Step off the plane in New Zealand and you’ll feel it immediately: the crisp air, wide-open skies, and the promise of adventure everywhere. Most first-time visitors rush to the South Island, and it’s easy to see why, with its dramatic peaks and glaciers. But for those of us lucky enough to explore the North Island …
We took a break from our routine life in Malaysia recently to spend three weeks on the North Island, New Zealand, visiting our son and his family. On one of the days, we took a short trip from Auckland to explore Piha Beach, one of New Zealand’s most iconic stretches of coastline, and the nearby …
A Day Trip to Muriwai Beach During our short stay in Auckland, we took a day trip to Muriwai Beach on New Zealand's North Island. Our main purpose was to visit the famous gannet colony. Muriwai is home to one of the few mainland gannet colonies in the world. Each year, thousands of gannets migrate …
Let me ask you: what does the picture of a perfect hill resort look like in your mind? Is it a place where you can enjoy cool, refreshing weather and serenity far from the city's noise and stress? Perhaps it includes a cozy restaurant, a comfortable room, a swimming pool, a playground for the kids, …
My impression of Kedah has always been vague. When I was a child, my teacher often told us that Kedah is the ‘rice bowl ' of Malaysia. But I had never actually visited the state after growing up. This time, I came to Alor Setar, the capital of Kedah, filled with both excitement and curiosity. …
This is the second article I have written about our trip to Perlis and Kedah. In this article, we will focus on the places to visit in Perlis, the smallest state of Malaysia. We have also written a separate article about places to eat in Perlis and Kedah, which is available alongside this one, providing …
During our recent trip to North Peninsula Malaysia, we didn’t just travel around to enjoy the beautiful scenery. We also ate our way through restaurants in Kedah and Perlis. From quiet coffee shops to bustling food courts, we tried local favorites that ranged from spicy Malay stews to smoky Chinese noodles. This blog post is …
Have you ever stumbled upon a place that quietly steals your heart? That’s what happened when we visited Sungai Lembing. Tucked away just under an hour from Kuantan, this little town surprised us with its peaceful charm, misty hills, and rich history. We spent two leisurely days in this quiet town, climbing hills to catch …
What are the best restaurants and cafes in Kuantan? These questions often cross my mind because I’ve never been there until recently. It’s almost embarrassing not to take the time to visit and explore Kuantan’s renowned food scene after living in Malaysia for decades! Last month, we finally took our five-day trip to Kuantan. Along …
In the pursuit of visiting as many places in Malaysia as possible, our most recent trip brought us to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Yes, we stayed in the Kuantan/Sungai Lembing area for five nights, exploring while enjoying the famous local food. This article focuses on the things to do in Kuantan and briefly …
I always wonder how a waterfall could produce rainbows. The connection seemed mysterious, almost magical. After trekking for over an hour through dense rainforest to reach the Lembing Rainbow Waterfall, I finally understood. Before us stood one of Malaysia's most spectacular waterfalls, its 450-foot cascade thundering down just as the sun hit at the perfect angle, …
Bukit Gasing is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Kuala Lumpur. Ever since I became hooked on hiking, I've visited the Bukit Gasing hiking trails countless times over the past six to seven years. During these frequent hikes, I've grown familiar with its various trails and hidden paths, a great place for nature …
What to see in Melaka besides things happening around Jonker Street? When Melaka is mentioned as a tourist spot in Malaysia, it is often labeled as a place brimming with local specialty foods, vibrant street markets, and a rich history shaped by the settlements of various European countries over the past few centuries. While many …
Melaka River Cruise stands out as the most popular must-do activity in Melaka, along with visiting the Jonker Street night market. We did not want to miss it and hopped on the boat last week twice, both during the day and at night. As we did not want to miss the opportunity to marvel at …
I recently spent a few days in Malacca, trying out the restaurants and food stalls recommended by local friends. This "Where to eat in Melaka" list below is organized chronologically based on our visits. We strive to provide as much unbiased and objective information as possible. Melaka is a historical city that has earned UNESCO …
Have you ever thought about visiting Muar? Muar is the fourth-largest city in the state of Johor and was declared a Royal Town by the Sultan of Johor. Known as Bandar Maharani, it is a historical town with many significant buildings and sites. However, what attracts us the most is its famous street food. Muar …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
What are the best things to do in Hanoi? We had planned to spend three full days in Hanoi, but due to the impact of Typhoon Yagi, we only had two and a half days to visit the most important places and do the things we wanted to do. In this article, I will share …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …