Hokkaido Japan: Winter Wanderings Begin

Winter in Hokkaido was destined to be an unforgettable experience. My travel companions had warned me about the intense cold, so I packed my luggage with the thickest winter coats and layers, including Long Johns, purchased just two weeks before our flight (COLOMBO & NUWARA ELIYA SRI LANKA). As soon as we landed at New Chitose International Airport, after transiting from Bangkok, the bone-chilling cold hit me, making me feel like I was being blown apart by the freezing wind.

New Chitose Airport, located about 50 kilometers from the central hub of Sapporo, is a marvel. It's the largest gateway to Hokkaido, handling over 20 million passengers annually with seamless access to both domestic and international destinations. Stepping into this vast, immaculate space, I understood why it was the perfect entry point for our Hokkaido adventure.

Colombo - Sri Lanka: From Dreams to Discovery

As I headed to Colombo, I felt a deep sense of love and excitement (GALLE & NUWARA ELIYA). Since childhood, Colombo was the only place in Sri Lanka I had heard about because it was always mentioned when someone spoke about the country. Consequently, it had always been in my mind. Now, the time had come to unlock those feelings and experience the city for myself. However, there was also a hint of sadness, knowing this trip would end by late evening tomorrow when I'd fly back home. While I missed my hub, the thought of returning to my responsibilities felt overwhelming.

Determined to make the most of my remaining time, we made several stops along the route from Galle to Colombo. We visited two different beaches, likely between Unawatuna Beach, Hikkaduwa Beach, Bentota Beach, Beruwala Beach, and Mount Lavinia Beach. Each beach had stunning, mesmerizing waters that left me in awe. The beauty of these beaches was truly mind-blowing.

Galle - Sri Lanka: Exploring Famed Sightseeing Spots

Our day started at the Okrin Hotel in Kataragama with a breakfast that truly awakened my senses. The buffet offered two choices: Western or Sri Lankan. While my four companions went for the Western option, I opted for the Sri Lankan breakfast. Despite a brief 20-minute wait, the meal that awaited me was well worth it. The flavors of Rice Cakes, Coconut Sambol and Fish Curry were so captivating that even those who had chosen the Western breakfast couldn’t resist sneaking a bite from my plate. I felt deeply grateful for this mouthwatering experience as we prepared to leave Kataragama and head towards Galle (KATARAGAMA & KANDY).

Kataragama - Sri Lanka: Sacred Trails and Serene Adventures

Another morning began with our customary hotel buffet breakfast (Negambo & Nuwara Eliya) before setting off early along winding roads, surrounded by unfolding hilltop vistas and nature on all sides. Our journey took an unexpected pause when we spotted a waterfall, prompting us to request our driver to pull over, much to his initial reluctance due to parking constraints. Undeterred, we insisted and made our way to Rawana Ella Falls, discovering that we had ventured into the Ella district. 

While most of our group seemed disinterested, myself and a fellow traveler eagerly approached the fence overlooking Rawana Waterfall. Standing there, I was captivated by the sight and sound of the 82-foot cascade, known as one of Sri Lanka’s widest waterfalls. Nestled within the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary, about six kilometers from the Ella Railway Station. The experience offered breathtaking views of the falls and the pristine surroundings of Ella.

Nuwara Eliya - Sri Lanka: Hillside One Day Retreat

Up at 6 AM, I packed our luggage (Kandy, Sri Lanka), ensuring nothing was left behind, especially my phone.  After breakfast at the hotel, we hit the road by 9 AM. Our driver made an unexpected stop at a two-story retail outlet, giving us an hour for some retail therapy. While I wasn't keen on shopping, others in our group bought sarees, t-shirts, and silver pots. Watching a group of Chinese tourists excitedly trying on sarees was entertaining.

Kandy (Rambukkana/Mawanella/Kandy) - Sri Lanka

Negombo to Kandy was our route for the day. Two stops were already planned, with the main highlight being the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - a must-see for most travelers on this route. When we arrived around 11:30am, the place was bustling, even during the off-peak season, with a majority of Western tourists. The orphanage, set in a vast open area, greeted us with flying dust and the blazing Sri Lankan sun. We walked alongside hundreds of visitors, passing by stalls and petty traders, making our way to the riverbank where elephants were bathing and having fun.

The sight was incredible. Harmless, friendly, huge, and small elephants were everywhere. You could take pictures with them, as close as you dared, for a fee. Alternatively, you could just enjoy watching from a distance, though you had to be careful on the slippery surface and avoid getting pushed by the crowd. After about half an hour at the riverbank, we made our way back to the main road, just in time to see the elephant parade. The elephants obediently crossed the road right in front of us, though I couldn’t tell where they were heading.  Orphanage, most probably to the elephant orphanage.

