TOP 3 MOST MEMORABLE TRIPS IN 2018

As I mentioned in my previous post, I will not be travelling in the month of December because I'd like to slow it down and enjoy Christmas with my friends and family. So, today's post is another wrap up of my travels in 2018.

Everytime I travel, I don't really expect much from the trip. What I mean by this is that I like the element of surprise - I don't plan what and when I want things to happen, I'd much rather explore places and be adventurous. This is to avoid any form of disappointment.

Of course, I do do a couple of research of places I want to visit and try to avoid places that are dangerous. But you get what I mean. Even if I have a place in mind, if I don't get to visit that particular place, I wouldn't mind visiting other recommended places. It's all about the exploration, the experience and the adventure for me. Then of course there's the relaxation part and what kind of vibes I get from visiting different places.


So, here are 3 of my most memorable trips this year.


3: Nha Trang, Vietnam (May 2018)

This trip was an interesting experience for me. I had never been to Vietnam ever. I don't know a single Vietnamese word - not even hello or thank you (because normally, you would know how to say most hellos and thank yous in different languages). I got off the plane not knowing anything about Vietnamese culture but that was the exciting part. My friend and I planned this trip 2 weeks beforehand. We had seen pictures of the beach in Nha Trang and thought we should make a visit before it becomes commercialized.

Everything is so different over there. People are friendly, the food is amazing, in fact, I think I fell in love with Vietnamese cuisine after this trip.

The beach was amazing. I remember my friend falling asleep after 15 minutes of tanning. I was reading a book and soaking in every second of being there. We were only there for 3 days but it was great. I'm definitely going back to Vietnam for another visit.

2: Lombok, Indonesia (June 2018)

I remember this being an impromptu trip. My uncle decided to fly in from Australia because he had extra time off and we both decided on Lombok immediately. First of all, we booked this wonderful AirBnB villa and the staffs were so friendly it made a good first impression.

One thing I loved about this trip is of course, the beaches. I think we got to visit 2-3 different beaches. I also remember talking to my uncle about my life and all. It was a nice, relaxing getaway filled with positive vibes. I remember coming back from the trip feeling recharged and ready to take on the world.

I also enjoyed the fact that everywhere was walking distance. I got to experience one of the most beautiful views I will ever see and also had the pleasure of making friends with the locals over there. I will definitely come back to Lombok for another visit. It's honestly one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited.



1: Penang, Malaysia (Nov 2018) 

I have been to many places this year but I do feel like no matter where you go, it's the company that counts. This month, I decided to spend my birthday with 2 of my closest friends in Penang. If I'm being completely honest, being in Penang did not even feel like being in Malaysia. It felt like I was in another different country. I absolutely loved that feeling.

Of course, like I said, I think what made this trip so special is because of the people around me. I got to experience loads of things actually: first time going to an archery session, first time jet-skiing, first time driving in a place I don't know. It was an amazing experience. You can check the vlog out :)

Your Koh Lipe Travel Guide

It still amazes me that there are so many islands I have yet to visit or even discover. That's probably one of the reasons why I love travelling. There's so much to learn.


Koh Lipe is a tiny Thai island near Malaysia's border. 


Recently, I was there on a vacation for 3 days and let me tell you, if you are looking for pure beach relaxation getaway, I would highly recommend Koh Lipe.

Here's a handy travel guide if you are ever in/visiting Koh Lipe, Thailand:


- The only tricky thing is getting to the island itself. We took a ferry from Langkawi (Malaysia) to Koh Lipe. And because the water's too shallow, the ferries all have to stop quite a distance away and we have to actually get to the island by a longtail boat. But honestly, that was the only tricky bit -

- FOOD - 

Koh Lipe Walking Street has a lot to offer. Whether you're vegetarian or not, you can definitely find what you want there. But since you ARE in Thailand, I would recommend Mango Sticky Rice (a must), Pad Thai, Thai Ice Tea (also a must), Tom Yam, and seafood.

- EXPENSES - 

I did not spend a lot at all. In fact, I probably spent a total of RM300 (roughly THB2,500) for 3 days. Mostly on food. Transportation is only THB50 per person wherever you go. But we walked most times. Massage was about THB250-300 depending on what you're getting.

- SCENERY -

It's completely free to enjoy the sceneries.

Here's an unofficial guide in video form:

How To Survive Post Holiday Syndrome (5 Ways)

Hi readers

I am finally back from my 2 and a half week hiatus. 

60% vacation 

30% days off of work/family time

10% falling sick 

That's my little breakdown of what's been going on for the past 2 weeks or so. 

And today, I'm finally back at work. Not just on my blog, but on air waves too. Coincidentally, someone asked me today, how do I fight post holiday syndrome. I was going to write about it but that was perfect timing. 

Well, from all of my trips I've been to so far this year (and that is quite a few - be it a short getaway, or out of the country), I have learned quite a few tricks on how to fight the so-called post-holiday blues. 

1) Plan something exciting in advance 

After a holiday, you're already suffering. First, from your brain who's probably telling you that you have so much work to catch up on. And second, from missing the place you've just visited and how much you want the vacation to last forever. So before you go away, make sure you have something exciting to look forward to when you come home. For me, it's catching up on new movies and friends over drinks. 

2) Think about your next vacation 

Again, after your holiday, you're probably craving for more. I know that's how I feel most times. So, I always plan my next vacation in advance too so that I work harder and not get distracted from anything other than work. Think of your next vacation as a reward to yourself. Works all the time. 

3) Look through your holiday pics and talk about them 

Nowadays, we have Instagram, Facebook, Blogs... etc... Share your amazing experience, tips and tricks with people around you or people online because some people might just want to visit the place you've just visited. And when they seek for your advice, you can re-live the moment and pass that amazing moment to the next person. And you can hear all about it when they come back. Sharing is caring. 

4) Think about work 

This applies to almost everyone, I guess. If you love your work, then it's easier for you because you get to come home and look forward to your work/job. If not, it can get trickier. Sometimes, I do go away because of my works and the stress they bring but after a couple of days not working and switching off, I definitely look forward to coming back and catching up on work. Also, you need to work in order to have money to travel. So, just think of it that way. 

5) You get to go back to your routine 

Whether that's eating healthy, working out more than when you're on a vacation, or just getting back to your normal sleeping pattern. Routines are great things because they give you a guideline on what to do and what not to do when things around you change. You adapt to your surroundings with routines. And the faster you get back to your routine, the more you'll survive your post holiday blues. 

What about you? How do you cope with your post holiday syndrome? Let me know in the comments :) Share with everyone 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 :) 

10 Amazing Pictures from Colombo

Honestly speaking, when I was told that I'd be flying off to Sri Lanka, I was excited.

I've only ever seen the places in Sri Lanka in magazines and flyers and on the telly. It's not normally a place that I would actually say "hey, I want to go to Sri Lanka", as compared to "Let's go to Bali in August" You get the picture, right? 

But I was in the Capitol city of Sri Lanka for 4 days and here's what I've learned from the locals over there. Sri Lanka is famous for 2 things: Ceylon tea and Ceylon gems. 

Anyway, more about that in my upcoming posts. Here are 10 amazing shots from my trip. 

Sea on one side, city on the other

Beautiful temple

Red Mosque

Coconut sambol with salmon waffle - the most amazing thing there

Tea selections 

Beautiful sunset

If you want to check out Colombo city, I vlogged all of that. Here's just one of the videos from my trip: