Rev your way to a halal friendly roadtrip

There’s nothing quite like jumping into a car and heading off into the sunset on an adventure. Better yet, why not make the car a convertible and let the wind blow through your hair (or hijab!) while you explore a new country, culture or cuisine? These are some of our favourite drives around the world, and there are lots of ways to make them halal friendly too.

New Zealand:

If you have the luxury of time on your side, spend a couple of weeks exploring New Zealand’s breathtakingly unique scenery, from the naturally awe-inspiring Middle Earth (or the North Island for those who aren’t mildly – ahem – obsessed with Lord of the Rings) to the engineering marvel that is Christchurch’s distinctive cardboard cathedral. New Zealand is an extremely diverse country, and there are plenty of mosques, prayer rooms and halal restaurants to be found if you know where to look.

One of our favourite drives starts at Rotorua on the North Island, which is surrounded by 17 stunning natural lakes and thermal springs and sits in the middle of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Great if you like things hot! From there, you can spend a few leisurely days or weeks puttering down to Wellington, Christchurch or even Queenstown, stopping off at the many of hundreds of fishing lakes, national parks, caves, rivers, forests and waterfalls. Along the way, check out the many mosques and halal friendly restaurants that are frequented by Kiwis and tourists alike. Visit our halal friendly New Zealand tour page here

The UAE:

Dune Bash That

There’s much more to the United Arab Emirates than just Dubai, and a 4 or 5 day road trip will give you the time to uncover all that this enigmatic country has to offer.

If you’re really adventurous, you could start your journey in neighbouring Qatar, and drive from Doha through the very eastern tip of Saudi Arabia, but we suggest flying into Abu Dhabi and hiring a car from there. If you want to blend in like a local, go for a huge 4×4 or super expensive speed machine! Abu Dhabi itself has some beautiful natural scenery as well as man-made marvels, and best of all, halal food and

mosques on almost every corner. Why not pray asr at the majestic yet serene Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, then head into the desert to witness a sunset like no other on top of a sand dune?

From there, head north east via glittering Dubai (maybe stopping off for some retail therapy along the way!) and onto Sharjah, the most traditional emirate of all. Sharjah is also the cultural and artistic capital of the UAE, and a great place to learn more about Islamic history and art. You can continue up the coast to Ajman, Umm al Quwain and Ras Al-Khaimah, but for something different why not go east towards Khor Fakkhan? A great way to round off your road trip is to spend a few days swimming, snorkelling, fishing and sailing in the Gulf of Oman, or relaxing on the pristine beaches. Again, halal food is never more than a few steps away, and there are thousands of mosques across the country so finding somewhere to pray is always easy. For more information on the UAE visit our dedicated page for halal friendly travel inspiration

 The USA:

There are thousands of miles of classic road criss-crossing the United States, from north to south, east to west and any other direction in between. Our favourite route starts in New York (home to hundreds of halal restaurants) and winds along the Atlantic Coast until it reaches the unique island of Key West in southern Florida. Along the way, why not try a halal hot dog in New Jersey, ride the rollercoasters at Ocean City in Maryland and pray jummah near the beach at Hampton in Virginia? There are also 400 years of history to explore along the coast, and lots of photo opportunities of funny place names like Nag’s Head and Cape Fear!

Of course, the most iconic drive of all is Route 66, following what John Steinbeck called “The Mother Road” in his vivid seminal novel The Grapes of Wrath. The road runs over 2000 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, and encompasses typical Americana, with its hundreds of diners, motels, petrol stations and cafés. It also takes in some of America’s most classic roadside scenes, from flickering neon signs, to rusty old truck stops. As the song says, you definitely “get your kicks on Route 66.”

Whichever country or route you choose, there are always options to make your journey halal-friendly. Before you leave, do some research into halal restaurants and mosques that you might encounter along the way. You’ll be surprised at the quality and variety of eating, sleeping and praying options most places can offer.

Who ever thought up the halal resort idea – is a genius

Sitting in the grand swanky lobby of the Adenya Resort in Alanya, I look around and see an evolution in the halal industry. Sparkly glassware, cascading indoor waterfalls, Dubai style grandeur and hang on…is that a sign for a Masjid?

To be honest before I headed out to the ‘halal resort’ I thought I was to be separated from my wife through male and female entrances to the hotel, and have to meet at our room via a convoluted network of segregated corridors. It couldn’t be further from my paranoid imagination, there are free mixing areas in the lobby, corridors, buffet restaurant, common grounds and reception.

Thank goodness too, as the best thing about this resort is that it’s only the areas that need to be separated that are distinguished by little male and female graphics. The lobby cafe which serves 24 hour drinks (all non aloholic of course) has a mix of hijab donned ladies, as well as non covering sisters too. It’s all modest in comparison to the alternatives you would find in other Turkish resorts, where non-muslim tourists are the catch of the day, dressing to lunch in a two piece with flabby bits hanging out.

And it’s not awkward in mixed areas either. For some reason when an event is segregated at home, there is always a tentativeness lets say, to not even walk into a sisters 5 metre radius force field, which if I do just to grab a fork, may terminate my existence on planet Earth. Everyone is aware this is a halal environment, and just gets on with heading to the gents pool area or the ladies spa area (signposted and screened for privacy) without a fuss. Food time is rather chaotic, and when the food is pretty good, I can see why. With food served from 7am to midnight, you can’t starve here on the all inclusive basis.

Maybe it’s a cultural thing too, the majority (95%) of the occupants here are Turkish, and if anyone has been to a Turkish Hamam, will understand they are not a shy bunch. I actually feel like I am in a resort like any other, except I can look around and not have worry about Fräulein flabby two piece walking by, or Monsieur speedo being oblivious to sensitivities of other guests. And yes guys here are expected to wear lengthy shorts, not all about the ladies being decent.

Ironically although the language barriers are an issue I’ve made a few friends here. There is the burly Turkish chap in his twenties who speaks just enough English combined with my equally competent German who I played some football with (an international language). Then the IT students from Ankara happily dabbled in a game of pool, and the Belgian father here with his family really enjoyed the time with the kids.

So as the storm rumbles over Alanya, I ponder on why more hotels around the world have not embraced this concept. There are oodles of money to be made, so shouldn’t be a commercial issue. Maybe it’s the fear of alienating the mass tourist market, but anyone who visits the Adenya will realise its the benchmark in halal tourism.

For more information and to visit check out our website at http://www.serendipity.travel/turkey

Clever technology? Not always…..

As you may have read, some of the Serendipity team were in Morocco last week checking out cool new halal destinations to feature on our website. Unfortunately, a technology fail meant we came a cropper once or twice on our journey (!) but more on that later.

One of our favourite stops on this trip was the teeny-tiny hamlet of Sidi Kaouki, just 20 minutes south of funky Essaouira. The reason it takes 20 minutes to get there is the road to Sidi Kaouki is single-track, haphazardly paved and was loads of fun to hare down in our hired Dacia Sandero! Once there, the bracing Atlantic breeze, laid-back vibe, private pool villa and charmingly personal service at the halal friendly Rebali Riads (our stop for the night), meant we didn’t want to leave. Our favourite view was overlooking the ocean from the terrace of the Surfer Cafe with a plate of freshly-caught grilled fish, watching the donkeys, dogs, horses, cats and camels (we kid you not) amble along the main road, while the local surfer dudes and dudettes caught some serious wave action.

Essaouira itself is famous for being chilled (and chilly, thanks to the strong Atlantic breeze) and amazing fish and seafood at the portside restaurants. After praying Maghreb in the ancient medina mosque, we headed to retro Chez Sam for a gorgeously simple meal of grilled sole and turbot. If you’re after luxury, the Sofitel just on the outskirts of town is one of the nicest hotels we’ve ever seen, and well worth splashing the cash. For a more authentic vibe, Riad Zahra, run by the entertaining Xavier, gives you the feel of a traditional Moroccan riad with all the mod cons. The best bit about eating out in Morocco is you know that everything is halal, which makes picking a restaurant easy.

The time had come for us to leave the west coast and make the 2 hour journey back to Marrakesh to return the hire car.  We found out that driving in Morocco is quite fun, as long as you have map and a sense of humor about being overtaken by a couple of kids on the back of a donkey! At this point, we also made another discovery; a technology fail meant that our iPhone and Blackberry times didn’t update with the new time zone, so we were always an hour behind the actual time. Our top tip from this trip is to always ask the locals for the time, until you’re sure you’re in line with everyone else!

Back in Marrakesh, we once again headed to the madness of Djema El Fna for some last minute haggling and atmospheric views from one of the many cafes overlooking the square, before heading over to the airport for our flight home to wet, cold England. Needless to say, we wished we could have stayed an extra week or two!

