a UK-based channel fulfilling the need of the muslim community here. Again, full of very good contents are is not simply entertainment-focused like most shows back home.
To digress a bit; heard a comment from a brother that unfortunately our muslim community in Malaysia now is too entertainment centred to the extend that we are forgetting our basic responsibilities.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Taraweeh Prayer
With the Isya' being late and Fajr being very early; after 10 pm and by 3.45am respectively, we had to plan the taraweeh prayer properly. Especially with the kids being sleep by 930pm, we found it difficult initially.
We finally got into the routine of going to bed after Maghrib and waking up at 2.30 am for Isya' followed by Taraweeh and Witr. This was then followed by Sahur and then solat Fajr before going back to bed by about 4.30am.
That seems to work best for now. Insya-Allah as the solat timings change over the coming days and weeks, we will be able to bring the kids to the mosque.
We finally got into the routine of going to bed after Maghrib and waking up at 2.30 am for Isya' followed by Taraweeh and Witr. This was then followed by Sahur and then solat Fajr before going back to bed by about 4.30am.
That seems to work best for now. Insya-Allah as the solat timings change over the coming days and weeks, we will be able to bring the kids to the mosque.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Ramadhan - Regents Park Mosque
1st night of Ramadhan; Solat Taraweeh at Regents Park Mosque. I couldn't believe it that I am back that this mosque on this blessed month. It seems like ages ago when I was here for both Iftar and Taraweeh years ago. Always great experience.
A few things have changed; there's no longer recitation of al-Ikhlaas in between 2 rakaat and the prayer is only 8 + 3 instead of 20 + 3. But of course, it's still 1 juz for the 8 rakaah. We started at 10.40 pm and only finishing at 11.35 pm and by the time I got home it was past midnight. The kids are asleep - insya-Allah they will perform Taraweeh later before Sahur. Need to work it out.
A few things have changed; there's no longer recitation of al-Ikhlaas in between 2 rakaat and the prayer is only 8 + 3 instead of 20 + 3. But of course, it's still 1 juz for the 8 rakaah. We started at 10.40 pm and only finishing at 11.35 pm and by the time I got home it was past midnight. The kids are asleep - insya-Allah they will perform Taraweeh later before Sahur. Need to work it out.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Ramadhan Mubarak
The best time of the year is back.
The blessed month of Ramadhan is upon us.
We definitely are looking forward to it.
Even though it is going to be long summer fasting this year for us.
The one thing we don't miss about Malaysia is actually...
the Ramadhan Buffet....
Where they used to be the exceptions,
they are now a 'must have' item for Ramadhan.
Despite their total contradiction to the spirit of the blessed month.
Miss it we don't.
Ramadhan Mubarak to all.
May we get out of this month as better persons than we are now.
The blessed month of Ramadhan is upon us.
We definitely are looking forward to it.
Even though it is going to be long summer fasting this year for us.
The one thing we don't miss about Malaysia is actually...
the Ramadhan Buffet....
Where they used to be the exceptions,
they are now a 'must have' item for Ramadhan.
Despite their total contradiction to the spirit of the blessed month.
Miss it we don't.
Ramadhan Mubarak to all.
May we get out of this month as better persons than we are now.
- Salam Ramadhan Dari London, United Kingdom
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Road Tour - Europe - Summary
Driving Trip Around Western Europe
(UK – France – Italy – Switzerland – Liechtenstein - Austria – Germany – Netherland – Belgium - UK)
London – Folkestone – Calais – Paris – Geneva – Chamonix – Courmayeur – Interlaken – Lauterbrunnen – Lucerne – Liechtenstein - Innsbruck – Fussen – Munich – Frankfurt – Amsterdam – Den Haag - Volendam – Brugge – Calais – Folkestone – London
Date of travel: 6 August 2009 – 15 August 2009
Total distance: 3764 km (2339 Miles)
Total driving time: 61 hours and 26 minutes
Total travelling days: 10 days, 9 nights
Total fuel consumption: 256.6 litres (67.8 gallons)
No of hotels: 6
Dimulakan dengan Bismillah, diakhiri dengan Alhamdulillah.......
Road Tour - Europe (Day 10, 15 Aug 09 - Amsterdam to London)
Amsterdam - Brugge - Calais - Folkestone - London
Day 10 and our final day on the road. We left Amsterdam and headed to Brugge, a city in Belgium where we plan to visit a Chocolate Museum. The drive was relatively smooth and before long, we found ourselves in Belgium, near Antwerp. From Antwerp we made our way to Brugge and all the while trying to find a musolla as we expected to only be arriving home after Maghrib. As it turned out, not that easy and Brugge itself is one of the very few cities where we couldn't find any muslim. Brugge is famous for its old city and we have to agree with that. The roads are all cobblestones and the horse-carriages that are popular amongst tourists there looked more at home than any modern car, including ours.
