17th Umrah Trip: A Journey That Begins Within...

 "Labbaik Allahumma labbaik" (Here I am, O Allah, here I am)...

(The holy Kaabah in Makkah)

This year, hubby and I chose to begin our travels early. Instead of chasing new cities or familiar comforts, we felt drawn to start with a spiritual journey of an Umrah trip, a return to the Holy Lands. It felt right to place our hearts first before anything else, to realign our intentions before the year unfolded further.

Though we have performed Umrah many times before, the preparations never seem to grow easier. There were documents to check, bags to pack, prayers to memorise, and quiet worries of faltering health that crept in between moments of excitement. I realised that experience does not always bring ease; sometimes it brings deeper awareness of responsibility and purpose.

(Masjid Nabawi in Madinah)

In those moments, I reminded myself to pause, to breathe and to soften my heart. This journey was not only about arriving in Makkah and Madinah, but about learning to let go of control, of haste, of unnecessary anxiety. I hoped that with a calmer heart and sincere spiritual readiness, the ritual of the pilgrimage itself would be fulfilled with ease.

Our Umrah Itinerary:
(21 - 31 January, 2026)
Day 01: KL - Makkah
Day 02: Makkah - 1st umrah
Day 03: Makkah -  Hudaibiah 2nd Umrah, Jabal Khandamah, Hira Cutural Village
Day 04: Makkah - Jaaranah 3rd Umrah, Souk Jumlah Kak'kiah, Nasi Unta
Day 05: Makkah - Tanaim 4th Umrah
Day 06: Makkah - Madinah
Day 07: Madinah - Mosque Tour, Raudhah Visit
Day 08: Madinah - City Tour
Day 09: Madinah - Ziarah Badar
Day 10: Madinah - KL

Perhaps this Umrah, once again inviting me to begin not only with steps taken on sacred ground, but with peace nurtured quietly within.

Will be updating, if time permits, in my travel blog: munmus.blogspot.com 

A Wolf Supermoon...

"Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars..."  - Les Brown

(22nd floor, Putramas Apartment)

It was the first full moon of the year, and tonight the celestial display was mesmerising.

The moon appeared slightly larger and noticeably brighter than a typical full moon. This January full moon is known as the Wolf Moon, and it earns the title supermoon because it occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth. 

Despite its evocative name, it has nothing to do with actual wolves, only ancient seasonal traditions and the quiet poetry of the night sky.

Thailand 2025 – Journey Through the Northern Loop...

 “Some journeys are not measured by distance, but by the quiet moments that stay with us long after we’ve returned home...”

(Immigration and Custom clearance at the ICQS)

It had been months since our last long road journey, and the idea of driving all the way from Kuala Lumpur into the heart of Thailand filled us with both excitement and quiet anticipation. We planned it carefully - a slow, deliberate loop through the country, taking our time to discover places both familiar and new.

Our route would take us north through Hat Yai, Chumphon, and Bangkok before venturing further into the highlands. We had trodden this path umpteen times. Each stop, we hoped, would bring a fresh glimpse of Thailand’s diverse landscape and the everyday warmth of its people.

Fourteen days, nearly 5,000 km - this northern loop through Thailand would be more than just a leisure drive. It is a reminder of how vast and varied the world can be, and how every road travelled with gratitude becomes part of who we are.

Our Northern Thailand Road Trip itinerary:
(19 November – 02 December 2025)

Part I – From Kuala Lumpur to Northern Thailand: (Kuala Lumpur→ Hat Yai→ Chumphon→ Bangkok)

Part II – Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the Northern Hills: (Bangkok → Phitsanulok → Chiang Mai → Pai → Tak)

Part III – The Return South from Tak to Kuala Lumpur:  (Tak → Cha-am→ Thung Song → Kuala Lumpur)

My Travel Blog : munmus.blogspot.com

Next Trip: Our Umrah Trip 2026

Indonesia 2025: Tracing The Footsteps of Wali Songo

"Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school..." - Albert Einstein

(The nine Wali Songo)

My husband and I have always loved discovering new places, but this time our travels took on a much deeper meaning. We joined Morza Travel with a group of fellow travelers on a six-day journey across Java to trace the history of the Wali Songo, the nine revered Muslim scholars whose dakwah shaped the spread of Islam in Indonesia.

Starting in Surabaya, we set out along the Pantai Utara Road toward Jakarta, stopping at the tombs of the wali along the way. Each visit felt like more than just sightseeing; it was a spiritual reminder of faith, history, and the sacrifices made centuries ago. Each tomb carrying not just history, but a quiet presence that stirred something within the heart.

It was more than just a trip. At every stop, between the prayers, the stories, and the shared silences, I felt a deep reminder of faith, humility, and the legacy of those who came before us. The long drives gave us time to reflect, while the companionship of others made the journey even more memorable.

Each visit to the tombs was physically and mentally challenging - a journey that called for stamina, patience and perseverance. It humbled me, inside and out.

(Jejak Wali Songo routing)

The 6-day Jejak Wali Songo itinerary:
(08 - 13 October 2025)
Day 01: KL - Surabaya
Day 02: Surabaya - Gresik - Tuban
Day 03: Tuban - Kudus - Demak - Semarang
Day 04: Semarang - Cirebon
Day 05: Cirebon - Jakarta
Day 06: Jakarta - KL

My Travel Blog: munmus.blogspot.com

Next Trip: 2025 Thailand JJCM

Street Arts at Campbell Shopping Complex

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." - Aristotle

(Warung Labu & Labi)

During a stroll along the back streets of Jalan Tengku Abdul Rahman, it is hard to miss the mural adorning the rear wall of the Campbell Shopping Complex. Once a bustling retail hub since the 1970s, Campbell remains a landmark of Kuala Lumpur’s commercial history, and the addition of street art has given it a refreshing new layer of character.

(With a rickshaw peddler)

(Old colonial houses)

(The old KL Train Station)

(A satay street seller)

The mural is part of the city’s expanding street art movement, which transforms overlooked alleys and walls into vibrant canvases. Its imagery draws inspiration from Malaysia’s post-colonial years, reflecting everyday life and cultural identity. For many Malaysians, the artwork stirs a sense of nostalgia, reminding them of childhood memories, traditional trades, and the changing face of the city.

(Vibrant coloured stairs of a Melaka house)

(A Panggung Wayang Gambar or Pawagam)

(Nasi kandar seller)

(Scene from Do-Re-Mi)