Thursday, October 13, 2016

2 Days and 1 Night in Titi Eco Farm



I am a health-and-wellness freak and I am obsessed with everything organic. I use organic shampoo and soap, drink organic coffee or tea with organic sugar and organic nut milk, eat organic fruits and vegetables and cook on organic extra virgin coconut oil. 

In the midst of this organic infatuation is my desire to visit an organic farm in the Philippines - Costales Nature Farm but I never really had the chance to go. Until recently, some of the bloggers I follow visited Costales and that desire was revived. 

I tried to google if Malaysia has any organic farms since the organic produce here are much more cheaper and more widely available than in the Philippines. The first result is Titi Eco Farm.

Saturday, June 4, 2016

Backpacking Pai: 10 Things To Do



Unlike some popular destinations in Thailand, the people here are not prowling on tourists. The fact that most visitors just rent scooters to go around Pai, it is encouraged to explore this place on your own. Also, locals are more than willing to help without expecting anything in return.

One of the reason why Pai is a magnet for backpackers is because staying in this place is inexpensive. This place is so laid back that spending the whole day in the front porch of your room is an acceptable thing to do.

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Backpacking Pai: 4 Days Itinerary, Expenses and Travel Tips


"I am going to Thailand."
"Oh nice, where in Thailand? Phuket? Bangkok?"
"I am going to Pai."
"Pai? Where is Pai?"
"In Northern Thailand."  
"Oh, Chiang Mai?"
"No, but somewhere 3 hours away from Chiang Mai."
"Oh, Chiang Rai?"
"No, not Chiang Rai"
"Ok, have a nice vacation."

You have probably never heard of a place named Pai in Thailand and if you will try to google blogs about this place, you will get articles either expressing their extreme love for this quiet town in Northern Thailand or their hate about its hippie culture.

If you are visiting for the first time and is expecting breathtaking landscapes, I think you will be a little disappointed especially if your stay is during or right after their summer when the vegetation are all seemed to be burned down. But if it is the
relaxed vibe that you are after, then Pai will not disappoint.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Flashpacking Bangkok: On Perfect Winged Eyeliners and Letting Go



After years of resisting every opportunity to visit Bangkok, I finally booked a flight to one of Asia's consumerism capital.

Bangkok is one of the most popular destination for Western backpackers in Southeast Asia. It is also popular among Asians as a shopping mecca. Popular and shopping, two words I try to navigate away from, and two reasons why I was never eager to visit Bangkok. But since I thought I've changed a lot after I moved to Malaysia, I gave Bangkok a try. I even agreed to travel with a group of people that are not really in my close circle of friends, people whose travel style I have no idea on.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Flashpacking Bangkok: 5 Days Itinerary, Expenses and Travel Tips


DAY 0 - March 24
Time
Price (THB)
ETD KL
9:55 PM (KL Time)
2320
ETA BKK
10:55 PM (BKK Time)

Don Mueang Airport to Khao San Road Taxi
11:15 PM
200
Check in at Lamphu House
12:00 MD
420
Walk Around Khaosan Road


Lights out
1:30 AM


Touchdown Bangkok

The entrance of Lamphu House looks shabby but this is actually a good place to stay.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Bukit Kutu: A New Perspective In Hiking





Bukit Kutu directly translates to louse hill and when someone names a place after a tiny insect and a hill, it would be instinctive to think that it is an easy climb. 

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Monday, October 5, 2015

Skytrex Adventure: Defying Limits



Every time I invite someone to go with me to Skytrex I usually get the question "What is Skytrex?", I would then describe it as an obstacle course in the trees but according to their website this is what Skytrex is about:
Skytrex Adventure provides the first of its kind in Malaysia, a tree to tree  ‘sky-trekking’ experience where you can fly, swing, glide and dangle on the various aerial obstacles suspended above the lush tropical Malaysian Rainforest.  Take up the challenge and pump up the adrenaline on our many circuits at the various parks in which we are located and experience the best and most exciting forest adventure in Malaysia. 
Skytrex Adventure has two parks, one in Shah Alam and the other is in Langkawi. I was supposed to visit their Langkawi park last June but for some reason I skipped it and it has been bugging my mind ever since. Fortunately, I was able to find like-minded crazy people to go with me a few months after.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Half-Year in Malaysia: Six Things I Learned About Love and Life


The past six months are probably the most identity-changing phase in my life. I moved to a new country away from my loved ones and away from the culture I am familiar with and then, the only person that was giving me the courage to move forward in my new endeavor decided to abandon me in the worst way possible. My best drinking buddies are miles away, alcohol is expensive and there are no good beaches near Kuala Lumpur.


I have always thought that I knew a lot of things about love and that I am mature enough when it comes to matters of the heart but this past half-year made me realize things that changed my deep-rooted beliefs. 

I perceived myself as strong and independent but as it turns out, it was just a facade. I have been through a lot since I was a kid and I never expected that a broken heart in a foreign country will bring me down, but it did.  One night I found myself wanting to end everything because nothing makes sense anymore and the pain I felt was just too much. 

But here I am, still alive and still able to write this entry in this blog.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Cameron Highlands: On Reaching Peaks and Hitting Rock Bottom






Tea plantations as far as the eye can see, cool mountain breeze, mossy forests, multitude of land rovers, fresh and sweet strawberries. These are not the things that Cameron Highlands remind me of.