Immediately after Isyakh prayer, I left for KLIA to set upon a long journey to the African continent and Middle East. I would be missing from the nation for thirty four (34) days. Besides my family, YM Raja Sahar, his wife Dr Norkaedah and son Syafiq was at KLIA to send me off. We could not take Shasha along as it was late at night. I was going to miss that cheeky little fellow.
With Raja Sahar at KLIA before departing.
08 August 2010:
I left by Egypt Air for Cairo by Flight MS 969 at 0130 hrs. On the same flight was the Malaysian mission to Gaza Palestine via the Rafah crossing. The MB of Kedah with his several Excos was seated at the Business Class compartment. The Cairo/ Umrah entourage was led by Ustaz Mokhzar and comprised of thirty pilgrims. Among them were Prof Dr Nor Ghani Mat Nor of UKM and Prof Dr Hassan Mohd Rashid of UPM. There were several other Professionals, Retirees and Prominent Businessmen (name withheld). We also had someone who has a High Chapparel at Manjong – Cowboy Melayu. Surprisingly I was the most senior among all, in this package.
09 August 2010:
After a long and tiring flight of ten (10) hours, we landed at Cairo International Airport at 0545 hrs (Cairo time). No jet lag as I was in slumber land during most of the flight. Unlike some people, travelled within the same longtitude can get jet lag? The Airport had a facelift since I last landed on 22 April 2008 and this was my second visit to Cairo. Immigration formalities were simple and we headed straight for breakfast at Rumah Perlis. There is a Cafetaria at this Apartment Complex where Al Azhar University students from Perlis reside. We had Malaysian breakfast on Egyptian soil. We then checked into TABA Pyramid Hotel, very close to Giza where we could even admire the mighty pyramid from the Hotel lobby.
The pyramid seen from the Hotel Lobby.
The first program of the day was a visit to Citadel of Salah Al-Din. We toured the Mosque, Fort and the various Museums. What attracted me most were the Israelis tanks that were captured by the Egyptians Forces during the 1967 War. We adjourned for lunch at KLCC (Kuala Lumpur Cairo café) – an Apartment Complex that house the Wilayah KL students. We performed our jamak prayers at the Apartment Surau.
Citadel of Salah-Al Din.
We then went to Makam Imam Shafie, the mazhab that Malaysian Muslims profess and then hopped over to Amru Al – As Mosque, the first Mosque built in the African continent. The tour coach took us for sunset tour along both sides of the Nile River. We got on a hired boat and cruised along the River Nile. It was very romantic and for Firdaus and his newlywed bride, we suggested a boat for the couple instead. Back to shore, we had dinner, now an Egyptian cuisine at one of the massive Boat House. Wahab was disappointed as dinner did not come along with belly dancers. I told him during my last visit to Cairo, it was dinner cruise by the Nile and the package came along with belly dancers. He eagerly anticipated but disappointed. A little bit of Cairo nightlife then before we hit back to the Hotel. Some went out to taste the juicy Egyptian mango cocktail. Juicy and fibreless, some juice that not to be missed, when in Cairo.
Makam Imam Shafie.
Cruising by the River Nile at sunset.
10 August 2010:
At 0800 hrs we left for Alexandria, 400 kilometers away, sea resort by the Mediterranean Sea. Along the way, we saw how the Egyptians turned the barren desert into fertile agricultural farms. They even have banana plantation. At Alexandria, we dropped off Prof Dr Nor Ghani as he wanted to catch up with his two daughters who are medical students at Alexandria University. First stop was King Farouk Palace and Montaza Botanical Garden. King Farouk was the last King of Egypt before being kicked off by President Naseer. We admired King Farouk magnificent Palace with its surrounding panoramic garden and imagined the gala time he had with his harem. By the sea frontage, we stopped at the Fort of Sultan Qaitbey where we picked up several souvenirs. We then paid a visit to Makam Mursyid Abu Abas and jamak prayers at the Mosque.
Alexandria city center.
The Lighthouse and the Meditranean Sea.
Palace of King Farouk.
Sultan Qaitbey Fort by the fringe of Meditranean.
Masjid Abu Abas at Alexandria.
