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A blog on halal lifestyle, travel and food.
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Chicago
  • July 20, 2016
  • 7808
  • 14
  • 4

Review: Sony Alpha 6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera

Chicago
  • July 15, 2016
  • 6094
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  • 4

Tips for Getting Better Pictures From a Train

Guangzhou
  • June 4, 2017
  • 7888
  • 2
  • 10

A First Timer’s Guide to the Canton Fair

Beijing
  • November 25, 2017
  • 6252
  • 12
  • 8

The Great Wall of China: An Iconic Travel Experience

Langkawi

Dinner in a Rice Paddy: Seashells Restaurant

  • November 21, 2016
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  • 14
Langkawi

Our Langkawi Cable Car and Sky Bridge Experience

  • December 27, 2016
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Kuala Lumpur

Why Staying in an Airbnb Apartment in Kuala Lumpur is a Good Idea

  • March 5, 2017
  • 1754
  • 6
  • 11
Newport

The 124-Year-Old Summer Cottage that Took Our Breath Away

  • July 31, 2017
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  • 6
  • 8
Reviews
Hajj & Umrah
Recipes
Reviews

10 Tips to Help You Travel During Corona Outbreak

The world wakes up to the news that the new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, is declared pandemic by WHO. So what does it mean to…

  • March 13, 2020
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Adoni

The Jinn That Lived Near Maasaheba Masjid

He looked and couldn’t stop staring. It was the most unusual thing to witness. He might have dismissed it as a figment of his imagination,…

  • November 4, 2019
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Adoni

Shahi Jamia Masjid

A woman clad in a colourful sari sits on the roadside. Spread in front her are carefully arranged bunches of freshly-harvested coriander, mint, and fenugreek…

  • October 28, 2019
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London

How to Spend the Day at Warwick Castle

I am assuming the reason for the conflicting reviews online for Warwick Castle is that it has been commercialized into some sort of a theme…

  • January 12, 2019
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London

The House Where Shakespeare was Born

During the warm summer months in Karachi many years ago, my cousins and I would spend the afternoon reading. To be honest, the responsibility of…

  • November 18, 2018
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London

On a Clear Day from the Top of the London Eye, You Can See Forever.

It is the fourth-largest Ferris wheel in the world at 443 feet high. On a bright, clear day from the top of the London Eye,…

  • August 5, 2018
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London

Summer In London

It’s another sunny and hot afternoon. The windows are wide open, the fans are on most part of the day, and we are eating homemade…

  • July 23, 2018
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Bangalore

What to Expect When Visiting Bangalore’s Famous Lal Bagh

The Mughal-inspired botanical garden is located in the midst of a bustling city. Thousands of local and foreign tourists visit Lal Bagh each year. But is…

  • May 21, 2018
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Bangalore

Why You Should Visit the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan, One of the Most Powerful Rulers of India

Tipu Sultan was the most feared Indian of his time in Britain. When he died there were jubilant celebrations in Britain, with authors, playwrights and painters creating…

  • April 21, 2018
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Bangalore

Recommended Halal Restaurants in Koramangala

Luxury apartments, posh bungalows, Instagram-worthy restaurants, and commercial structures line the wide, tree-lined boulevards of Koramangala. This is one of the largest neighborhoods in Bangalore. I…

  • April 17, 2018
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Surat

This Post Isn’t a Tribute to the Rickshaw

If you look closely, you’ll see a self-portrait in the picture above. Masood and I were in Surat, Gujarat, and we took the auto-rickshaw because…

  • March 7, 2018
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Guangzhou

Halal Restaurants We’ve Tried in Guangzhou

Chinese food outside mainland China is usually modified to suit the palate of the people where it is served. In Pakistan and India, for example,…

  • December 7, 2017
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Beijing

The Great Wall of China: An Iconic Travel Experience

“They surely have the air-conditioning on high around here,” I told Masood as we stood outside the arrivals gate at Beijing airport waiting for a…

  • November 25, 2017
  • 6252
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  • 8
Dubai

Asateer Scarves: An Online Boutique for Premium Scarves

“Don’t start a company unless it’s an obsession and something you love. If you have an exit strategy, it’s not an obsession.” –Mark Cuban, serial entrepreneur and…

  • October 22, 2017
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Newport

The 124-Year-Old Summer Cottage that Took Our Breath Away

About 119 kilometres from downtown Boston stands a palatial summer cottage. When Masood and I were in US last spring, our colleague and good friend,…

