Peggy riding an electric motorbike just before the sunset

Pulau Ketam – Remember Me, Will You? – Part 2

Sonia June 3, 2021 12 Comments
I'm sure you remember folks how I raved about Pulau Ketam. You may also reasonably expect that once I label something Part 1, another part must follow. I indeed hate to leave things unfinished. It's just that with Pulau Ketam, despite its proximity, it's been rather complicated. Quite simply since September 2020, when I last visited this genuine island, the pandemic hasn't allowed me another...

My favourite spots in Kuala Lumpur aka how I create culture

Sonia May 2, 2021 14 Comments
Kuala Lumpur is not exactly a fun city. I don't say that because I have something against it. Not at all! I have beenliving here for almost 6 years so such a statement would be completely inappropriate from me. I say that simply because it's true. Some will go as far as saying that KL is downright boring, and I would second that too. Unlike many cities in Southeast Asia, let alone capitals in...

Trip to Penang during Covid-19 aka snippets from George Town

Sonia March 18, 2021 10 Comments
Penang also known as George Town, which is its capital and main hub, has something that no other place in Malaysia has - a genius loci. While other major destinations could only dream of picturesque alleys oozing history, an abundance of trendy, hipster and cool cafés topped with real culture and art, Penang not only has it all, but the compactness with which it's found there makes it a unique...

Weekend with star of Kedah aka Alor Setar

Sonia February 14, 2021 16 Comments
I was thinking hard how to write a long post about a type of grass, despite being one of the national symbols, in a place which gets literally zero, or almost zero, tourist attention. Alor Setar aka Alor Star in the state of Kedah up north of the peninsula is that case. And it's a shame. While it doesn't offer as much as one would reasonably expect from more exposed towns, it certainly has its...

Falling in love with Tioman – Part 2

Sonia January 14, 2021 21 Comments
My darling Tioman and I met again for a week in September and then also almost two weeks in December. After the first visit, we missed each other terribly and also thought about all the activities we should do together, including a visit during the monsoon season to allow for a more romantic experience. While the rendezvous in September went really well as we managed to catch up with many...

Island hopping and slum, Mexico, Italy and Vietnam, Kota Kinabalu here I come!

Sonia December 7, 2020 7 Comments
While some foreigners, especially first time visitors, might feel that Kota Kinabalu is Sabah and Sabah is Kota Kinabalu (further referred to as KK), they would be wrong. KK is "just" a gate to Sabah and unless you have a car or a long holiday ahead to explore this island fully, you should lower your expectations of this place. Albeit very cute and interesting, it doesn't offer as much as some...

Pulau Ketam – Remember Me, Will You? – Part 1

Sonia November 19, 2020 30 Comments
Pulau Ketam was a shock! It's one of those places I had no idea existed. And if I did, I'd assumed that they had almost nothing to offer. In Pulau Ketam's case I couldn't have been further from the truth. In fact, it had me so spellbound after the first day trip that I very quickly after that booked another one that would allow me to feel its vibe by night. The second visit tremendously...

Kuala Sepetang – Where Laughter Meets Joy

Sonia October 27, 2020 31 Comments
Of course if you are in Taiping you absolutely MUST make a visit to the amazing  Kuala Sepetam - a fisherman's village that will make your camera so hungry that you will find it hard to satiate it. It's pretty similar to many other fisherman's villages, I must admit. It's just that the journey from Taiping as well as other sights around the village make it a bit more fun. That's why I couldn't...

Taiping – Old Is the New Black

Sonia October 14, 2020 32 Comments
Some 266km from Kuala Lumpur, in the state of Perak, further up north from Ipoh, lies a small sleepy town called Taiping. It's not exactly a tourist destination, but it's certainly worth a visit, as goes with many other sleepy towns here in Malaysia. I ventured to this one as part of my recent sudden passion-for-local-travel outburst, which I described in this post. When you have spent years...

Enemy in Tioman aka Don’t Believe All Strangers Who Act Like Friends

Sonia September 20, 2020 28 Comments
The minute I set my foot on the island, I'm in awe. Lush greenery, steamy jungle anywhere you look, friendly vibe in the air and pristine sea. 'This is a paradise,' I tell myself. The ride from Tekek village to Juara only accentuates my impressions. Ejoy, the manager of the resort and a very nice guy, skillfully manoeuvres his 4x4 through the hilly terrain, serpentines, and narrow paths. 'This...