One of the Serendipity team is Moroccan, so these are her tips for getting the best out of your trip:

1. Haggling is all part of the fun in Morocco, so go for it. Whatever price the shopkeepers and stallholders ask will be far higher than the item’s worth, so start bidding at 50% or even 30% and stick with it for as long as possible. If you can’t agree on a price, move on, as many shops sell exactly the same items.
2. Always accept a cup of mint tea if offered. It is considered an insult to refuse. If you’d rather not overload yourself with sugar, as for it to be made sugar-free, or m’sous.
3. Foods to try are the world famous tagine (chicken and lemon is a particular favourite), the southern speciality of tanjia (similar to a tajine but cooked for 24 hours and bursting with flavour), Royal couscous (best on Fridays after prayers), gorgeously fluffly and flaky breakfast pancakes known as msemmen in the south of the country and mlawi in the north and last but certainly not least, Moroccan pastries like Cornes de Gazelles and shebekkia.
4. If you’re getting into a taxi that doesn’t have a meter, always agree the price in advance with the driver. If the taxi does have a meter, make sure it has been re-set!
5. Moroccan are naturally friendly and curious, so be prepared to answer lots of questions about yourself, your family and anything else!

For more halal friendly Morocco tips and ideas, head over to www.serendipity.travel/morocco

It’s toasty in Marrakech

Oh yes, it’s very toasty. Over the past few days the city has seen heats of 48 degrees. That’s ludicrous!

Thankfully, on day one of our four-day escape to the crazy city in the heart of Morocco, it’s been a cool 38 degrees, and to be honest it’s been quite pleasant until around 5pm.

It’s been 4 years or so since I last came to Marrakech, and nothing has really changed too drastically. Jemma El Fna is the same chaos as it always is, but the food stalls are still worth a every dirham you pay for the experience. So far, the laid back feel of this famous city is the ideal backdrop to the next few days. We’ll be heading to Essoauira and the tiny village of Sidi Kaouki, where I heard the surfer community thrives on the windy shores.

Keep following for more posts on our Morocco experience…

For more halal friendly Morocco experiences visit http://www.serendipity.travel

So Long Lonesome George

The rarest animal in the world was found dead on Sunday. Lonesome George is the last of the Pinta Tortoises, with his age estimated at around 100 years old.

When the Galápagos Islands became a National Park in 1959, conservation priorities were a top priority for the world’s scientific community. Giant tortoises, who gave their names to the remote archipelago, ranked high, together with the need to eradicate introduced animals (rats, goats, etc.) from the archipelago’s days as a pirate bolt-hole.

Hundreds of thousands of giant tortoises had been killed for food during the intense whaling years of the 18^th and 19^th centuries.  Conservation reached Galápagos too late for some. Floreana and Santa Fe Island Giant Tortoises had disappeared long ago, and the only known living tortoise from Fernandina Island was killed and preserved in the name of research and conservation during a United States expedition in 1907. The La Pinta Tortoise was, officially, another species wiped out, while the island itself was plagued by introduced goats, the tortoises’ direct, warm-blooded competitors for food.

Inadvertently, in December 1971 a young snail expert, Joseph Vagvolgyi, while squatting over the resident Bulimulus spp snails of La Pinta Island, was startled by moving shrubbery. He expected goats to have caused the commotion, but instead saw a male tortoise emerging from the foliage. His report went unnoticed until 1972, when a team of park wardens went to La Pinta Island to hunt introduced goats. On that visit an Ecuadorian field biologist, Manuel Cruz, took the opportunity to analyze the stomach content of goats to understand better the effect of goats foraging upon the fragile flora of the Galápagos. Cruz once again stumbled upon the last living tortoise of La Pinta. But this time he opted for rounding up wardens to help him lug the weighty (200-pound/90-kg), reptile down to the beach.

The relevance of this ‘animal rescue’ didn’t become evident until much later. In the 1970s, each island’s tortoise population was taxonomically seen as a subspecies – with only subtle differences among them. In subsequent years, scientists agreed that they were all different species. The only remaining living tortoise of La Pinta became a “living extinct species”, unless a female was found. From that day forth, the search began to find another female La Pinta tortoise. Officially, a monetary reward still exists for the person who delivers a female La Pinta tortoise to the National Park authorities.

George, as he called him, became better known over the years as “Lonesome George”, possibly named after the American comedian George Gobel (1919-1991) who used this nickname in some of his shows.

As the last living tortoise of La Pinta species, Lonesome George soon became a living icon for conservation not only in the Galápagos but also internationally. His image is the logo of the Galápagos National Park and the Research Station, and he is possibly the world’s most famous reptile. He even has an entry as the rarest animal in the world in the Guinness Book of Records and a clothing line named after him.

Courtesy of Christina Valdiviseo. To explore the stunning Ecuadorian Galapogas Islands, visit Serendipity Tailormade

http://www.serendipity.travel/ecuador

 

Tips for a halal friendly and comfortable flight

We at Serendipity love everything about travelling, from meeting new people and seeing new places to trying new halal food, but for us the fun starts as soon as we reach the airport. Some people see flying as a chore but we think it’s a pleasure. How often do you get the chance to really switch off from the world around you and just relax while being conveyed somewhere new? As we travel so much, we like to think we’ve got it down to an art so, here are some tips to make your time in the air blissful (and halal friendly too).

Before you get to the airport, try to check in online 24 hours before. Not only do you get to pick your seat, but you might also be able to skip the queues at the check-in desk by going straight to bag drop. We like to go for the very last row, as the back of the plane is usually emptier and you might get extra seats. Be warned, though, that as there will almost certainly be toilets nearby, it can get noisy if people congregate. If you haven’t already done so through us, you can also go online to request a halal meal as not all airlines offer a fish or veggie alternative as standard.

Another useful thing to try doing before you even leave the house (after checking for the millionth time that you’ve arranged for someone to feed the fish and you have your passport!) is gather all your liquids, pastes, gels etc into a see-through bag, as this will save you the time and hassle of trying to do it while shuffling through passport control.

It may sound obvious, but by the time you’ve reached security, make sure you’ve emptied your pockets of keys, coins, phones and anything else you may be carrying, as well as removing all jackets, jewellery and high heels or clumpy boots. As well as avoiding the potential embarrassment of being sent through the machine again, it means the people behind won’t be shaking their heads and tutting at you for holding up the queue. Just in case you do have to remove your shoes, it’s a good idea to wear matching socks!

Once you’ve had your fill of duty free, buy a bottle of water on the way to the departure gate. If you have a long flight, buy two bottles. You’ll be amazed how much you’ll drink, as flying is dehydrating for the body and skin. We also like to pack at least one good book, a small toothbrush and toothpaste, an extra shawl in case it gets cold, warm socks so we can kick off our shoes, an eye-mask, earplugs and noise cancelling headphones so you can get some shut eye. If you wear a hijab, it’s also a good idea to carry a soft hat so you can remove your scarf and wrap it loosely around your neck when you want to sleep. Other essentials for us are Vaseline and hand cream (again, to combat dehydrated, dry skin) and antibacterial wipes as we like to wipe down all the hard surfaces to get rid of any stray bugs. We also take chewing gum, as it helps ‘pop’ your ears as the plane ascends and descends.

To make your flight more comfortable, leave glamour at home and wear flat shoes and loose, comfortable clothes (try to avoid jeans), glasses instead of contact lenses and don’t bother with makeup, as by the time you reach your destination it will have all been rubbed off anyway! If you’re travelling with young children, pack a large towel that can double up as a blanket and colouring books/pencils to keep them entertained at least some of the time.

What are your top travel tips? Share them with us, and we’ll include them in a future post.

Serendipity Tailormade take care of making your journey a halal friendly one. For more information visit http://www.serendipity.travel

Mashpi Lodge Opens

Mashpi Lodge opens and wins Outside Magazine´s best Eco Lodge

We’re thrilled to announce that Mashpi Lodge opened last week. The hotel, a cocoon in the clouds created amid the biodiverse and magical forests, lies to the northwest of the Ecuadorian capital. Mashpi is truly unique and we’re confident it sets a new benchmark for halal friendly travel options.

Mashpi Lodge was also selected as Best Eco Lodge by Outside Magazine – America’s leading active lifestyle brand – in the inaugural Travel Awards. The awards reflect more than just a collection of unforgettable trips- it’s a road map to life-changing experiences.

“This year we’ve bottled up 35 years of collective wisdom to select our first Outside Travel Awards, an annual edit franchise that honors the best trips, hotels, lodges, luggage, islands, and new destinations that will be an invaluable travel resource for years to come,” says Outside editor Christopher Keyes.

Mashpi Lodge, located just two-and-a-half hours west of Quito, harbours one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots, particularly when it comes to flora and avifauna. The Lodge, meanwhile, combines the highest standards of comfort, service and cuisine that today’s most discerning travellers expect.