  • July 31, 2017
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  • 8
Guangzhou

Huaisheng Mosque: One of the Oldest Masjid in China

It’s been drizzling on and off since morning. The clouds are thick and the sky overcast, the spring breeze cool. The taxi takes us to Guangta…

  • July 3, 2017
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Guangzhou

A First Timer’s Guide to the Canton Fair

One of the world’s biggest import and export trade fair is held bi-annually in Guangzhou, China. It was my first time at the Canton Fair,…

  • June 4, 2017
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Hong Kong

A 9-Hour Stopover in Hong Kong

Flying Cathay Pacific means stopping in Hong Kong, and we picked one that gave a 9-hour stopover. Time constraint did not allow us the chance to…

  • May 13, 2017
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Dubai

Carnival by Tresind, Dubai

How often do you get welcomed in a restaurant by getting bubbles blown at you? Having had a good impression with Trèsind, I looked forward to…

  • April 15, 2017
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Kuala Lumpur

Jalan Bellamy: Where the Locals Make Excellent Ikan Bakar

“Go to Jalan Bellamy and don’t forget to try the ikan bakar!” the taxi driver cheerfully suggested. He seemed pretty excited about suggesting the place, therefore…

  • March 19, 2017
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Cebu

Cebu & Oslob: Pictures from Our Very Short Trip

We’ve been planning to visit the Philippines for years, however, little did we know that it’s my father who will be the reason for us…

  • March 14, 2017
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Airbnb Apartment in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur

Why Staying in an Airbnb Apartment in Kuala Lumpur is a Good Idea

Tourists in Kuala Lumpur would find it best to stay in the city center where famous landmarks, malls, restaurants, and hotels are nearby. The traffic…

  • March 5, 2017
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Bulacan

On to a Lifetime Filled With Fond Memories of My Father

I wake up to the phone ringing at 3:20 am. The screen shows Abbu’s name. Just as I was about to swipe on the screen, the call…

  • February 28, 2017
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Dubai

Bollywood Park: The First Theme Park in the World Dedicated to All Things Bollywood

Several leisure and theme parks opened in Dubai late last year, one of which is Bollywood Park. It is the smallest property within Dubai Parks and Resorts, a…

  • February 11, 2017
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Ipoh

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

It was a choice between an upscale hotel in the middle of the city with a very famous infinity pool on the 57th level that one shares…

  • February 9, 2017
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Langkawi

D’Grill Seafood Restaurant: Beachside Dining

The ambiance in Malaysia’s Langkawi island is laid-back, lazy, relaxed, humid, and friendly. Afternoons are mostly quiet, with people either napping, reading, or relaxing by…

  • January 2, 2017
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Langkawi

Aseana Resort & Spa

Langkawi—an archipelago made up of 99 islands on Malaysia’s west coast—is surrounded by turquoise sea, while the interior of the main island is a mixture…

  • December 29, 2016
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Langkawi

Tips from Our Langkawi Cable Car and Sky Bridge Experience

“I think we’re going the wrong way.” The midday sun shines brightly on a nice and warm day. There are a few scattered clouds but,…

  • December 27, 2016
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Langkawi

Mangrove Tour, Feeding the Eagles & Floating Restaurants

Langkawi’s cozy airport houses several companies that offer cars for rent as well as tours. I highly suggest renting a car, specially if you’re visiting…

  • November 28, 2016
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Langkawi

Telaga Seafood Restaurant: Fresh Grilled Fish, Good Customer Service

When the planned lunch at Seashells Restaurant did not work out—because they do not have fish available—we turn the car around and head back to…

  • November 22, 2016
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nadiamasood

Moved to India on Feb 2019. Love travel & food. I mostly share pictures & stories from Hyderabad, my new home.
🧕 @asateerscarves
🐝 @thenawabees

Nadia Masood
Other people vs me visiting the Natural History Mu Other people vs me visiting the Natural History Museum.

On a serious note, this museum is a must-visit when you’re in London. Entry is free!
This is what raw, unadulterated honey looks like. This is what raw, unadulterated honey looks like.

Amidst the unbelievable (and quite unfortunate) news that most big brand honey in the country are found to contain sugar or corn syrup, locals are now looking elsewhere to get unadulterated honey.

This particular variety from @thenawabees is from the mountains of Kashmir, where bees gather nectar from flowers of herbal plants.

The label is taken off to show the bits of wax and bees’ parts that are suspended within the thick honey.

