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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

Langkawi
  • December 27, 2016
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Our Langkawi Cable Car and Sky Bridge Experience

San Francisco
  • November 4, 2016
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  • 8
  • 17

Brave the Stairs Up Telegraph Hill For Stunning Views of the City!

Chicago
  • July 15, 2016
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  • 7
  • 4

Tips for Getting Better Pictures From a Train

Langkawi

Our Langkawi Cable Car and Sky Bridge Experience

  • December 27, 2016
  • 2287
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  • 16
Dubai

Online Boutique for Premium Scarves

  • October 22, 2017
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Beijing

The Great Wall of China: An Iconic Travel Experience

  • November 25, 2017
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Princeton

An Evening Stroll in Princeton University Campus

  • October 10, 2016
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Reviews
Hajj & Umrah
Recipes
burj al arab by the sea
Dubai

Food, Chopping Boards, Coasters & Other Random Stuff

This post is strewn with random photographs that I’d taken over the last few months, in no particular order whatsoever. It’s an update post of sorts;…

  • August 3, 2015
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Yosemite

El Cap: The Biggest, Grandest Piece of Rock in Yosemite Valley

“Climbing is all about flirting with the impossible and pushing the boundaries of what you think can be done,” says Tommy Caldwell. Together with another professional…

  • June 28, 2015
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the pacific ocean
Carmel

Story of the 100-Year-Old Whalers Cabin

When a blue whale dives into the water, its head is already deeper than most scuba divers dare to go before its tail leaves the…

  • June 25, 2015
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Picture taken from airbnb
San Francisco

First Airbnb Experience. How is it Different from Staying in a Hotel?

It’s been around since 2008, but it wasn’t until October last year that I’d first started looking for a place to stay in using airbnb. Masood and I…

  • June 14, 2015
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Hajj & Umrah

Hajj Journal – Final Part – The walk from Jamarat to Makkah

Translating my thoughts and emotions into words for the Hajj Journal series is not easy. First, whenever I reflect on this Holy journey, the entire…

  • May 26, 2015
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Hajj & Umrah

Hajj Journal – Part 8 – The Last Day in Mina was the Best of All

“Get some rest. We’ll leave for Mina by 10am,” said our group leader as he instructed us where and when to meet later. We were…

  • May 2, 2015
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Hajj & Umrah

Hajj Journal – Part 7 – The Stoning of Jamaraat

He hurled the tiny pebble toward the wall with too much force and fury. It was as if an enemy stood in front of him, all…

  • April 1, 2015
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madinat jumairah
Dubai

The 4 Most Luxurious Honeymoon Resorts in Dubai

From almost nothing but acres and acres of untouched land, in more recent years the United Arab Emirates has now established itself as one of…

  • April 1, 2015
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Hajj & Umrah

Hajj Journal – Part 6 – Spending the Night in Muzdalifah

We were going to sleep on the roadside tonight, and I was pretty excited about it. After spending the entire day in Arafat, all the…

  • March 29, 2015
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Minced Beef Pancake (32 AED) Home minced beef, rice, spices and coriander rolled in a crunchy slightly fried pancake.
Dubai

Fukurou House, DIFC

Fukurou means owl in Nihongo. In Japan owls symbolize good fortune, protection from hardships and suffering, and wisdom. I was, therefore, under the impression that I’d be…

  • March 9, 2015
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arafah
Arafah

Hajj Journal – Part 5 – The Day of Arafat

  “There is no day upon which Allah frees His servants from the Hellfire more than the day of Arafat. He draws near and then…

  • March 1, 2015
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Hajj & Umrah

Hajj Journal – Part 4 – Leaving Our Possessions Behind for Mina

About 8 kilometers east from the Holy city of Makkah, cradled in a low-lying valley, lies the incredible city of tents called Mina. What’s even…

  • February 22, 2015
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IMG_2621
Dubai

Bait Misk: Lebanese Restaurant at the Fisherman’s Harbour in Jumeirah

  This quaint Lebanese restaurant is located in the Fisherman’s Harbour in Jumeira 1, a place that is a pain to locate for those who…

  • February 18, 2015
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DSC_4017
Ras al Khaimah

Glamping in the UAE

“…the redness had seeped from the day and night was arranging herself around us. Cooling things down, staining and dyeing the evening purple and blue…

  • January 2, 2015
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moroccan lamps
Dubai

Global Village: A Must-Visit Each Year!

