And the journey begins

Algamdullilah - I am blessed with being able to perform umrah with my wife and children. For the next 2 weeks we will be visiting the holy cities of Madinah and Makkah and there is no other people on this earth I would want to be with on this journey.

Departure from home. As you know we muslims of Cape Town are very unique with our local customs and traditions. Everything from the "greeting" from family and friends to the "leaving of the house" is an emotional yet uplifting experience. An experience that we will remember and that will carry us thru this journey.

After an emotionally draining morning comes the excitement of our kids first air travel. The excitement, the curiosity this is all overwhelming to us all. There was a time that Bilqees was leading the way like a well seasoned traveler that knows the way.

This is the kids first journey by airplane and are super excited of what to expect. Having said our final goodbyes and clearing security and immigration we enter the international departure lounge. As we sit down to relax for the first time in a long time the exhaustion kicks in but the excited and anticipation of the journey is greater.