Egypt 2014 - Hotel Problem

My passport needed two checks before I was let through. And as soon as I was let through I was confronted by taxis drivers galore. 150, 200, 130 and so it continued. I left them all and headed for the micro buses to Ramses,  hoping to catch a returning taxi. And I did,  Alhamdulillah, for only 80 EGP.

Spectra Inn's description says that it's opposite Mall of Arabs but where was the sign? It took ages and a lot of asking to find it. The taxi driver deserved an extra 20.

It was a big relief to finally find the hotel but only then to discover that they had problems - problems with the police! Big enough problems that meant all of their reservations had to be cancelled!

They apologised of course but wanted to leave it at that. "No, you have to find me a hotel!" I should have found a hotel myself. I would have saved at least £35. The best that they could find me was Movenpick at $90 after an apparent discount.

Another 20 for the taxi driver. Arrived at Movenpick to discover that they charge 145 EGP for wifi! Bargained a 50% (before tax) discount. At least the breakfast was included.

The hotel was nice but I was too tired to take advantage of all the extras, just like the last time...

Egypt 2014 - Al-Italia

Al-Italia is the cheapest of the airlines that give food on board. But not very good food and their planes leave a lot to be desired. Even one of the my window's pane was out of place!  You get what you pay for.

At least the flight from Malpensa to Cairo was mostly empty so I got three seats to myself. Got some uncomfortable sleep in, Alhamdulillah.

Cairo, here I come. Taxi drivers,  here I come...

Egypt 2014 - Turkish/Italian Pizza

Amjad was really bumbling. Nice brother who liked to talk,  mashaAllah. I listened patiently and actually enjoyed his company. His mixed Pakistani/Yorkshire accent was difficult to understand at times,  and certainly for the Italians. I had to "translate" quite a few times!

Here we are at a nearly all night Turkish place. The pizza was nice but too thin. The topping was Italian but the thinness  was Turkish unfortunately. The Boots sandwich was still supporting me.

I paid for most of the pizza and drinks but Amjad paid for all of the breakfast at McDonald's. Egg muffin. Straight after breakfast,  my time had come - at last!

Egypt 2014 - Piazza Duomo

London - Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa - Cairo. This is the first time in my life I've had to change airports in transit. Had plenty of time for the switch though - too much time. The plan was to go to Malpensa straight away and read,  watch and rest top while away the 12 hours. Exploring Milan at night alone was not really an option.

But on boarding the bus from Linate to Central Milan, bumped into a bumbling brother from Bradford. He was on the way to Lahore to visit his sick father. His transit was 2 hours longer.

So we explored Milan together, trailing along our trollies. We must have looked right of place. Walked for about 45 minutes to the central plaza.

The cathedral is impressive, but Milan itself didn't impress me so much. I guess I'll have to see it during the day to really judge.

In the centre we met many Bangladeshi migrants, selling their wares on the streets and squares. Felt sorry for their state of affairs. May Allah not put me in such situations. Aameen. And Alhamdulillah for all His blessings...

Egypt 2014 - Boots

A long time to wait for the gate. Boots for water, freshner and this sandwich. £2 at the airport is good value. It was to proved to be more valuable than I could have imagined. Alhamdulillah.

Egypt 2014 - Terminal 4

Heathrow Terminal Four was very busy but Alhamdulillah I had no luggage and electronic check in makes things so much easier and quicker. Had too much time. Prayed Asr, went through security,  waited, shopped at Boots, waited more,  boarded, waited, before finally taking off about 20 minutes late.

The wait in the plane was not desired but there was no hurry to get to Milan. Hannibal and History of Islamic Spain to pass the hour and a half. A 12 hour would lie ahead...

Egypt 2014 - Millharbour

Another trip to Egypt; another unwanted trip; and this time for much longer; and at our own cost; another holiday cut short.

Embarking on travels have always been happy occasions, even when I travelled alone before marriage. But there were tears in my eyes a couple of hours before leaving home.

The family are going to Westfield, via DLR, while I head to Heathrow via Jubilee and Picadilly. May Allah make it easy for us...

Lakes 2013 - University Meadows (11.8.13)

Oxford is perhaps unique among British towns in having cattle grazing within a mile of its city centre. Beautiful! There was once a proposal to build a road through it but widespread protests led to its rightful abandonment.

Aside from the academic excellence of the university,  its picturesque setting would've made it even more of a privilege to have studied there...

Lakes 2013 - River Chertsey (11.8.13)

Oxford lies at the confluence of the Thames and the Chertsey, along its gentle banks we continued our afternoon stroll, stopping intermittently to take in the idyllic and serene atmosphere.

Passing us by on the oh so calm waters of the Chertsey were rowing and punt boats, which we resisted in hiring. Why would we when we were going to the Lake District?

Along the other side of the riverside path was an algae filled ditch that fascinated our resident scientist, Mr Haroon...

Lakes 2013 - Ice Cream Day (11.8.13)

A perfect day for ice cream, though very expensive in this touristy area as expected. Bought two - one for Abdullah and the other for Yousuf and Zainab. And Alhamdulillah they shared lovingly, filling their parents' hearts with joy too.  MaShaAllah...

Lakes 2013 - Oxford University (11.4.13)

And so on to exploring Oxford,  and more specifically its historic university and its environs. Its grandiose architecture, hallowed cloisters,  and manicured lawns and playing fields are truly inspiring -  a gem of a campus that most probably draws in more tourists than any other university in the world...

Lakes 2013 - Car Lunch (11.8.13)

Our intended departure time of 11am didn't materialise but an hour's delay was not bad considering having to collect the Cruze and fit it with the car seats and load it with the gear.

