Ishabil.com

Traveling as a family of five is always an adventure, but choosing to rely entirely on public transport adds a whole new layer of excitement to the journey. I am Ikbal, and along with my wife Sabeera and our wonderful kids—Isha, Shabil, and our little one, Ishwa—we set out on a memorable trip to the royal city of Mysuru. We decided to ditch the private car and experience the changing landscapes through the wide windows of the KSRTC buses. Here on Ishabil.com, I am thrilled to share the complete story of our journey, from the misty hairpin bends of Wayanad to the glowing lights of Mysuru Palace.

Sometimes, the best journeys are the ones that aren't perfectly planned. A solo trip fueled by the desire to experience a new train, reunite with old friends, and wander through the historic streets of Kochi. This solo trip was not strictly planned out with an itinerary. Instead, it was driven by two main purposes: to experience a journey on the brand-new Vande Bharat Express train, and to meet up with some dear old friends in Alappuzha, followed by a short, spontaneous exploration of Kochi. For someone who deeply appreciates the rhythm of different public transit systems, this two-day adventure turned into the ultimate joyride. The journey started early in the morning. My cousin Muthu generously dropped me off at Othukkungal on his bike, from where I caught a local bus to Tirur. The morning air was fresh, and the anticipation of the train ride ahead kept me wide awake.

For an expatriate, the word "family" often vibrates with a bittersweet frequency. It is a word defined by WhatsApp video calls, grainy photos of cousins growing up too fast, and the quiet ache of missing another Eid, another wedding, or another spontaneous weekend drive. We live our lives in parallel to the people who know us best. So, when the stars finally aligned for me to join our grand family expedition to Kodaikanal, it wasn’t just a "trip"—it was a reclamation of belonging. Our destination was the "Princess of Hill Stations," a title Kodaikanal has worn gracefully for decades. But the true destination wasn't a place on a map; it was the laughter of 40 relatives echoing through a bus at midnight. The Midnight Caravan: From Kerala to the Border Our journey began under the veil of 10:00 PM. While the rest of the world was winding down, our group—a vibrant, chaotic, and beautiful spectrum of nearly 40 people—was j...

  A Journey Through the Clouds: From the Valleys of Attappadi to the Serenity of Isha The route from Malappuram to Coimbatore via Attappadi has long been on our travel bucket list. It is a path that promises a transition from the lush greenery of Kerala to the rugged mountains of the Western Ghats, finally opening into the plains of Tamil Nadu. Recently, we finally set out to experience this scenic corridor firsthand.

The Morning Split It was the final morning in Cairo. We had no specific sightseeing planned. My travel companion, Dr. Ijas, had a flight back to Jeddah at 11:00 AM, while my flight to Calicut via Riyadh was scheduled for 3:00 PM. Since there was a significant time gap, we decided not to travel together. The taxi driver we had met and bonded with the day before agreed to drop both of us off at our respective times. In the early morning, Dr. Ijas and I took a final walk through the streets, grabbing a quick cup of tea. A pack of street dogs roaming the area gave us a brief scare, but they soon went on their way. At 8:00 AM, Dr. Ijas departed for the airport. I returned to the hostel for a short rest. Infiltrating Tahrir Square Around 10:00 AM, I set out again. My destination was the famous Tahrir Square. As I walked, I couldn't help but notice the heavy security presence: soldiers, police, and their specialized vehicles were lined up along the roadsides. It was...

 Our second day in Cairo began early at the Dahab Hostel. The air was filled with excitement because today was the day we would finally see the legendary Pyramids and the majestic Nile. After picking up our friend Shakir Azhari, we crossed the bridge over the Nile and headed toward Giza. Standing Before the Giants of Giza Even from a distance, the Pyramids loomed like massive mountains against the horizon. We started our exploration with a quick tea and snack break at the foot of the hill before heading to the ticket counter. Pro Tip: There are two entrances to the Giza complex. We chose the one away from the Sphinx to avoid the heavy crowds and persistent touts. Interestingly, the counters don't accept cash, so Shakir had to use a card to secure our entry. Walking toward the Great Pyramid was surreal. These structures are nearly 4,000 years old. Up close, they don’t look like the smooth triangles you see in photos; instead, they are ...

Arrival and the Underground Journey After a brief wait at the Cairo airport, our arranged car arrived to whisk us away. The journey into the city was a study in contrasts; we began in the quiet, beautiful suburbs before plunging into the heart of the older districts. One of the most memorable parts of the arrival was entering a massive tunnel that runs deep beneath the city. Driving for kilometers underground—surrounded by the heavy hum of traffic and vehicle exhaust—was a challenging but gritty introduction to Cairo’s immense scale. Eventually, we emerged near our hostel and met our local host, Shakir Azhari, who had already thoughtfully arranged our local SIM cards and currency exchange. After a generous Egyptian lunch at a nearby Arabic restaurant, we were ready to begin. Citadel: A Medieval Marvel Our first historical stop was the magnificent Saladin Citadel of Cairo. Constructed during the medieval Islamic era, this hilltop fortress is a s...

Arrival and the Underground Journey After a brief wait at the Cairo airport, our arranged car arrived to whisk us away. The journey into the city was a study in contrasts; we began in the quiet, beautiful suburbs before plunging into the heart of the older districts. One of the most memorable parts of the arrival was entering a massive tunnel that runs deep beneath the city. Driving for kilometers underground—surrounded by the heavy hum of traffic and vehicle exhaust—was a challenging but gritty introduction to Cairo’s immense scale. Eventually, we emerged near our hostel and met our local host, Shakir Azhari, who had already thoughtfully arranged our local SIM cards and currency exchange. After a generous Egyptian lunch at a nearby Arabic restaurant, we were ready to begin. Citadel: A Medieval Marvel Our first historical stop was the magnificent Saladin Citadel of Cairo. Constructed during the medieval Islamic era, this hilltop fortress is a s...

 My name is Ikbal, and this the life story of  unforgettable three-day journey through the diverse landscape of Saudi Arabia’s South: a trip covering over 1600 kilometers by road, scaling the heights of Abha, and sailing to the remote Farasan Islands. An unexpected break from work led to a call from my colleague, Dr. Ijas, proposing a spontaneous trip. We debated between the cool heights of Abha and the remote Farasan Islands (50 km off the Jizan coast). Realizing they were on a similar route, and having enough time, we decided to tackle both! Quickly gathering our friends Rafi and Ansari, we finalized the itinerary and set off the next morning. Day 1: From the Coast to the Cool Peaks (Jeddah to Abha to Jizan) We started at 6:00 AM in Dr. Ijas’s car. The Jeddah-Jizan highway stretched before us, and as the sun rose, we sped past the city limits. The Oasis of Watermelons For a long stretch, the roadsides were lined with vast  watermelon farm...

A trip undertaken to fulfill my mother's long-cherished dream of riding a train for the first time. The journey expanded into a beautiful two-day family tour of Ernakulam (Kochi) and Alappuzha (Alleppey). Day 1: The Rail Ride and Kochi's Heights 🚄 Train to Aluva The six of us—my mother, wife, children, and myself—left home early, taking an auto-rickshaw to Parappanangadi Railway Station. We had booked tickets on the  Kannur-Alappuzha Express  train, scheduled for 7:10 AM. The train arrived on time, but after a short wait for another train to pass, our journey began. For my mother, who had never stepped onto a train before, and my youngest, a nine-month-old baby, the experience was thrilling. We sped past lush green paddy fields, crossed bridges over rivers, and watched towns flash by. We enjoyed the homemade breakfast we brought along right on the train. The train arrived about half an hour late at  Aluva Station  around 1...