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Kenyir Lake Travel Guide: Where to Go, Stay & What to Expect

Kenyir Lake of Malaysia has long been on my travel list. When there were a few free days during the Chinese New Year, we finally seized the moment and embarked on our long-awaited journey to Kenyir Lake. Some basic information about Kenyir Lake Nestled in the state of Terengganu, Kenyir Lake is a breathtaking marvel …

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Singkawang Cap Go Meh: Trance, Dragons, and the Magic of Chinese New Year

Each year, on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year celebrations, Singkawang in West Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) bursts into life with the vibrant Cap Go Meh Festival. With the rich influence of Chinese culture, this spectacular event features an enchanting display of tatung rituals, vibrant float parades, and dragon dance performances. These performances aim …

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17 Best Attractions in Kuala Terengganu- A comprehensive travel guide

This travel story will list all the attractions in Kuala Terengganu and the Terenggnau food we tried. Kuala Terengganu might not typically be the first choice for holidaymakers in Malaysia, especially among international travelers. However, a trip to Malaysia wouldn’t be complete without exploring the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Even for those of us …

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Bukit Kiara Trails in Kuala Lumpur- Detailed Hiking Guide

Bukit Kiara is one of the top two hiking destinations in Kuala Lumpur. There are many trails and interesting spots to stop by during the hikes. However, there are different entrances and complicated trail networks. Therefore, I am writing this detailed guide so you can clearly understand what Bukit Kiara offers. This article is organized …

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Thean Hou Temple Kuala Lumpur - The Comprehensive Guide

Thean Hou Temple is one of the most renowned Chinese temples in Kuala Lumpur. I've had the pleasure of visiting it several times, with my last visit being around six years ago. With Chinese New Year just three weeks away, I knew they'd be putting up decorations for the celebration, so I decided to drive …

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15 Best Places to Visit in Ipoh, Perak (2025)

There is so much to see in Ipoh! I lived there for more than 15 years during my formative years and attended both primary and secondary schools there. Many places are familiar to me, but I recently discovered some entirely new spots during my visit. I spent two wonderful days in Ipoh recently, and in …

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20 Must-try Restaurants and Street Food in Kampar

Kampar is our hometown—a small town in Perak known for its diverse range of unique foods. Whenever we return, we always take the opportunity to visit the stalls and restaurants intertwined with countless memories and emotions. While it may be true that not everyone will appreciate the food herein Kampar, many types are unique and …

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12 Best Places to Visit in Kampar, Perak (detailed guide)

Kampar is a historical town known for its unique cuisine, traditional way of life, and laid-back charm. Whenever I return to Kampar, I feel lightyears away from city life. My pace slows down, my heart feels lighter, and I let the day unfold naturally. Kampar is close to my heart. It is where I've lived …

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Things to do in Hat Yai- a guide to the top attractions and activities

I can barely remember what Hat Yai was like when I was there in my twenties—about four decades ago. I have a vague recollection of Hat Yai, and I am certain that if I recall, it has changed so much that it is now entirely different from what it was years ago.. So, when my …

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17 Eateries and Restaurants in Hat Yai You Need to Try

We recently had a wonderful trip to Hat Yai, Thailand. Hat Yai is renowned for its food, and we took this opportunity to try as many restaurants in Hat Yai as possible. This article will focus on the food and restaurants we visited, while we plan to write a separate article about the activities and …

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Places to visit in Ninh Binh, Vietnam - Our overnight itinerary

We have heard about Ninh Binh in Vietnam for a long time. Many of our friends have recommended not to miss Ninh Binh if we ever visit Vietnam. So, after joining a group tour to Hanoi, we decided to extend our visit and have an overnight stay in Ninh Binh. After lunch, we left Hanoi …

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Must-see attractions in Sapa - from mountain to village

On the fifth day of our trip to northern Vietnam, we traveled from Ha Long Bay to Sapa. We planned to visit the must-see attractions in Sapa, which include Fansipan and Cat Cat Village. It was a seven-hour-long road trip. We spent most of the time sitting in the coach, relaxing, gazing out the window, enjoying …

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Top 3 Ha Long Bay attractions - Luon Cave, Titop Island, and Sung Sot Cave

We went to Ha Long Bay on the second day after arriving in Hanoi, Vietnam. We felt fortunate because when we returned from Ha Long Bay, all the ships scheduled to depart had been canceled due to the Yagi Typhoon that struck Vietnam. The journey from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay took us slightly more …

