Journey to Rimini dan San Marino

As my husband still had some vacation days left, we made it used in a fall holidays.

As always, any ticket fares is higher on holidays. Especially for european main tourist destinations. But in Ryanair website, we found some interesting cheap destinations. At first, Madrid had caught our eyes. There's a relative cheap ticket from Eindhoven airport. Next time, we got ourselves through other places like Triest, Italy.

Triest is just near from Slovenia. From there, we could cross to the country directly. One candidate, because we had not in Slovenia before. But the flight time was not favourable. We'd touched Triest down about 10 pm. There's a train early in the morning to Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana. A burden, since in the fall, we could not predict the weather. We did not know how is it in Triest. Can we spent the night in the airport or train station. Is that safe and warm enough, since we travel with two kids? The hotel prices in Triest is out of our reach, too.

The selection shifted to other Italian destinations. Actually, Italy was on the list of "to go" country. We were there in 2007. Visited some cities like Venice, Rome, Pisa dan Florence. But LilBro, my second kid was not. So when we got a cheap ticket, we thought, why not? We're again through some budget airlines. Comparing fares to Milano, Napoli, etc. The cheapest of all was Ryanair flight to Ancona and Rimini. With less than 100 euro four 4 people.

Ancona and Rimini are popular beaches in Italy. In October, it would be "empty" though. To swim is almost impossible, while the water temperature is low and so windy. We chose Rimini. It locates near Republic of San Marino. An enclave independent country in Italy, other than Vatican. We were not in the country. It's time to collect more in "countries we had visited" list. Flying from Frankfurt Hahn, a big airport dedicated mostly to serve european budget airlines in the state of Rhine Palatine, about two hours from home.

A funny thing happened during San Marino trip. Hearing the country name, reminded me of Gand Prix Formule 1 in San Marino. While in this dwarf country, we also wanted to see it. We did not find the information. It did not mention in a public map we got from Rimini train station. In San Luca, there's a circuit, but did not say any GP. We determined to find it from the hill where old town of San Marino lies. But the fog was too thick and we were frustrated. Back home, looked for it once again, I realized that the Grand Prix of San Marino did not take place in the country. But in Imola circuit, some 100 km from San Marino. Oh, no. So it happened when man go without any initial research.

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World Budget Airlines

As capability to pay doen not match the capability to travel, we always look for cheapest alternative to keep the budget low. It goes to budget ticket, cheap accomodations, bringing our own meal, etc.

To fly, we mostly use european budget airlines. Tuifly, Germanwings, some flights with Ryanair, the biggest budget airline in Europe. In Asia, we had flight experience with AirAsia, Batavia Air and Adam Air. Although we knew that the service is not as good as the normal airline, the lowest fare is for us more important. We did not find it annoying to get no meal during a flight. We can bring from home or buy snacks. In the end, it's still cheaper.

It does not mean that flying with low cost airline were always smooth. Our first flight with Ryanair, from Bremen to Kaunas (Lithuania) must be deviated to another city. We ended in Riga (Latvia), due to bad weather. Kaunas has a relative small airport. There's was a storm, the cloud was so thick the pilots could not see the landing strips. Back to Bremen from Kaunas, we experienced same problems. The aircraft could not land in the city, and left for Riga. So we flew with another Ryanair carrier to Frankfurt Hahn. Although we lost some money to buy new ticket back from Frankfurt Hahn to home, we're relieved we could be back at all. In time. We did not blame the airline. It's the weather to blame. Nobody wanted to get caught by the storm.

Next time, insha Allah we still have bussiness with these airlines. they have many interesting route and destinations which we want to visit. If th price still unbeatable, so why not. Some of them are on our waiting list. Waiting for the realization, when we get enough money, time to spare, and healty. AirAsia fo example, fly to main touristy cities in Asia. Just make us drool.

We found a list of world's budget airlines in wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_low-cost_airlines

Just check one by one if you need to know the fares of the routes you desire.

