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 […]
Bayview Hotel Georgetown, Another Penang Staycation Gem
I love the Bayview Hotel Georgetown. The Bayview Hotel Georgetown recently saved my Penang staycation and went straight to the top of my list of favorite Penang hotels. Like most regular travelers to Penang, I have a selection of preferred hotels I usually book with. In fact, I have my 3 favorites hotels that many […]
Thrifting Langkawi Style: Best of Langkawi Bundle & Thrift Shops
Although I’m very familiar with thrift shops, I’d never heard about bundle shops until I moved to Southeast Asia. My first encounter was at the Greenway Night Market in Hat Yai, Thailand. Stall after stall of piles of clothes spilling out from the shop entrances. Some items more bizarre than others, yet a potential gold […]
Should You Take the Plunge at Splash Out Langkawi Waterpark? Yes!
Splash Out Langkawi Waterpark had so many starts and stops I had almost forgotten about them. Officially opening in December 2019, it was only a few months later that all of Langkawi was in ‘lockdown’. Nothing worse than a pandemic to tarnish a grand opening. And serves me right for procrastinating too. I should have […]
12 Langkawi Picnic Spots Loved by Locals
Who doesn’t love a picnic, am I right? Picnics in Langkawi are especially popular with the island’s local residents. From dramatic waterfall locations to nearly empty beaches, young and old alike savor their makan moments in Langkawi’s great outdoors. But when it comes to those special Langkawi picnic spots? Some folks seem to think all […]
First Time Visitor’s Guide to Alor Setar, Malaysia
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 […]
Gamat, Langkawi’s Ginseng of the Sea
It’s been over a decade since I was first introduced to Gamat; Langkawi’s Magical Sea Cucumber. At the time, I was appropriately impressed with this unusual local product turned successful cottage industry, and even wrote a short blog post about it. I’ve since learned more about the unusual sea creature, and surprised that its medicinal […]