Recap of My 2024

 Here's a quick recap of my travel adventures for the year 2024:

• 8-hours road trip from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei & Miri at the end of May. At that period of time, our little boy was just 7 months only. It was indeed exhausting but thankfully, baby was well-behaved throughout the long car ride.  
• 4D3N Singapore trip to visit my sister and her newborn baby boy. This is the first time for my little boy to meet his aunt (my sister) and cousins (my two nephews). 
• Unlocked two new countries - Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan of Central Asia 
• Guilin, China for our lil sonshine 1st birthday
• Guangzhou & Tokyo trip - Not just a trip with my husband and my baby but we tagged along my mom too. 
• Kaohsiung, Taiwan - A new direct route from Kota Kinabalu by AirAsia
• Bali, Indonesia - Revisit this island again after 12 years. 

I have to say that this year our travel adventures are getting more adventurous and challenging compare to the previous years. Instead of travelling just in two, this year we're constantly travelling in a group of 3 - yes, travelling with our mini traveler. Initially I thought I will be travelling less after having baby but thanks to my husband for being a great and supportive partner for constantly bringing me and our little boy exploring the world. I'm deeply grateful to my dearest family too for helping me to take care of my baby while I was away for my trip to Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan and Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 

To date, our 14 months mini traveller has been on more than 20 flights and ticked off at least 5 different countries - Brunei, Singapore, China, Japan and Indonesia. 

They might not remember for every trip we took but their childhood is part of our parenthood too. 

Dear 2024,

My heart is full of gratitude for everything that happened this year. Yes, there are always ups and down in life but it's a journey of discovery and learning along the path. Be thankful in every moment of life. Don't cry over the past as it's over. Don't stress about the future as it hasn't arrived. Live in the present and make it unforgettable memories as it's part of the life. 

Before the clock strikes midnight, here's wishing each and every of you always blessed with vibrant health, lasting happiness, radiant joy and prosperity in the coming year of 2025. Cheers to new year and new beginning. 

"Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one." - Brad Paisley

READ ALSO:

• It's A Wrap For 2022
• 2020 Recap - From Miss to Mrs
• 2019 - The Most Travelling Year For Me
• Thank You 2018, Next!
• Goodbye 2017! Hello 2018!
• Throw Back of My 2015 Travel Adventures
• Recap of 2014 and My Plan for 2015
• My Reflection on 2013 and Resolution for 2014
• My Reflection on 2012 and Resolution for 2013
• Recap of My 2011 History & My 2012 Resolution
• Recap of My 2010

Share:

Central Asia - Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan (Sneak Peek)

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day I will visit Central Asia countries. Thanks to AirAsia once again for making another of my bucket list turn into reality with their direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Almaty, Kazakhstan. 

Here is a quick sneak peek from the trip I went end of August recently covering both Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan: 

#1: Aeriel view of the snowcapped mountain. Tips: Book on the right seat for this marvelous view.

 

#2: Almaty International Airport - the gateway to the Central Asia countries 

#3: One of my favourite shots from my new toy, Sony ZV1 

#4: Riding horse is one of the activities must do when visiting Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan 

#5: My favourite place in Kazakhstan - Kolsay Lake 

#6: We're blessed with great weather on the day of visiting

#7: Cross border from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan 

#8: Kyrgyzstan is also known as "The Land of Horses" 

#9: Skazka Canyon (Fairy Tale Canyon) on the south shore of Issyk Kul Lake 

#10

#11: We got to experience staying in the Mongolian yurt

Apart from Almaty where we explored the city on our own, we engaged a local tour guide throughout our trip in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. In case any of you would like to get the details of the local tour guide, you can leave a message. 

Not sure when I will be able to do a full post on this as I still have long list of backlog waiting for me to blog about them. You know the life of a new mom after having a baby. I can only have my own free time to do my work and stuff after the baby sleeps at night. However, I will try my best to update my blog, if my baby allows me to do so. Hahaha... 