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15 Things to do in Taiping, Perak (Updated guide 2024)

During our trip from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, we purposely diverted to Taiping to visit this historic town. This article includes the best things to do in Taiping and some lesser-known activities worth exploring. Let's delve into the details of our itinerary. Taiping is the second-largest city in the state of Perak, Malaysia. It was …

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22 Best Places to Visit in Penang Island (2024 update)

Which are the most attractive places to visit in Penang? As a local and tourist, I've been to Penang multiple times and lived there for four years. Some places mentioned on the internet as a must-visit in Penang are my favorite; others are just average and nothing extraordinary. So, whenever I return to Penang, I …

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Best food in Penang- must-try street food & restaurants

Penang is a vibrant city with plenty of tourist attractions. Its renowned street food has garnered worldwide fame and has become as equally popular, if not more so, than the city's UNESCO heritage status. This article is about our journey to hunt for the best food in Penang, not just the famous street food; it …

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Penang Hill - Things to see, tickets, and guide (day tour)

Penang Hill is a must-visit destination on Penang Island alongside Kek Lok Si Temple. I'll share our experience during our half-day tour last week in this article. Having visited several times over the last two decades, we noticed little change. One of the highlights of this place is its cool weather, as it is located …

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Kek Lok Si Temple Penang | Visiting guide with stunning photos

Penang is one of two cities in Malaysia that obtained UNESCO Heritage status in 2008. Among all the major tourist attractions, Kek Lok Si Temple remains a favorite despite many new establishments and developments in Penang in recent years. It is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. This article will take an in-depth look at …

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Places to visit in Mongolia | The complete 8D7N itinerary

Hello everyone, we recently returned from an eight-day, seven-night trip to Mongolia. This summarizes all the places we should visit in Mongolia during our trip. Why did we choose Mongolia? This country has always seemed mysterious to us. We know little about Mongolia's history, culture, and lifestyle. We only have a vague idea that it's a …

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Chinggis Khan Statue Complex of Mongolia- what you will see

It's day five of our trip to Mongolia. Yesterday, we checked into Alungoo Ger, a beautiful Ger camp, and had a great time. The following day, after breakfast, our coach brought us to Chinggis Khan Statue Complex, which took us over half an hour to reach. It's located on the roadway connecting Nalaikh and Erdene …

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Gorkhi Terelj National Park- 6 best things to do

On the fourth day of our trip to Mongolia, we left Ulaanbaatar early in the morning to head to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. Our itinerary for today includes visiting Old Wooden Bridge, Turtle Rock, and the Aryabal Meditation Temple, horse riding, and visiting the local people. Lastly, we will stay at the traditional Ger. 1. Old …

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Sukhbaatar Square (Chinggis Square) | Ulaanbaatar city tour

Sukhbaatar Square is the central square of Ulaanbaatar and the capital city's most prominent landmark. It was a sunny day when we arrived, and few people were around. Our guide, Enerel, took us around and introduced us to the surrounding buildings and the square's history. We spent about half an hour there, walking around the …

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National Museum of Mongolia- things to know before visiting

On day 3 of our trip to Mongolia, we visited the National Museum of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar to understand Mongolia's culture and history better. Upon arrival, our tour guide, Enerel, arranged to purchase the entrance ticket, and I also paid for the additional 20000₮ as a photography fee so that I could take photographs inside …

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Erdene Zuu Monastery- oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia

During our tour of Mongolia, we spent half a day visiting the ancient city of Karakoram. The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the Erdene Zuu Monastery, the oldest Buddhist temple in Mongolia. Though it has been badly damaged throughout history, a few temples within the monastery complex remain intact. We can't wait to share …

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Naadam Festival - visit the traditional Mongolian Camp

Last week, we were off to a place that's really far away from Malaysia - an exotic destination that's pretty mysterious to us. It's a country with a culture we don't know much about, and we're excited to learn more. It's known as the "land of the eternal blue sky," and it's got wide grasslands …

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Top 8 places to visit in Pokhara- completed in two days

Are you thinking about visiting Nepal for your next holiday? If so, you'll want to check out all the places to visit in Pokhara, the second-largest city in Nepal. We've also written another article about the top places to visit in Kathmandu, which you can find here. Our local Nepal tour company, Grande Adventure, handpicked …

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Top 6 attractions in Kathmandu you must visit

