2020: Of Covid-19 and Motherhood

Camping During Pregnancy – What You Should Know and Look Out For

Those who read my previous blog post on Sungai Sendat car camping would know that I went camping while being pregnant at 35 weeks. 

Some would think that it’s a crazy idea but I belong to the group of mommies who believe in the benefit of working out and staying active during pregnancy, as long as it is safe, non-strenuous and your pregnancy is low-risk. I’ve always been into outdoor activities pre-pregnancy, so I do not see a reason why I should limit myself into staying indoor all the time. Of course, I’m not suggesting that you should be running a marathon, hiking a big mountain, carrying a heavy backpack or ride a bumpy 4wd, but milder outdoor activities such as picnicking, brisk walking, easy trekking (flatter terrain and shorter distance) and car camping is technically okay and safe for pregnant mommies. 

Sungai Sendat Waterfall – Car Camping At 35 Weeks Pregnant

Well, as a matter of fact, YES!

When a few good friends of mine find out that I’m going on a camping trip at 35 weeks pregnant, many shook their head in disbelief. Even my mother-in-law wasn’t so approving but did not stop us as Terry ensures her that I’m in good hands and there’s nothing to worry about. Of course, my mother is the more paranoid one, so obviously I did not tell her that I was going camping. 

Unlike some people who think pregnant women needs to rest more, walk less and stay away from outdoor activities, I belong to the group of mommies who believe in the benefit of working out during pregnancy (as long as it is safe, non-strenuous and your pregnancy is low-risk). I’ve always been into outdoor activities before pregnancy, so I do not see a reason why I should limit myself into staying indoor all the time. Of course, I’m not suggesting that you should be running a marathon, hiking a big mountain, carrying a heavy backpack or participate in water rafting, but milder outdoor activities such as picnicking, brisk walking, easy trekking (flatter terrain and shorter distance) and for my instance here, car camping can be done. 

Pantai Penyabong & Pulau Mawar (Revisit) – Endau Seafood Trip and The Search for Window of Heaven

It all started with William’s message asking how we are doing, which mountain we are going soon and whether we shall meet up since it’s been eight months since our Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek in December 2019. With that we ended up planning a weekend trip to Endau where William is currently based, to visit both Pulau Mawar and Gunung Arong. Apart from Yogi and David who couldn’t make it, this trip is technically a mini gathering for our EBC trip (E.C Choi, Uncle Mak, William, Terry and myself) and we had Angeline (Uncle Mak’s girlfriend) and E.C Choi’s whole family (including his 7-months baby boy) tagged along. 

What's in My Hospital Bag - Know What To Pack, From 'Must-Have' To 'Good to Have'

Taman Saujana Hijau – Best Picnic Spot in Putrajaya?

Gunung Nuang via Pangsoon (Hulu Langat) – Popular Training Ground For Upcoming Big Hikes

“First Nuang experience, 20km hike... The most strenuous day hike I ever did. No wonder this place is training ground for G7 mountains... I should have come sooner!”

As Facebook reminded me of my first Nuang hike 4 years ago, I recalled that I have never blogged about this hike before. Back then I have just started my blog and was more interested in blogging about my oversea and local travels. Day hike was not in my interest. However, as time passed, I hiked more and more hills and mountains and ended up writing about every single hike regardless of the difficulty and duration. It’s a pity Nuang were left out despite being a very interesting hike and an important milestone in my hiking life. 

Mount Kinabalu (Timpohon-Timpohon) – The Hike That Changed My Life

Those close and dear to me or those who have followed my blog from the very beginning would have known that I started this blog right after my Mount Rinjani (Part 1 and Part 2) hike. However, that beast is definitely not my first mountain. Having climbed and blogged a number of mountains and hills over the past 4 years, the very first mountain I scaled was actually Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia’s highest mountain, 2 years prior to my Rinjani hike. 

Bukit Batu Chondong – An Easy Scenic Hike (Update: Now A Prohibited Hill)

List of Tabur Hills:
❶ Tabur East
❷ Tabur West
❸ Tabur Far East (hiked in Oct 2016)
❹ Tabur Extreme (hiked in Oct 2016)
❺ Tabur Extra

2D1N Cameron Highlands Weekend Trip - What To Eat, See and Do

See The Gem of The Straits On Two Wheels - 2D1N Pulau Pangkor Birthday Trip

With Covid-19 virus still lurking around, our country’s border is closed and any oversea travel is still prohibited. With so many annual leave still unutilised, are you looking for a domestic trip to kill your boredom? Cameron Highlands, Penang, Ipoh and Melaka are good choices to spend the weekend but if the crowd put you off, you may consider Pulau Pangkor for a less touristy and more laid-back, toned down experience. 

What To Eat in Ipoh: From Morning Breakfast to Late Night Supper

When food trip comes to mind, any Malaysian will think of either Penang, Melaka and Ipoh. I have previously published a list of what to eat in Melaka [click here to read], but I realised I have not written any for Penang and Ipoh. As the world is now in this Covid-19 pandemic, chances of us travelling abroad is slim, so Malaysians are now into Cuti Cuti Malaysia mode. With that in mind, I find that this is the best time for me to actually write about local travels (I have some backlogs) instead of continuing on my Everest Base Camp travelogue (still working on it amidst my busy working schedule). 

Sri Lanka | From Galle to Colombo – Get Yourself Spirited Away With This Scenic Train Ride

For other places of attractions in Sri Lanka, read my travel guide with sample itinerary and cost breakdown ➢ 12 Days Sri Lanka In Less Than RM2.2K - Visa Application, Sample Itinerary & Cost Breakdown

​Sri Lanka | Galle Fort – A Blend of Portuguese, Dutch and British

Sri Lanka | Mirissa Whale Watching – An Incredible Experience You Shouldn’t Miss!

Before I visited Sri Lanka, I didn’t know that whale watching is a thing. Thanks to our trip to Sri Lanka, particularly Mirissa, I found out that it is one of the main attraction of the country. I’ve not even been on a dolphin watching tour before, let alone whales, so I was extremely excited when we reached Mirissa.

Sri Lanka | Dondra Temple – The Dark and Ugly Side of A Otherwise Beautiful Temple

For other places of attractions in Sri Lanka, read my travel guide with sample itinerary and cost breakdown ➢ 12 Days Sri Lanka In Less Than RM2.2K - Visa Application, Sample Itinerary & Cost Breakdown

Sri Lanka | Dondra Light House – The Southernmost Tip of Sri Lanka

A trip to a lighthouse is probably the last thing to ever cross my mind when I imagine my visit to Sri Lanka. But as soon as I found out that we were going to see a lighthouse, my interest piqued! This is because the lighthouse I’ve ever been to in Malaysia was somehow lacking aesthetically and I can’t wait to see one that is picturesque.

Sri Lanka | Mirissa Beaches – Sri Lanka’s Beach Paradise?

Mirissa is one of the major beach town in southern Sri Lanka. From beautiful beaches, surf waves, whale watching to great bars and restaurants, Mirissa has a lot to offer and has become one of the most visited beach town among foreign tourists. This makes Mirissa a fun-packed hub with many activities to fill your time although it is also quite crowded. If you don’t mind the crowd, there’s a lot of things to do and see here. Otherwise, head to Tangalle for a more quiet vibe.

Sri Lanka | Beautiful Beaches Once Wiped Out By Tsunami

26 December 2014. Sri Lanka was one of the countries struck by the tsunami. More than 30,000 people were killed and Sri Lanka’s southern coast was badly damaged. Tangalle was one of the beach town destroyed by the deadly tsunami more 10 years ago.

Sri Lanka | Udawalawe National Park – Unforgettable Safari Adventure

Udawalawe or Yala? 

Sri Lanka | Little Adam’s Peak – An Easy Scenic Hike in Ella

Those who have visited or planned to visit Sri Lanka are no stranger to Adam’s Peak, a 2,243 m tall conical mountain located in central Sri Lanka. But no, today I’m going to talk about Little Adam’s Peak which is located 130km away in Ella. Stands at only 1,141m high, Little Adam’s Peak is nowhere near its more famous big brother whether in terms of height, difficulty or religious significance. In fact, Little Adam’s Peak is not a sacred religious site. 

