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

Aceh - Musafir ke Serambi Mekah

"Life is a balance between what we can control and what we can let go. Learn to live between effort and surrender...'

(Kilometer 0 Viewpoint, Pulau Sabang)

Aceh and Pulau Sabang Trip

(20 -23 February 2024)

It was a 4-day trip to Banda Aceh and Pulau Sabang with a large group from Setiawan, Perak.

Aceh province is the westernmost province of Indonesia located on the island of Sumatra. Aceh is known as Serambi Makkah because it used to be a stopover for pilgrims to deepen their knowledge of Islam before leaving to Makkah to perform the Hajj.

Aceh, which is a semi-autonomous Indonesian province on the northwest tip of Sumatra Island. It's known for beaches, diving sites and mountain wilderness areas.

Day 01: KL - Banda Aceh

Day 02: Pulau Sabang

Day 03: Banda Aceh

Day 04: Banda Aceh - KL

Next Trip: 2024 Kembara Ramadhan Vol 7

My Travel Blog: munmus.blogspot.com

Indonesia: Karimun and Batam trip...

"Take vacations, go as many places as you can. You can always make money, you can't always make memories..."

(Rumah Makan Selero Bersamo, Batam)

Indonesia 2016: Riau Islands Vet Charity Program...

(8 - 10 August, 2016)

Hotel Lovina Inn

(Ferries from Kukup to Karimun and Batam)

(Return ferry tickets to Tg Balai, Karimun)

Karimun is one of the islands in the Riau Islands province of Indonesia, 37 km southwest of Singapore. The island's main city is Tanjung Balai. Notable landmarks on the island include Mount Jantan, the beaches of Pelawan and Pongkar, and the Pongkar Waterfall.

Tanjung Balai is a bustling port town with a lot of commerce, boosted by tourists from Singapore and Malaysia. Like Batam, Karimun is also listed as a Free Trade Zone area.

Return ferry tickets from Kukup, Johor cost RM95, excluding RM10 port tax/boarding fee.

(DAHP Program Amal gang)

Located only 25km from Johor in Malaysia, Batam is Indonesia's equivalent to China's Special Economic Zones. The island is an industrial hub with electronics factories, a large and growing ship repair industry and an even larger oil service sector. Quite a few expats head there for work, and pubs and golf courses have sprung up to serve them.

Most tourists, come from Singapore and Malaysia. While there is a smattering of family resorts, the main lure on Batam is the discounted shopping and the nightlife. The new governor of the province has shut down casinos and taken steps to curb prostitution.

Regular ferries operate between Tanjung Balai, Karimun or direct from Kukup, Johor.

Next Overseas Trip: Thailand 2016 Umphang Death Highway Road Trip...

My Overseas Travelogue: munmus.blogspot.com

Indonesia: Bali Adventure Ride...

"Being defeated is often a temporary condition; giving up is what makes it permanent..."

(The Pura Tanah Lot)

Bali Adventure Ride

(24 - 27 January 2014)

Route taken: Kuta - Ubud - Kintamani - Lovina - Bedugul - Tanah Lot - Kuta

Total distance: 350 km

Bikers gang: Mus/Mun, Azman/Hanim, Mig Rizal/Jaclyn, Shafiq/Suzana, Zaini and Bobby

Organizer: Ride Adventure

(The majestic Gunung Agung)

I live a life of grey, 

each day, as many do,

The occasional shaft of light broke through, 

then I saw you.

I wanted to talk but baulked at the thought,

You spoke to me and suddenly I was connected,

Dissected, resurrected, infected.

You cast a spell on me,

From which I beg no release...

(Owain Glyn)

Next Trip: 2014 Koh Lipe Sunrise to Sunset Ride... 

My Overseas Travel Blog: munmus.blogspot.com

Jogja Nusa Travel...

"When someone hugs you let them be the first to let go..."

Jogjakarta & Solo Trip

(28 May - 1 June 2008)

The Puspanita Kijang is planning for a Jogja/solo trip at end of the month. I had earlier registered my name and his. This should be fun. I am already excited to visit the world heritage, the Borobodur and the famous Bengawan Solo.

Bengawan Solo

Bengawan Solo, riwayatmu ini

Sedari dulu jadi perhatian insani

Musim kemarau, tak seberapa airmu

Di musim hujan air mengalir sampai jauh
Mata airmu dari Solo, terkurung gunung seribu

Air mengalir sampai jauh, akhirnya ke laut

Itu perahu , riwayatmu dulu
Kaum pedagang selalu naik itu perahu

Written in 1940 by
Gesang Martohartono

My Travel Blog: munmus.blogspot.com

Next Trip: 9th Umrah Trip and Dubai/Abu Dhabi family holiday

Sarawak - Kalimantan border towns...

“May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks...” 

(Sarawak: 8 - 11 Sept 2007)

(A wooden mask of indigenous group)

On Saturday, it was raining heavily when our plane landed in Kuching Airport.

We rented a car and drove to Damai Beach resort for a 2-night stay there. My meeting at the branch will be on Tuesday so I have taken Monday off.

(A good road towards Indonesian border)

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On Sunday we decided to drive to Tebedu, about 100 km from Kuching town and a point of entry into West Kalimantan. The journey was smooth using the highway and we passed the limestone hills and pinnacles.
.

(Limestone formations at Tebedu, Sarawak)

The pinnacles should not be missed if you are in Sarawak, especially the famous pinnacles at Mulu where they could reach up to 40 meters tall and has become a world heritage site – a natural wonder of the world.

(Borneo River Taxi)

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We thought of driving to Pontianak but were told it may take us more that 8 hours to reach there. So we decided to explore a few towns across the Malaysia-Indonesia border and passed through Entikong and Balaikarang, both are deserted and becoming ghost towns.

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It was raining all the way back to Kuching...

Indonesia: Bandung Shoppers Paradise...

“Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going...” - Paul Theroux

(Normah, me and Ella...)

Indonesia 2007: Bandung Shopper's Paradise...

(21 - 24 July 2007)

Months back, when Iwan and Ella asked whether I want to join them for a trip to Bandung, I was not really interested. So during the cheap Air Asia air-fare promotion, they have booked tickets for themselves as well as a ticket for Ella’s mother, Normah, who is joining them for the trip.

Later, I decided to book the same flight at the normal price and have forgotten all about it until yesterday when I received a call from my besan, Normah to enquire about the trip and hotel booking! Whole day yesterday, we browsed the internet and tried to make on-line booking but were not successful as most hotels are fully booked at this time of the year. We called several travel agents and late evening we received confirmation on our hotel booking.

I heard that Bandung has so many things to offer - from scenic attractions to traditional culinary. Bandung also has thousands of textile shops and factory outlets and has become main attraction for shoppers…

(My comfortable walking slippers...)

Our flight is very early tomorrow morning and I still have time to change my Rupiah…

My Overseas Travelogue: munmus.blogspot.com

Next Trip: An Italian Train Adventure...

Bali: The island of dreams...

“There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror.” – Orson Welles

Indonesia 2006: Bali - Yoga and Meditation Retreat...

(30 January - 03 February 2006)

It is not like me to break my promise with close friends but this time I have too. So I called off my plan to join them for a holiday but instead, I would be spending the next 4 days with hubby for a free and easy holiday in Bali during the long break of Chinese New Year. The plan for the holiday was made in a haste but it turned out lovely and wonderful. Even the Kuta and Jimbaran bombings did not marred Bali's tropical loveland image.

(Painting of pretty young dancers)

My Overseas Travelogue: munmus.blogspot.com

Next Trip: France 2006: Paris - Mint Directors' Conference...