14th Umrah Trip: Throwback of our holistic Hajj and Umrah rites...

“When I get toward the end of my life, I want to look back and see that I’ve lived not only the length of it, but the width of it as well…”

(A visit to Jabal Rahmah, Padang Arafah)

(Completing our daily Umrah in the morning)

(The old Mosque of Hudaibiah, another Miqat place)

(View of Kaabah during tawaf Wida' on upper Mataf)

The Prophet SAW stated, “A prayer in the Masjid al-Haram is akin to a hundred thousand prayers, a prayer in my mosque to a thousand prayers, and a prayer in the Bayt al-Maqdis to five hundred prayers...” - Sahih Bukhari/Muslim

Looking at the amount of time and money spent on my travel each year, a lot of people, especially close friends asked me a typical, mocking question:

"Kau gi jalan round dunia ni tak simpan duit sikit untuk buat haji ke atau umrah ke? Kalau duit lebih tu sedekah le pada parents ke … adik beradik ke… anak-anak ke.. kekawan ke... bla bla bla… he he he…”

Hubby and I usually will just smile and ignore those remarks. Our parents, siblings and kids know us better to pass judgments...

When we started working in early 80s, we opened a deposit account with Tabung Haji. A small monthly salary deduction was a heavy burden to our pockets. Then, with our general degree our meager salary was barely sufficient to pay for house rental, car loan and utilities. Eating out on Saturday nights was a luxury treat for the kids…

Over the years with each yearly increment, we increased our deposits. Over 5 years our tabung haji deposits were enough for us to perform the Hajj. It didn’t take us long to decide. In 1991 we registered and in 1992 we were offered to join the muasasah group.

In May 1992, we severed all ties with our family and home and started our journey for the Hajj Pilgrimage. Leaving our small kids behind, my late youngest son, Mirza was 7 then. We performed the various duties of the pilgrim at all stages of the Hajj and completed the fifth and last of the Rukun Islam. Alhamdulillah… In front of the Ka’abah we prayed for Allah to endow us with good health and abundance of wealth, for us to be able to visit the holy lands again.

In November 1994, we brought our 3 kids, my Mak and Abah and my Mother-in-law to perform the Umrah and after the Umrah we stopped over in Amman, Jordan for a 3-day ziarah and tour.

In December 1996, joining a big group, together with our 3 kids we went to perform our 3rd Umrah trip. This time we transited in Istanbul, Turkey for a 3-day ziarah and tour.

In December 1998, together with the 3 kids, my parents and Mother-in-law we went for ziarah in Cairo and Alexandria in Egypt. Over there we were accompanied by my nephew, Abu Dzar, who was then studying in Al-Azhar U and was our tour guide. We then flew to Madinah and later we entered Makkah on the first day of Ramadhan. This was our 4th Umrah trip.

In November 2000, only the two of us went to perform the 5th Umrah during the last week of Ramadhan. After the Umrah, when we reached KL, we had already completed 30 days of fasting and celebrated the Eid-Fitri. People in Malaysia were still fasting then.

In September 2002, together with another 2 couples we went to perform the 6th Umrah. On the way back to KL our flight from Jeddah was delayed and we were stranded in Sana’a, Yemen. We were made to stay for 3 days before the next flight. The 6 of us enjoyed our stay so much and had the opportunity to visit historical and interesting places in Sana'a. And all expenses were paid for!

In September 2004, we joined a group of a dozen people to perform the 7th Umrah. After the Umrah the two of us transited in Dubai for a 4-day holiday. There, we met with my nephew, Nor Azhar, a Captain with the Etihad Airways.

In September 2006, Sara, my parents and Mother-in-law, my two sisters, Zai and Amah joined us for another Umrah trip. We transited at Dubai and spent three nights in my nephew’s place in Abu Dhabi.

In July 2008, we brought Sara, Iwan, my daughter-in-law Ella and my besan Normah for another Umrah trip and we transited in Dubai and stayed a few nights in Abu Dhabi.

Our planned Umrah trip in December 2010 was postponed to 2011 when the Saudi stopped issuing the ziarah visas until early 2011.

In April 2011 together with Sara and my son-in-law Fitri, we went for our 10th Umrah trip via Amman, Jerusalem and Damascus. In this trip we had the opportunity to visit the three holy mosques, Masjidil-Haram, Masjidil-Nabawi and Masjidil-Aqsa. We celebrated Sara and Fitri's first Anniversary in Madinah.

In April 2013, with a group of 20 jemaah, we performed our 11th Umrah and transited in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia for a two day visit of historical places.

