2016 has been yet another busy travelling year full of boundless adventures. My writing skill landed me a title as award winner travel writer on the piece I wrote about Mulu National Park, Sarawak. It was an accolade by the prestigious Malaysia Tourism Award 2014/2015 which was judged by merits. Many international assignments also flowed my way giving me a chance to get to know the who’s who in blogging community and learned a great deal from them, travel bloggers and social media influencers. This is a summary of WHERE I HAVE BEEN IN 2016.
WHERE I HAVE BEEN IN 2016 – JANUARY
I started 2016 with an impromptu trip to Hanoi to join my father who was on his final leg of a backpacking trip around Indochina. My late grandmother passed away and he was too far the nearest airport to make it home for the final respect. I did not want my father to be alone, so I made the trip for one week as we explored Hanoi and the Unesco Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay and trekked in Sapa. Not to forget, coming back from Sapa to -1 degree celsius Hanoi.
WHERE I HAVE BEEN IN 2016 – MARCH
Due to tremendous support, I was selected to be one of the participants for Kerala Blog Express 3. I spent 14 days travelling around Kerala on the exclusively painted bus with 39 other bloggers from around the world. It was my first international exposure. From Kerala Backwater Cruise to hiking the Suryanelli peak to stroll the old spice market in Kochi to staying at a homestay in Wayanad, I came to realise that Kerala is nothing like the India I know. If you are reading me for the first time, I travelled India extensively but Kerala was my first south India destination.
Palembang
The same month I joined a hiking expedition in Terengganu, where I had the worst skin allergic reaction in my entire life. A portion of my arm could be likened to a lizard’s skin. I spent hundred of dollars to treat my arm including to whiten the scar.
WHERE I HAVE BEEN IN 2016 – APRIL
I participated in a frog race in Lambir Hill National Park, Sarawak. After a short stint of frog race at Kubah National Park, Sarawak, I was adamant to participate in my first ever frog race, where you hunt for frogs and take pictures of them without disturbing them in their natural environments. Although I didn’t find as many frogs I wanted to, what more a frog prince, it was yet another adventure for me.
I also accidentally took a stroll along the traditional market in Miri called Tamu Muhibbah.
I was invited by a homestay operator, Mr Iswandy from Sibuti to stay at a fisherman village. It was during this trip that I was exposed to one of the many sub-ethnics in Sarawak, Malaysia. There are more than 40 sub-ethnics in Sarawak. As in other parts of Borneo, the Kedayan people are full of distinctive cultures. Coincidentally, I was there during Pesta Makan Tahun, thanksgiving festival for the community in Bekenu (where I was), Limbang, Lawas, Brunei and Sabah. It is equivalent to Gawai Dayak of Sarawak and Tadau Keamatan of Sabah.
WHERE I HAVE BEEN IN 2016 – MAY
I made two trips to explore the Old Kedah Kingdom, a newly found archaeological site which is said to be older than the Angkor Wat Kingdom.
Few weeks later, I was invited to experience ATV ride in Bentong, Pahang – the third largest state in Malaysia.
WHERE I HAVE BEEN IN 2016 – JUNE
I did not plan to go anywhere in the month of June. But a surprise visit from a blogger friend I met in Palembang, The Pink Traveller, triggered an impromptu visit to Penang and Putrajaya.
WHERE I HAVE BEEN IN 2016 – JULY
I went on another 2 weeks holiday courtesy of Wonderful Indonesia, as I embarked on a 10 days journey exploring Makassar, Bandung, Ijen and Lombok. Together with me was 39 South East Asia social media influencers.
I have extended my Wonderful Indonesia trip by going to Banjarmasin, with a primary purpose of visiting Lok Baintan Floating Market.
WHERE I HAVE BEEN IN 2016 – AUGUST
I went back to Sarawak in August for the world famous Rainforest World Music Festival. Boy, I had so much fun in three days attending the workshops during the day and listening to awesome music at night.
Also in the month of August, I participated in Malaysia Airport Treasure Hunt that brings us from Kuala Lumpur to Penang using the trunk road. Though we did not win any prize, we had a quick Penang trip where I got to explore new places like the Hin Bus Depot where heritage and art meet.
WHERE I HAVE BEEN IN 2016 – SEPTEMBER
Another Wonderful Indonesia surprised me on the month of September as I was sent by Gaya Magazine for a diving assignment in Komodo National Park. Apart from the 2 days diving in what is one of the best dive sites in the world, I saw the komodo dragons and the famous scenic view from Padar Island.
Coming back from Komodo National Park, I joined my blogger friends for one of the best Citrawarna, the most awaited cultural show in Malaysia. The theme for 2016 was folklore and legends.
WHERE I HAVE BEEN IN 2016 – OCTOBER
I attended Travel Blog Exchange Asia held in the Philippines. For the period of seven days, I was surrounded with like minded bloggers who speak and share only good things to one another. I also had the opportunity to explore Philippines from the pre-tbex trip to Taal Volcano and post-tbex trip to Leyte which made the international news few years ago after the devastated Haiyan/Yolanda typhoon. It is rejuvenating to see the Taclobanons rebuilding their lives after the devastating tragedy.
I went diving too with Buceo Anilao.
WHERE I HAVE BEEN IN 2016 – DECEMBER
I made my first trip to the African continent because I could not resist the cheap airfare on promo when Airasia first flew to Mauritius. It was also my first solo road trip abroad. It was lonely as hell. But I got to meet many new people on my last day in Mauritius.
Just after Christmas, I was leaving for another Sarawak adventures. This time to Bakun to join the Kenyah tribe celebrating the Kelimpun Lepo Badeng 2016. It was my first time staying in a traditional long house 5 hours away from Miri. The trip redefines my Sarawak adventures! I’ll definitely write about my experience soon.
As you can see, I spent most of my time around Asia in 2016. I’d be covering more of Europe and other Asian countries for this year. And of course, more Sarawak adventures.