AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort (The Maldives of Malaysia)

A couple of weeks back, I needed a quick weekend getaway and I came across Avani Resort. Hands down, one of the most beautiful places I've been to this year. Tranquil and peaceful - definitely a nice experience. I'd say it's the Maldives of Malaysia.

Spacious bedroom

The balcony view

Here's a little vlog for you: 

Weekend Getaway: The Happy 8 Retreat

One thing I learned about myself this year is that I quite like taking road trips. It's a different sort of adventure from travelling to a different country. And like I mentioned in one of my previous posts, there are plenty of hidden gems in Malaysia in terms of glamping, retreats and hideaways.

I haven't been on a road trip/retreat since March so me and my friend decided to go. We found a really cute and affordable retreat.

Actually, one of my goals is to visit as many retreats in Malaysia as possible - no time limits though.


Anyway, the one we went to last weekend was in Ipoh, Perak. It's called The Happy 8 Retreat, which is a 2-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.

It was basically like a tree-house/bamboo house. So, if you are looking for a quiet place to wind down for the weekend, this place is definitely worth the visit.

How do you feel about glamping and retreats? Let me know in the comments :)

x

6 Advantages of a Short Getaway

This month has gone by extremely quickly if you asked me.

Out of the 5 weekends in March, I was away for 3 - recharging, basically. 

Can I just point out the importance of taking a quick break once in a while? 

See, I was going through writer's block, I was going through some real sh*tty days (as were most of you, I assume), some crucially stressful weeks (again, as were most of you). We go through it almost every single day. And I found a way to escape - not for forever but just enough time for me to feel human again. 

And that is to go away. 

A short getaway. 

1) You feel recharged 

Let's face it. Catching z's in a tranquil place is much better than in your own bed (not that there's anything wrong about your own bed because I love my bed to bits and I wish I could marry it - TMI). But there's just something about sleeping in hotels or villas - you will definitely get the rest you need.

2) You have the time to catch up

By this, I mean, with yourself. After such busy days/weeks, I constantly find myself not being able to focus on one thing. Everything is scattered all over the place. So, going away gives you that extra time to reorganize yourself and your life.

3) You see something new

You will always see or experience something new when you go on a short getaway even if you've been to the same place twice or more. There will always be something new and that should be enough to get you through a week or two. Because whenever you see something new, your life gets a little bit more interesting.

4) You feel more positive 

I always feel more positive whenever I get back from a short trip because it encourages me to work harder and plan for another trip soon. And just the thought of seeing new things is enough to make me crave for more. 

5) You have something to talk about

Because let's face it. You either want to share the experience with your friends and family or people will naturally ask you. And you will not run out of things to talk about. 

6) You have pictures to look back on 

I always feel like pictures are amazing to look back on. Whether you want to revisit the place or hang some pictures up on your wall, either way, you take that memory with you wherever you go. 

So if you need a stress relief or if you just need to switch off for a couple of hours/days, book yourself a short getaway. It's definitely worth it, I promise you. 

What is one of your stress relieves? Let me know in the comments :) 

Weekend Getaway: Sentosa Villa

One thing I absolutely love about Malaysia is that there are so many hidden gems here. By hidden gems, I do mean villas and resorts and retreats where millennials can glamp.

Oh yes. We take glamping very seriously nowadays. 

There are plenty of cute little hideaways you can find in Malaysia. The one I went to over the weekend was Sentosa Villa, Taiping, Perak (which is like a 4-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur).

If you are looking for total tranquility, nature, affordable, peace and serenity, you should definitely check this place out. My friend and I went for the junior suite. There are plenty of other options but we just opted for this one because the whole point was to wind down and relax. And Sentosa Villa was the perfect place to do it.

If you've had a really rough week or rough month and you're just looking for a short escape into nature, I highly recommend this place because I came back feeling refreshed and pumped.

Here's a short video to show you exactly how it looks like:

What I Pack for a Weekend Retreat

Weekend getaways have always been one of my favourite things to do, especially when they involve getting away from the city and all its madness.

Weekend retreats are my new found love. 

Oh yes, I do love myself a little weekend retreat getaway. Which reminds me, I think I'm due another one SOON! (You can read my weekend retreat posts here and here.)

Weekend getaways and weekend retreats are slightly different, as I'm sure most of you will know. Retreats are more secluded. You connect more with nature. You're in a middle of nowhere, basically.


So, here are a couple of things I would pack for a weekend retreat:


Toiletries 

•  Toothbrush and toothpaste
•  Mosquito repellent (IS A MUST!) 
•  Lip balm 
•  Sunscreen 
•  Hand sanitizer 

Clothes

•  Shorts (hot climate, jungle. you do the math) 
•  Comfy clothes 
•  Bikini (if there's a pool or beach nearby) 

Others

•  Book
•  Phone, charger and camera (very limited digital items because the whole idea is to connect with nature) 
•  Sunglasses 

What do you pack for your weekend retreat? Let me know in the comments :) 

P/S: You can watch two of my weekend retreat videos down below :)

Weekend Getaway: Time Capsule Retreat Edition

In one of my previous posts, I did mention that I went to a "time capsule retreat" last weekend.

Holy heck! It was amazing!

You're basically in the middle of a forest, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nature, the sound of crickets, the smell of trees, the breezy environment - oh it was just amazing.


Here are some of my favourite pictures from that weekend getaway.

I think if you're really stressed out, a nice little weekend getaway retreat is exactly what you need. Or a nice time on the beach. I vlogged most of my trip, so if you want to watch it, the video is down below. Let me know your kind of weekend getaway in the comments :)