About Me

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I am married to my loving husband for more than 40 years now. I am a mother to 3 beautiful children, until years ago when I lost my youngest son. Since then my life is forever altered but yet unbroken....

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Monday 31 December 2018

2018 travel in retrospect...

"Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world...” - Gustav Flaubert


Travel is about so much more than just the destination. It is about getting out in the world and doing something exciting. For the most part, the world is a pretty safe place for travelers. Whether you're travelling on a bike, bus, plane, train or boat, try to be aware of your surroundings.

After traveling the world for the past decades, I've learned a lot about staying safe and enjoyed every trips. Travel improves my mood and reduces stress. I notice that people who travel more frequently are more satisfied with their physical health and well-being.

Highlights from our 2018 travels:

Thailand: Phatthalung/ Prachuap Khiri Khan/ Kui Buri/ Petchabun/ Phu Tubberk/ Khao Kho/ Chai Nat/ Samut Songkhram/ Chumphon/ Ranong/ Phang Nga/ Phuket/ Chaam/ Trat/ Pattaya/ Rayong/ Krabi/ Pak Bara/ Sg Golok/ Narathiwat/ Pattani/ Songkhla/ Nakhon Si Thammarat/ Hatyai/ Betong
Cambodia: Koh Kong
Myanmar: Dan Singkhorn/ Isthmus of Kra
Turkey: Istanbul/ Kars
Georgia: Alhaltsikhe/ Khertvisi/ Tbilisi/ Gori
Armenia: Gyumri/ Koyayk/ Lake Sevan/ Yerevan/ Ararat Plain,
Nargono Karabakh: Shushi/ Stephanakert
Azerbaijan: Baku/ Gobustan
Bugaria: Sofia
Iceland: Reykjavik/ Keflavik/ Hvergerdi/ Vik/ Dyrhólaey/ Reynisfjara/ Skógafoss/ Eyjafjallajökull
Ireland (S): Dublin/ Liscanor/ Clane
Ireland (N): Belfast

Yes, another year has passed and I still have a lot more in my bucket list.

Saturday 15 December 2018

2018 Thailand Year-end Couple Ride: 09 Pak Bara - KL

“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow…” - Lin Yutang 

(Thamalai Resort, clean and comfortable chalets)

Day 09: 15 Dec 2018 (Saturday)
Route: Pak Bara – Wang Prachan - Changkat Jering - Kuala Lumpur
Distance: 594km (7:05hrs)


(A nice lodging suitable for family)
(A hearty breakfast, with additional nasi goreng)
(Checked-out and ready to roll)

We had heavy breakfast of nasi goreng, toast, fried eggs and sausages at the resort. On the way to the border we stopped at Cikgu Joe Route 406 shop to say hello. Cikgu Joe and wife were busy getting ready to bring a group of bikers for islands hopping this morning. Bought some t-shirts and stickers then we were on our way to cross the Wang Prachan/Wang Klian border.

(Cikgu Joe Satun 406 shop)
(A courtesy visit to say hello)

At the border, we bought varieties of nuts and other souvenirs before we joined the crowd in the long queue. Although there were many people, border crossings were smooth at both borders. We refuelled at Petronas Changloon and split ways. Hayami/Zue will be riding to Sungai Petani to visit their sick relative. We drove direct to KL stopping at Pak Su Mee Udang Restaurant for lunch then another stop at Simpang Pulai to refuel and prayer break. 

(Lunch at  Nur Zetty Mee Udang Changkat Jering)
(Refuel and solat break at Simpang Pulai)

We arrived safely at our Bidara House just before Maghrib. Alhamdulillah…

Friday 14 December 2018

2018 Thailand Year-end Couple Ride: 08 Krabi - Pak Bara

“Travel makes a wise man better but a fool worse…” - Thomas Fuller 

(Khao Tanan Cave of Thung Bui Lang)

Day 08: 14 Dec 2018 (Friday)
Route: Krabi – Thung Bu Lang - Pak Bara
Distance: 265km (4:07hrs)
Hotel: Pak Bara Thamalai Resort


(Breakfast at Malaysia Krabi Restaurant)

This morning Fauzilan/CT rode out of Krabi early as they planned to cross the border at Bukit Kayu Hitam and ride back to KL. The rest of us had breakfast at the restaurant near the mosque. After refuelling, we split ways. Ajilong/Sha headed toward Hatyai and will be staying a night in Hatyai. Hayami/Zue will be riding with us to Pak Bara on highway 4 then highway 4064 bypassing the town of Trang.

