Afghan Autumn Trip

“I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom...” General George S. Patton

Our two week Afghan Autumn Trip will cover most of the major towns such as Kabul, Mazhar-e Sharif, Balkh, Kholm, Bamyan, Herat and Nangarhar and their significance to the Ancient Silk Routes.

Afghanistan is one of my off the beaten track destinations. And people were wondering why on earth we want to venture into this war-torn country.

From a security perspective, Afghanistan has improved a lot and is relatively safe. Afghanistan's history has been dominated by extensive warfare. After the US withdrawal in 2021, the conflict-ravaged country, has seen an increase in tourism since the Taliban returned to power.

For those who love nature, Afghanistan's countryside offers some of the most unspoiled, authentic and mesmerizing scenic landscape with ancient history. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for visiting Afghanistan, when the weather is pleasant across the whole country.

Afghanistan is a landlock country, sharing borders with Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, China and Tajikistan. During this trip, we will be visiting some towns near these borders.

We had to buy a separate travel insurance coverage as our existing travel insurance does not cover Afghanistan because of its notorious reputation.

Afghan Autumn itinerary:
Day 01: KL
Day 02: KL - Sharjah
Day 03: Sharjah - Kabul
DaY 04: Kabul - Mazar-e Sharif
Day 05: Mazar-e Sharif - Balkh - Khulm
Day 06: Mazar-e Sharif - Kabul - Bamyan
Day 07: Bamyan - Band-e Emir
Day 08: Bamyan - Kabul
Day 09: Kabul - Herat
Day 10: Herat
Day 11: Herat - Kabul
Day 12: Kabul - Nangarhar
Day 13: Kabul
Day 14: Kabul - Sharjah
Day 15: Sharjah - KL

My Travel Blog: munmus.blogspot.com

2024 - 16th Umrah Trip...

“Nothing binds you except your thoughts; nothing limits you except your fear; and nothing controls you except your beliefs...” – Marianne Williamson

(Masjidil Haram - Tawaf Wida at the Mataf area)

My body is working hard to heal, and recovery can take forever…

It was just two months after my laparoscopy hysterectomy. By this time, according to my Gynae, I should be fully recovered and back to my usual routine, although I may still be feeling fatigue and slight discomfort around the lower tummy.

Different story for dear hubby. His Angiogram procedure was two weeks ago and he was up and about right after the procedure! His heart specialist advised him to avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for several days.

This year we joined MKM Travels with a group of 35 others for our spiritual journey to the holy lands. This is our 16th Umrah trip, Alhamdulillah...

 

(Ta'if - Masjid Abdullah bin Abbas)

(Masjid Nabawi, Madinah)

Date: 19 – 31 August 2024
Flight: 19/08/24 MH156 1450/1900 KUL-JED
            31/08/24 MH159 2230/1310+1 MED-KUL
Hotels:
19 - 20/08/24 - Taif Platinum Park Hotel
20 - 25/08/24 - Makkah Pullman Zamzam
25 - 31/08/24 - Madinah Emaar Elite

Mutawwif: Ustaz Muhammad Ilyas bin Md Zin +6010 6679245

(A group photo at Museum Kuno, Hudaibiah)

Umrah Menara Jam MKM Itinerary:
Day 01: KL – Jeddah – Taif
Day 02: Taif – Makkah
Day 03: Makkah – Tannaeim
Day 04: Makkah – Ja’aranah
Day 05: Makkah Free and Easy
Day 06: Makkah - Hudaibiah
Day 07: Makkah – Madinah
Day 08: Masjid Nabawi Tour
Day 09: Madinah Free and Easy
Day 10: Madinah City Tour
Day 11: Madinah Optional Tour
Day 12: Madinah Jannat al-Baqi
Day 13: Madinah – Kuala Lumpur

My Travel Blog: musmun.blogspot.com

Next Trip: Afghanistan Autumn Trip

My Laparoscopy Hysterectomy Procedure...

“Maybe life isn’t about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it’s about collecting the scars to prove that we showed up for it...” - Hannah Brencher

(Sedated after a 4-hour surgery)

I have been grappling with this decision to have my ovarian cyst removed.

This surgery brought a lot of mixed emotions. I know it is perfectly natural to feel anxious but it is necessary for a peace of mind. Finally, I opted for a total Laparoscopic hysterectomy as the procedure is minimally invasive unlike abdominal hysterectomy. I had the cyst and the reproductive organs removed through the vagina. It is supposedly to have less pain, less bleeding, less risk of infection and quicker recovery period. During the surgery, I was under general anesthesia and was attended by my Gynae and my heart specialist.

I was warded for almost a week. Physiotherapy sessions appointments were fixed after I was discharged.

(Iwan and Ella came visiting)

(A cute bouquet from the grandkids)

Trans-Siberian Railway Adventure

"We learn something from everyone who passes through our lives. Some lessons are painful. Some are painless. But all are priceless..." - Unknown

We have been lucky to see many parts of the world denied to others.

Although we have been to Mongolia in 2019 and Russia in 2014, we decided to endeavor traveling on the famed Trans-Siberian Railway. We expected the railway journey to be rough and bumpy as the train chugged along the vast terrain but we were mistaken. The locomotives were electric powered and modern with the average speed of about 120 km/hr. The journey was smooth and the cabins and beds were quite comfortable.

The highlights of the trip were the train stops in the cities of Irkutsk, Yekaterinburg,  Kazan and several other small cities and ended our train journey in Moscow. We explored the charming streets, visited the many historìcal attractions and experienced the diversity of the cities, its local cuisines and its lovely people.

This trip brought us to places we have not set foot before. It was truly a unique and unforgettable experience.

(Complimentary chocolate bars on the Trans-Siberian train)

The full Trans-Siberian railway line span a length of over 9,289 km and eight time-zone journey. It is the longest railway line in the world. It runs from Vladivostok in the east to Moscow in the west. To shorten our trip, we started from Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia to Moscow in Russia spanning over 6,266 km journey.

The Trans-Siberian Railway Trip itinerary:

02 - 17 May 2024

Day 01: KL - Incheon, Korea✈️

Day 02: Incheon, Korea - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia✈️
Day 03: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Day 04: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - Irkutsk, Russia🚂
Day 05: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - Irkutsk, Russia🚂
Day 06: Irkutsk, Russia - Lake Baikal, Russia
Day 07: Irkutsk, Russia - Yekaterinburg, Russia🚂
Day 08: Irkutsk, Russia - Yekaterinburg, Russia🚂
Day 09: Irkutsk, Russia - Yekaterinburg, Russia🚂

Day 10: Yekaterinburg, Russia - Kazan, Russia🚂
Day 11: Yekaterinburg, Russia - Kazan, Russia🚂

Day 12: Kazan, Russia - Bolgar, Russia
Day 13: Kazan, Russia - Moscow, Russia🚂
Day 14: Moscow, Russia
Day 15: Moscow Russia - Doha, Qatar ✈️
Day 16: Doha, Qatar - KL✈️

Our journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway is not just about train rides. It's about a trip that will be remembered for a lifetime.

My Travel Blog: munmus.blogspot.com

The company of old friends...

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends...” - Martin Luther King, Jr

(Mus, Nas, Mazlan, Hafiz and Salleh)

The other day when we were in KGNS, some of us planned to visit our bedridden friend, Ridwan in Jenjarum. It has been quite a while since we met him.

Physically he is quite weak but still his cheerful self.  We updated him on mutual friends, shared nostalgic stories, and informed him about things happening outside that he might miss.

We kept our visit short as we know that he needs his rest.