We had seafood lunch at Restaurant As - Sobirin, the same Restaurant that I went before. We then visited the famous Alexandria Library, the first Library in the world. We were taught of the original Egyptian alphabets. We picked up Dr Nor Ghani and stopped by the Roman Theatre Complex. The coach headed back to Cairo and we had dinner in the Hotel.
Night – I sneaked out quietly with Ustaz Mokhzar and Wahab to Cairo Hard Rock Café. I promised to pick up the Cairo Hard Rock Café T shirts for my son and daughter back home. This has been my normal routine whenever I hit big cities with Hard Rock Cafés. Wahab was pestering me to take him along to someplace interesting and I flatly rejected his request. We saw a lot of Cairo by night as on the way back to the Hotel we were caught in a massive traffic jam. The Egyptians were enjoying themselves in town pre Ramadan.
11August 2010:
After breakfast we went to Giza, pyramid complex. Security was tight and the vendors were a nuisance. We got very close to the pyramids, touching the pile of mathematically arranged boulders and wonder how in the world they managed to arrange these piles of boulders to perfection. There is no shadow overcast by the pyramids. At one of the small pyramid, (where it is free to enter) a few of us entered a small dark alley to the tomb below. To enter, one has to back step downward along the dark gangway in a reverse manner. It was the tomb of one of Pharaoh’s wife. Crazy me, like a hero entered into the tomb and what the hell, it was like in a grave or a dungeon. If there was an earthquake, I would not be able to blog this event. However, I came out alive and we took a shot of those who were courageous enough to take up the challenge. Not bad for a 65 year old man! We drove up to the highest point of Giza and admired the panoramic view of all the pyramids. Very scenic, elegant structures and no wonder it is still remain as one of the wonders of the world. Down the road we stopped at the sphinx for memories of our presence. This lion body with human head stone structure stood the desert wind for ages and from a distance like a cat on it fore.
The Pyramid & Me.
The huge single boulder of the pyramid.
Inside the Tomb of Pharoah's wife.
The courageous Explorers that ventured into the Tomb.
The pyramids are small.(from a distance).
The sphinx, the Pyramids and Me.
On the way to an Egyptian lunch we visited the Egyptian perfume outlets. I did not buy any as the stock of previous visit still around in the collection. We performed our solat jamak at Masjid Sultan, one of the four Mosques of the four mazhabs within the vicinity. As demonstrated by the Bilal, they don’t need a PA system as the architectural of the Mosque itself will amplify any sound in the Mosque. We were fascinated by the recitation of a surah from the Al Quraan and the echo tic sounds was loud and clear. We then stopped over at Anwar Sadat Memorial, opposite the Grandstand where he was assassinated during a Military Parade. It did not interest me much and I just waited in the coach. Going back to the Hotel was a nightmare, it was the eve of Ramadan and every Egyptians in Cairo seems to be out celebrating. The Hotel had a blackout for three (3) hours but I was fortunate as my room was facing the main road. I did my jamak prayers in the room followed with (8) rakaat of sunat terawih prayers. The next day was the first of Ramadan and fasting for all Muslims began.
Masjid Sultan (Cairo).
Anwar Sadat Memorial.
Later that night two (2) students from Al Azhar University whom I had befriended came to meet me as promised and brought along something that I asked them to purchase. I don’t have the time to get it personally.
11 August 2010:
The first sahor of this year Ramadan was at the Hotel Restaurant. Later, I walked over to the Mosque across the road, for subuh prayer.
It was historic that I started my 2010 fasting in Cairo Egypt. The morning spent packing off the luggage as there was a mission ahead in Saudi Arabia. I got all that I planned to get in Cairo. One thing that I don’t understand about Cairo – how come there is one (1) million people are squatting on old graveyards?
Checked out from the Hotel at 1100 hrs and headed for Bazaar Khalili for last minute souvenirs hunting. I had only 30 minutes to do so and I was unable to bargain enough.
Left Cairo at 1630 hrs by Egypt Air MS 671 heading for Jeddah Saudi Arabia.
We broke our fasting above the Red Sea before we landed at King Abdul Aziz International Airport Jeddah.
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