In April 2015, the two of us went for our 12th Umrah trip. Our original plan for a ziarah trip to Oman after performing our Umrah was cancelled by the travel agent when Oman Air changed their routing.

In March 2017, We joined a small group of jemaah to perform our 13th Umrah Trip. We had the opportunity to visit and tour the beautiful highland town of Taif.

This April 2019, we performed our 14th Umrah and had a half-day tour of Muscat, Oman during a 9-hour transit, Alhamdulillah.

We have always planned to perform our Umrah every other year and Alhamdulillah, Allah has granted us our wishes.

Insya-Allah, we will visit the holy lands again...

2019 14th Umrah: 01 Madinah al- Munawwarah

2019 14th Umrah: 02 Makkah al-Mukarramah...

My Overseas Travel: 

munmus.blogspot.com

Program Sentuhan Kasih Muslimah...

"We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone..." - John Lennon 

(The Muslimah of Masjid At-Tayyibin)

Program Sentuhan Kasih 

Muslimah Masjid At-Taiyyibin

Mes Greysand Port Dickson

(22 - 24 March 2019)

(Watching the sunrise)

(Muslimah session with the AJK Masjid)

(Imam Rusni with Muslimah Orang Asli Bukit Lagong)

(Tuan Nazir and Setiausaha Masjid At-Tayyibin)

Jeriau Waterfalls of Frazer's Hill...

“A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.“ - Jim Watkins

(Jeriau Waterfalls of Frazer's Hill)

Jeriau waterfall is a popular nature attraction about 4km away from Bukit Fraser's town center, accessed through Jalan Semantan by a steep and narrow road that descends sharply after Smokehouse Hotel. Traffic is two-way but the road really fits a single lane for most part. Drivers need to keep a close watch as they descend down the slopes.

(A winding road descending to the waterfalls entrance)

(The entrance of the Eco Park)

(A brief write up on the waterfalls)

(Warnings to visitors)

(Gazebos and shelters along the path)

The road ends at the car park and the entrance gate to the Taman Eko Rimba Jeriau. This is a landscaped park with shelters and a playground, all connected by a cemented walkway. Very suitable for families with children.

(Cemented walk way all the way)

(Bridges criss-crossing the streams)

(A camping area with basic amenities)

The area around the waterfalls has been landscaped. There are washrooms and toilets available but not kept clean. There is a brick wall to contain the flowing water into an artificial swimming pool. The pool has been silted so much that it is more of a wading pool now.

The waterfall is not very impressive and the amount of water is not large, but the backdrop is serene, making a visit worthwhile.

(A shallow stream ideal for picnicking)

(A bold clear warnings to visitors)

(Clean clear water of the stream)

(Another bridge near the Surau)

(A smaller falls along the route)

(A long climb down the cemented stairs)

(Reaching the lower waterfalls)

(The upper level of the waterfalls)

(The waterfalls with quiet surrounding)

(A beautiful backdrop of the falls)

(A shallow pool safe for kids)

(Gazebos and washrooms available for visitors)

(A long climb up the stairs)

(The waterfalls seen from above)

Hiking the jungle trails...

“I like being near the top of a mountain. One can’t get lost here...” - Wislawa Szymborska

(A jungle hike in the morning)

There are eight hiking trails available in Fraser's Hill. They are the Abu Suradi Trail (500m), the Rompin Trail (500m), the Kindersley Trail (750m), the Mager Trail (1000m), the Hemmant Trail (1000m), the Bishop Trail (1500m), the Maxwell Trail (1800m) and the Pine Tree Trail (5100m).

Besides being the longest trail here, the Pine Tree Trail is also known to be the most challenging one as well. Out of the eight, we managed to jungle trek only on two of the trails.

(The eight jungle trails in Frazer's Hill)

(The entrance to Hemmant Trail)

Hemmant Trail begins from a grass clearing behind the mosque area along Genting road, just opposite the Abu Suradi trail entrance. It's an easy 1 km trail with a moderate ascent for the first quarter and level for the rest. The hike skirts along the edges of the Fraser's Hill Golf Course designed by Frank Hemmant. The trail is named after him.

The trail passes through trees, ferns and shrubs, some not native. The track may be slightly muddy, especially after rainfall. Beware of leeches during wet season. Hikers will exit at the paved road just before it forks towards Muar Cottage on the left and Glen Bungalow on the right.