This raw honey is then strained (not filtered) so that it’s easier to consume. It’s not fun to get wax in your mouth.

Do you easily get local honey where you live?
You no longer need to buy jams because it’s so e You no longer need to buy jams because it’s so easy to make them at home!

The mango season has come to an end, and I want to make something that would last a couple of months - mango jam.

You only really need 3 ingredients! It’s super easy to make but tastes so much better than store-bought ones.

It’s like having sunshine and happy memories sealed in a jar.

Swipe left for the recipe and some tips to help you make the perfect mango jam.
Identify this snack. When you visit India (please Identify this snack.

When you visit India (please wait until travel restrictions are off and it’s safe), don’t leave without having tried this.
This is the resting place of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, This is the resting place of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.

The mausoleum was completed in 1970, and is an iconic symbol of Karachi.

I’ve been driving past this monument since I was a child, but it’s only now that I actually got a closer look.

Please note: cameras are strictly prohibited, although you may take photos and videos with your smartphone.
This is a classic, easy, and healthy Mediterranean This is a classic, easy, and healthy Mediterranean and Middle Eastern hors d'oeuvre.

Mutabbal is a smoky, lemony eggplant dip that’s a mezze-table favorite all over the Levant and beyond.

So many call this Baba Ganoush. I did some research and discovered that while both have roasted eggplant as their base, Baba Ganoush does not have tahini. It contains chopped tomatoes and pomegranate molasses.

Mutabbal has tahini, garlic, lemon juice, cumin powder, red chili flakes, and even yoghurt. Extra virgin olive oil is a must.

I didn’t have parsley at home so I used cilantro instead. Plus, I didn’t want to deal with yeast to make pita so I made roti instead.

This is a delicious, healthy dip that I highly recommend. After all, there’s more to life than hummus.

Also feel free to adjust the ingredients! I may have added more lemon juice and cumin powder.

What’s your favorite dip?
I haven’t been baking for a few months now. Turn I haven’t been baking for a few months now. Turned the oven on today only to find that the flame was going crazy and the temperature was all over the place. But @hooknweavebysabiha, @sumaiya_2110 and I were determined.

And in the end, we have warm, delicious homemade chocolate banana bread with toasted almonds!

#QuarantineDayWhatever
My first attempt at making khandvi, a Gujarati sna My first attempt at making khandvi, a Gujarati snack made of gram flour and buttermilk.

I find the rolling process fun, more than actually eating it. But disappointed at how I didn’t get the perfect cylindrical shapes. I almost didn’t post this picture, but you know what, it’s okay. This is real life, and it’s not perfect.

And as far as taste is concerned, khandvi is savoury and mildly hot. We had it with mint chutney.
Ramadan comes while we’re in the midst of a pand Ramadan comes while we’re in the midst of a pandemic. This is unusual for us Muslims, as it makes us improvise on our usual customs and traditions, like going to the masjid for taraweeh each night or socializing at iftar gatherings. But you know what? It’s okay.

We’ve always been taught that Ramadan is a month where we learn perseverance and patience. So let’s make the best out of it.

Let’s continue to be responsible: stay at home, pray with family, be grateful, consume less and share more, remember and make dua for those who are not doing as well as us ... let’s just simply try our best.

Ramadan Mubarak!
When someone asks what my favourite colour is, can When someone asks what my favourite colour is, can I just say “sunset”?
Phenti hui, or whipped coffee, is a common way to Phenti hui, or whipped coffee, is a common way to make coffee in India and Pakistan. Growing up, that’s how I’ve seen women at home make coffee.

However, it is apparently a South Korean actor who named this “Dalgona Coffee” and made it viral.

How ironic to make something “viral” during a pandemic! This coffee will now forever remind me of COVID-19.

I made cold Dalgona coffee. It’s sweet, creamy and, undoubtedly, delicious. It’s also a lot of work for a cup of coffee.

Now please excuse me as I need to wash the 10 items (used to make this coffee) waiting in the sink.

#DalgonaCoffee
#QuarantineLife
They’re finally in season! For me, black plums, They’re finally in season! For me, black plums, or jamun, are one of the most anticipated fruits of the year (the other is mango). These little purple fruits are packed with antioxidant property, display antidiabetic property, may help reduce bad cholesterols and triglycerides in the blood, anti-inflammatory property, and may also help strengthen the immune system.
Freshly-squeezed orange juice, courtesy of @masood Freshly-squeezed orange juice,
courtesy of @masoodxb. He is kind enough to share the recipe as well.