“Outside is a globally-important brand and we’re delighted with the recognition that Mashpi Lodge has gained with this award,” says Roque Sevilla, the project’s driving force and main shareholder. “It’s a great seal of approval for all the team who have worked so hard to make the lodge truly innovative, raising the bar of comfort, service and experience in rainforest lodges.”

The Mashpi Project is deeply committed to the environment and the local population. Its management seeks to promote the conservation of this crucially-important ecosystem by working hand-in-hand with its surrounding communities, providing jobs and futures soundly set on a sustainable course.

View Mashpi lodge’ video, and click for more information on halal friendly Ecuador holidays at Mashpi

Top 5 halal friendly shopping destinations

For some reason, holidays bring out the shopping bug in most of us and whether you want to or not, you always end up…shopping. So apart from the souvenirs, there are plenty of bargains to be had and we have been waiting to spring this blog piece on our readers for a while. By popular demand, here are the team’s top five halal friendly shopping experiences

Chatuchak weekend market – Bangkok

Shop ’til you drop at Chatuchak – simple as that. Bargain hard and you’ll find yourself there for hours haggling and buying things you didn’t even want, like the 7th handbag in four hours. You can buy everything from a vintage lamp to a python here, but be careful as there are a lot of items that are ‘not quite genuine’ so avoid them like the plague. A further word of warning, stay to the main market stalls and avoid wandering to the alleyways. Afterwards head to some of Bangkok’s brilliant halal restaurants.

Manhattan – New York

Soon to be featured on the Serendipity site (we’re very excited) is New York, and rightly so as one of the top shopping mega streets in the world. From the nostalgic and awesome FAO Schwarz toy store on 5th and 58th, to the famous Macy’s, one of the largest department stores in the world, New York is London super-sized. It’s not all about Saks, Bloomingdales and Fifth Avenue though; head to Soho or the Lower East Side for an alternative shopping experience.

Bang Bang Market – Singapore

Ok, so it has a downright silly name, but we love Bang Bang Market located at Bugis Junction. Here you will find everything from clothes to shoes to iPhone covers. It’s now spread over three floors, with the ground floor a covered marketplace dotted with $1 fruit juice stalls. Bugis is a must-do on a trip to Singapore and at the end of the shopping spree, stop at the Albert Centre for some halal hawker food. Oh and if you’re into cameras, then the Sim Lim Centre is the place to go just round the corner!

Marrakech or Fez Medina – Morocco

For the ultimate market experience, head to a Moroccan medina for everything to kit our your home with that Middle Eastern feel. From hand made lamps to large comfy seating, you can spend hours wandering the alleyways looking for a bargain. A note of caution, some items you might want to buy may be a little large to send through checked luggage, so arrange a courier service through a reputable vendor where you’re purchasing your items.

Dubai Shopping Festival – Dubai

The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) takes place every winter where outlets go a little crazy with discounts, incentives and offers to tempt shoppers. The month-long festival is part of Dubai’s longest running campaign, and attracts tourists by the plane load. With plenty of entertainment throughout the period, DSF provides not only an opportunity to grab a bargain, but also to enjoy a family holiday in the Emirati winter (a cool 22 degrees…nice)

If you have any further suggestions, email us at mail@serendipity.travel or share it on our facebook page, and for more holiday inspiration visit our website

http://www.serendipity.travel

Shopping…the Serendipity way

Halal Friendly China: Emperors, Noodles and Super-Highways

The guys as Serendipity are in unison that China (the halal friendly way) is an awesome spectacle of Emperors, Noodles, and Super-Highways. Of course it’s fair to say there is an air of communism about the place, however China still maintains it’s grasp on tourism and rightly so, otherwise there is so much to miss out on.

Our Muslim friendly tours encompasses one of the oldest civilisations in the world. China has thousands of years of history to explore, from Tiananmen Square to The Silk Road, the country has oodles of the ancient, the weird and the wonderful.  The Great Wall of China is an incredible feat of engineering as it’s historical importance, and a short climb is well worth the experience. Beijing is also home to the oldest mosque in China, home to millions of Muslims that live in the city; the Niujie mosque which was first built in 966 during the Liao dynasty. At that time, it was forbidden to from constructing other than in the Chinese style, and hence today the Nuijie mosque is eclectic and the most unique place of worship in the Muslim world we have come across.

Shanghai, the largest city in Asia, is the modern capital and home to some cool architecture, as well as the amazing 400/kph bullet train. A short hop away is Xi’an, home to The Terracotta Warriors, is also home to the largest Muslim population in China. To really experience the Muslim diaspora in this country, then a visit along the Silk Route or into Tibet will make your halal friendly holiday complete. We’ll take care of obtaining your travel permit to Tibet, and you can spend a couple of nights marvelling at the Patola Palace. The small but friendly Muslim community provides great company, and is one of the highlights of our Tibet itinerary.

For more on our Muslim China Tours visit our site

www.serendipity.travel/china

The Great Wall that goes on and on and on....

Halal Friendly Sri Lanka

The past weekend saw the Sri Lankan New Year celebrations, so we decided we’ll provide a halal friendly insight into this awesome little country.

Located off the tip of India, Sri Lanka’s subtle nuances set it apart from it’s famous neighbour. This compact island has a multi-ethnic culture, combining Buddhist culture, with Tamil, Malay, Dutch, Portugese and a significant Muslim population.

Boasting eight world class UNESCO heritage sites, including the Imperious Sigiriya rock (a must see on any trip to Sri Lanka), the fortified city of Galle, and the virgin Sinharaja Rainforest; Sri Lanka is so much more than a beach and flop destination. Surprisingly, Sri Lanka is also home to some of the best wildlife experiences outside of Africa. Yala National Park hosts the highest density of Leopards anywhere in the world, and spotting one of these elusive cats is a thrill not to be missed. Along with the largest land mammal on earth; the Elephant, Sri Lanka also is one of the best places on earth to view the world’s largest mammal; The Blue Whale. Some of the best sightings have been seen off the south coast and provides nature lovers with an unparalleled experience for exceptional value.

Heading inland, the hill country of Nuwara Eliya lies 2500m above sea level, a great place to cool down and sample some of the best tea in the world. Kandy, a town full of hubbub and culture is only a couple of hours away, as is Pinawella Elephant Orphanage, home to sixty placid giants and a must do on a trip to Sri Lanka.

Why we like Sri Lanka

Unlike its larger neighbour India, Sri Lanka doesn’t feel claustrophobic or over-populated even in the capital Colombo. The main attractions lie away from the coast and strongly recommend spending 4 or 5 days exploring the interior of the country and the rest of your time on the coast to get a real feel for the country.

Halal Friendly Sri Lanka

All the hotels we suggest provide halal food, however note that they do serve pork in some of the hotels. Rest assured, they do cook and prepare pork products separately to halal products as many of their guests are Muslim from the Middle East, and Muslims in Sri Lanka. Ensuring the hotel food is halal is important as with many of the hotels we suggest there are limited food options outside the hotels unless you’re in a main city such as Colombo.

There are many mosques around the country, however sparse in the rural areas north of Habarana. In the coastal areas, Colombo, Galle and the East coast there are significant Muslim populations.

There are only a handful of hotels providing private swimming pools in individual rooms, and they do fetch a premium. We suggest Serene Pavilions with their large one bedroom pavilions, or the Saman Villas in Bentota as an alternative.

Overall, Sri Lanka is very accessible for Muslims to enjoy a halal friendly holiday

For more information or for a suggested itinerary, visit our website for halal friendly travel inspiration.

http://www.serendipity.travel

Praying in the clouds…

The Singapore based firm, Crescent Ratings, launched their beta version of their air travel prayer calculator earlier this month. The online tool takes data such as prayer times in the country of origin, the destination city and in countries on the flight path and uses an algorithm to plot exact prayer hours during a flight.

This gadget is pretty cool, super useful and innovative to ensure Muslims manage to pray on time 30’000 ft up in the air. This always poses a challenge when you’ve just taken off and suddenly the sun is setting a couple of hours into your flight. It messes with your head a little, because you have a set routine and are generally comfortable with that. The algorithm may not be minute perfect, but it’s an impressive step towards solving a dilemma few have even thought of addressing.

To my knowledge only Saudi Arabian Airlines offer a small space at the back of the plane for praying. You can see why as so few planes actually have enough space in the cabin to accommodate the cattle it’s ferrying, so most of the time Muslims have to settle for praying sitting in their chair. It would be nice however for maybe a few more airlines to dedicate a tiny oblong of cabin space, particularly on pilgrimage routes.

So another turn for halal-friendly travel? Lets hope so, and lets hope it’s not another reason for the few ignorant travellers who are scared of even flying with a Muslim on their flight to get the jeepers. “Oh my, what is he doing nodding his head like that every few seconds?!?”  We can see it now cant we? Thankfully the majority of people are cool enough to realise it’s all kosher…well halal.