The  unforgivable delay was driving through Central London, as suggested by Google Maps. I thought the traffic might be ok as it was Sunday. Wrong! Lesson learnt - A406 and M1 is the way to go.

We didn't arrive in Oxford until a little after 3pm, and hence the hurried car park lunch (of kebab rolls) rather than the riverside picnic - the kids were really hungry...

Lakes 2013 - The Cruze (11.8.13)

Excited to be back on the road again!

Another hire car, an automatic Chevrolet Cruze. SIXT didn't have a manual of our size - why, when we'd reserved it weeks back?

The automatic drank a lot despite attestation to the contrary by the rental clerk. It made the mountain roads easier but less fun.

At least it looked good...

Spain 2013 - Goodbye Spain (13.4.13)

The drive to Madrid was tiring. We stopped at a couple of service stations, once to have a short nap and the other to ask for a warning message on the dashboard of the Zafira. It was minor.

Drove fast for three reasons - it's safer as it stops you falling asleep because you have to concentrate more; it gets you there quicker;  and, I just enjoy driving fast! I should have been wary of cameras though. Ended up paying €200 in fines, my first ever despite numerous past transgressions.

In Central Madrid we met my cousin, Dilwar, who left Britain due to immigration problems. He is trying to make some sort of life for himself in Spain. May Allah ease his path. Aameen. I wished that we had put aside more time for him.

We left for the airport with plenty of time in hand. It was just as well as our free sat nav failed us again! This was the last adventure of the tour, and as we were misdirected around there came a point where I really thought that we might not make it. The heart was pumping.

At one juncture, Hamida told me to go the reverse way on the motorway! And due to feeling of desperation I had seriously considered it and started to turn the car around. But sanity prevailed, Alhamdulillah!

We got to the airport with very little time to unpack the Zafira and pack for the journey. A mad rush ensued that kept the adventure alive up to the last minute.

There was even a verbal scuffle with the checking assistants. I felt disrespected due to our colour and possibly also because of our travel worn appearances. And, for good or bad, my ego doesn't let these things pass go!

It was time to say goodbye to Spain. Thank you for hosting us most beautifully. We will remember you.

At least I had the IPL to look forward to...

Spain 2013, Granada 2 - Goodbye Granada, Goodbye Andalucia (12.4.13)

Goodbye Granada - you have joined the few places in the world which I have had the pleasure of visiting on more than one occasion; you have joined the ranks of Petra, Marsa Matrouh and Siwa Oasis; you have reinvigorated in a me an appreciation of history; you have made me yearn to return to you; you have become my favourite city.

Before saying goodbye to you we went to collect a front grill of the Zafira which had come off on a dirt track of yours near the Alhambra in our search for a car park earlier in the afternoon.  Alhamdulillah it was still there! Can you see Abdullah running with it to the Zafira?

As the sun set, so did our little tour of the most picturesque and culturally rich province of Spain. After dinner in our trusted Zafira, instead of in a vegetarian restaurant due to forgetting its name, we were back on the road to Madrid...

Spain 2013, Granada 2 - Goodbye Alhambra (12.4.13)

After the Nasrid Palace, we went to the Alcazaba but it was closed. No great loss as we'd seen the Malaga one and InshaAllah we will return in time.

A final stroll and a few final pictures and we were soon back in the Zafira...

Spain 2013, Granada 2 - Goodbye Nasrid Palace (12.4.13)

The Nasrid Palace is indeed the nnumber one historical attraction in Spain for its elegant and natural beauty. Though it's man made of course, I describe its beauty as natural for a number of reasons: its complementing of its natural surroundings; its inducing of peace and serenity in its visitors; and its delicate  and gentle aura.

Arabic inscriptions adorn the palace throughout.  Some were eulogies to the various sultans but most were verses of the Qur'an.

The most common phrase howeverhowever "There is no Conqueror but God" A befitting inscription for any palace. If only the latter day Moors had remembered it...

Spain 2013, Granada 2 - Patio de los Leones (12.4.13)

The Harem is the third of the palace's three major quarters. This was the private living (and basking in the pleasures of life) area for the sultans.

Its courtyard, the Patio de los Leones is another archetypal image of the Alhambra. My words cannot do justice to this  splendid heart of the harem. So let Washington Irving try:

"It is impossible to contemplate this scene, so perfectly Oriental, without feeling the early associations of Arabian romance, and almost expecting to see the white arm of some mysterious princess beckoning from the gallery, or some dark eye sparkling through the lattice. The abode of beauty is here as if it had been inhabited but yesterday."

Good try Washington, but...

Spain 2013, Granada 2 - Alhambra Kids (12. 4.13)

Yousuf was not in a good mood at the Nasrid Palace. In the beginning he constantly wanted to be carried but got better as we went along. Zainab wanted to run around everywhere but was also not in the best of moods, but again improved. Abdullah was fine MaShaAllah.

Two of the pictures here are at the northern end of the Patio de los Arrayanes. The third is in the Patio de los Leones, the courtyard of the Harem...

Spain 2013, Granada 2 - Patio de los Arrayanes (12.4.13)

The Patio del Cuarto Dorado leads on to the second of the three series of the rooms, the Serrallo. In these rooms the sultans world receive distinguished guests and emissaries.

The rooms of the Serrallo open up to what is perhaps the classic image of the Alhambra, the pictured Patio de los Arrayanes. This is certainly my favorite part of the palace and the one I remember the most from my first visit 15 years earlier.

The tower in the background, Torre de Comares, houses the royal throne room (Salon de Embajadores) where Abu Abdullah handed over the keys to the city to the Catholics...