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Halal Food in the Turkey

In order to add more and more informations about halal, I asked a friend to write something about halal food in the Turkey. Although muslim is majority in the country, it's better to make sure everything we consume is halal. It's her note :

Halal in Turkey


by Dian Akbas

Turkey is a secular country which have population more than % 80 are muslims. Government in power comes from the Islamic party. As muslims they have an obligation to protect its citrizens from consuming the haram goods. Until now (2012), Turkey do not use the halal label in each package of food and beverage. But in Turkey in every single package of food and beverage inscribed like these: “mamullerimizin hiçbir çeşidinde domuz yağı ve katkıları yoktur”  or “ürünlerimizin hiçbir çeşidinde domuz yağı kullanılmamaktadır” which means There is no pork fat and its variant in our products or “Türk gıda kodeksine uygundur” which means Suitable for the Turkish food codex.

As Muslims who travel to Turkey, when shopping at the supermarket please read the text contained in each package of food/beverage. If there are text as above means the food/beverages are halal.

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Etap Hotel, Antwerp Centraal

Our departure to Antwerp was sudden. Only about two weeks before. For a journey with overnight stay, it's a little too short to plan and get anything right. Although Antwerp was planned long long before. The decision was made shortly. The hotel's rate in Antwerp, we noticed, was near 100 euros per night for four people. Too much for us.

Riza and his wife planned to stay in Ibis Hotel. It's not too expensive, he said. About 65 euros per night. We checked it. The rate was not for Ibis Hotel outside Antwerp. Inside, that was more than 65 euros. Another alternatif, a youth hostel was out of question. Out of the blue, I remembered th
ere's a budget hotel chain in Europe. The Etap Hotel. Etap is in the same net with Accor, but for inexpensive segment. Suitable for us. I booked from the website. For 50,50 euros per night. Breakfast not included. It cost 6 euros per person. Better to buy outside the hotel or bring our own meal.

Knowing the rate, Riza decide to book the same hotel, too. It's inexpensive with great location. Just near the train station. We're a little nervous during the check in. We're confused of a hotel regulation. When booked, it is said that a room could be occupied by maximal three people, adults or children. But when we read further, it is said that we can pick up to 2 children. Everything was Ok in the receptionist desk. Although we had to wait long. A male receptionist just started his first day in the hotel that day. And the othe man must show everything to him.

The day, this almost 150 rooms hotel was full booked. A black man who did not get a room said that we snapped the last room that should be theirs. I told him, that we've booked it two weeks before online.

Finishing check in process and paying for the night, we did not get a card or key. But a sheet, proof of payment with a code on it. The number was used to open the door.

First impression : the hotel was clean. From the receptionist area, lobby, lift dan corridor. The door was opened without any trouble. The room was also clean. The bathroom was tiny, a box with plastic door, apart from the toilette. There's a wastafel by the beds. A double bed and a bunk bed over the double. The children raced to climb the bunk bed. An old television stood on a corner. The programs were in dutch or france. Not too many to choose, but we're happy to find a children program.

Judging from our standard and by the price, the hotel is comfortable. If their price remain low, we do not mind considering the chain again.

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Buying Diamond in Antwerp

No. We did not buy any rock in Antwerp. But we hope. But I want to write some tips to buy jewelry based on a friend's experience. maybe there's someone need them.

Antwerp's history as world diamond center is long. Before 18th century, all diamond that was sold in Europe and Asia was from India. Venetian merchants and craftmen held the monopoly of diamond industry. From Venice, diamonds entered Europe from southern Germany toward Bruges, Belgium. Bruges become center of diamond's handling at first. Survived for about 50 years before they move to Antwerp.

The founding of a new diamond mining in South Africa in the middle of 19th century strengthened Antwerp's position as the center of diamond industry. It slowed a little during economic recession on 1930's  and during second world war, when most Jews flew and emigrated, to be back to Antwerp after everything was under control. This time, about 70 percent diamonds were processed in Antwerp.

