Penang - Thaipusam (Nava-K's Spiritual And Religious Journey)

Some friends I believe are really peculiar. Perhaps I should also label them as weirdos. Wanna know why? No, no, I am in no way referring to the fake social media friends, but my most to most 5 to 10 closest friends whom I thought knew me at the back of their hands. How wrong. When I told a few of them that I will be fulfilling my spiritual and religious vows at Waterfall Temple/Balathandayuthapani Temple for Thaipusam, they burst out in laughter. Why? Seriously, I didn't know what were they tickled about? Do I look like a misfit? Not as far as I know. Despite asking over and over again, none actually could spill a concrete reason. I of course was agitated. Then again, it can't be my fault if friends judge me wrongly. Maybe because I am modern and outgoing, I can’t be religious, is it? Whatever, I've come to a point  I care too hoots how people perceive me. My life, my choices, my happiness and my relationship with god.  

Jeju Island (Part 1) - Korea (Day 2)

First half day of sightseeing in Seoul (Korea Day I - Incheon to Seoul), we returned to Incheon airport for our domestic flight to Jeju Island. Spilling over await in the long queue among the hundreds during this supposedly off peak season in Korea, who do you expect to see travelling throughout the year, except mostly “Made In China” Chinese. Malaysians too I think are seriously taking their globetrotting lifestyle "Up In The Air", in fact, even those born with a dented wooden spoon in their mouth are joining forces in trip-travelling all the time. 

Korea Day 1 - Incheon to Seoul

Another solo trip of mine in an arranged tour (Istanbul Turkey & Dubai) alongside 14 people I had no clue whosoever they are, Korea was the said destination. Now, to all the adventurous wise cracks who are right now reading this "Korea Here I Come" venture of mine, will you please stop wondering why I didn't backpack or travel on my own. Of course I sincerely appreciate your advise, but let me tell you that I have already before hand done my homework. What I found out is that the ordinary Koreans on the streets really can't speak English, so obviously, I am going to have one hack of a time communication with them should the need arise. Definitely it is bound to happen, holding on to a map and trying to pick up Korean language there and then may show the way, especially on "Amazing Race", but in reality, many travel bloggers don't actually tell you what can go wrong due to language barrier. Additionally, compared to 8 years ago when I had bags of energy, my overall well-being is not the same anymore (Penang - The Pearl Of The Orient).  

Sungkai - Perak, Malaysia (Overnight Excursion)

Have you realise how stressful life is these days? Indeed, I won’t deny. I am of course not at all talking about the headline grabbing glamorous social media life many are living, I am certainly referring to life behind the fast lane which bounces big balls of fire. Let’s call the big hard balls as the challengers, especially in the city, what matters most undisputedly is money. Money! No money, sorry to say everyone, we are doomed ding-dong-bell because in front of each step we take, money is the leader. Money may be sunny in a rich man world, nevertheless, money does not fall from the sky though some people I know are under the impression that by praying daily, god will throw money down. Unfortunately though, the reality is otherwise. Slogging non-stop for your career or business is the ringtone for proud-pride status and tagging with it is naturally stress.    

Port Dickson - Negeri Sembilan Getaway (Day 2)

Port Dickson (Part 1) Sightseeing. What an experience. Pheww! Walking non-stop, climbing up and down, sweating like a dog in the blistering sun and I think for the first time in my entire life, I actually literally begged for water. Frankly speaking, when I returned to the hotel after the few hours of touring Port Dickson, I was not only dazed in tiredness, I also felt as though my legs are going to automatically fall apart. No doubt, going from one place to the other was a treasured experience in further strengthening my backbone for bravely exploring places on my own, yet, I still had a tiny element of fear inside me. The fear I can’t let go despite having travelled to near (Penang) and far away places (Hilton Niseko Village Hokkaido & Pretoria South Africa), mainly fear of being mugged, robbed, accidentally losing my phone or handbag, or collapsing out of sheer exhaustion. Among these, the worst is fearing the fear of uncontrollable heart beat due anxiety and nervousness (My Fifties). 

Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan Getaway (Day 1)

Ages ago, in fact I can’t even clearly recall when my last trip to Port Dickson was. Let me think. Okay, vaguely 32 years old ago. Gosh! When I was 20 years old. That’s been ages, isn’t it? Really. Not that I didn’t initiate another Port Dickson holiday, but you know how confusing lady fairs are? One minute they agree, next minute they want their unruly-uncontrollable kids to tag along, later, slowly igniting the anger fire by pointing fingers who should drive and you also somehow sense that you may end up being the banker. Mayday! Mayday! Port Dickson zipped up. No more friends forever holidays I have already decided in my early forties (Travelling Solo When You Are Married).

Penang - The Pearl Of The Orient (Day 3)

Staying put in the same hotel relatively is a matter of convenience. Its the packing prior to journeying and checking into the next hotel I sometimes find is dreary. Moreover, trending slowly in front of my 50's is the phobia of forgetfulness. I seem hyper worried about leaving behind my things in hotels. Thus, I tend to check and re-check over and over again if I have completely packed everything. Of course, hand-phone is the most precious, oh, my other half-half as well, otherwise I won't have money to travel, even my skin care and dirty night shorts and t-shirt are valuable too. So far so good, touch wood, nevertheless, unless I force move my butt to move to another hotel, I am limiting my chance of rating those hotels. In Seberang Jaya, Light Hotel (Penang Part 1 & Part 2) seemingly is the best so far based on our few previous experiences compared to Sunway Hotel that definitely need refurbishing though I can't comment how it is now. Pearl Hotel on the other hand has been permanently banished due to their blur service and back dated plunging in wifi connection whereas I can't exactly nail why we have yet reconsidered Ixora Hotel after our one and only stay sometime back.

Penang - The Pearl Of The Orient (Day 2)

Buffet breakfast the next morning (Penang Part 1) in Light Hotel wasn’t as expected. Assumingly, because of an important function later at night, fully booked rooms spilled over to a long waiting line. No doubt we managed to pick some food, but, honestly, service was badly shaken up, and tucking into a meal in a cramped dining area with people impatiently waiting to secure a table didn’t go down well with us.

Penang - The Pearl Of The Orient (Day 1)

We didn’t name Penang as “The Pearl of the Orient” for no apparent reason, did we? Of course not, albeit we were not the brains behind the name calling. And Penang, don't you agree is akin a household name for all of us? I don't know about you, I can keep going back over and over again to Penang and its never enough. Such a  wonderful place where you will never be bored. Much to do and much to eat, we however all this time have been heading to Penang mainly for the yearly family prayers in Arulmigu Karumariamman Temple, Seberang Prai. Quite a rush actually, attend the prayers, spend a night and back to home sweet home. I guess due to my other half-half's hectic work schedule, I didn't dare push for spending more time in Penang (Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa). Okay, I know. I have been travelling alone (Solo Travel To Bangkok), I know I can do it myself. To tell you the truth, I did attempt, but you know how it is with planning for a holiday? Plan all your want, plans sometimes does not materalize for whatever reason that pushes it aside. 

Kochi/Cochin - (Kerala Day 4 & 5)

From the distance of St Francis Church (Kochi/Cochin - Kerala Day 4), we crawled. I mean traffic crawling, not as in we literally knee or leg crawled prior to us arriving in Kumbalangi Chinese Fishing Village at about 6.00pm. Late. As per our scheduled itinerary, we were late. Then again, what other choice did we have? Nothing none. Except staying put in the van and watching Cochin daily hectic life passing by. Hecticness? Indeed yes. Traffic hustle and bustle, one of Cochin's underpinning reality unveiled right in front of us. Come to think of it, quite an experience actually. Otherwise, we wouldn't have known, neither have anyone who have already visited Cochin told us. People generally as you know, will share and speak about the best things a country has to offer instead of preparing you for the unexpected across the travelling loop? What goes on behind the scene in other parts of the world? Culture, social norms, life's madness, daily struggle and what not? Precisely (Trivandrum Part 2, Trivandrum/Kovalam & Kerala Alleppey Houseboat).