Here's a list of the best attractions in Kathmandu based on our wonderful trip to Nepal. Most visitors usually spend about two to three days in Kathmandu, especially if they plan to explore other parts of Nepal, so these will be the top places you must visit. These places can easily be visited within two …

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Bhaktapur Durbar Square Nepal- a must-visit place in Kathmandu

The Bhaktapur Durbar Square, located in Bhaktapur, Nepal, was once a royal palace complex that housed the Malla kings from the 14th to the 18th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is celebrated for its well-preserved architecture, temples, and courtyards. The square consists of several plazas, including Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square, and Pottery …

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Pashupatinath Temple at Kathmandu- the cremation rituals

The Pashupatinath Temple, situated in Kathmandu, Nepal, alongside the Bagmati River, is a revered Hindu temple. It is one of the UNESCO-listed world heritage sites dedicated to Lord Shiva, making it one of the holiest shrines for Hindus.  The temple complex showcases Nepal's ancient architectural excellence, with origins dating back to the 4th century during …

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From Ghorepani to Gandruk - Experience the serenity and scenic mountains of Nepal

I love hiking, and trekking in Nepal has always been on my bucket list. Therefore, I returned to Nepal after our last trip 20 years ago. Of course, this time with a different objective, that is, to hike to Annapurna Base Camp via Poon Hill. To do that, I started training last October 2023. Unfortunately, …

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The birthplace of Buddha - a day trip to Lumbini, Nepal

Our trip to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, was an ad hoc decision just a few days before we concluded our Annapurna Base Camp trek. So, how did this idea suddenly come to us? When we shared photos of our trip to Nepal on social media, people started asking us whether we planned to visit …

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Annapurna Base Camp Trek- (Part 4) Descending from ABC | Back to Jhinu

This is the final episode of our Annapurna Base Camp Trek series. We will descend from Annapurna Base Camp and return to Jhinu, where we will take a jeep back to Pokhara. ABC to Dovan Day 8, Apr 15: Trek back to Dovan, approx 6 hours, overnight at Dovan Guest House. We stayed at Annapurna …

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Annapurna Base Camp Trek- (Part 3) Ascending from Bamboo (we made it!)

Our story continues in Part 3 of our Annapurna Base Camp Trek. We spent a night at Bamboo and then hiked to Deurali the next day. After an overnight rest, we continued with the last leg of our uphill climb towards Annapurna Base Camp. 1. Trek from Bamboo to Deurali Day 06, Apr 13: Trek …

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Annapurna Base Camp Trek- (Part 2) From Ghorepani to Bamboo via Tadapani and Chomrong

We are about to hike up to Annapurna Base Camp! After completing the visit to Poon Hill (Part 1 of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek) this morning and enjoying our breakfast at Fishtail Guest House in Ghorepani, we were gearing up for another challenging hike ahead. This leg of the journey took us through stunning …

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Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek - (Part 1) the ultimate hiking itinerary

Namaste! We have just completed our 14-day Nepal trip and are back in Malaysia. The highlight was, of course, our ABC trekking which also included the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. In this article, we will focus on our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek from the starting point of our hike, that is, Hille, to Poon Hill …

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Twelve things to know before trekking to Annapurna Base Camp

(Golden sun rays in the morning- at Annapurna Base Camp) We just returned from our trekking to Annapurna Base Camp today. The mountain scenery, the challenge to our physical and mental strength, and our encounters during the hike all culminated in an unforgettable experience. This article compiles a list of frequently asked questions about trekking …

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Annapurna Base Camp Packing List- a comprehensive guide

Finally, in two days, we will fly to Kathmandu to mark off another item from my bucket list—trekking to Annapurna Base Camp this Saturday! Before starting our trek, we want to share our Annapurna Base Camp Packing List with you. Although some may find this task easy, it will be a real test of our …

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Tanjung Piai National Park- The southernmost tip of Asia

Tanjung Piai, also called the Cape of the Golden Leather Fern, is situated in the Pontian District near Johor Bahru. It is located at latitude 1° 16.00′ North, making it the southernmost tip of mainland Asia and the Eurasian continent.  Tanjung Piai, which faces the Johor Strait, is also one of the few places to …

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Things to do in Sekinchan- a comprehensive guide

Are you looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of city life? If you want to experience Malaysia's serene and picturesque beauty, why not explore a different side of the country? We recently traveled to Sekinchan to immerse ourselves in its charming and tranquil atmosphere. It's the perfect getaway for us seeking a …

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