Just before we came to the city, a source had given some information about it. Just in case, you buy the rocks, she told me. She said, as many bussiness ownews were Jews, they close the shops on Saturdays. It's like that. In Sundays, most of the stores were open. It is said that there's more than 1500 diamond shops in the city, where Antwerp claimed the name of World Diamond City. I don't wheather it's right or not. But in the train station and about, I don't think they're that many. Maybe somewhere else.

The gold to use along diamond is normally 18 carats (Gold 750). For some asian or arabian people, the gold content is relative now, since they use a mminimum content of 21 carats. But in Europe, in Germany especially, I noticed, most of gold jewelries has 14 carats gold (Gold 585), so 18 carats gold in Europe is a high degree. I also noticed that they used much white gold. Some friends said that a diamond glitter smartly when are used together with white gold.

The first tip, it sound cliche, is to know the market price of diamonds. You can't make some comparations and get informations online. Teach yourself about diamonds, their qualities, and how much it should sell in the market. Asking some local jewelry shop or peeking their online shop can be an alternative. I and some friends had made some research in the local shops, too. We had noticed the quality, prices, compared one with another, etc. It's a pleasure to know such things. Since I'm not a fan of diamond rather than simple gold jewelries.

Do not ever believe such a big discount promised in some shops. If you do not know the market price, the discount is sometimes fraud. The prices before rabat was much hiher than the market price.

Do not buy something after you see the price tag, although yo don not see any discount sign in a shop. From a friend experience, you can almost negotiate the price. Some shops give the fixed price. But in many other, one can always negotiate. And before you try to make the price drop a little, once more, know the market price. If you don't know the market price, try some shop. Ask for a diamond with similar carat dan quality, negotiate a little. So you can estimate the market price in Antwerp. And, froma nother respectful source, a good quality diamond in Antwerp is cheaper than in many other places. Happy diamond shopping!

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The Diamond City of Antwerp (3)

(from here)


The next day, we had not have a particular attraction to see. I wanted to see the port, but we're too lazy to walk that long way. My husband did not want to bring the car, too. Our GPS is sometimes become confusing to use in a big city. It's better stay put than get lost, my husband told me.

In Etap Hotel, the place we stayed the night, guests can check out at 12 at noon. No rush hour in the morning, we got our breakfast in front of television. A once in a zillion year time at home. But at ten in the morning, we left, packing stuffs in the car, then back in the city. That day, we wanted to see the Chinese neighborhood and check jewellery shops. Not to buy anything at all, rather than admiring them. And praying that someday we can afford some of the the rock.

Avoiding the same road as that day before, we turned right to Kroonstraat. A district where we saw many muslim. We passed men arabian robes, women and girls with hijab. Near the place where we park the car, there's even a halal bakery.

We turned left on one side of Turnhoutseebaan, A wide busy road. But, different from Antwerp center, west to the train station, this part of Antwerp looked shabby. The buildings were deteriorated. It has many little shops and cafes that opened on Sunday. Alhamdulillah, the weather was nice as more and more german tourists walked along same direction.

The day before, Riza, my friend said that there's an oriental neighborhood near Astridplein. It is marked by a unique chinese style red gate. Not too big, but eye catcher. About 200-300 meter long. Most of the bussiness were asian related. Oriental supermarket, chinese and japanese restaurants, Thai massage, etc. Most of them were close. A supermarket was opened. I need some kemiri, so I checked if there's any. I got out, brought two plastic bags with me. Without kemiri, of course. Maybe it's just me, but it always too hard to hold back in an asian supermarket. If I did not remember, that the journey was still long this day, I'll put more groceries.

We hung out in front of the central station. Waiting our friends before lunch. The children played by the fountain. In that nice day, they wanted to see the zoo by the station. The time we had was so limited and the entrance fee was sumptuous. Meanwhile, I had me time checking jewelleries. On Sundays, more shops were open.

When the stomach was full, before leaving for home, we satisfied our eyes one again. Wandering in front of shop in the station. Checking the display one by one. Discussing the rocks as if we're experts. I was in women's heaven.