 

 

 

 

Earth Hour – conserving the worlds energy is halal centric

Hello – our friends at Metropolitan Touring in Ecuador reminded us that conserving energy and not wasting is also part of the halal centric lifestyle, as they played their part in supporting Earth Hour last weekend. Let us know how you contributed…

Earth Hour is organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million people and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to call for action on climate change. This initiative showed how many people cared about the world we live in. Today, more than 135 countries have joined this call, which this year will take place on Saturday 31st March from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

“I will if you will” was the challenge of the WWF this year that intends to engage more people to go beyond the hour and communicate their efforts through social media to inspire others to be committed with the environment by doing simple things, such as recycling, turning off lights, riding a bike instead of driving a car, changing normal light bulbs to energy saving lights, and others.

This year Metropolitan Touring once again pledged its support for this initiative as part of our environmental commitment and leadership, and our wish to leave a positive footprint on this planet.

On Friday, March 30th the staff at our head office in Ecuador worked from 7 am to 4 pm in order to take advantage of natural sunlight and save electricity. Every employee in Quito and in each of our regional offices has been informed of the campaign and asked to share it with their families.

Moreover, as part of our support to this worldwide campaign, the guests at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel in the Galápagos Islands enjoyed a candle-lit dinner while every non-essential light bulb in the hotel will be switched off. Aboard their fleet, their guides shared with guests our environmental philosophy and how to minimize our footprint – Internet services were also be suspended for the hour.

We truly believe our environmental commitment goes beyond the sixty minutes of Earth Hour: we will continue their endeavours to have a positive impact on our planet, whether sharing initiatives with our guests, with our partners or with our fellow colleagues across the continent.

Happy Earth Hour!

If you’ve been for Hajj or Umrah – share your experiences!

Salams all

We’re putting together some top tips to help prospective pilgrims on their journey to the sacred pilgrimage this year. If you’ve been, and have any top tips you would like to share, head over to the below link on our facebook page and add your top tip. The most liked comment will win a travel prayer mat and a copy of “The Messenger” by Tariq Ramadhan.

https://www.facebook.com/dipitytravel/posts/320693664661765

Your tip can be as simple as best things to carry with you, to how to keep yourself hydrated !

Dont forget to like our FB page too 🙂

New dry hotel to open in Al Ain

The advent of dry halal friendly hotels in the Middle East has risen over the past few years. Brands such as Tamani, Coral and now Rotana have all embraced the notion of a dry property, where no alcohol is served within the restaurants or beverage areas.

Here’s the latest to join the ranks in Al-Ain

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/rotana-plans-alcohol-free-hotel-in-al-ain-446205.html?tab=Article.

Travel Tale #5 – The stale bread versus the Chinese cracker-pot

Travel Tale #5 – The stale bread versus the Chinese cracker-pot

The “Moslem” halal meal on British Airways was supposed to be today’s topic but I’m saving that for another day. This travel tale all started when a friend of mine shared his concept of airline food. I honestly feel that sometimes there is a vendetta against airline food, and in most cases I can understand why. The nostalgic aroma of economy tin foil over molten hot cauliflower is often one that doesn’t dissipate with time. I particularly enjoy the bits on the side though, and have a quiet liking to uncovering the desert which tends to be a no-no in normal life, but because you’re stuck 30’000ft in the air, its acceptable to indulge in double chocolate mousse otherwise you will die of starvation. The little bread roll that comes on the tray has somewhat petrified my friend, so much so that the mere taste may in fact put the whole meal in jeopardy. This made me think, in what kitchen in the world is that scarily perfectly round roll made to taste exactly the same on whatever flight you go on? I want to know, and I will find out the secret to the most consistent bread roll on the planet. Watch this space.

My favourite story though is one a colleague told me about on a China Air flight in business class. She loves the crackers and cheese, but for some reason the cheese outnumbered the crackers. You may think this is well…crackers, but she kindly asked for one more cracker to have the remaining twenty five pieces of brie left on her foldable tray. When she asked for this extra cracker she was met by the Chinese air steward’s frown saying – “only one packet per person”. My colleague was a little shaken by her abrupt defiance in extending one more 12p packet of crackers to her business class client. If she was asking for a kilo of camembert she would understand, but the 12p packet of crackers was the tipping point of this rather irate stewardess. After a bit of banter, the answer was still the same as the initial one – “grrr…only one packet per person…grrr”. So the lesson learned here is don’t annoy a Chinese air stewardess otherwise you will be frowned at for six remaining hours of flying, and that China Air has a one cracker policy  – who would’ve known.

Destinations catering to Muslim travellers

Enjoy your Islamic holiday at the best Halal destinations

 

Halal friendly holidays cater to Halal conscious consumers. Consuming products and services that are Halal is the foremost consideration of a Muslim, and this trend encompasses food and banking industries as well as lifestyle and leisure activities. With Halal friendly holidays, Halal conscious travellers are now able to explore the world while enjoying services and travel facilities that cater to their religious beliefs. There are several destinations across the world that Halal friendly – both in Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries and Non OIC countries. Here are some of the best destinations that you can enjoy your Islamic holiday at.

 

Malaysia (OIC country): Malaysia encompasses a truly Asian destination and is a melting pot of religion, races and cuisine. Muslim travellers will enjoy this country as Halal food is a norm, shopping options are abundant and there is much to see and do here.

 

Indonesia (OIC country): Consisting of tens of thousands of islands, Indonesia offers beaches, volcanoes, paddy fields and much more. Indonesia is massive and large parts of it remain a tropical paradise, boasting an infinite variety of flora and fauna. Jakarta, the capital city is well known for its modern society and culture, whereas Sumatra is where you need to be if you are interested in tropical rainforests.

 

Brunei (OIC country): This is one of the smallest countries on Earth, yet offers so much for vacationers. Blessed with sizeable deposits of oil and gas, this tropical sultanate has intact and pristine rainforest habitats. Explore the jungle, go scuba diving and set your eyes on unspoiled coral reefs and interesting shipwrecks here.

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina (Non OIC country): This is one of the most exotic destinations in south east Europe, and has a large population of Muslims. With gorgeous architecture in the streets of Sarajevo, beautiful sites in Mostar, amazing waterfalls in Martinbrod and ski destinations in Sutjeska, a holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina is something to look forward to.

 

South Africa (Non OIC country): If you are looking to discover Africa, South Africa is the best place to start. It offers so much in terms of natural beauty – waterfalls, canyons, mountains, wetlands and subtropical forests to name a few. A safari here is a must do experience, where you can view wildlife up close. In addition, there are miles of unspoiled beaches and a great and bustling city life too. There are several Halal friendly facilities available here as well, making this an excellent choice for your Islamic holiday.

 

Serendipity provides Islamic tours to Halal conscious tourists interested in travelling to various holiday destinations around the world. Enjoy your Islamic holiday today at ease!

 

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Islamic Tours, Islamic Holidays

 

http://www.serendipity.travel/

Discover a whole new world with Halal Friendly Holidays

Discover a whole new world with Halal Friendly Holidays

 

With the advent of the Halal friendly travel industry, Muslims in UK need not be limited to holidays in Islamic countries solely. Now, you can travel to various destinations across the globe and discover and enjoy a whole new world. With Halal friendly holidays, you can be rest assured that you and your family will enjoy a perfect Halal holiday that falls in accordance with your religious beliefs.

 

There are several destinations across the globe that cater to Halal friendly holidays and accommodate the unique needs of Halal conscious travellers. From Hong Kong to Turkey, Peru to Singapore, India to China – all these countries provide Halal friendly tourism, so you can feel comfortable and at home no matter your destination. This means that several new destinations can now be added to travel plans, and increases opportunities for Muslims to interact with all sorts of communities worldwide. Here are some of the countries you can discover with Halal friendly travel.

 

Hong Kong: The bustling, busy and brilliant city of Hong Kong is compact with shops, markets, food stalls and more. Victoria Harbour, the Ladies Market and the Avenues of the Stars are must visits. Hong Kong is predominantly Cantonese; however there are several Halal friendly restaurants available.

 

Turkey: The only country embedded between Europe and Asia, Turkey offers a blend of the new an old. The capital, Istanbul is a wonder with the beautiful Blue Mosque, Haigha Sophia and the Topkapi Palace all within easy reach. In addition, Turkey has a stunning coastline from Antlaya to Dalaman, with Halal friendly beach resorts.

 

Peru: Machu Picchu and the Incas is the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of Peru. However, there is much more to the South American country. It is one of the worlds most ecologically diverse countries and has a colourful mix of history, culture and cuisine. Discover the Amazon Rainforest and the magnificent Amazon River on your journey to discover Peru. There are several seafood and vegetarian options for Halal conscious tourists.

 

Singapore: This tiny country has much to offer all interests, ages and budgets. Not only is it a fast paced metropolis, Singapore has pockets of natural beauty and endless shopping options. With an excellent and efficient transport system, this is an ideal tourist spot for the entire family. Enjoy various shopping, eating and scenic options in Singapore.

