Amal Al-Sibai

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH — The school year with all its ups and downs has come to an end and families are excitedly welcoming the summer holidays.



In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of finalizing travel plans, airplane ticket reservations, and last minute shopping, it may be almost impossible to unwind and release the stress that has been building up all year long.



To get a pleasant repose from life’s stresses and before traveling to wherever your summer vacation destination may be, why not try out a short spiritual weekend trip?



A visit to Makkah may be the perfect solution to get the relaxation, emotional healing, and inner reflection that you so desperately need.

 

Whether by performing Umrah, praying in the vicinity of the Haram, drinking replenishing Zamzam water, or sitting under the tranquil blanket of the black, starry sky in front of the glowing Kab’ah while supplicating, is sure to recharge you for your busy summer.



Once you have completed your rituals of worship, there is surprisingly much you can do in Makkah.



The Holy City has a plentiful and wide variety of shopping venues. Trekking the hilly streets and watching people from all over the world with their national dress and different languages is a lesson in cultural appreciation in itself.



And several fine eateries have recently sprung up in Makkah to pamper yourself with a delicious meal or to treat your family to savory and sweets.



The Creamery at Raffles Makkah Palace is a great place to stop at when in Makkah because it is a unique mix between a café for adults and an ice cream shop for the little ones in the family.



What draws visitors to this calm place more than the delightful sweets and beverages is of course the breathtaking view of the magnificent Kab’ah.



The large terrace provides outdoor seating overlooking the Grand Mosque with worshipers revolving rhythmically around the Kab’ah and white birds circling the sacred place as well.



You can even see the Mountain of Light “Jabal al-Noor” in the distance as you sip your coffee, tea, or fruit cocktail. The Islamic architectural design of the wooden arabesque archways that provide shade over the seating area are not only decorative and functional but they also remind us of the luminous past of previous Muslim civilizations.



Although it is located in the tower of Raffles Makkah, this café is not only limited to the guests staying at the hotel.



It is also readily accessible to all visitors from the famous Abraj Al-Bait shopping center with indoor and outdoor seating areas.



The Creamery is an ice cream lover’s haven.



It is the first and in fact the only place in Makkah that offers “Teppanyaki” ice cream, which is an ingenious way of serving ice cream that may be difficult to pronounce but so easy to eat and enjoy.



Originally the Japanese word “Teppanyaki” is referred to grilling meat, seafood, and vegetables on a burning hot, metal surface.



When it comes to ice cream, “Teppanyaki” means that the customer is free to choose two or more flavors of ice cream that are then mixed fervently together on a freezing cold marble (or cold metal) counter-top. Flavors include fresh, tangy strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry or rich vanilla, chocolate, coffee, Oreo cookies, or pistachio flavor.



Next, the customer picks the desired sauce such as chocolate fudge, strawberry syrup, or caramel to be drizzled over the ice cream. The best part is selecting from the mouth-watering toppings so that the final dessert presented to you is actually your own creation from your imagination of a dream-like ice cream. Adults can happily eat as a child for just one day as they subconsciously debate which toppings to choose: fresh fruit pieces, nuts, chocolate chips, chunks of your favorite chocolate bars, candy, marshmallows, and crispy wafers. 



“We are always keen on offering the guests of Allah comfort, and a pleasant and memorable experience during their spiritual trip in Makkah.



“The Creamery is open to serve pilgrims and visitors from 4 o’clock in the afternoon until 1 o’clock after midnight,” said Khaled Yamak, director of communications and business development at Fairmont Raffles Hotels International Makkah.