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The Diamond City of Antwerp (2)

(from here)

It's almost sunset. But the place around Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal was still packed with people. Most of them sat on banks. Chatted, took pictures or made pose, slept, daydreamed or even drunk. A friend said that there's an interesting music band in front of cathedral. Everytime she come to the city, she never skip their live performance. The member of the bands were handsome, she added. Haha.

A little intermezzo, a stop in a souvenir shop, we're ready for the next photo session. The souvenir shop owner was a muslim from Bangladesh. Knowing that we're muslim, too, he gave us discount for everything we bought from his shop. Alhamdulillah.

The way toward Grote Markt was boisterous. We walked slowly between peoples, cafe's tables overflowing the ways. The cafes were packed with people. I can't see a single empty table. Grote Markt, a square in the heart of Antwerp was also crowded. The stand a unique attraction, the Brabobrunnen or Brabo Fountain. Right in the middle of the square with the grandeur old european buildings. The knight Silvius Brabo, hold a right hand of the Giant Druon Antigon, the one Brabo had just beated, to be thrown in the Scheldt River. The wicked giant demanded tax for every ship sailing on the river. Everyone who were refused, must be allowed his right hand to be cut. The name Antwerp or Antwerpen, were from 'hand werpen' or hand that was thrown. The fountain was established at 1887, a bronx statue from artist Jef Lambeaux.

So my little boy was so right. When we said, we'd travel to Antwerp, he thought wanted to juggling something or hand werfen in german. The three years old boy had known about Antwerp history, more than us.

Savouring the square as much as we could, we followed the path toward het Steen, a fortress, a trade mark of Antwerp. But stop at a point where we saw many people on a big balcony by the Scheldt River. Oh, that where the people enjoying the sunset or ships passing by. Container ships and tourist ferries as well. It's profil photo session with sunset background.

Het Steen, a stone fortress is oldest stand construction in the second biggest city in Belgium. Constructed in 12th century, was also a jail, was collapsein 19 th century. It reconstructed successfully, and was turned into a museum since 1952. We admired its solidity, observed around. The day was darker. The flies were swinging around. We did not want to stay longer. Longing for a warm bed, we went back to the city. Sister Ninik must go back to Brussels. It's time to take some rest. Pumping energy for the morrow.

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The Diamond City of Antwerp (1)

Initially, we identified Antwerp as one of the biggest port in Europe, other than Rotterdam and Hamburg in Germany. Later, we obtained another fact that the city is famous of dimond's crafting and trading. The biggest one in this planet, one had said. My eyes sparkled like 2 carats of diamonds to hear this fact. I knew exactly that we could not afford high carat of those sparkling goods, but when my husband agreed that we'd check the city, I was so happy. Imagining these expensive tiny rocks that made you broke.

We waited long to see one of the biggest city in Belgium. Paying Brussels a visit in summer 2010, Antwerp was on our "Places to see" list. It lies not too distant from home. About 200 kilometers, or 2 hours by car.

Some months before, we and our best friends murmured about traveling together to Antwerp. There's a cheap ticket for a group by belgian train company. We're drooling hearing some cheap tickets. It's a pity, due to a misschedule, just we and one more family of two who made it to Antwerp. Plus a female friend from Brussels.

The cheap ticket, we found consuming too much time. We must change the trains many times in the little country. So we decided to use our own car to save time. Time to test Belgian highway, said my husband. It's still free of charge.

Alhamdulillah, the car journey to Antwerp was smooth. We experienced some new things. The lamps along the highway, got lost in Brussels, free parking in the first ten minutes in the belgian capital, etc. In the middle of the day, we reached it, the most prominent port in Belgium. Getting a budget parking lot not too far from our hotel, we started the adventure.

The weather was fine. Not too cold or warm. We walked towards the city center on a passage by the zoo, through the grandeur Antwerp's main train station. The station was a long building, with many diamond shop in it. Most of the traders are Jews, they closed on Saturdaya, and opened on Sundays. Our friends were still in Diamond Museum, just a little walk from the station. Having nothing special to do, we admired the distinguised construction, asked for a free city map in a tourist information and checking some opened shops just outside the station.