 

Serendipity provides Halal travel to Halal conscious tourists interested in travelling to various holiday destinations around the world. Halal friendly holidays has never been easier.

 

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Halal Travel, Halal Friendly Holidays

http://www.serendipity.travel/

 

Travel Tale # 4 – The Zinedene Zidane versus David Cameron Experiment

There isn’t many places as scenic as Lake Geneva, from the shores of the city itself to Montreux on the east. However as a Muslim traveller finding halal outlets in this very dreamy part of Europe is at times a nightmare.

Back in the 90’s when I explored some of Europe with my parents, I remember our daily three meals consisted primarily of omelettes. Very good omelettes may I add, and bolt on a portion of fries as for good measure. That however, was teetering on the edge of our limited Bavarian options. More recently my travels in Europe has shown that finding halal food need not be as arduous. In Vienna there’s a small Turkish community with a mosque with a couple of nearby halal eateries. In Brussels, the odd Moroccan coffee shop can be stumbled across outside the main touristy piazza. It’s easier if you know where to look, with halal food prevalent in migrant centric cities such as Brussels, Paris and Berlin than it was a couple of decades ago.

The exception to all of this is Lausanne. On a short visit last year, the Olympic capital has a lovely quaint promenade lining Lake Geneva, perfect for a stroll on a September afternoon with a Movenpick ice cream for company. As the light fell over the shore, my wife and I embarked on our search for carnivorous consumption in the sleepy city. We quickly did some maths, and found out that Muslim + Lausanne = Vegetarian. We failed within 20 minutes of our search, so being hungry and not wanting to wander the city all night we headed to a pizzeria called Boccalino near our hotel. Turns out we were so glad we chose this place, as we found the best menu we have ever seen. They did not serve halal meats, so vegetarian options had to suffice as mentioned in our formula above, but check out the options! A David Cameron was off the halal card, so we had to settle for a Zinedine Zidane…

Best pizza menu ever

 

 

Halal Travel encouraged in Taiwan

The Tourism Bureau (of Taiwan) said it hopes to increase the number of eateries certified to serve halal food to attract more visitors from Muslim nations.

The Tourism Bureau yesterday said it aimed to have 50 restaurants certified as Muslim-friendly as it looks at options to further tap into the Muslim tourist market. Eric Lin (林坤源), director of the bureau’s international travel division, said Muslim tourists visiting Taiwan mainly come from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and northwest China.

The bureau hopes to see 10 percent growth in tourist arrivals from each of those countries this year, Lin said. The frequency of broadcasts of television commercials on traveling in Taiwan in Malaysia has increased, he said, adding that the bureau has also worked with travel agencies to organize tours. “The nation drew about 6 million tourists last year,” Lin said. “The population of Muslim countries is approximately 1.7 billion, which presents a high potential for international visitors.”

The “Muslim-Friendly Restaurant” certification was handled by the Chinese Muslim Association. Association secretary-general Salahuddin Ma Chao-yen (馬超彥) said the main purpose of the certification was to let Muslims around the world know that there are Muslims in Taiwan as well.

Based on the certification guidelines, restaurants must ensure that the food offered to Muslims is prepared according to Islamic law. The guidelines also have specific instructions for various items, ranging from buying from certified halal food suppliers and seasonings to cookware. The service personnel must also receive training on the “dos and don’ts” of hosting according to Muslim customs.

Eleven restaurants nationwide have already been certified as Muslim-only businesses — which serve only halal food — while there are seven Muslim-friendly eateries — businesses that serve both halal and non-halal food. Restaurants in some amusement parks, such as Leofoo Village Theme Park in Hsinchu County, are among those that have been certified.

Jozo Chen (陳怡穎), marketing specialist at Shangrila Leisure Farm in Yilan County, said the farm hosted about 1,000 Muslim tourists last year. “Apart from the food, they [Muslim tourists] also require a separate dining area to eat,” Chen said. “We must also have arrow signs [pointing to Mecca] for their daily prayers and proper washing facilities in the hotel rooms.”

Chen said the cost of hosting Muslims is slightly higher than that of non-Muslim tourists, but the certification would help the hotel attract more tourists from Muslim nations.

By Shelly Shan

Source: Taipei Times

Travel tale #3 – The fuzzy communal cabin projector screen

Travel tale #3 – The fuzzy communal projector screen

I love gadgets, ever since I was a kid they fascinated me. Whether it was disassembling a clock or trying to figure out how the mini guillotine didnt cut my finger off, I was perplexed with intrigue.

That never stopped when I got onto a plane, and throughout my childhood I spent lots of time flying around (luckily). I remember the early days of popping in my headphones and being forced to watch the same thing everyone else did. The air stewardess would roll down the screen after take-off and the projector would clunk down and warm up. She would also find the opportune moment to walk through serving dinner when the only cartoon was being screened. After that, it was documentary after documentary which wasn’t worth straining my neck over the headrest to watch. Also, unless you were sitting in the first three rows, it was like watching in pixel vision. No such thing as standard definition, it was sub zero standard definition. Funny how back in the day it still made me watch in amazement as the projector was way over there, and I was listeningallthe way back here.

How things have changed, I even remember my first seat back TV on Singapore Airlines playing Super Mario Kart. It was awesome. Now, the igeneration has reached the skies, and Qantas have rolled out their Q streaming technology where Ipads are your remote, high def player and ego boosting accessory. I for one can’t wait to try it out, but I’ll always remember the humble fuzzy communal cabin projector screen.

To book a technologically enhanced halal holiday visit Serendipity Tailormade at www.serendipity.travel

 

Why is halal friendly travel becoming so popular?

Halal friendly holidays are gaining popularity in the UK as Muslim families seek welcoming travel destinations across the globe for modest dress, Halal food and other Muslim-friendly vacation activities. There are several Halal friendly hotels that provide facilities and services for Muslim travellers across the world.

The services offered by Halal friendly hotels differ – some may provide information on Halal services and facilities in the vicinity of the hotel, whilst others include Qiblah direction marked in hotel rooms and serve Halal food. Certain hotels even have segregated spas, open-air pools exclusively for women and Halal beaches.  There are some hotels that prohibit alcohol in their premises, so Muslim travellers do not have to worry about relaxing next to other hotel guests that are consuming alcohol.

Here are some Halal travel destinations worth visiting along with Halal friendly hotels and resorts.

Maldives: Located in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is made up of hundreds of islands, and is the ultimate getaway location for rest and relaxation. The islands feature a range of resorts and hotels, which are very private and luxurious. Bandos Island is a superb Halal resort, with stunning private over water villas. Other resorts which would cater to Muslims include Soneva Gili, Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi and Zithali.

Tanzania: This beautiful island of Zanzibar lies to the east of Tanzania, and has some of the best beaches in the world. The island has a dash of the Middle East, as several descendants originated from Oman. There are many resorts and hotels here that cater to Halal tourists including the Ocean Paradise Resort and for those looking for a safari experience, the Saadani Lodge offers halal friendly services.

The UAE: The United Arab Emirates is one of the most popular Halal tourist destinations. With towering skyscrapers, gorgeous beaches and expansive shopping malls, Emirates is a must visit country. There are several hotels here that have Halal facilities – these include the BurJumanArjaan by Rotana Suites, the Tamani, Taj Palace and the Six Senses at Zighy Bay in nearby Oman.

Serendipity provides great deals on Halal friendly hotels to tourists interested in travelling to Halal friendly holiday destinations across the world. Serendipity also offers information and bookings for Halal resorts.

Halal Friendly Tips to enjoy Hong Kong

Here’s out top 5 tips on how to enjoy a halal friendly holiday in Hong Kong. For more inspiring ideas visit http://www.serendipity.travel or give us a call on 0203 397 4397

Travel Tale # 2 – “Clear, well-seasoned perspective”

Travel Tale # 2 – Clear, well-seasoned perspective

Mid November in Thailand and we were on a mission; a Pad Thai mission. Well less specifically to eat our way around Thailand. I honestly am a sucker when it comes to good food, and it becomes an eager challenge when it needs to be quality halal food. Pad Thai is also one of my wife’s favourite nosh, so even more incentive to be The Number One Pad Thai Detective Agency.

Halal outlets in Bangkok are quite prevalent, which was a pleasant surprise. After a quick Google search we narrowed it down to a handful of outlets to visit during our time in Thailand. We came across the weird (future travel tale #11), and the downright ‘in your face’ (possibly future travel tale #18). However in Bangkok, we came across a little restaurant in Silom, called Deen Restaurant. The owner was this lovely Muslim lady, tiny in stature, with a soy sauce stained apron on for good measure, which boasted “I’m the cook, you will like my food. End of”. She reminding me  a little of my mum, a bit stern, and even more so when she broke a wee smile hearing us try to speak Thai.