​​Sri Lanka | Nine Arches Bridge – The Little Glenfinnan of Sri Lanka

The Nine Arches Bridge Built between Ella and Demodara stations, the Nine Arches Bridge is a viaduct bridge built in 1921, entirely of bricks, rocks and cement without a single piece of steel. It is one of the most iconic structure in Sri Lanka and perhaps the most photographed tourist destination. Locally known as “Ahas Namaye Palama” which means “nine skies bridge” in Sinhala, the name derives from the visual experience where one could look up from the bottom of the bridge and see the sky through the nine arches.

Sri Lanka | Lipton Seat – The Best Lookout Point in Haputale

Sri Lanka | Nuwara Eliya – The Little England of Sri Lanka

Only a few hours from Colombo, Nuwara Eliya sits in a hill country at 1868m, in eternal temperate winter, where the British once spent their pastimes such as fox hunting, deer hunting, elephant hunting, polo, golf and cricket. Mist-shrouded mountains and terraced tea plantations surround the town, with abundance of local brew for their enjoyment. With many of the British settles building their holiday bungalow in this “city of light” (that’s the meaning of Nuwara Eliya, by the way) during the British colonisation era, the town transform a “Little England” with a vague British-country-village feel to it.

Sri Lanka | From Kandy to Ella – One of The World’s Most Scenic Train Ride

Sri Lanka | Kandy – Cultural Capital of Sri Lanka

For other places of attractions in Sri Lanka, read my travel guide with sample itinerary and cost breakdown ➢ 12 Days Sri Lanka In Less Than RM2.2K - Visa Application, Sample Itinerary & Cost Breakdown

Sri Lanka | Mawanella – A Side Trip From Kandy You Can Live Without

Our fourth day in Sri Lanka was out of ordinary. Instead of sticking to the mainstream travel destinations in Sri Lanka, we made a one day one night trip to Mawanella, a town about one and a half hour bus away from Kandy. Mawanella is a fairly unpopular choice among travellers and the reason is quite obvious – they really isn’t many things to do in and see in Mawanella. 

Sri Lanka | Dambulla Cave Temple - Masterpiece Of Exceptional Craftsmanship

Sigiriya is an attraction not to be missed while in Sri Lanka. However, a visit to the famous Lion Rock should take no more than 3-4 hours. With nothing else to do around Sigiriya, where else should travellers go for the day? Thankfully, 30 minutes away from Sigiriya in the city of Dambulla lies another UNESCO Heritage that you shouldn’t miss – Dambulla Cave Temple

Sri Lanka | Sigiriya – The Majestic Lion Rock Fortress

A trip to Sri Lanka is never complete without a visit to Sigirya, the famous Lion Rock we have all seen on the internet. It’s the symbol of Sri Lanka, the proud Unesco Heritage site and often considered the eighth wonder of the world. It is also part of the Cultural Triangle route of Sri Lanka along with Kandy, Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, making it a popular tourist destination, and perhaps one of the most visited in Sri Lanka.  

Sri Lanka | The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa – A Glory of The Past

Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are two of the five ancient cities of Sri Lanka, which forms part of the cultural triangle, along with Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kandy. They are Sri Lanka’s most ancient kingdoms and are both World’s UNESCO Heritage sites. However, most people do not have the time or enthusiasm to visit both ruined cities, and so do we. After much consideration, we pick Polonnaruwa although both cities have their own distinctive characteristic to call decisively in favour of either.

12 Days Sri Lanka In Less Than RM2.2K - Visa Application, Sample Itinerary & Cost Breakdown

Being located at the south of India, I had always thought that Sri Lanka was like a mini version of India. So, when I found flight promo to Sri Lanka, I bought it without hesitation. After all, it’s always good to explore somewhere milder before I see India. "If I can survive Sri Lanka, then I can try India," so I thought.

2019: Another Busy Year With Some Unfulfilled Goals

Every year at the end of December, I take a trip down memory lane, recalling my journey for the year, penning down what I’ve done, where I’ve been, and planning what and where I would head to the following year. It’s a habit ever since I moved to Singapore in 2014. First, as a short post on Facebook, then subsequently turning into a blog post from 2017 onwards after starting this blog in 2016. It’s a tradition I would love to see myself carrying on.