Share:

The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel

Everytime when I go and visit Kuala Lumpur, I will definitely choose to stay at the lively streets of Bukit Bintang area. Right after we came back from our Switzerland trip, we decided to overnight in Kuala Lumpur for two nights before heading back home to Kota Kinabalu. Luckily that we have decided to stay over for 2 nights instead of 1 cause our flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur with Turkish Airlines was delayed for 6 hours. 

While browsing through few hotels to stay in Kuala Lumpur, this is where I discovered The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel (obviously from the social media). And the best part is that we hit the jackpot where we got to book this retro-inspired boutique hotel for less than RM200 per night from Klook. 

24-hour reception and cafeteria

Love this tagline "Eat Well, Travel Often"

DELUXE KING ROOM

Decorated with natural wooden elements, the 28 sqm room is stylishly furnished and equipped with ergonomic mattress and microfibre pillows. What blow our mind the moment we stepped in into the room was we're assigned with a room overlooking the monorail track through the large and high floor-to-ceiling windows. 

Deluxe King room - Fit for the king bah!

Backdrop of an exclusively commissioned Kuala Lumpur street photography project by the famous local photographer

The room is equipped with ergonomic mattress and microfibre pillows

Wardrobe with iron and ironing board

40-inch flat screen smart TV with the functional workspace 

Coffee and tea facilities with electric kettle 

Ensuite bathroom equipped with premium toiletries and hairdryer 

Room amenities:

• 40-inch flat screen smart TV with free satellite channels and Netflix
• Luscious king-sized bed with ergonomic mattress and micofibre pillows
• Spacious ensuite bathroom equipped with high-pressure rain shower, premium toiletries and hairdryer 
• Free high-speed Wifi and functional workspace
•  Coffee and tea facilities with electric kettle
• Wardrobe with iron and ironing board 

HOTEL FACILITIES

Even it's just a small boutique hotel, The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel is packed with numerous facilities; such as rooftop infinity pool overlooking the city with poolside bar, a fully equipped gynamsium, cafeteria, laundry services (additional charge) and free basement car-parking.  

Rooftop infinity pool overlooking the city with poolside bar

Fully equipped gynamsium

Cafeteria 

Conveniently located in Bukit Bintang where it is just short walking distance to shopping malls like Pavilion, Lot 10, Sungai Wang and popular feast street of Jalan Alor.

Date Stayed: 8 May - 9 May 2022 (1 Night)
Type of Room: Deluxe King
Room Rate: RM196 per night (Booked from the Klook)

Share:

Entering A New Chapter Of My Life - Motherhood

Referring to the title above, now you know the reason behind why I barely update my blog lately.

Born on 17 October 2023 [Weight 2.89kg with the height of 50cm] 

Yes, I'm officially a mother now. Both of my husband and I were beyond blessed on the arrival of our baby boy. Honestly to say, we, or should I say me wasn't have any high expectation on this pregnancy at all. Of course both of us wanted to have kid after married for 2 years but I didn't expect I was pregnant when I had 3 confirmed tickets last year. At the end, I had to burn all the confirmed tickets as my gynae said I wasn't fit to travel due to my health condition. Oh well, travel can wait right? 

So how's my current life being a newly mom? Intense, struggling, exhausted and lack of sleep - that pretty much sums our life after having our baby. After all, it's not an easy task and indeed a challenging one, especially for new parents just like us. Only for the first month where I was doing my confinement at the post-natal care centre, but right after that, both of us took care of the baby on our own without getting any help or involvement from the both side of our parents. We don't even hire any nanny, maid/helper nor caretaker.    

The post-natal care centre where I did my confinement for a month

Though it's pretty overwhelming and sometimes upsetting, this little "sonshine" does bring boundless of joy and immeasurable happiness to us. He fills our life with laughter and warmth and creates countless unforgettable moment together as a family of 3. Holding this tiny little one in our arm while watching him sleep will instantly melt our heart. Every little milestone of him has made us emotional and at the same time, fascinating to us.

My little boyfriend

Who will ever thought that both of my husband and I who used to love to travel so much will end up with raising a baby together, making milk, feeding him and changing the diaper every single day nowadays? Hahahaha... 

Share: