A modern nomad's wanderlust
Notes from the road
Choosing a good hostel (in Southeast Asia)
Nov 15th
When I started traveling, cheap was the operative word. I would choose hostels based solely on their rate. I’ve slept in all kinds of hostels; from bed-bug-infested ones to those that required me to commute to the outskirt of the city. I’ve also stayed in social hostel with party atmosphere and those cozy family run…
Is blood thicker than water?
Oct 30th
Why China? Unlike many places in the world, China had never really pricked my interest. The easy answer was that Chinese were infamous for their lack of civility. But digging deeper, I began to wonder if that was the only reason. I guess as I was growing up, China had seemed like a bland country…
This is… the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu
Oct 3rd
One of the most awe-inspiring sights you can ever experience in China is the Great Wall. Built over 2 millenniums ago, it has withstood countless assaults of wars, erosion, disrepair, pilfering. Today, many sections of the once connected way are gone; either they had crumbled and buried under the earth or reduced to piles of…
A trek through smiley land
Aug 27th
Trekking in many parts of Southeast Asia, you have to battle leeches and dangerous terrain. But the trek from Kalaw to Inle Lake in the centre of Myanmar is one of the best treks I have done in this region. There were hardly any leeches and many trail options to choose from, ranging from easy…
Demystifying Kopi: How to order a cup of local coffee in Malaysia
Aug 3rd
Malaysia may not be the head-scratching, frustrating destination like China or India. But there are still things that baffled travellers who like to be a little adventurous when it comes to eating and drinking. If you are like me, preferring local places than international chains, then you may find yourself in the following scenario: You…
Observing Yangon
Jul 30th
Myanmar – a country that was shrouded in mystery and conjured images of lush undiscovered natural beauty until recently – is still relatively untouched by tourism. There is no luxury resorts to lure the big spenders; no banana pancake trail to tempt the average backpackers looking for fun. But it is THE destination most avid…
The best meal I have ever had
Jul 26th
“What’s the best meal you’ve had?” One of the backpackers I met in Dali, China asked us as we sat on the step of an old Chinese temple nursing a bottle of mao tai (a strong Chinese liquor). Four backpackers from 4 corners of the world and distinctive travel experiences, we were sharing our experiences…
Ramadhan food bazaar in Malaysia
Jul 21st
Ramadhan is the fasting month for the Muslims; a time of spiritual reflection and increased devotion. It is almost like Lent for the Catholics but more severely practiced and observed. For about a month (29 to 30 days), the Muslims are supposed to fast from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. If you are…
Spirited away
Oct 20th
Taiwan is one of the most fascinating countries in Asia. The discerning travellers come here for the colourful culture, glorious food and breathtaking nature. Tainan, the oldest city, is famous for its temples. So this is one of the best place to see a temple festival. One afternoon, my friend asked to meet at a street corner…
Moving Cambodia
Aug 23rd
One of my most terrifying experiences, on par with jumping off a cliff and being mugged, is riding on the back of a motorbike as it zigzag at breakneck speed through Hanoi’s congested traffic. If you’ve never tried it, then put it in your bucket list. When travelling in Southeast Asia, you’ll encounter many unconventional…