Stories From The East

“Travelling – it leaves you speechless then turns you into a storyteller” Ibn Battuta

Husna Kassim

Travel Blogger

Unfamiliar, Unforgettable

An unforgettable holiday is almost always off-the-beaten path. For me off-the-beaten path is always a non-tourist holiday. I am a traveler and no package tours for me. Overnight in a troglodyte hotel in Chenini, Tunisia is unforgettable. Taking a Trans Siberian Express or Trans Mongolian Express from Beijing is another unforgettable holiday. But Istanbul is something else. Nearly every one I know has visited Istanbul. What makes Istanbul unforgettable? Find out….

It’s All About People

The most exciting part of my journey is always about meeting new people and reflecting on their lives and ultimately on mine. Such encounters include the Bedouin who drove us to Madinah or Imam Extraordinaire in Sousse, Tunisia. Read on and find out if you have met interesting characters on your own journey.

Remembering Yesterday

Just how did 9 year olds lived in the 1960s and 1970s, back then in the little town of Alor Setar, with almost no technology? Back then, we watched black & white television, and listened to only one radio channel. People took time to communicate with each other by having real conversations and not through whatsapp. Yesterday, when I was young..

Spiritual Orbits

Life is not something that just happens. We are created for a reason. According to Ata’Illah “The purpose of the rain cloud is not to give rain; its purpose is only to bring forth fruit”. Here are stories about visits to Konya, city of Rumi, the Sufi Saint, to Makkah & Madinah and to Kyoto’s Zen temples and gardens.

Vietnam

Experience the three cultures unique to Saigon- namely motor culture, scooter (Vespa) tour (part night excursion, part food adventure ) and street food culture. Then their is the historical sites visit such as the Ben Thanh market (for shoppers), War Remnants Museum and the Central Post Office…

Tunisia

In cosmopolitan Tunis, we found that elements of Tunisian culture are diverse and unique. This mix of culture can be experienced in museums (such as the Bardot Museum), contrast and diversity of city architecture (as reflected by SidiBou Said, named after the ancient Sufi scholar), medina of Tunis, cheeses and French croissants, music reflecting Andalusian and Ottoman influences, religion, arts and crafts. According to Linda Cockson, Tunis is termed as “surrogate Paris” ( Travel, Independent Sunday, 13th September 2008) because of its link with French musicians and artists.