Recipe: Cut oranges in half. Squeeze into a clean bowl. Pour into glasses. Enjoy 😀

He wants me to tell you that the secret ingredient is 🍊🤣
Chicken daleem with cashew and boiled egg, Hyderab Chicken daleem with cashew and boiled egg, Hyderabadi style.

This is originally an Arabic dish, made with meat, ghee, wheat, rice and whole pulses. It is said to have come to Hyderabad during the Mughal period via Iran and Afghanistan.

Daleem is traditionally prepared in 'Bhattis' or brick-and-mud ovens, during Ramadan. It is a slow-cooked delicacy, often cooked for 7-8 hours and is done on firewood.

Around 2,000 restaurants and hotels across Hyderabad usually prepare and sell daleem of different varieties during Ramadan, and people look forward to this months before Ramadan. However due to the ongoing lockdown, the only daleem available this year is homemade.
How’s the pandemic situation like where you live How’s the pandemic situation like where you live?

While Hyderabad has been open for business and regular life (except schools and parks) since the beginning of June, it’s not entirely good news for us.

COVID-19 cases are on the rise and most people aren’t following safety measures, like wearing masks properly, physical-distancing, etc.

However, several markets have voluntarily closed in the city due to the rising cases. The Hyderabad Kirana Merchants Association decided to close the Begum Bazaar, the largest in the city, from June 28 till July 5.

I also read that a medical team sent by the central government has arrived in the city today, to access the situation here.

So yeah, we’re still far from normal. But things will get better Inshaa’Allah.
This is the unfinished tomb of Mirza Nizamuddin Ah This is the unfinished tomb of Mirza Nizamuddin Ahmed, who died in 1674.

This structure stands just outside the second gate, the area that’s now a parking lot.

It stands there in it’s sad, mournful, unfinished state for 400 years now.

Mirza Nizamuddin was the second son-in-law and successor of Sultan Abdullah. The eldest son-in-law was a Mughal prince, who was probably busy with ruling his own kingdom and, therefore, didn’t need the Golconda dynasty?

I couldn’t find much information, but apparently due to the political or social situation back then, Mirza Nizamuddin couldn’t succeed to the throne after his father-in-law (the 7th ruler of the kingdom of Golconda).

After the Sultan Abdullah died, it was his youngest son-in-law who sat on the throne.

Don’t you think this was just sad?
Truck art! This is a little food truck that sells Truck art! This is a little food truck that sells tea. Found it parked at Frere Hall.
This is a super easy way to make delicious kimchi This is a super easy way to make delicious kimchi bokkeum bap!

My current obsession is kimchi, and I just love adding it to fried nice and noodles.

For those who haven’t tried yet, kimchi is made of fermented vegetables (napa cabbage, radish, scallion, and cucumber are used) and it’s a staple in the Korean diet. It tastes spicy and sour and has a slight pungent smell.

Chopped kimchi adds a little crunch and a lot of flavour to the rice, and kimchi juice finishes off the dish for a jolt of tangy-spicy goodness!

You can add meat, fish or vegetables, like carrots. But I prefer to keep it simple.

Also, I’ve used @bazzinga_brew kimchi which already has carrots, radish and Napa cabbage so I don’t need to add additional vegetables.

For those in Hyderabad, @bazzinga_brew kimchi is honestly the best.
Grilled gochujang-glazed salmon. A Korean dish I r Grilled gochujang-glazed salmon. A Korean dish I recently had for the first time, and it tastes really good.

Gochujang is a red chili paste with glutinous rice, salt and a couple of other local ingredients I couldn’t identify. It tastes savoury, sweet and a little bit spicy.

Fried rice and spinach complete the meal.

The spinach is called sigeumchi-namul: blanched spinach seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil. The spinach is only slightly cooked, leaving it a little crispy, but still soft and tasty.

Have you tried Korean food? What’s your favourite?
What’s your secret to making your favourite panc What’s your secret to making your favourite pancakes?

Did you know that the oldest pancake recipe comes from an English cookery book, 1954 edition? It’s quite richer than the recipe we use these days. They suggest adding 3 tbsp of ale, ‘copious’ amounts of sugar, cinnamon, and ginger.

Swipe left to see some of the steps I take to make fluffy, soft pancakes that the family loves.

Also, did you know mascarpone cheese on the side goes so well with pancakes?

I’d love to learn more from you!
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