(Riding out of Ao Nang Beach)
(Buying salted fish at Koh Lanta junction)

On the way to Pak Bara, we detoured to visit the Sunflower Field and Khao Tanan Cave at Thung Bu Lang. The last time we were here was in August and the field was filled with yellow flowered plants but not Sunflower. 

(Thung Bu Lang Sunflower field)
(Khao Tanan at the background)
(Khao Tanan was once under water)
(A simple jetty at the lake surrounding Khao Tanan)
(Limestone caves of Khao Tanan)
(A well in one of the caves)
(The stairs leading to the viewpoint)

When we arrived, the field was barren. According to the gardeners we met, they are clearing the field for re-planting to plan for the flowering season in February and March. Regardless, the surrounding scenery is impressive with the Khao Tanan limestone hill and the lake surrounding it provide impressive backdrop for the landscape. The Khao Tanan cave has a small monastery and a well. The locals from near and far visited the monastery and brought offerings. The caves housed beautiful limestone stalagmites and stalactites. There is a steep staircase along the edge of the hill to a viewpoint where visitors could enjoy the view of the surrounding area from the top. 

(A beautiful sandy beach of Pak Bara)
(Speed boats for island hopping)
(Fishermen boats parking for the evening)
(A beautiful sunset at the horizon)

From Thung Bu Lang we rode direct to Pak Bara and checked-in Thamalai Resort at B700/night with breakfast. We had ample time to shower and pray before we rented two bikes and went for a late lunch at one of the Muslim Seafood Restaurant along the Pak Bara beach. After lunch, the ladies had an hour of full body massage. The men had their massage after we visited the night market and bought light snacks for dinner.

(The night market at Pak Bara Viewpoint)
(Sharing a few scoops of coconut ice-cream)

Thursday 13 December 2018

2018 Thailand Year-end Couple Ride: 07 Chumphon - Krabi

“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home…” - James Michener

(A KTM and three Versys at Isthmus of Kra)

Day 07: 13 Dec 2018 (Thursday)
Route: Chumphon - Ranong - Phang Nga - Krabi
Distance: 527km (8:20hrs)
Hotel: Krabi PK Mansion Guesthouse


(A welcome sign at Nana Buri Hotel)
(Packing our things before the ride)

The weather is pretty good and bright this morning.

After a heavy breakfast in the hotel, we started our journey on highway 4 towards Ranong and stopped at the Isthmus of Kra. The Isthmus of Kra or Khokhok Kra is the narrow neck of southern Myanmar and Thailand, connecting the Malay Peninsula to the Asian mainland. The isthmus lies between the Gulf of Thailand to the east and the Andaman Sea to the west. It is about 45 km wide at its narrowest point, between Chumphon and Kra Buri both in Thailand. Kra Buri is situated at the head of the Pakchan River, an inlet of the Andaman Sea.

(A newly completed highway to Ranong)
(Entering the district of Ranong)
(A write up of Isthmus of Kra)
(The narrowest part of the Malay Peninsular)
(Myanmar is not very far away)
(Myanmar is on the other side of the river)

From the narrowest point we rode on highway 4 towards Takua Pa bypassing the town of Ranong. Stopped for prayers at Masjid Soi and then had lunch at a nearby road-side Muslim stall. At Khok Kian Intersection we took Highway 401 to Phang Nga and visited the Samet Nangshe Boutique Viewpoint. There is another viewpoint somewhere nearby.

