Ishabil.com

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...

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...