We sat down in two of the eight seats, and took some time to look interested in the other dishes on the menu. After hastily closing the ruffled sheets 30 seconds later, we asked for two Chicken Pad Thai’s. A few minutes later, two plates full the brim came along. We both took one bite, and what happened next was reminiscent of Anton Ego sampling Remi’s ratatouille, as we paused for a moment to look up and wander into a fleeting daydream. Now I’m not calling the little lady a rodent, far from it, she would probably smack me over the head with her rolling pin, for her Pad Thai was then engulfed within minutes.  Shamefully for us her kitchen was asked to make one more for the road. We had found our best Pad Thai, mission complete.

Live happy, travel happy – The Serendipity Team

The little lady armed with a rolling pin

Travel Tale #1 – The dreadlock conundrum

Travel Tale #1

Let me introduce to you our travel tales, a collection of events that we’ve encountered on our travels. In all honesty, we think it’s what makes a travel experience. The unexpected weirdness is something that often makes a journey memorable, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse.

It was May, and I was on my way back from the Caribbean; Trinidad to be exact. The night flight is around 10 hours long, on a nice new Virgin Atlantic plane. Now the last time I took this flight is was a touch bumpy, and I expected a bit of turbulence for a few minutes here and there. I never expected hours of turbulence. No kidding, it was probably about six of the ten hours of gentle bumpiness to violent bumpiness. I don’t mind it too much, and as long as you understand what is actually happening to the aircraft there is little worry about. Clear Air Turbulence, or CAT, is where moving air in a jet stream rubs along still air. Aircrafts are apparently built to withstand twice the worst turbulence possible, so with that piece of knowledge in mind I had no problems getting through the flight. However on this particular flight I was wedged between two fellow Trinis. On my right was a burly fellow with dreadlocks down to the armrest, who knew that each dread would be bouncing around when it got a bit bumpy. On my left was a lady who wouldn’t stop talking, to herself. “Ya know why dem planes be going up and down like dis, its ‘caus its not supposed to be up ‘ere” and blah blah blah with only a few hours of sleep to stop the onslaught of chatter.

I learnt two things from this trip. Airlines should put a little memo in the seatback pocket explaining what turbulence is, to stop old ladies scaring themselves. The other is that my halal meal on the return flight was from a well known takeaway in Southall (it had their sticker on the front). Spicy food and bumpy air equals another version of turbulence. All in all it didn’t bode well having to climb over my dreadlocked friend twice an hour for the next eight hours to visit the lavatory.

Live Happy Travel Happy – The halal friendly travel team

Once upon a time in a rainforest far far away….

Love wildlife? Well here are our best wildlife destinations to enjoy a halal friendly holiday to in 2012. Lets find out who made our list.

Sri Lanka is just too hot to handle right now, with the super elusive wild leopard in Yala and Wilpattu, to some of the world’s best Blue Whale spotting off the coast of Mirissa. If that’s not enough, then for all you David Lindo wannabe twitchers out there, Sinharaja has some of the best birdlife experiences around. In our opinion Sri Lanka provides some of the best wildlife sightings outside of Africa, and is a great destination for a halal friendly honeymoon or holiday too.

Rawanda has a chequered past, but don’t let that stop you from discovering the elusive Gorilla tracking safaris in Parc National des Volcans. As the most iconic of the Ape family, Gorillas are immense in their own right. Seeing them interact in the wild is one of the best experiences, period. With everything else you’d expect from an African safari, Rwanda is on most peoples bucket list I’m sure.

For those who love diving, then Sipadan Island takes gold in our long haul underwater adventure options. The only oceanic island in Malaysia, it was formed by living corals on top of an existing volcanic cone. Highlights include the wall of Barracuda that surround you at Barracuda point, the abundance of sea turtles and the nurse sharks at the 2000ft drop off. Being so close to Borneo means you’re close by to some halal Nasi Goreng and can even find time to visit the Orangutans sanctuary near Kota Kinabalu.

Tanzania just had to make our list for Africa, especially the Saadani National Park. Ok, the big five may not be as easy to spot as say in the Serengeti, but Saadani has a nice trick up it’s sleeve. The Wami river nearby is perfect for spotting Hippos and Crocs, as it flows into the Indian Ocean you’ll also find dolphins easy to see as well. The mix of savannah, river and ocean is a nature lovers dream, and the Saadani lodge is ideal for Muslim travellers.

So there really is only one real draw to Oman’s wildlife scene, but wow did they bring a piece to the party! Oman has five of the seven species of sea turtles. They include the Green Turtle, found on most Omani beaches and plentiful in Ras Al Hadd, Ras Al Jinz, Masirah Island and Ad Daymaniyat Islands. Others that find their way to Oman include the Loggerhead Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle & the Olive Ridley Turtle. Watching the hatchlings daring dash back to the ocean is one of the most popular sights, and well worth a visit to halal friendly Oman.

For more information on halal friendly wildlife experiences visit www.serendipity.travel

Five of the best emerging Halal travel destinations in the world

Five of the best emerging Halal travel destinations in the world

Halal friendly travel is a new product introduced in the travel industry which caters to Muslims, who are Halal-conscious tourists. Halal is an Arabic term that means ‘lawful’ and designates an object or action permissible to use according to Islamic law. The term is commonly used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law, as well as industries such as banking. Today, even the travel and tourism industry can be designated as Halal, and this enables Halal conscious travellers to explore the world while enjoying services and travel facilities that cater to their religious beliefs. There are several countries across the world that are becoming Halal friendly – here are some of the best emerging Halal travel destinations in the world.

China: Generally unknown for it’s 27 million strong Muslim population, China encompasses an authentic Asian holiday – from skyscrapers and bustling cities to ancient history and lush fields, mosques dating thousands of years and, of course, authentic Chinese cuisine.  Without local knowledge, finding halal options in China is difficult (unless you can read Chinese!), so using a halal-friendly operator can free up your time enabling you to just enjoy exploring one of the world’s oldest civilisations.

Sri Lanka: This pearl of the Indian Ocean has grown as a tourist destination due to it’s ancient history, beautiful landscapes and friendly people. In recent years, Sri Lanka has become a prime wildlife destination where you can spot Leopards, Blue Whales, Elephants and Sloth Bears in the wild. With many hotels catering for Muslim travellers, Sri Lanka is fast becoming a premier halal-friendly destination.

Thailand: With a varied reputation, Thailand has often been demoted in the list of halal friendly destinations. However every country is diverse and Thailand is no exception. From the Muslim majority islands of Phuket and Koh Yao Noi to the south, to the bustling city of Bangkok further north, halal food and activities are available in Asia’s most exciting city.

Argentina: Buenos Aires is home to the largest mosque in Latin America, and is fast catering for Muslim travellers. With so much to see, from the immense Iguassu falls, to the simply jaw-dropping regions of Patagonia and Ushuaia, the ‘Long Country’ is an experience not be missed. Whilst halal meats are not readily available, Argentina is fast catering for vegetarian diets in a carnivorous society.

South Africa: A country full of history, from the modern times to the Zululand battlefields, South Africa is much more than great Safari experiences. Hire a car and travel at your own pace along the garden route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, before heading to Durban, the surfing capital. With many Muslims of South Asian decent in the major cities, halal options are growing in South Africa. Make sure you try some halal biltong!

Serendipity provides Halal travel options to Halal conscious tourists interested in travelling to various holiday destinations around the world. Serendipity is an excellent option for Halal honeymoons and other leisure holidays. Visit http://www.serendipity.travel for more information

 

A day in Dubai for a Tenner…

Get the best of Dubai on a £10 budget…if it’s possible

Of all the halal friendly destinations we feature, there is no doubting the sheer glamour that slaps you in the face when you leave the lush Terminal 3 at Dubai airport. Maseratis roar past designer outlets that promote their über-sophisticated brands on every mall billboard. However, with a city still developing, we discovered that you don’t need to step up to the glam lifestyle, and we set ourselves a challenge to find our own entertainment with just a tenner per person (£10), which works out to roughly 60 UAE dirhams.

With most hotels providing breakfast in your rate, it’s sensible to make the most of it. We stayed at the Taj Palace Hotel in Dubai, a halal friendly hotel which serves no alcohol. For the Muslim traveller, Dubai is a foodie heaven with all the mainstream outlets halal certified (be careful, the top end restaurants do have exceptions!).  So far so good, we’ve spent nothing extra to feed and water ourselves, so let’s venture out.

Taxis, whilst relatively cheap and good value on short journeys, can hurt the pocket on longer voyages along the Sheikh Zayed Road, especially if you’re heading into Deira or out towards Jumeirah. Remember, you need get back to wherever you’re staying, so two 30 dirham taxi journeys would in effect blow our budget. Thankfully, Dubai now has a Metro system, which runs parallel to the Shaikh Zayed Road for the most part, and from the start (in Deira) to finish (in Jebel Ali) takes roughly one hour.