Because many shops were close, we revised our schedule. At Saturday, we spent it to look up Antwerp's tourist attractions, after check in our hotel. The next day would be a diamond sightseeing time.

From the hotel, we followed a street, Lange Kievitstr. over the train station. It is said that the building number 85 was a mosque. But when we got there, we did not notice any sing that indicating a presence of a mosque. This area even looked more a Jews neighborhood. Children with unique tiny black hat, two braids on both sides of the head. A kosher eatery that was also closed. We continued walking towards the city center.

Antwerp's center was so densed. We could not differentiate between tourist and locals. Mbak Ninik, a friend said that Antwerp is popular as a shopping destination. A more tourist destination in Belgium is Brugge.

To our right and left were shop, shop and many more shops. Cafes were busy. That did not affect us, since we did not intend to buy anything that were available in Germany. We played tourists to the city attractions were more appealing. As the shopping chains grew thinner, we're in Groenplatz where the big cathedral of Antwerp is.

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Halal Travel Boom

Not too long after halal banking and halal food, now other halal theme is booming, the halal traveling in some parts of the world. The increasing number of muslims and tehy tend to be richer now may explode the comsume of halal products. Including the halal travel. When muslim economy grow better and better, so the muslim will travel more and more often. For bussiness, family, health or just for leisure reasons. Not only to other muslim countries, but also to other part of the world for sure.

As a muslim family, we're happy happy to see this trend. It's unthinkable one decade ago. We imagine, it should be easier for us to get informations about halal foods and mosques everywhere we make a trip or long journey. But, everywhere in the world is not reality yet. Much offered halal travel nowadays are travel packages in halal certified hotels, favoring the richer ones. Not bacpacker liga like our family. They provide many facilities like qiblah sign, fill the restuarants with halal foods, Quran, Islamic books in your rooms, even an own musholla (special prayer room) in the hotel.

This time, the kind of travel packages are dominated by countries with significant numbers of muslim. Like Malaysia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. A few hotels are listed in Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, even Canada and Belgium. (from Crescentrating.com)

Our conclusion, for the traveler family, the halal travel like many muslim hotels offer is still a utopia. The cost is out of our reach. We're content when we got informations about where to find halal food and how, and where we'd see a mosque or prayer rooms, is there any chance we'll meet our brothers and sisters in Islam, etc. These kind of information could be obtained easily in per one click. In our opinion, european cities adapt theirselves with muslim, locals and tourists.

In Germany (especially ex-West Germany), halal food can be easily found in turkish or middle eastern eateries. A friend said, a mosque was built near Munich's main train station. In Brussels, we're surprised to find more and more halal restaurants, backers an confiseries. So was Antwerpen. They's so confident to put halal signs. Alhamdulillah...:)

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Life is A Great Voyage

"Be in the world as if you are a stranger or a traveler." (Bukhari Hadith)

Calling a mosque some times before, we got an interesting booklet about some hadiths. Opening pages and pages, my eyes locked on this hadith from Bukhari.  The description was so impressive I wanted to write them down here.

It is said that everything has its own cycle, progress, evolution, expansion, transformation. Nothing is eternal, except Allah the Almighty. One time the flowers bloom, the next  they're withered, were dried, falling down. Trees was not beautiful anymore, until it's time to grow again in the spring.

Everything in the nature can not escape this law of nature. Also mankind is not spared from the process. Born as a weak baby, growing up every day and every night. Become an adult, enjoying the 'blooming' time, independent, than become ones who need more and more help from others in his old days. The life is shorter than everybody could imagine. If an adult reflects what has he/she dome, it become clear that the life is so short. In evening when we think about what have we done in the day, than we realize that time moves so quickly.

And like the spring comes after the winter, so is death will be followed by the life afterward. That present time is when we prepare ourselves for the next life. The only chance we have. So it's important not too worry about acquiring material possessions and luxury. While Allah entrust this lifetime to be used the best we could.

The phrase traveler is hitting the mark. Since the traveler knows when the time comes, he must stop the voyage, to leave, leaving everything behind.

Hope we can use this hadith as a lesson. Amin.

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