We had our Mee Goreng Indomie lunch in Brugge, by the canal, and then we headed to the chocolate museum. It's actually a small 3 storey shop-house in one of the squares in the old city with exhibits of chocolates and its related paraphernalias. There was a short film showing the journey of the cacao beans from the tropical jungles to the fancy shelves of supermarkets. There was also a chocolate making demonstration, complete with tasting session right after it - yup, of the famous Belgian chocolate. For the kids, they were kept busy with a 'hunt' for clues throughout the exhibits and upon completion was later rewarded with a chocolate lollipop at the exit.
From Brugge, we made our way into France and started to seriously look for the Aire (stop area) for solat. We finally found a nice spot at Aire d Marais which is a short distance away from Calais itself. Alhamdulillah, our 2nd outdoor solat went smoothly and we were soon back on the road to Calais. We were 2 hours early for our train and upon checking in, we wandered around in the EuroTunnel Complex in Calais. Finishing off our Euro cash, we had some pastries with hot chocolates and pastries and before long, it was time to head for the train.
The journey back from Calais to Folkestone was as smooth as the Folkestone - Calais trip 10 days earlier. It has been 10 days...quite unbelievable. Yup, 10 wonderful day. We arrived in Folkestone at 830pm and was soon on the motorway back home. Before we forget, Think Left, Think Left....Think Left; it did take a while.
We finally arrived home at about 1030pm. ALHAMDULILLAH.
Day 10 and our final day on the road. We left Amsterdam and headed to Brugge, a city in Belgium where we plan to visit a Chocolate Museum. The drive was relatively smooth and before long, we found ourselves in Belgium, near Antwerp. From Antwerp we made our way to Brugge and all the while trying to find a musolla as we expected to only be arriving home after Maghrib. As it turned out, not that easy and Brugge itself is one of the very few cities where we couldn't find any muslim. Brugge is famous for its old city and we have to agree with that. The roads are all cobblestones and the horse-carriages that are popular amongst tourists there looked more at home than any modern car, including ours.
We had our Mee Goreng Indomie lunch in Brugge, by the canal, and then we headed to the chocolate museum. It's actually a small 3 storey shop-house in one of the squares in the old city with exhibits of chocolates and its related paraphernalias. There was a short film showing the journey of the cacao beans from the tropical jungles to the fancy shelves of supermarkets. There was also a chocolate making demonstration, complete with tasting session right after it - yup, of the famous Belgian chocolate. For the kids, they were kept busy with a 'hunt' for clues throughout the exhibits and upon completion was later rewarded with a chocolate lollipop at the exit.
From Brugge, we made our way into France and started to seriously look for the Aire (stop area) for solat. We finally found a nice spot at Aire d Marais which is a short distance away from Calais itself. Alhamdulillah, our 2nd outdoor solat went smoothly and we were soon back on the road to Calais. We were 2 hours early for our train and upon checking in, we wandered around in the EuroTunnel Complex in Calais. Finishing off our Euro cash, we had some pastries with hot chocolates and pastries and before long, it was time to head for the train.
The journey back from Calais to Folkestone was as smooth as the Folkestone - Calais trip 10 days earlier. It has been 10 days...quite unbelievable. Yup, 10 wonderful day. We arrived in Folkestone at 830pm and was soon on the motorway back home. Before we forget, Think Left, Think Left....Think Left; it did take a while.
We finally arrived home at about 1030pm. ALHAMDULILLAH.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Road Tour - Europe (Day 9, 14 Aug 09 - Amsterdam)
Day 9 is relatively slow-paced and quiet. After a late breakfast, we left the hotel for The Hague, a city about 40 km from Amsterdam. We had a simple agenda and straight-away made our way to Madurodam - a 'theme-park' of Miniature Netherland. A lot of buildings built on a scale than faithfully replicate the real things. The kids enjoyed it a lot and we have to say that the size of the park is misleading. While it looked quite small, it was well-planned and laid out and easily took at least 2 hours to cover.
From The Hague (or Den Haag) as the locals call it, we decided to visit the traditional 'village' of Volendam where Windmills, Cheese making factories and Wooden Clogs are famous for. As Volendam was on the other side of the hotel, we decided to stop for solat and then a quick stop at Toko Java too for another home-like lunch. It was nasi with satay, rendang, mee goreng, meehoon goreng and nasi goreng today. We also bought some tempe (it would have been THE best tempe we've bought - 'fresh', clean and well-packed; pity we didn't buy more), mee goreng Indomie for our journey home tomorrow (always have something in case you cannot find food) and there was even the Kopiko sweets sold there. After a quick lunch, we made our way to Volendam.