A ticket costs 4 AED, no matter how many stops you take, which is great value if you plan your day cleverly. From our hotel, we decided to head over to the heritage museum in the old part of the city, where Dubai started. As mentioned, for short journeys in Deira it’s much more convenient to take a cab; this one only cost us 10 dirhams (5 dirhams each).  The souks in the undercover market are labyrinth of manicured stalls and well worth a short meander. Finishing off with a brief tea stop for a couple of dirhams, it was time to move on.

From the Creek side, we took another taxi and headed over to the DIFC (Dubai Investment and Financial Centre) which cost us 8 dirhams each out of our budget. DIFC is one of Dubai’s newest areas, packed with all the financiers you expect in Canary Wharf and more, but DIFC is also full of places to explore. With the perfect views of the Emirates Towers and the Dubai gate, it’s also home to plenty of art galleries, an interest and pastime of the Royal Family. We whiled away an hour wandering through the various galleries and finally ended up watching the white collar workers of Dubai stream out for a mid-morning tea break.

We’ve pretty much been culture vultures this morning on our halal friendly holiday in Dubai, so time to have a bit more fun. With breakfast long since digested and lunchtime approaching, we headed out to find a cheap lunch spot. With a vast south Asian community, there is no shortage of options. A few places well worth checking out include Ravi’s, a vegetarian dosa joint in Bur Dubai where for 10 dhs you can have your fill.

After lunch we decided to head to the beach, and getting there by Metro isn’t that easy so we went to Dubai Marina and had a walk down to Jumeirah beach residence, also know as JBR. Some of the hotels here are great for a halal friendly honeymoon such as the Al Qasr Madinat and The Ritz Carlton. In January the weather is a perfect cool 22 degrees or so, which makes walking around the towering buildings a pleasure. The beach is normally quite busy, but is wide enough to accommodate everyone. After a visit to our favourite ColdStone Ice cream Parlour the sun was getting low, so we headed to a nearby mosque for and then jumped back onto the Metro.

We’d been out for over half a day and hadn’t been to a mall yet, which for some in Dubai is a strange feat. So, we decided to go towards the end of the line and visit the Ibn Batutta Mall. Its quirkiness and character sits out of touch with the rest of Dubai, and it’s not chock-full of designer outlets, with themed zones tracking the famous Muslim explorer’s route across the Islamic World. By this time we were hungrier, so we stopped at the food court and got ourselves some Arabian tucker. ‘Mandi’ which is essentially rice and grilled chicken is an Arab speciality apparently, so we got one to share together with the best lamb sandwich we’ve had in a long time, coming in at a tidy 15dhs per person with drinks.

It was time to head back to our hotel, however as Dubai Mall is en-route we decided to stop and watch the elaborate musical fountains. It’s a free attraction, and they dance every 20 minutes on a weekend to different themes each time. Ever seen water choreographed to Lionel Richie’s dancing on the ceiling? We have now, and it was surprisingly cool.  Three shows later, we had walked off our dinner and were ready to get the Metro home for a much needed flop!

So our day out in Dubai came in just over budget at 74dhs which works out to around £13 each; still not bad for a day out in the city. We may not have met our target budget, but we experienced much more on foot than we would have in a taxi. Give it a try on your next visit to Dubai.

For more on halal friendly holidays to dubai, visit www.serendipity.travel

Our spending breakdown per person

Taxi to the Heritage Museum  – 5 dhs

Tea break –  3 dhs

Taxi to DIFC – 8 dhs

Metro to lunch –  4 dhs

Lunch – 15 dhs

Metro to Jumeirah – 4 dhs

Coldstone Ice Cream – 8 dhs

Metro to Ibn Batturta – 4 dhs

Dinner – 15 dhs

Metro to Dubai Mall –  4 dhs

Metro to Deira –  4 dhs

Total – 74 dhs

Hip Hong Kong

Last month we visited Hong Kong, the vibrant city of the east famous for all sorts from Jackie Chan to British Imperialism.  We knew sourcing halal options might be tricky, but to our pleasant surprise there is plenty for the Muslim traveller. There’s a full article due out in next month’s Emel Magazine however as a teaser take a look at our vlog at www.serendipity.travel/hongkong

 

 

Heading to the Middle East – Oman is the place to go!

When we first visited Oman, we were not sure what to expect, it is after all only a few hours from the cosmopolitan Dubai. However I guarantee you it’s a million miles apart.  Located to the east of the emirates, Oman is a vast halal friendly country full of beautiful heritage, stunning wildlife and truly hospitable people.  Muscat, the capital, is home to the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, a grand design on the outskirts of the city. The main musalla is perfectly square and contains the second largest hand-woven carpet. Alongside the manicured grounds are four flanking minarets, with the main minaret rising 90 metres. Over 20’000 Muslim worshippers can pray here, and is Muscat’s flagship attraction in this halal friendly destination.

Heading out of the city, Oman is a strikingly rich country for nature and the outdoors. From Caves to Lagoons and Canyons, Oman has it all with its rich and diverse biodiversity. Head towards Bandar Khayran Reserve where blue seas meet the friendly dolphins swimming alongside your boat. If you prefer to be land based, visit the cave structures at Abu Habban or head into desert for an overnight stay in a desert camp in a traditional bedouin camp. If you are visiting Oman during nesting season, the visit Ras Al Jinz where the amazing Green Turtles come to nest their eggs. If you’re there 55 days later, then you may just witness the baby hatchlings start their daring dash back to the waters.

After all that adventuring, if you need to recharge your batteries, then Muscat is home to an array of halal conscious resorts and hotels from the Six Senses Zighy Bay to the Al-Bustan Palace. As a Muslim country it maintains it’s long heritage, however has an open outlook which blends both the old and the new. So whether you’re looking for adventure, nature, Islamic heritage, history or just plain RnR, then Oman has it all. Go before everyone else discovers Oman

For more information on a halal friendly Oman holiday, visit http://www.serendipity.travel or call 0203 397 4397

The Leaning Tower of…Abu Dhabi

So here’s an interesting building. In typical fashion to out-do anyone else, the newest building to grace the Emirati skyline is home to the Hyatt Capital Gate due to open in December.

Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi is a premium business hotel located in the iconic Capital Gate building, which leans a record-breaking 18 degrees.  The hotel is also a part of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the largest conference and exhibition venue in the Middle East.

Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi offers 189 luxury five-star guestrooms and suites occupying the18th to 33rd floors of the Capital Gate building.  It has a contemporary and luxurious design with panoramic views from floor-to-ceiling windows.

Bringing a new focus to style and design in the city, the hotel invites guests to experience several dining options from the variety in Profiterole to delicate Eastern Mediterranean flavours at the hotel’s signature restaurant, 18˚.  For something more intimate, there is the residential-style Lounge or the sleek bar Privé, located next to the hotel’s four Salon meeting rooms.

Rayana Spa, Abu Dhabi’s only “sky spa”, is perched on the 19th floor overlooking the city. The Spa offers  “a refreshingly elevated oasis experience” that complements the Fitness Centre, suspended outdoor pool and whirlpool.

The hotel is strategically located adjacent to the thriving Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, within walking distance of the upmarket Embassy District and only 15 minutes from the international airport.

For more information on staying at the Hyatt Capital Gate in 2012, contact Serendipity Tailormade – www.serendipity.travel

 

Emirates the New Pan AM?

Not much to do with halal friendly travel I must admit, but makes for an interesting read…

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-bangs/who-is-the-new-pan-am_b_1144354.html

 

 

6 Tips for eating Halal even when you cannot find Halal restaurants…

Our friends at Crescentrating put together a handy article on tips when you cant find Halal food, as travelling to some countries can be be an issue…

http://www.crescentrating.com/en/six-tips-for-eating-halal-even-when-you-cannot-find-halal.html

For more ideas on finding halal friendly travel destination visit http://www.serendipity.travel

Mashpi Lodge – full circle sustainable tourism

I love South America, it’s vibracy, colour and people are simply like nothing elsewhere I’ve travelled to. The soon to be opened Mashpi Lodge is only a couple of hours drive from Quito in the heart of the rainforest. The following extract shows the real depth of the project, it’s sustainability for local communities and demonstrates full circle tourism benefits. We can’t wait till November when they open their doors!

For more information on how to get to Mashpi and for a halal friendly stay – visit www.serendipity.travel/ecuador.html

Mashpi Lodge Ecuador

Mashpi Lodge is located a two-and-a-half hour drive from Quito. Reflecting the Andes incredible diversity of landscapes, it’s a world away from the bustle of the capital. The huge reserve – harbouring 1,200 hectares (nearly 3,000 acres) of mainly primary forest – envelops the visitor in a magical world of tumbling mountains and roiling rivers, amid a profusion of trees, plants and animals. At the heart of this reserve lies the lodge, a contemporary cocoon in the clouds.