Negambo - Sri Lanka: A Serene Escape Amidst Traditional Fishing Life

Ready for my adventure to Sri Lanka, I breezed through immigration only to be stopped by a customs officer. He seemed suspicious, maybe because I was traveling alone. After thoroughly checking my luggage, he asked how much money I had. When I said RM700.00, he acted like it was a fortune, grilling me endlessly. Despite explaining it was for spending, he wouldn't relent. Finally, with no real reason to hold me, he let me go. I joined a group of five Malaysian Chinese, part of my tour, and thankfully, one of them approached me before we got into the van.

Our first stop was lunch at St. Lachan Hotel, set in a beautiful garden. We were greeted with 'ayubowan,' a Sinhalese greeting similar to Namaste. As we nibbled on crispy snacks and got acquainted, we waited for our food. The 20-minute wait was worth it as we enjoyed an amazing meal, especially the fish curry with veggies and rice.

Surakarta (Solo) - Jogyakarta

The last day. In fact, the finale. The finale to our sightseeing before we permanently bid bye-bye to Yogyakarta. That's right everyone. Our last day to sightseeing which will put a permanent full-stop before we pack our bags and return home next morning. Will I return to "Jogja" again? I don't think so (Jogyakarta Part 3 & Jogyakarta Part 2) because I am one person who seldom travel venture to the same destination again and I think we have to a certain extent already achieved much in terms of Jogja sightseeing. Or maybe, just saying, there are other sightseeing spots we have missed out? Then again, what else can you do in Jogja? (Mount Merapi Tour & Borobudur Yogyakarta)? You tell me. For those of you who have already travel conquered Jogyakarta at the back of your hands, maybe you will be the best person who can tell?    

Yogyakarta, Indonesia ( Day 3) - Nava K Trailed

Buffet breakfast.The first and foremost on our third day. Buffet breakfast, as you know travellers, those of you who travel for business or pleasure so be it, generally is included in our hotel stay Unless otherwise? You have opted out for reasons only you know best? You and your reasons could possibly be? You are not a breakfast person or you prefer to seek your own, your start-up meal of the day? You can. Certainly. But make sure when you book your room, you have made it known. Some hotels do allow, others, sorry to say, I think you have to take the deal. I usually, I grab the deal whenever I am galloping the horizon. Easier, convenient and saves my time. Local inbound tripping on the contrary, well, a different food matter altogether for me. I won’t mind, sure, I am all in for walking my Malaysian ground for food seeking (Kuantan Pahang & Vistana Kuantan City Centre). Anywhere. Literally. Coffee shops or even street stalls. 

Kuantan (Pahang) - Nava K Travel Guide (Part 2)

Where else and what else for us in Kuantan (Kuantan Part 1 & Vistana Kuantan)? Well, food spotting or perhaps better for me to say as dinner hunger tucking in. Food of course is a compulsory matter right, no matter where we are? Whether we have crossed the horizon for out of the country travel venturing or within our own country in-bound? Precisely. Weather in Kuantan on this day, hell-hack of a weather. Rainy day. Rain which started pouring, mind you, one of the heaviest for causing sky darkness as early as 6.00pm and we on the other hand, braving rain for heading to Ana Ikan Bakar Petai. At the suggestion of our Kuantan friend who have been driving us around from the time we arrived in Kuantan. According to him further, Ana Ikan Bakar Petai seemingly is the populous. In other words, the popularity. Ana Ikan Bakar Petai is the one that draws much more customers compared to the rest of the other ikan bakar/grilled fish eateries I bet you will notice while on your way to within this specific long stretch of road. Ana Ikan Bakar Petai and the rest however are simultaneous. Meaning, these are the unassuming, basic, stall kinda concept eateries and most probably, I'm guessing by the way, offering the same kinda food.    

Jogyakarta, Indonesia - Day 2, (Part 2)

What a start for the day. Interesting, trilling, exciting, mind boggling and sweat dripping profusely as well. In fact, I must tell you that its been a promising Jogyakarta so far. First day basically exposing us to our first full blown Jogyakarta meal, followed by the hours, around, all around as far further as we could by walking our legs in and out of Jalan Malioboro (Yogyakarta, Indonesia). This morning on the other hand, anyone for the matter who come this far to Jogyakarta will, must seek and explore Borobudur. Borobudur definitely being the height for sunrise watching and Borobudur Temple by itself the lock, stock and barrel of Yogyakarta travelling porn. Thereafter, we heading to the other packaged together tourist spots (Yogyakarta Day 2) and later, my-my, the other side of Jogyakarta must experience, mountain trailing Mount Merapi adventure (Mount Merapi Jeep Tour), which by far is about understanding and gasping the facts to Mount Merapi and its after effects, fieriness consequences. Up next? Our scheduled lunch brekkie. Badly looked forward to due to jeep tour ending us energy drained, plus, remember, we wee hours jump starting our day? Honestly, once Merapi Jeep Tour ended, food hunger throne had automatically taken charge of our mind until it didn't matter where lunch will be. Neither did we bother checking with our tour guide. Nevertheless, never did we expect in our slightest moment that lunch will be a top notch, on all counts stealer in Restaurant Timpul Roso.      