(A coffee  break at Amazon Cafe in Ranong)
(A short rest at a road-side stall at Takua Pa)
(Prayer break at Masjid Soi of Takua Pa)

We parked our bikes at the foot of the hill then rented a tuk-tuk for B30 per person to go to the viewpoint. It is a little far from the main road but it is definitely worth the visit. Samet Nangshe is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in southern Thailand overlooking the Phang Nga Bay National Park. This breath-taking spot boasts 180-degree views of islands in the distance and lush mangrove forest below. At the top is home to the elegant Sumet Nangshe Boutique Resort and Restaurant. There is a small campsite with tents costing from Baht400, if you prefer to sleep in a tent.

(A short tuk-tuk ride to the summit)
(The lobby of  Samet Nangshe Boutique Resort)
(A panoramic view of Phang Nga Bay)
(Beautiful scenery from the summit)
(Drinking coffee at the summit restaurant)

Fortunately we had our photo opportunities before the rain started pouring. We had a round of drinks at the viewpoint restaurant while waiting for the rain to stop. We refuelled before we left Phang Nga around dusk and rode direct to Krabi. We arrived at Ao Nang Beach around 9.00 pm and checked-in PK Masion at B800/night.

(Thank you for the sumptuous dinner)

We had our last dinner together as a group at the restaurant next to the hotel. Later we shared a cup of coconut ice-cream and strolled along the shops and bought some souvenirs.

Wednesday 12 December 2018

2018 Thailand Year-end Couple Ride: 06 Samut Songkhram - Chumphon

“And then there is the most dangerous risk of all - the risk of spending your life not doing what you want…” - Randy Komisar 

(A royal visit to Rajabakhti Park)

Day 06: 12 Dec 2018 (Wednesday)
Route: Samut Songkram – Hua Hin – Singkhon Pass - Chumphon
Distance: 416km (6:05hrs)
Hotel: Chumphon Nanaburi Hotel


Outside, the sky looked burnt out, all black char and thick grey ashes, heavy with rain. A promise of a cold and wet ride. Caution required...

We refuelled and had breakfast at a PTT outside of Samut Songkhram town. Carefully, we rode with minimal visibility on highway 35 then highway 4 to Rajabakhti Park in Hua Hin. 

(A morning briefing before the ride)
(Riding in the rain with care)
(Passing through the town of Hua Hin)

Rajabhakti Park is one of Hua Hin’s attractions. It was raining heavily when we arrived at the park but it did not deter us from taking pictures with the giant bronze statues of the great Kings of Thailand from various era in Thai history. The impressive 14 meters giant statues stand in a line against a backdrop of forested hills. Each statue carries a plate with the name of the King and period of reign.

(The majestic bronze statues of the kings)
(Drenched wet in heavy rain)
(A group photo in front of the statues)

From Hua Hin we rode on highway 4 to Prachuap Khiri Khan and detoured to visit Dan Singkhorn Pass about 18km from Prachuap Khiri Khan. Dan Singkhon pass is a Thailand/Myanmar border crossing allowable only for the locals.

In our next trip here, we would like to venture into the Khao Hin Tern Park which lies between Dan Singkorn and Prachuap Khiri Khan, where one could take a hike and see some unusual rock formations.

(A detour to Thailand/Myanmar border)
(The gate to Myanmar)
(The Clock Tower of Dan Singkhon)
(Myanmar Coffee Shop at the border)
(Thanaka beauty products from Myanmar)

From Dan Singkhon we headed south to a new Thap Sake R&R about 40km from Prachuap Khiri Khan. The R&R area is clean, complete with amenities such as toilets, Muslim praying area, food court and bazaar. There are many halal stalls with variety of delicious food to choose from.

(A new R&R area at Thap Sake)
(Ample parking space for cars and buses)
(Eating area for Muslims in blue)
(A Muslim Praying area)
(Well decorated clean toilets)

After lunch we rode direct to Chumphon and checked-in at Nanaburi Hotel at B800/night with complimentary breakfast. Tonight we had dinner at Fareeda Restaurant, a short walking distant from our hotel. After dinner the gang had an hour of strong Thai massage to relief tired muscle for only B200/hr.