Brunei – A quiet gem

“What’s the country like?” “How’s the country?” That’s what I often get asked when I tell people I visited Brunei last summer. I don’t think Brunei is a secretive country. Definitely not. In fact, it welcomes travellers. Perhaps not many people go there because the country is quite small and rather expensive. To be fair, …

A bike trip to Vietnam’s Southeast

Expect the unexpected. This is what I often say to people when it comes to travel. What makes travel intriguing for me is the journey to get to a destination. You don’t really know what will happen on the road. It can be enthralling or unpleasant. But it’s how travel is. So was my trip …

Sunrise at 3,776m or Summiting Japan’s iconic mountain

My friend once said: “It takes more effort to catch sunrises than sunsets”. I think she was right. Getting up early isn’t easy. Only three times so far have I jumped out of bed in the middle of the night and thrown myself into the dark to catch the sun going up. One was in …

Another home

What is your hideaway place? Do you have one? Mine is … very hidden. About 1,400km away from Hanoi. It’s tucked away in the mountains in the Central Highland of Vietnam. It looks over a charming lake. It’s called Freedom Green Village. Or we just dearly call it “the Village” or “Lang” in Vietnamese. I …

Summer in Hokkaido

Hokkaido is mostly known as “the winter paradise” of Japan due to its various snow resorts and (of course) the beautiful white snow when winter comes. However, summer in this prefecture is no less mesmerising. And I had a chance to witness and experience those charming moments on my trip to Japan in July. Strange-yet-familiar …

Japan after 10 years: Sendai and Yamagata

I first went to Japan in 2013, just 2 years after the Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami. There was so much concern back then regarding the consequences of the biggest natural disaster in Japan’s history, including the nuclear meltdown in this area. I was safe in Fukuoka but wasn’t sure if I should make it …

Hidden organic farm in Da Sar

“How could I go through this part? Should I just drive over? No, I might end up being in the stream.” Multiple thoughts ran through my mind and finally, I pushed my bike through that small obstacle – a stream crossing the road. Despite having been told beforehand, this part was beyond my imagination. It …

Cloves

She had a unique scent Smelt like cloves to him “It’s my shampoo”, she said “It comes from your palms Your ears Your lips And your whole self too I smell cloves too when I hold you tight” He whispered in her ears With her in his arms   He wonders Who else could feel …

It’s been a journey…

I’m writing here at a place about 170km from Hanoi. I’m staying at a lovely wooden house, surrounded by nature, with breathtaking rice fields in front. Yes, I wanted to spend the last few days of my 20s that way. My birthday is around the corner. Just this weekend. Very near indeed. The day that …

Climbing up Lang Biang Peak in Đà Lạt

Đà Lạt is many people’s favourite for a relaxing alpine holiday. It’s mine too, but I’m more into adventurous activities in nature. The Central Highlands city is perfect for the great outdoors such as canoeing, biking, hiking and cycling due to its fantastic landscapes. There are tours galore, but I prefer DIY trips, so I …