Malaysia spans approximately 1,300 km (808 miles) from north to south and 800 km (497 miles) from west to east, covering around 330,803 km² (127,724) square miles. This is about the same size as Finland, Norway, and Vietnam. It is slightly bigger than New Mexico in the USA and Victoria in Australia. Getting around can involve flying, driving or using the train system. Riding the rails is my focus today. Malaysia’s transport network consists of three key components: 1. West Coast Line from Johor Bahru/Woodlands in the south to Padang Besar on Thai border (red…
New Month, New Travels, New Challenges— One Unforgettable Border Crossing
My busy travel schedule kicks off this month! This year, I will visit Brazil, China, Colombia, Finland, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, South Africa (first time!), Switzerland and the USA amongst a few other places. January has included air and rail journeys through Malaysia and Thailand… January included a stingray attack amidst a relaxing time in Krabi, my first flight with Batik Air, and completing all the rail routes in Malaysia and Thailand—every station, every line. Posts are coming this week. I also crossed by foot from Malaysia into Thailand’s Deep South which was anything but…
Being Captured by Captivating Krabi: Thailand’s Cultural and Natural Paradise
I just had to share some photos from my recent trip to the southern Thailand province of Krabi, where I spent a few days. Located along the Andaman Sea coast, Krabi offers visitors picturesque islands such as Phi Phi Islands, Railay Beach, and Ao Nang. The province is known for its stunning natural beauty, including rugged mountains, lush forests, limestone cliffs, clear waters, sandy beaches, and abundant marine life. Over the years, Krabi has gained international popularity due to these natural attractions. The province’s history dates back centuries, and its culture is influenced by Thai…
80 Years Later: Why we must remember the Holocaust
Today, 27 January, marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp in 1945. This day is now recognised as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, or the International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. I have now visited three Nazi-era concentration camps: Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg (1936–1945), Auschwitz (1940–1945), and Dachau (1933–1945). Each visit left me with different emotions, but Dachau (pic below), in particular, was the most emotional for me. The Holocaust resulted in the genocide of six million Jewish people, along with countless others from marginalised groups, including Gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses,…
From Tiny Slips to Big Stories: Boarding Passes Remind Me of 2024 Adventures
While sorting through my 2024 travel souvenirs today, I gathered these boarding passes from most of my flights from last year. These are tiny and powerful reminders of my incredible adventures built around the 99 flights with 29 airlines I took last year to 28 countries. Some people collect postcards, others fridge magnets—I seem to collect boarding passes! I probably have a thousand of them now! Sign of a true nerd? Most likely. These small slips of paper are mementos of my journeys, reminding me of smooth and chaotic flights. They trigger memories, for example,…
Flying Batik Air for the First Time: What You Need to Know
I have been avoiding Batik Air for a long time, but I finally decided to try them. This review reflects my first experience with Batik Air, an airline that enjoys many negative Trip Advisor reviews. Summary Rating: 61%Route: Krabi to Kuala Lumpur, 667 km, 1 hour 16 minuteAirline: Batik Air is a member of the Lion Air Group of Indonesia, comprising Batik Air Indonesia, Super Air Jet, Lion Air, Wings Air, Biz Jet and Thai Lion Air. Batik is a Malaysian hybrid full-service carrier and flies to several Southeast Asian destinations, founded in 2013 as…
Stingray attack -a reminder of the need for Travel Insurance
I was just by the beach in southern Thailand, gearing up for a beautiful sunset beachside wedding. After a nice Thai lunch and a good cup of Es Yen (local Thai iced coffee), I figured I’d have a swim in the hotel’s net-enclosed beachside swimming area, designed to keep out the “nasties.” I had finished my laps and was heading toward the shore when suddenly, I felt a sharp, sudden sting in my ankle, followed by intense pain and a strange, keyhole-shaped wound. My yelp of pain, shock, and surprise attracted the attention of nearby…
Dreaming Differently- Czech Airlines in a Parallel World
In the 2000s, I loved seeing the OK tails of CSA Czech Airlines at airports around the world. I never actually flew them, but I wish I had. On Friday, I wrote about the airlines we lost in 2024. One of the most prominent was Czech Airlines’. As the fifth-oldest airline in the world and the third to fly a jet aeroplane, Czech Airlines (CSA) held a special place in European aviation. With its closure, I feel we’ve lost a part of aviation history. Reflecting on CSA , I was reminded of the famous Czech…
Skyward No More: The Airlines We Lost in 2024
Each year, I reflect on the airlines we lost over the past 12 months. While I much prefer writing about thriving airlines, examining closures offers insight into the industry’s harsh realities. Most airlines that ceased operations in the past year were small-scale ventures. Some, like ČSA Czech Airlines, LIAT, and Air Malta, carried historic names and legacies, while others were new players with big ambitions. Several carriers sought to disrupt markets or introduce unique business models. For instance, HumoAir dreamed of connecting 60 destinations within a year, and Bonza promised affordable airfares tailored to Australians.…
Flying Around the World for “Free”: A Frequent Flyer Adventure
Flying around the globe is the holy grail of travel. In August and September 2024, I flew 29,099 miles (46,622 km) around the world, mainly in Business Class. My aiming was to use frequent flyer points to cover most of the journey. Many people have been curious about how I managed it, so here we go… My journey started and finished in Sydney, Australia and took me to: Paying outright for a similar round-the-world itinerary in Business Class would have cost between $14,986 and $16,545 USD, not including taxes and fees. For Business Class tickets,…
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