Before long the sceneries along the road changed and we felt more like driving in the rural area of Malaysia - more like Kuala Selangor area than KL. We passed by a few Cheese and Clog factories and decided to stop at one of them. We were quite lucky to be able to get a private 'demonstration' of clog-making and understanding the difference in clog designs that indicate the wearer professions. Different designs for fishermen, farmers etc. From memories, clogs are made from soft poplar woods and must be finished before it dries up (after which it will harden). Finish clogs are painted with various designs and we also stumbled upon a Nike Clog. There were also intricately crafted clogs for special occasions like weddings.
We saw a few windmills along the road and on a hunch decided to take a drive along the small roads with speed limit of 40 kmph. The road was along a dyke and before long we found a place to park and we quickly headed up the dyke. Finally, one of our aim - to see the land lower than sea. We had been telling the kids that quite a big chunk of the Netherland is below sealevel and they have been wondering how is that possible. We therefore get to show them and it was a fascinating sight.
Driving around Volendam and stopping whenever we feel like it was extremely relaxing. We must have spent at least 3 hours there before heading back to the city. And for our final night on the road, we decided to rest for an early start tomorrow. Again, the Van der Valk Hotel was just the right hotel for that.
From The Hague (or Den Haag) as the locals call it, we decided to visit the traditional 'village' of Volendam where Windmills, Cheese making factories and Wooden Clogs are famous for. As Volendam was on the other side of the hotel, we decided to stop for solat and then a quick stop at Toko Java too for another home-like lunch. It was nasi with satay, rendang, mee goreng, meehoon goreng and nasi goreng today. We also bought some tempe (it would have been THE best tempe we've bought - 'fresh', clean and well-packed; pity we didn't buy more), mee goreng Indomie for our journey home tomorrow (always have something in case you cannot find food) and there was even the Kopiko sweets sold there. After a quick lunch, we made our way to Volendam.
Before long the sceneries along the road changed and we felt more like driving in the rural area of Malaysia - more like Kuala Selangor area than KL. We passed by a few Cheese and Clog factories and decided to stop at one of them. We were quite lucky to be able to get a private 'demonstration' of clog-making and understanding the difference in clog designs that indicate the wearer professions. Different designs for fishermen, farmers etc. From memories, clogs are made from soft poplar woods and must be finished before it dries up (after which it will harden). Finish clogs are painted with various designs and we also stumbled upon a Nike Clog. There were also intricately crafted clogs for special occasions like weddings.
We saw a few windmills along the road and on a hunch decided to take a drive along the small roads with speed limit of 40 kmph. The road was along a dyke and before long we found a place to park and we quickly headed up the dyke. Finally, one of our aim - to see the land lower than sea. We had been telling the kids that quite a big chunk of the Netherland is below sealevel and they have been wondering how is that possible. We therefore get to show them and it was a fascinating sight.
Driving around Volendam and stopping whenever we feel like it was extremely relaxing. We must have spent at least 3 hours there before heading back to the city. And for our final night on the road, we decided to rest for an early start tomorrow. Again, the Van der Valk Hotel was just the right hotel for that.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Road Tour - Europe (Day 8, 13 Aug 09 - Amsterdam)
Amsterdam: We arrived in Amsterdam from Frankfurt at about 3.30 pm and straight-away checked in at Van der Valk Hotel Schiphol. As the name suggests, it is near the Schiphol international airport and is about 20 minutes from the city. Because we are driving anyway, 20 minutes is not a big problem and more importantly it is mid-way between Amsterdam and the Hague (another destination of ours), closer to the Keukenhoff and also to some halal food restaurants we'd found on the internet.
However, nothing prepared us for the room. It was THE BIGGEST HOTEL room we've been in. Having booked a family room, we were presented with a huge 'room' of about 1000 sqft (bigger than most apartments in Malaysia). It's referred to as a suite though in actual fact it was more like a room with a divider in the middle separating the two sleeping area. There was also a big sitting area with full set of 3+2+2 leather sofas and a balcony which in our case, being on the ground floor, opens up to a big garden. The bathroom alone was as huge as a double garage. The kids were very excited and of course, so were we. Considering that this was the last hotel in our trip and we were going to spend 2 nights here, what a great way to end the holidays. Parking is also free and ample.
Anyhow, enough about the hotel. After solat, we quickly left the hotel for the city but not before stopping over at the only restaurant that we ended up going twice to in our trip. Toko Java is a small Indonesian restaurant that sells...well..almost everything. The lady at the counter addressed us in Dutch and we responded back in English. She responded with something like, "No English" and we said..."Bahasa Indonesia bisa?"....and a smile of recognition that led us to placing all our orders and had one of the best meals during the journey. Being able to have a rice lunch with lauk Melayu like rendang, sambal tempe, sayur campur, ayam masak merah and tahu telur after a week was simply....priceless......
