Saying grace - to the God Who granted.

How do I start this. (scratching my head...)

I woke up this morning, thinking, what have I done to be blessed like this? I tried to put the pieces together logically. Yet, the algorithm doesn't fit. To say that am the righteous-downright-religious is seriously an over-statement yet my blessing hasn't been cut short. In just a little over a year, so many things have happened; Great things.

2013 -  Things are happening really fast , even the time - look it's already March! 

1.  Am going to Disney Land Hong Kong next week and I'm given the chance to bring my little sister! Yay!
2. Currently writing my book and a few people are reading the draft.

Aye, Thank you God, Who granted me those little obstacles, keep my patience intact and showering me with blessing now. 

People I met while backpacking Ep1.

Usually when you travel,what do you look forward most? The food, the attractions, or the country? I personally love meeting people, as much as I love eating.  For me the people I met while I travel co-author my backpacking tales. They are the colours to my painting. Some are really good people, some are just friends and some who call themselves family-to-me.  I have to admit that I met some bad ones too... part and parcel of life eh?

So far, I've only backpack to five Asian countries; Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Brunei (solo traveling  or with my sisters). Maybe my experience is not as much as people who have traveled their whole life, but it is enough for me to at least understand people a lot better then before.

The Travel Penguins. 

How did I meet these people and finally calling ourselves The Travel Penguins? By chance and love for traveling I must say! I seriously admire them from their blogs, we kept tweeting each other. Sharing traveling tales and whatnot till one day it was fated that we were meant to meet and travel together! All thanks to the Kuantan, Pahang trip and the crazy night at Teluk Chempedak Beach, I am happy to call them, my traveling family. :') 

This is to the crazy bunch of Travel Penguins Jard, Fie and Lily! 

Krabi: revisited on the road to Ayutthaya.

What Tsunami has to do with a banana-pineapple smoothie? It looks like a far off connection eh? Well, I've been to Krabi, Thailand twice this year and I will never miss getting my dose of banana-pineapple smoothie from this one particular roadside stall by the Krabi River.

I still remember the old lady who manned the stall, the same lady who told me how she was there during the Tsunami and how bad it was as well how she coped with losing her family. I sat there the whole night listening to her despite her poor command of English.   Well, the drink she made was great. The 1st time I was there, in one night, I drank 6 glasses. It was that good! 

Fast forward 6 months after that, I was on my way to Ayutthaya and decided on a detour to Krabi. Little that I expected that the same lady, the same stall will still stand there. And the best part  is that she remembered me, and in tears she excitedly said in her thick Thai accent "You comeback! You comeback ! Banana smoothie?" .

I couldn't resist giving her a tight hug, knowing that she still alive and healthy just made me happy. 

More stories on people I've met while I backpack in another episodes. Till then, keep on traveling peeps! :D

Where life has taken me in the past 11 months.

Almost a year ago I was just some college kid who dropped out from college and everything in my life seems like a perfect downfall disaster. 

Fast-forward 11 months later...

Here I am standing here, going places that I have never imagine I would go and reach. Meeting amazing people that changed my life literally. Doing the unthinkable things, ate the weirdest and amazing food. I was literally on road, traveling and backpacking everyday.  

I'm glad things happened the way it was meant to be. For all I know, I am now a freelance writer contributing to Gaya Travel Magazine and not to forget my blog. 

My very first print article is coming out soon at your nearest bookstore. The magazine is called Gaya Travel and I wrote about Terengganu, so you Terengganu peeps look out on that! ;D

And today another huge thing happened to me , I was interviewed on Hello on Two TV2, I couldn't believe that I was on national TV! Life has definitely brought me somewhere and everywhere. 

Would I want anything to change? Nope, lets live life thoroughly. There is something greater planned for you, keep believing. I know I am. 

Travel Picture Tales: Trishaw Ride, Jogjakarta Indonesia.

The fare was actually only 5000IDR but we were charged 20,000IDR because it was raining. To tell you the truth it was about 1KM of walking back to my hostel, imaging cycling with 2 people.

This bapak (the calling for older man) whom I assume is the age of my late grandfather brought us to a bakpia store hoping that we would be buying some, so that he could get some commission. I was actually tired and got angry because of the scam, but my heart was hurt when I saw his face when we said no. He cycled us back to our hostel and I ended up giving him 25,000IDR. 

I know it was not much difference but I seriously felt I should have given more. He cycled 2 of us with the sum of weight almost 200kg over 1 kilometer in the rain! What an experience! That was the best 25,000IDR I've ever spent when I was in Jogjakarta, Indonesia. :')

p/s: I'm introducing this new segment called "Travel Picture Tales" to share with you guys some of my stories behind some of my backpacking photos. Hope you'll enjoy it! Till then,keep on traveling peeps! :D

21 Ways How I travel Cheap.

Everyone has been asking me " How the heck you spent RM 650 (approx USD 200) for 2 weeks of travel?".I am not rich and I don't have a shit loads of money in my piggy bank. I try to make use of my money to the max. 

So, here is 21 Ways How I travel Cheap :

1. There is one time I stayed at 5 Star Hotel (Grand Magherita, Kuching) for 5 days for only RM 100 (approx USD 35). I used AirAsiaGo.com , most of the times they have LITERALLY crazy sale.'

2. For flight, I used to fly for 1 Cent! You can try Fleapy to secure cheap flight from AirAsia. Sometimes KLM flight to Indonesia is cheaper than AirAsia, you make the judgement. 