(The rotting tree trunk across the path)

(A wider leveled path)

(One of the many shelters in the jungle)

(Ruins in the jungle)

(More ruins of abandoned structure)

Abu Suradi Trail is a short and easy 500 meter jungle walk suitable for hikers of all ages. It was named after the first person to be awarded a mining lease for Pamah Lebar - now the popular Fraser's Hill public golf course in the center of town. Abu Suradi operated a tin mine for ten years from 1899 until his lease got cancelled by British district officer.

The trek begins from a spot along Genting road just opposite the mosque, leading uphill across a slightly steep slope before breaking on to level path. Broad and wide, the trail is easy to trek. The track ends at the start of Mager trail.

(A steep climb at the entrance of Abu Suradi Trail)

(Bridge over dried-up stream)

(Taking a short rest)

(Beware of buttress roots and vines)

Frazer's Hill Resort...

"A holiday is an opportunity to journey within. It is also a chance to chill, to relax..."

(The iconic Clock Tower of Frazer's Hill)

Fraser's Hill is spread over seven hills straddling the Pahang/Selangor border. It is an area of unspoilt rain forests and rich biodiversity located on the Titiwangsa Ridge in Pahang. At an altitude of around 1500m, it enjoys relatively mild daytime temperatures of between 18 and 25 degrees. At nights it is cool enough to wear a sweater and light a log fireplace or an electric heater.

Fraser's Hill is named after a Scottish adventurer, Louis James Fraser, who first penetrated these unexplored hills in search of gold in the early 1890s. He did not find any gold but instead discovered some tin deposits. After Fraser mysteriously disappeared in 1917, a search party came across these highlands and found that they were suitable to establish a Raj-style hill station for colonial types looking for a respite from the heat.

By 1922 an access road had been hacked out of the jungle and British administrators and businessmen set about recreating a corner of England complete with mock Tudor stone cottages, pretty gardens, a clock tower and a post office.

Fraser’s Hill is one of our favorite holiday destinations. It has not changed much over the decades.

(The Pine Resort apartments overlooking the mountains)

(A cozy 3-room apartment)

(An electric heater to keep us warm at night)

(Having steaming hot soup for dinner)

(Enjoying the cool mountain weather)

As a Bank Negara retiree, I am privileged to stay in Bank Negara resorts at a very minimal fee. In Frazer's Hill we stayed two nights at BNM Pine Resort apartment located along the exit route. Pine Resort comprised of three bedroom family apartments, each unit provides a spacious setting with living hall, kitchen, dining area and private balcony.

(Heavy breakfast at the food court)

(Visiting one of the private Strawberry Farms)

(Scanty strawberry fruits, not in season)

We visited the strawberry farm located within Fraser Hill Garden Center, an agricultural center next to Allan's Water. The farm specialises more in ornamental plants and vegetables for retail. The flowers and plants are grown in large greenhouses, while lettuce, tomatoes and other leafy greens creep along the ground and fences. The small shop beside the main entrance sells strawberries and vegetables especially to the locals.

(Free entrance to Allan's Water park)

(Fishing is not allowed)

(Fish food is available for sale)

(Boating activities are available for a fee)

(Flying Fox activities for the adventurous)

Allan's Water is a small lake that sits in a little nook before Jelai Highland Resort. It was turned into a park for recreational activities and paddle boating from a reservoir that fell into disuse over the years. Originally a water collection and supply during the colonial hill station era. Surrounding the lake are trees and thick shrubs that emit a natural calm over the environment. Birds fluttering among the tree tops are common sights, along with the occasional squirrels and monkeys.

(The Paddock, an equestrian center)

(Beautiful setup of the Paddock)

(The track for horse-riding at the Paddock)

The Paddock is an equestrian center for horse-riding activities in Fraser’s Hill. Visitors can ride retired racing horses around a small course guided by the keeper for a fee. Besides the track, there is a small garden area with benches provides a nice resting spot to admire the surrounding greenery, lined with majestic conifer trees. Also located here is an archery range at the bottom of the slope near the entrance.

(Masjid Sultan Mahmood near town center)

(The old abandoned mosque on top of the hill)

We visited the new and old mosques of Frazer's Hill. Masjid Sultan Mahmood is situated a short walking distance from town centre and very near the food court. The old mosque is still there on top of the hill by the Paddock. It was long ago abandoned after the new mosque was built.

We also had ample time to visit the Jeriau Waterfalls and trekked a few jungle trails during our two-day stay in Frazer's Hill.

  

(A one-way exit road from Frazer's Hill)

(A good view of the mountain ranges)

(A big signage at the end of the exit road)