Ishabil.com

  Welcome to Ishabil Nest , where the world’s most iconic skylines and historic marvels fit right on a shelf. Our curated collection of over 50 architectural miniatures brings together the engineering of the modern world and the artistry of ancient history. From the romantic streets of Paris to the holy sanctuaries of Makkah, this is a journey across continents—no passport required. Here is an inside look at the treasures housed within the Ishabil Nest. 🏙️ Reaching for the Clouds: The Skyscrapers The crown jewels of the collection are undoubtedly the titans of the skyline. The collection features a timeline of the "World's Tallest Buildings," represented in intricate detail. The Burj Khalifa (Dubai, UAE): Standing as the tallest existing structure in the world, our metal replica pays homage to this 830-meter giant. The Petronas Towers (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia): We hold a distinct 20x4 cm iron ...

 My name is Ikbal Valiyathodi , it  is a deeply personal life story of my early working life in Kerala, the financial realities that necessitated a shift, and the often-challenging initial steps I took in Saudi Arabia to build a better future. Early Entrepreneurship in Kerala My professional life began right at home. Even during my student years, I spent my free time working at my father's shop. By 1998, I was fully integrated into the business. I managed the shop solo in my father's absence and assisted him when he was there, absorbing the essentials of trade and customer service under his guidance. Around the year 2000, my uncle launched a distribution agency for the confectionery brand  Nutrin , supplying sweets to nearby regions. My cousin Nooru and I became part of this venture. Though it was a completely new field, we managed to make headway. As the product line expanded, our mode of transport upgraded from a Jeep to a van The Gu...

 My name is Ikbal, and while my daily life involves working in a private firm in the bustling Saudi port city of Jeddah, my true passion lies in the vast, ever-evolving world of the internet and computer technology. My journey is one of continuous learning, turning downtime into digital output, and transforming a childhood curiosity into a thriving online enterprise. Roots in the Green Heart of Kerala I was born in 1980 in the village of Oorakam, nestled in the Malappuram district of Kerala, India. Oorakam is a place blessed with natural beauty—rivers, hills, and lush green valleys—and my childhood was spent immersed in this idyllic setting, surrounded by the warmth of a large joint family filled with uncles and cousins. Our family's background was primarily farming, though this began to shift during my youth. I still cherish memories of that period, from tending to cows to the excitement of honey bee hunting. Ten years before my birth, my father start...

  They say the best views come after the hardest climbs, but sometimes, the best views are hiding right in your backyard, waiting to be discovered. This is exactly how it feels to visit Oorakam Hill , a hidden treasure tucked away in the Malappuram district of Kerala. Imagine standing 2,000 feet above the ground, where the wind whispers in your ears and the clouds feel close enough to touch. This isn’t just a hill; it is a place where history sleeps and the modern world looks like a toy set below. The Journey Begins The adventure starts on the Malappuram-Vengara State Highway . You leave the busy town traffic behind and turn off at a spot called Oorakam Poolapees . For the next 4 kilometers, you travel along a winding path. The road here is what you might call "medium" —it isn't a silky smooth highway, but it isn't a rough off-road track either. It is a manageable drive that most vehicles can handle with ease. As you dr...

The Valiyathodi Family Tree A big family is like a large, old tree. Even though most of us live in the same district, the family tree continues to grow, and its strength comes from its deep roots. For the Valiyathodi family, those roots start with our beloved Grandfather and Grandmother. Our grandparents had a big, busy home with five sons and five daughters. Time has passed, and out of those ten siblings, only three dear daughters are alive today to guide us. However, their family has grown beautifully over many years. Today, the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have become a huge, lively group. We had to make lots of phone calls and have many discussions to arrange this grand get-together! Keeping such a big family close needs more than just daily chats. It needs shared trips and shared time. For a long time, we have made it a tradition to pack our bags, hire a large tourist bus, and go on one-day trips together. If you read our famil...

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) introduced an incredible initiative: conducting budget tour programs to various tourist destinations within the state. When we heard about this, we knew we had to try it. I quickly contacted them and booked a one-day family trip covering three beautiful spots in the high ranges of Kerala: Malankara Dam, Illikkal Kallu, and Ilaveezhapoonchira . Pack your virtual bags, because I am about to take you on a 20-hour journey filled with winding roads, misty mountains, off-road jeep rides, and unforgettable family memories! The Early Bird Catch and the Highway Party Our day started long before the sun came up. We reached the Malappuram KSRTC bus stand at 4:30 AM in the morning. The air was cool and crisp, and the excitement was palpable. There were three KSRTC buses lined up, all dedicated to the exact same route. Our travel squad, proudly known as the Ishabil Team , consists of myself, my wife Sabee...

Bangkok is a city of endless energy, towering skyscrapers, and golden temples. However, just on the outskirts of this bustling metropolis lies a world where the wild reigns supreme. On my recent trip, I decided to dedicate a full day to Safari World Bangkok , Thailand’s most popular open zoo and leisure park. It wasn't just a visit; it was an immersive experience that brought me face-to-face with the wonders of nature. Navigating the Journey: From City Lights to the Wild The journey began early in the morning. Safari World is located about 40 kilometers from the main Bangkok city center. Since there is no direct Metro (MRT/BTS) station right at the park gates, I decided to mix public transport with local commutes to experience the city like a local. My route was a bit of an adventure itself: Bike Taxi to Metro: I started with a quick bike taxi ride to the nearest station. The Green & Pink Lines: I boarded the Green Line and later transitioned to the newly opened...

There I was, standing in the middle of a remote Thai village station, watching a train disappear into the tropical haze. My guide had vanished. My phone battery was sweating as much as I was. A group of local shopkeepers were staring at me—the lone Malayali traveler who looked like he had just been beamed down from a different planet. They didn't speak Malayalam. I didn't speak Thai. But they gestured for me to sit down, probably sensing that I was one minor inconvenience away from a spiritual breakdown. This is the beauty of solo travel. One minute you’re navigating the high-tech veins of the Bangkok Metro, and the next, you’re in a 150-year-old market where the shopkeepers literally have to move their vegetables every time a train whistles. Welcome to my 48-hour "Solo-Thon" in Bangkok. The Bridge: When Sameer Bailed and the Dream Stayed Thailand had been on my "one day" list for years. My close friend Sameer and I had it all mapp...

There is a special kind of magic in fulfilling a loved one’s wish. For a long time, my wife had a specific destination pinned on her bucket list: the misty heights and verdant valleys of Kariyathumpara and Kakkayam . As part of Team Ishabil —a lively group consisting of myself, my wife, our children Isha and Ishwa,  Shabil, and my mother—we decided it was time to turn that dream into a reality. Since we didn’t have a personal car, we reached out to family. My uncle kindly offered his vehicle, and my sister’s son stepped up to be our captain behind the wheel. With the bags packed and spirits high, our one-day adventure into the heart of Kozhikode district began. The Journey Begins The clock struck 8:00 AM when we pulled out of our driveway. The morning air was crisp, and the excitement within the small car was palpable. To make the best time, we headed toward Kooriad to join the newly constructed 6-lane National Highway . ...