3. I sleep most of the time in Hostel. Bunk bed and communal toilet. I love it! Check out HostelWorld and HostelBooker. 

4. Street food was my ultimate fuel. I spent no more than RM 10 (approx USD 3) per day.

5. I don't shop fancy. I mean, I only buy postcard and mail it home. Cheap and meaningful souvenirs.  

6. I travel on the cheapest seat/coach on the train or bus.

7. I WALK most of the time. 

8. I make use my student card to the fullest. You can save a lot.

9. Don't roam, buy the local simcard. Trust me, it's cheaper. 

10. I make use of Free water, coffee, and breakfast at the hostel. This saves some of my money.

11. Wash your own cloths, it's cheaper and you get to gain some muscles. 

12. I go to Big supermarket to get my supply (mineral water, snacks and etc). Way cheaper than 7-11. 

13. Public bus in South East Asia is dirt cheap. Make full use.

14. Sometimes I buy the Tourist Pass (usually Unlimited rides of all public transport). 

15. Most Hostel has free Internet/wi-fi nowadays, I save on that.

16. Always travel like local, that way not only you save but you get to know the country well.

17. Make your own tour, don't buy tour packages unless it's cheaper that way. 

18. Check out places with free entrance, i.e museum, park and etc. 

19. If you have the Asian look, camouflage as native, you pay shitload cheaper to enter attraction places. 

20. Make friends, get attached and travel together. You can save on group activities. 

21.Bring your towel and toiletries from home.  

When you travel, it's not "what I can save the most" but what I can see the most of the country. What backpacking allows you to do is that you get to see the real life of the people in that country. You save and experience the most! So go travel, it's a lot cheaper and easier than you think. 

17 reasons Why I backpack.

God knows how painful it was to be thrown out of the college after pursuing 3 years there. I did a mistake, failed a paper thus I was kick out. As much as I love traveling, I have to say that my failure has indeed played an important role. I left my country exactly the day I got the news.

So, why do I actually backpack for? 

1. I want to see the world. 

2. Challenged myself to be independent

3. I need a breather for my own life.

4. I was inspired by Fatt, Dr Sharul , Biqque and so many others.

5. Too many halal food in Malaysia. I wanted to feel the suffering finding one overseas.

6. People say you appreciate your life more once u travel. Just exactly what I wanted; to appreciate my life.

7. Too see crystal clear water in the sea. I have never seen any except when I swim in pool.

8. I want to have more friends. Foreigners that is. 

9. Culture excites me. 

10. Being a Muslim excites me to travel too. To see people's reaction when I tell them am Muslim.

11. My desire for foreign languages is too strong. 

12. I NEED to make full use of my 40- 50kg Deuter bag. No dust collected. 

13. Being in place that is unfamiliar makes me happy. Somehow...

14. I want to eat and eat and eat; just for the reason that I won't get these food in my country.

15. I have a dream to see all the Wonders of The World. I did visit one. 

16. I wanted to ride all possible public transport, train, bus and etc overseas.

17. I want to find myself, again.

These are some of the reasons why I backpack. Some might just be generic, I bet many travelers or backpackers have the same reasons. It is the excitement being out, lost, hungy, tired while seeing something that is totally different. It was all worth while. 

24 things I learned through backpacking.

There is a lot more to what is written here. All those experiences; how it has shape me into the person I am today. Hope it will inspire you to actually pack your backpack and just travel! 

1. Yes, I failed my University but many children never have the chance to even go to school.

2. I'm full, jut throw away that food. Many people eat from the garbage. Yes, I've seen that.

3. I am a Muslim, I'm not terrorist. I'm American and I'm not Islam-phobic. 

4. People offer your beer, you decline. They respect you and actually get you other drink just so that you can hang out with them.

5. Hugging is pretty normal for traveler. It may be awkward for us Asian but it's a good gesture.No harm.

6. Not every White are from America, go learn Geography. 

7. French people love it when you speak their language. It gets a long way. 

8. Heck, not only the French loves it, basically if you can speak any or little foreign languages, natives love it. 

9. Street food is the best food. In fact, the Michelin Stars should be awarded to these hawkers. 

10. Being a Muslim is not a barrier to travel. There shouldn't be any fear.

11. Sharing a glass of hot tea with other backpacker will help bond your relationship.

12. Internet is indeed the Goddess of information. Ditch you bulky travel guide books.

13. I can now eat while other friends eat pork or drink beer. I learn how to adapt. 

15. Grasshopper is not as gross as you think. Just imagine eating crispy prawn with extra legs and wings. 

16. Never ever leave any of your important stuffs(passport, credit card , etc) in your backpack that you keep in the luggage compartment in the bus in Thailand. 

17. Have a debit card or credit card, it helps during emergency. 

18. If it rains, just go out. Tell me, in what odd chance you can play in the rain in a foreign country?

19. Learn how to differentiate drinking water and mineral water. Well, you don't want to be ripped off aites?

20. Hearing stories and experiences from other backpackers/ travelers will toughen you. Physically and emotionally.

21. Getting lost in a foreign country is the best way to know the place well.

22. If you think there is people following you, just make a random stop at a nearby shop. They will usually walk away. 

23. Vegetarian is not bad. Seriously.

24. Bargaining skill is essential. You might just get half-price to travel long -haul. 

What's your "24 things I learned through backpacking/ traveling"?