I’ve passed through Alor Setar many times over the years, but I was usually en route to somewhere else. It took a pandemic (and travel limitations) for me to discover what a true gem this Malaysian city is. Beyond, of course, the ferry terminal, bus and train stations. With their home state of Kedah’s tagline […]
Langkawi to Koh Lipe: Just a Ferry Ride Away
Want to get from Langkawi to Koh Lipe? It’s relatively easy! I’ve lost count of how many times I have taken the ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe, but for the longest time I actually thought the island was closed during the ‘low’ season. But that’s certainly not true. Koh Lipe is open year round, […]
Penang War Museum, Where the Fort Comes Alive!
Penang War Museum had been on my to-do list for a few years now, yet it was a quick post-lockdown, last-minute excursion to Penang that finally brought me to its doors. To be honest, I had never realized how close it is to the Penang International Airport. With that realization and limited time in Penang, […]
Should You Visit Hat Yai, Thailand? Yes!
Should You Visit Hat Yai, Thailand? Yes! Well at least I think so. I’m always surprised to see so few western faces when I’m there. Hat Yai is a transient city that I’ve grown rather fond of over the years. I’ll admit it took me a few visits to get into the Hat Yai groove, […]
15 Free Things to Do in Langkawi, Malaysia
The cost of travel, these days, can put a real damper on planning a holiday. It’s not just the transportation and accommodations that take a chunk out of the old vacation budget, but entry fees can do their fair share of damage as well. Even if the entry is but a mere RM50 (about 12USD), […]
Haunting Beauty of Georgetown’s Old Protestant Cemetery
En route to a lunch date, the last thing I expected to see as I shuffled along busy Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah was a historic cemetery. Surrounded by busy streets and buildings short and tall, sat a fenced in patch of green grass, statuesque leafy trees and a lot of very old looking gravestones. Seemingly […]
Best 5 Low-Key, Expat Friendly Places to Temporarily Live in Thailand
Traveling through Southeast Asia and overstayed your welcome in one place or another? Here are 5 expat friendly cities in Thailand that may welcome you with open arms. Maybe not the top destinations for expatriates in Thailand, but these less popular locations will give you a sense of community right off the bat. Plus, pretty […]