Kuantan (Pahang) - My Travel Guide

Kuantan and this lady Nava K, seriously, dead serious actually, who want to achieve one of her missions, for the longest time she has been harbouring “To Love Malaysia Is To Discover Malaysia”? She mind you, no doubt been doing good so far, yet, she is not going to pull the brakes to inbound sightseeing (Penang Sightseeing, Pulau Ketam & Langkawi). What about Kuantan, are you asking? Honestly, we were alien to each other. We never ever met at all. This is our first ever time. Strange isn't it? I know. Speak about what else and the things we are aiming to achieve, while knowingly or unknowingly allowing the years to pass by, and then, without us realising, kick the bucket or living to regret? Inevitably.

Mount Merapi Jeep Tour - Jogyakarta, Indonesia (From Nava K To You)

Adventurous exciting one hack of a hack Yogyakarta jeep sightseeing tour. Loved it to every bit of its core until its still memorable till this day as I pitch my this travelling gram. Mount Merapi Jeep Tour, in case you don’t know or you have not heard of, is a must do. No matter what, I suggest you include it if you have come this far to this part of the world. Trust me, you won’t regret because each and every moment you ponder back on your Jogyakarta travel tripping, I can assure you that Mount Merapi Jeep Tour will pop up on your mind. Utterly, my one of the best among the rest of my treasured lifetime experience. Wee hours conquered and broken in Borobudur Temple, followed by other eye catching sightseeing segments (Jogyakarta Day 2, Borobudur & Yogyakarta Day 1), subsequently,  Mount Merapi Jeep Tour wild card pulled out from the rest of the itinerary cards the moment we arrived at the not really a big open space where we hopped into the jeep. Three to a jeep for kick starting our one and a half hours Mount Merapi Jeep Tour. For those of you who will be doing your own free and easy sightseeing instead of like our tour package, you also have to decide between the different jeep tour packages, of course, money paying simultaneously.  

Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Airbnb, no air whatever air home stay, relatives/friend’s house or hotels? Say all you want, say all you like or say none, perhaps better for you not to open your mouth, hotel is definitely our absolute number one pick. Hotel. Yes hotel. Not the budgeted nor low cost hotels though, neither we are free loaders, nothing is free in this world for your information, but a decent hotel we can afford. Of course, given a choice, I want the best among the rest. Maybe if there's 7 star or 8 star high status exclusive hotels, I want it all. Yet, the reality is otherwise. Unless money is sunny, come on people, let's get real. Can we travel within our means? Precisely. 

Yogyakarta Day 2 - From Nava K To You

Eventually and finally. My lifelong, for the years I have been stalling mission, my many years put on hold mission eventually became reality. Borobudur (Borobudur & Yogyakarta Travel Guide) finally, yippee-yeh, listed as an achievement on my travelling wonder lust. What’s the big deal, are you asking me? Excuse me? Of course, it is definitely a big deal for an average ordinary Malaysian like me. Malaysians like me, we not only juggle between our high daily financial commitment and monthly cost of living, we mind you, have to provide for our aged parents and siblings who are money dependent on us as well. Only thereafter, anything extra we struggle to save bit by bit is kept aside as our money revenue for exploring the world.Trust me, unlike our current generation who are money pampered and money handed out in a silver platter by parents, or dolls who hassle money from sugar daddies, for us, in our fifties, its our hard earned precious money. Money by right we should be keeping aside for our old age instead of travel spending because, as I have already said before (Attractions In Penang), expect no much from children who won't hesitate dumping you when you can't fan for yourself, Sadly, this is the reality bullet from our supposedly educated, professional and earning well Generation Y.     

Borobudur - Yogyakarta (From Nava K To You)

12am to 3am. 3 hours of Nava K’s cat nap. Fairly fair I suppose. As it is, sleeping is hell for me on most days, sometimes, every now and then, its no doubt an appreciated my bed at home heaven, but no matter what, no matter how many times I sleep alone while travelling, this madness of scary shit sleeping alone is still bitchy. Nevertheless, the few hours of to and fro from Malioboro Street (Yogyakarta Indonesia), forget not I was up from bed so early for catching my flight and trust me, in and out of airports can get tiring as well, I think did justice for sleep knocking me. Jumping out of bed at the ring of my phone almost instantly, worried if I will keep the rest waiting, I showered, I sipped into the coffee at my own service in my room and I came down to the lobby where I collected the packed breakfast. Sandwiches and some cut fruits in a plastic container. No buffet breakfast on this day because we had to depart by 4.00am for Borobudur Sunrise Watching. And so we did. Sharp on the dot, maybe give in and gave, our 45 minutes journey, approximately, to Central Java landed us in Borobudur.