By: M.Zulkifli
Okay, I’m cheating a little this time. This wasn’t exactly a road trip — because, well, we didn’t actually drive to our destination. But during our UK holiday back in February 2023, we did take a lovely day trip to the university city of Cambridge.
Why Cambridge? Well, we’d already been to Oxford before, so why not visit the “other one”? That way, we could officially say we’ve completed the grand Oxbridge tour, right?
Tickets were bought well in advance, and the off-peak return fare for three adults came to around USD60 (RM270) — a real bargain. We departed from Liverpool Street Station, and the train ride took about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Once we arrived, we stepped out of the station, took in the crisp morning air, and tried to figure out where to head first. That’s when a friendly chap approached us — it was his first day working for a punting company, and he offered us a great deal. Truth be told, punting wasn’t in our original plan, but he seemed like a nice guy, so we went ahead and bought the tickets.
We then made our way toward the town centre, admiring the stunning architecture and soaking in the laid-back, academic vibe of the city. Hunger eventually kicked in, so I turned to Google for halal brunch options. The first place we tried was closed, but we ended up at Zi’s Piri Piri instead — and what a good choice that was! The pizza and wings were top-notch.
Energised and happy, we continued exploring, taking tons of great shots along the way. The colleges looked magnificent — straight out of a period film. Our daughter even said she could totally see herself doing her postgrad here someday. Insya Allah!
We browsed through a few charming bookstores, checked out the local market, and picked up some souvenirs — including some delicious fudge! Later, we stopped by Fitzbillies for scones and a spot of tea. Absolutely delightful.
Eventually, it was time for our punting experience on the River Cam. There was a bit of a mix-up with our tickets at first, but once things were sorted, we actually ended up with a private sunset punting session! Our “chauffeur,” Chris — a local lad — was wonderful and kept us entertained with colourful anecdotes about Cambridge’s history and legends. The views along the river were simply magical — centuries-old colleges reflected on the water, willows swaying gently in the breeze — and honestly, pictures just don’t do them justice.
As the sun dipped below the skyline, we took a taxi back to the train station, tired but thoroughly satisfied. It was a beautiful Cambridge experience — my only regret was not having enough time to visit the Cambridge Central Mosque.
So now, we’ve been to both Oxford and Cambridge.
Which is better?
I’ll keep my verdict to myself… for now.
mymuslimin.com 
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