From hosting 18 country pavilions in 1997, Global Village has expanded over the years to now include 31 pavilions representing more than 70 countries, with…

  • December 28, 2014
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Hajj & Umrah

Hajj Journal – Part 3 – Umrah and Coming Out of Ihram

Umrah was being discussed over freshly-baked bread, chicken sausages, spicy omelets, and green tea. All the meals at Anjum Hotel were elaborate with good selections from various…

  • December 23, 2014
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anjum hotel makkah
Hajj & Umrah

Hajj Journal – Part 2 – The Hotel Quandary

The bus crawled its way slowly through the massive traffic of Makkah. We were passing through a tunnel and everyone was wide-awake by now. Right…

  • November 27, 2014
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Abu Dhabi

Hajj Journal – Part 1 – The Journey from Abu Dhabi to Makkah

While the world outside was running its business as usual, there was an unmistakable feeling of excitement within me. The taxi smoothly cruised along the…

  • November 17, 2014
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Makkah

A Quick Update From the Fog City

  One day I’m in the heart of Arabia, performing Hajj amidst more than two million Muslims, and a few days later I find myself…

  • October 16, 2014
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Dubai

Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik

In about fourteen hours, we are about to embark on a journey that is the most important one for every Muslim, insha’Allah. We received our e-tickets…

  • September 27, 2014
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papad
Dubai

iZ: An Indian Restaurant in Grand Hyatt

IZ (pronounced as ee-zee) is an award-winning high-end Indian restaurant within the Grand Hyatt hotel that serves tandoori cuisine prepared and served at live cooking stations. They…

  • September 25, 2014
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london tower bridge
London

You mean, that’s not the London Bridge?

Oh, the heartache upon learning that my favorite bridge isn’t actually the London Bridge; it’s called the Tower Bridge, a very unimpressive name, if you…

  • September 14, 2014
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new hampshire apples
Wolfeboro

Cortland Apples & Bly Farm’s Ice Cream

It’s been a long, long drive and we’re completely relying on the GPS to guide us. We’ve just spent an evening in an inn at…

  • August 31, 2014
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Recipes

Chicken Noodle Sizzler

There is an Indian restaurant here in Dubai called Little Hut that my family and I frequently go to whenever we crave for some good sizzlers.…

  • August 24, 2014
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Gulmarg

Finding Ourselves Suspended at 13,500 Feet Above Sea Level

It’s minus 3°C and the visibility is getting lower with each passing minute. “They closed Phase 2 this morning,” announced the guide as he leads…

  • August 21, 2014
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red tag home
Dubai

Bring Summer Into Your Home

I recently had the chance to work with Reg Tag, a chain of value fashion and home stores spread across the Middle East and Asia. They…

  • August 12, 2014
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Recipes

Chickpea and Carrot Pulao

The pictures that I am sharing with you today were taken in the kitchen of my previous apartment, and I have made this pulao numerous…

  • August 11, 2014
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  • 2
mubazara dam al ain
Al Ain

Mubazzarah Dam and Park

تَقَبَّلَ اللّهُ مِنَّ وَ مِنْكُمْ May Allah accept (the fast and worship) from you and from us. “I have always loved the desert. One sits…

  • August 2, 2014
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bedroom oceanic resort
Fujairah

Weekend at Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort & Spa

“After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much to be resting yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy…

  • July 14, 2014
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live cooking station
Dubai

Iftar at Radisson Blu

One of the several things to enjoy here in the U.A.E. during Ramadan is having Iftar −either at someone’s home (if you are visiting and…

  • July 12, 2014
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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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