Assalamualaikum, in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,
All praise to Allah, Supreme Ruler of the world, and salawah upon the Last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
warning: this holiday of mine is very long and compact with words. those who dare to take up the challenge may do so at your own risk. :P
I love holiday, especially after a long series of academic week, where students were bombarded with lots of bomb-like classes and assignment-nuke. My holiday began with my friend from Belfast, who I haven't met for more than half a year, decided to spend few days of her school break in London. It was 5 days of excitement where we chatted and shared opinions about various things, besides touring the europe's famous city. Eventhough it was quite tiring to go almost every single places in the city in 5 days, but having a good old friend in companion, evaporated all those fatigue. It was worth it. Thanks and please come again will you. :)
Then, i went to Manchester, to meet my big cool ex-schoolmate, Ghazali. He's studying economic and finance in University of Manchester. Despite of his fever, he used every bit of strength possess, to show me around Manchester, especially my favourite place, Old Trafford Theatre of Dreams. It was fun to go the museum and stadium tour as it really worth it and acquire good view. alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Him for giving me this chance. :)
Theatre of Dreams
After that, my friend and I took a flight to Dublin. We stayed at my friend's friend's house, where a luxury and warm place secured our night. Wie, Moja, Syed, Syamim, and many more. They welcome and treat us with various fabulous delicious meal. We also spent the nights with horror movies which suprisingly able to make some of us scream. Haha. Not very manly I supposed. :P I met very awesome friends over here. They are studying medicine in University of Dublin. Also, I met my former 4 years ex-classmate, a semashurian, Afif Ismail. It was great to play rugby with you guys. :D
While staying in Dublin, we went to St. Stephen's Park, located in the city. The flowers over there are very beautiful and heart-warming. Besides, we went to Glendalough. It was very beautiful scenary and extra-ordinary calmful. The lake and nature, really peaceful, far away from the busyness of London. We stopped at Arklow to see Irelands oldest weaving mill. Great experience I got over there in dublin.
St. Stephen Green's Park
On the way to Glendalough
Then, we went to Cork. Cork is located at the south of dublin, having 3 hours of journey by bus. Over there, I met my beloved ex-schoolmate as well, Hijaz. He was delighted to greet us. We started our tour de cork, by going to the university and park around the student accomodation. The university is very nice and accessible by walking. I had a few good pictures of beautiful flowers around cork as well. On our first night, we had our dinner and usrah. The content was very good and it's not really stressful as some person claimed. We had a santai group discussion and sharing knowledge. The usrah was led by my acquaintance, Amirul Asyrof, aka Bopek, joined with Emir and Ijam. I also met ammar and Hijaz's roommate.
Garden in UCC
The next day, Hijaz brought us to Kinsale, a town by the sea. The town too, aren't busy compared to UK, which is good for city getaway. We walked to some fort by the sea, and to our suprised, we got free for entrance as it is the first wednesday of the month. Great timing. We spent our afternoon enjoying the awesome scenery which hardly found in London. Oh yeah, our tour guide was Aiman, who came here several times. Thanks Aiman for the free tour. :)
relaxing moments. may this ukhuwah stay till jannah. :)
My next stop is Belfast, back to the part of UK. 6 hours journey really worthed it as I met my former classmates, Arif, Fikri and Anis. We had a great dinner that night. The very next morning, Arif lent me a bicycle to round a few part of Belfast. We also spend about 3 hours to climb a hill, Cave Hill which might be over 500 m above sea level. The view was great and the experience and sweat really worth it. Thanks Arif for showing me around Belfast. Then, we went to my friend's house for usrah. There, I met my former BTN groupmate, Hafiz Tarmizi. We joined the usrah and got really good food. Over here, I met a few doctors to be, such as 'Afif, Luqman, Boiler, Abbas & lain2. Engineers and doctors in the house. Cool. :P
Big Ben Belfast
Dinner in Thai Tanic
Queen's University of Belfast.
Cave Hill, Belfast.
On my last day in Ireland, I take a flight back from Dublin to Manchester. Then, I spend my next day with Syed Hilmi, before I went to Leeds, to meet few of my friends over there, Syahin and Asyraf. At leeds, I met my TDP batchmate, before they board the train to Sheffield. That night, we celebrate Amirah's birthday at Nandos. I met Afif again, Zuhdi and Akmal. We played FIFA until late night and spent the next day wondering around Leeds. Thanks Afif, for being a great driver, Zuhdi & Syahin for sending me to train station.
It was an awesome moment to spend time with future doctors & engineers, as well as accountant. Ghazali, thanks so much for spending your holiday with me, and withstand my sillyness. I know I annoyed you for stealing your bed, and thanks again for the tour. :D
Wie, Moja, Syamim, Syed, thanks for all your kindness and hospitality. It was fun to watch horror movie together. The ikan keli was very delicious, after few months of not eating it. :D
Hijaz, Emir, Ijam, Ammar, Bopek, Aiman thanks for welcoming us in Cork. I really enjoyed the moments spent with all of you. The food was great as well, and sorry for disturbing your time Hijaz, I know we troubled you a lot. Sorry2.
Arif, Hafiz, Luqman, 'Afif, Boiler, Abbas, Zaim, thanks for the usrah and food. Was having great time at your house. Thanks for the hospitality given. I really appreciate it.
Syahin, Acap, Afif, Zuhdi, Akmal, thanks for the tour de leeds. And the ride as well. Good fifa match, I'll come again to play. Insya-Allah.
"All intimate friends on that day will become each others enemies except for the pious"
(43:67)
I would like to express the gratitude to Allah, and those beloved friends of mine, whether I just met and known them since forever. In God Will, we'll meet again some other time. If you guys ever come to London, please give me a call. I would be delighted to meet you guys. :)
" Say (Muhammad), tell them to travel in the land and see what happened to those rejected the Truth"
(6:11)
Illaliqa'. Wassalam.
