Kembara Ramadhan Malaya 2026 - Vol 9

“Sometimes the journey itself becomes the ibadah - every mile travelled a quiet zikr of gratitude...”

On the Road with the Qur’an and Terawih

(01 - 10 March 2026)

The first ten days of Ramadhan slipped by quietly, filled with the rhythm of verses and shared intention. I joined Masjid At-Taiyibbin tadarus circle - just four of us in my group, gathering each day to recite the Qur’an together. There is something deeply comforting about reading in unison, correcting and encouraging one another softly, without much words.

By the tenth day, we had completed 25 juzuk. A collective effort, a shared amanah.

Today is the 11th of Ramadhan, my final day with the group. They will continue with the remaining five juzuk without me. I leave them with gratitude in my heart, thankful for the companionship, striving for the same divine reward in the hereafter.

As in previous years, dear hubby and I will soon set off on our annual Kembara Ramadhan - ten days on the road with our trusty four-wheeler. This journey has quietly become a tradition for us. A moving sanctuary of sorts.

This year, our plan is simple yet ambitious, to perform our terawih prayers in mosques across the states of West Malaysia, with the exception of Negeri Sembilan, Penang and Perlis. Along the way, we hope to stop at several other mosques - some grand and well-known, others modest and tucked away in small towns, each with its own story, its own congregation, its own warmth.

Ramadhan feels different when you experience it on the road. Every night brings a new imam, a new recitation, a new community standing shoulder to shoulder. Yet the purpose remains the same - seeking His mercy, His forgiveness, His nearness.

As we prepare to depart, I carry with me the echoes of the Qur’an from our tadarus circle, hoping they will accompany us through every state, every mosque, every sujud.

Ramadhan Mubarak - wherever the road may lead us.

2026 Kembara Ramadhan itinerary:
(01 - 10 March, 2026)
Day 01: Kuala Lumpur - Melaka
Day 02: Melaka - Johor Bahru
Day 03: Johor Bahru - Kuantan
Day 04: Kuantan - Kuala Terengganu
Day 05: Kuala Terengganu - Kota Bharu
Day 06: Kota Bharu - Sungai Petani
Day 07: Sungai Petani - Pangkor
Day 08: Pangkor
Day 09: Pangkor - Ipoh
Day 10: Ipoh - Kuala Lumpur

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
Day 04: Makkah - Jaaranah 3rd Umrah
Day 05: Makkah - Down with fever
Day 06: Makkah - Madinah, the Hijrah Route
Day 07: Madinah - Mosque Tour, Raudhah Visit
Day 08: Madinah - Historical City Tour
Day 09: Madinah - Makràkah Badar Tour
Day 10: Madinah - A Day of Rest
Day 11: 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