From Toko Java, we made our way to Amsterdam City and while trying to find a parking spot we couldn't help but noticed the thousands of bicycle being 'parked' in the city. There was also a multi-storey bicycle parking complex next to the Central Station and again, the number of bicycle there was mind-boggling. We wondered how does one find his/her bicycle from the thousands there.
Finally, we managed to park at the underground parking right next to the Central Station and upon coming out, we were at the ticket booth for the canal cruise. We decided that, a cruise would be a great way to see the city and quickly purchased the tickets. Quite dear - EUR12 per adult for an hour cruise.
Anyhow, there was a cruise every 15 minutes and before long we were in one of the flat, wide and long cruise boat. In total, it can carry up to 75 people but we did not have any problem finding seats around a table just for ourselves. The boat had clear, transparent roof and with the beautiful summer afternoon, all the windows were opened.
The cruise took us around the harbour before turning into one of the canals and then went around the city via the famous canal networks of Amsterdam. There were commentaries in at least 5 languages, from English to Mandarin and overall it was a great way to see the city.
After the cruise, we found ourselves back at the Central Station and decided to take a walk around the city. We explored the various streets and roads along the canals that we had earlier seen from the water. Amsterdam city is quite lively though we consciously decided not to stroll in the infamous Red Light District. Not that long afterwards, we got into one of the smaller side streets where the kids ended up having ice-creams (very good tasting) and we bought some kebabs for dinner (EUR7.50 for a relatively small kebab and EUR2 for a can drink - expensive).
After the walk, we got to our car and was back on our way to the hotel. The kids had planned games in the garden and couldn't wait to get back. It was indeed the best hotel we had been too and we know that we'll go there again in future trips to Amsterdam.
However, nothing prepared us for the room. It was THE BIGGEST HOTEL room we've been in. Having booked a family room, we were presented with a huge 'room' of about 1000 sqft (bigger than most apartments in Malaysia). It's referred to as a suite though in actual fact it was more like a room with a divider in the middle separating the two sleeping area. There was also a big sitting area with full set of 3+2+2 leather sofas and a balcony which in our case, being on the ground floor, opens up to a big garden. The bathroom alone was as huge as a double garage. The kids were very excited and of course, so were we. Considering that this was the last hotel in our trip and we were going to spend 2 nights here, what a great way to end the holidays. Parking is also free and ample.
Anyhow, enough about the hotel. After solat, we quickly left the hotel for the city but not before stopping over at the only restaurant that we ended up going twice to in our trip. Toko Java is a small Indonesian restaurant that sells...well..almost everything. The lady at the counter addressed us in Dutch and we responded back in English. She responded with something like, "No English" and we said..."Bahasa Indonesia bisa?"....and a smile of recognition that led us to placing all our orders and had one of the best meals during the journey. Being able to have a rice lunch with lauk Melayu like rendang, sambal tempe, sayur campur, ayam masak merah and tahu telur after a week was simply....priceless......
From Toko Java, we made our way to Amsterdam City and while trying to find a parking spot we couldn't help but noticed the thousands of bicycle being 'parked' in the city. There was also a multi-storey bicycle parking complex next to the Central Station and again, the number of bicycle there was mind-boggling. We wondered how does one find his/her bicycle from the thousands there.
Finally, we managed to park at the underground parking right next to the Central Station and upon coming out, we were at the ticket booth for the canal cruise. We decided that, a cruise would be a great way to see the city and quickly purchased the tickets. Quite dear - EUR12 per adult for an hour cruise.
Anyhow, there was a cruise every 15 minutes and before long we were in one of the flat, wide and long cruise boat. In total, it can carry up to 75 people but we did not have any problem finding seats around a table just for ourselves. The boat had clear, transparent roof and with the beautiful summer afternoon, all the windows were opened.
The cruise took us around the harbour before turning into one of the canals and then went around the city via the famous canal networks of Amsterdam. There were commentaries in at least 5 languages, from English to Mandarin and overall it was a great way to see the city.
After the cruise, we found ourselves back at the Central Station and decided to take a walk around the city. We explored the various streets and roads along the canals that we had earlier seen from the water. Amsterdam city is quite lively though we consciously decided not to stroll in the infamous Red Light District. Not that long afterwards, we got into one of the smaller side streets where the kids ended up having ice-creams (very good tasting) and we bought some kebabs for dinner (EUR7.50 for a relatively small kebab and EUR2 for a can drink - expensive).
After the walk, we got to our car and was back on our way to the hotel. The kids had planned games in the garden and couldn't wait to get back. It was indeed the best hotel we had been too and we know that we'll go there again in future trips to Amsterdam.
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