In view of a recent declaration by the Municipality of Quito, we wanted to bring you an update on the conservation and community efforts that are on-going at the Lodge and which are, and will be, an integral part of the overall project.

The project has sought to work hand-in-hand with the Reserve’s surrounding community fromthe start, ensuring people are made aware of and become involved with the lodge and the decisions surrounding the establishment and management of the Reserve. This initiative has been very successful in convincing the communities of the value of conservation and tourism as a long-term industry in the area.

Mashpi has not only made local people stakeholders in the project. It will have played a pivotal role in conserving the highly-biodiverse – and very endangered – forests to the northwest of Quito. Through Ecuador’s Ministry of Production, the Mashpi project has implemented a programme in which the surrounding population as well as Lodge employees can become shareholders in the Lodge. Before acquiring shares, the community must formalize itself by establishing legal associations. The second phase involves the Lodge providing the financing for these associations to become shareholders for the future.

The lodge will be an important job-provider in the area, drawing local people away from destructive, extractive industries. The plan is for 80% of its employees to come from surrounding communities, including a full training programme.

The project will also build and finance a local school focused on biodiversity and ecology, for pupils aged 5 to 11 years; old (initially). Close to the nearby village of Mashpi, and within the Reserve’s land, the project will build a farm dedicated to supplying the lodge with fresh ingredients, growing fruit, vegetables, spices and legumes.

Municipal Mega-Reserve

We believe the project’s impact on the area played an important role in the decision taken by Municipality of Quito in May to declare 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) adjacent to the Reserve as a “natural protected area”. This Municipal Reserve, officially called “Mashpi, Guaycuyacu y Sahuangal”, is the largest of its kind in Ecuador and a strong signal of Quito’s desire to protect its highly-diverse surrounding ecosystems, as well as fulfilling its objective of reducing carbon emissions and improving environmental management.

The Mashpi project’s management and science team will be working closely the Municipality’s Environment Secretariat over the coming months on all aspects of the new reserve’s management plan.

Commitment

Mashpi’;s commitment to its community, to conservation and to science grows with each week as the Lodge’s opening date approaches. We look forward to bringing you news of further developments soon.

For a halal friendly stay at the Mashpi Lodge, visit http://www.serendipity.travel/ecuador.html

Enabling Muslims to Explore the World with Peace of Mind – Crescentrating | Halal Friendly Travel

 

Enabling Muslims to Explore the World with Peace of Mind – Crescentrating | Halal Friendly Travel.

Is there more to Dubai than Shopping and halal KFC?

I for one certainly hoped so, for a country with a huge amount of empty vistas, the monotonous Shaikh Zayed Road becomes somewhat irritating after the 89th kilometre.

Low and behold I wasn’t disappointed, but to avoid the cosmopolitan desires of the Middle East’s favourite hub, you have to leave Dubai city and head out into the desert (even though the Bastikia and Creek areas provide a small respite). I’m not talking about the customary four hour desert safari which takes in ten minutes of dune bashing, a stereotypical camel ride, and a rather uncomfortable display from belly dancer (not in our halal friendly list of attractions by the way), but I’m talking about discovering the real Emirates, the people and surprisingly the wildlife.

A short review on crescentrating.com (http://www.crescentrating.com/en/uae-attractions-for-muslim-travelers/item/1718-dubai-desert-conservation-reserve-for-muslim-travelers.html) got me thinking; on my next trip to Dubai, what can I do to keep me coming back. I love wildlife, and to be honest wouldn’t have given the Emirates a chance if it were not for the desert conservation reserve – who would’ve thought: from desert monitors to saw scaled vipers, a real effort seems to be invested into conserving some of the natural assets in the Arabian peninsular. Compared to the rest of dubai’s attractions, there isn’t that glint in it’s eye or a supercar parked outside the reserve, a bit of normality for us normal folks. Except of course when you get to the bedouin styled resort called Al-Maha, which shatters the hope of a rustic campsite with an open fire.

Dont get me wrong, Al-Maha is beautiful, one of the best luxury camps out there. The 37 bedouin tents all feature their own private 5 metre pool and does have a certain charm inside them. It’s so quiet too…not a sound except for a few birds humming around. It’s not cheap though, so be prepared to break the bank a little. Visit Serendipity Tailormade for more details on staying at Al-Maha

Heading further east, lies Hatta. You can get there the straight highway route, or through the mountains which is a little more scenic. Hatta is close to the Omani border where one missed junction and you’re met at a border post and you will have to do the customary formalities, even if you’re doing a U-turn. Hatta itself is a small town, but the rugged terrain makes hiking, and 4×4 trips well worth it. If all that’s a bit too much, then relax at Hatta Fort, one of the emirates first accommodations.

Keeping it halal friendly in the Emirates is thankfully not too difficult. Road trips are fairly easy with service stations providing decent meals mostly, and a mosque is only every couple of kilometres which is great. So for the ultimate in road tripping out of Dubai you can head to other emirate states such as Ajman, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, however a five hour drive east you’ll get to Muscat in Oman. Spend a couple of days exploring the Omani Sultanate which has the reality check Dubai probably lost a few decades ago, and explore Omani culture. With beauty spots such as the Musandam Peninsular only a couple of hours from Dubai, getting to Oman is not out of reach by any means. Comparable with Al-Maha, the Six Senses at Zighy Bay in the Musandam Peninsula is a haven for private pool villas, a stunning beach and cove and the ultimate arrival by paragliding into the check in desk if that takes your fancy. Visit the Oman page for more information on the Six Senses Zighy Bay

by Serendipity Tailormade – halal friendly travel

The Six Senses Zighy Bay Oman Top View

Dune Bash That

Hello world!

It’s a big ol’ world out there, which I’ve just found out. Years of travelling has led to me one conclusion; I’m not going to see it all.

Even though I would love to, I just have to resign to the fact I am not going to see everywhere. I do have a highlights reel which I keep on talking about, and when I compare my exploratory journeys with other travel aficionados, we develop a blubbering library of experiences to the point, we can’t remember who did what exactly. “Did I eat the camel liver or did you?” Either way, the whole “try something once idea” fell flat on it’s head…

Anyway, my blog is all about sharing my, and other travellers experiences on halal friendly expeditions, and exploring the concept of “halal friendly travel”. There have already been a few swishes and swashes into this area of discussion, stemming from Islamic travel, which I feel is a vastly different. As a Muslim, the obligation to travel for the sacred pilgrimage is by far and away the most amazing experience, following in the footsteps of our beloved prophets and sacrificing our everything to the almighty. I am hesitant to consider this as halal friendly travel, because well it can’t be anything else, services during Hajj are halal; period.

Halal Friendly travel however, in my opinion is about exploring the rest of the world without having to compromise the Muslim faith, and travel like those before us have travelled. Nope, not necessarily by camelback, but incorporating the fundamentals a Muslim needs to travel and take this out to wider cultures. One of the most gratifying feelings in my travels has been the amazing people I have met from all walks of life and cultures, whether Muslim, Samoan, Berger, Kiwi or Peruvian, and the positive reactions that shoot off in all directions during a period of time which will probably never be relived in any loose comparable.

So, halal friendly travel in a nutshell – Obligations, Sensitivities, Openness. The three parables, I feel make a journey halal friendly.

Obligations are upon us as Muslims to pray five times a day, to eat and drink halal and to keep the faith. These one-way, no way Jose am I diverting from these beliefs are indeed something that drives the essence of halal friendly travel. The good thing though is that we (I guess depending on which culture you’re brought up in) are fairly tolerant to these obligations. Where we cannot find a prime piece of halal beef to eat, a bit of Thai tofu curry is an acceptable alternative, so long as the preparation is also halal friendly. Prayer facilities for Muslims can be as modest (which some believe to be better) and simple, a mat and somewhere to conduct ablutions is the bare necessities.

Sensitivities is our turn as Muslims to be aware of our surroundings as a traveller, and not to expect the comforts of home or the comforts of travelling to a Muslim country where being a Muslim is “easier”. I’ve been lucky enough to explore the Atacama desert, without a soul in sight, never mind a Muslim bro or sis. After a few miles another small village pops up with small families wearing brightly coloured ponchos, and goats idling around. These moments make me appreciate my faith a million times more than walking the streets of Cairo, where the isolation of probably being the only Muslim in a radius of a few hundred if not thousand miles, gives a responsibility to be sensitive to other cultures, whilst still practising your own faith.

Openness from all involved is so key to travelling, when nobody cares where you’re from, what you are, where you’ve been, everything falls into place.

So keep checking for updates to our blogspace, as we aim to bring you some insights to our experiences of halal friendly holidays and travel journeys, and if you have any experiences of your own you would like to contribute email us at mail@serendipity.travel. Dont forget to visit our website too http://www.serendipity.travel !