3 days in Langkawi

MALAYSIA

I have been to Langkawi with my family a couple of times but a trip with family and a trip with friends are incomparable. Going for a vacation with my family holds me back from exploring or trying out new activities where else with friends, you can basically do whatever you want (provided your friend are on the same boat as you). Hence on this trip, my friend and I decided to strike off a few things off our bucketlist!

Day 1 – Explore Kuah

A visit to Langkawi is incomplete without visiting the famous Dataran Lang. It is a famous photo spot featuring a huge eagle statue just beside the waterfront plaza. The reason why eagle’s representing Langkawi is from its name ‘Langkawi’ itself. In malay, helang means eagle, where else kawi stands for reddish brown. If you happen to be in Kuah on Wednesday or Saturday, do not forget to drop by Kuah Night Market as well! It opens from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm.

**Dataran Lang**
📍 Persiaran Putera Kuah, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia

Day 2 – Ziplining & Langkawi’s Cable Car

Go on a zipline adventures tour which can be reserved via Klook! I chose the big zipline waterfall adventure which cost us about $150 SGD. It is quite pricey but I promise you that the experience is worth it! We really did enjoy our ziplining experience with Umgawa. Ziplining just above the waterfall is surreal! The tour guides are very friendly and helpful too. This package includes:

A 2 to 2.5-hour adventure
Fly 80m high over the Seven Wells Waterfall
12 Ziplines and 3 Bridges
Great abseil
Honeymoon Double Line
4 Free HD pictures at the base
Free One-way transport to Umgawa
A truly immersive and engaging adventure through the treetops

After ziplining, the team dropped us over at the cable car which is just 5 mins drive away. The tickets for the cable car cost RM40 for adults. If you are afraid of heights, then this is the time for you to conquer your fear! Get on the cable car and watch as it goes up the mountain. It was quite terrifying to be honest because the cable is so steep! One thing to note about going to the sky bridge is the weather; we were there in May and it has been raining. Hence, sky bridge was closed and we had to wait for quite some time for the rain to stop before it opens again.

Day 3 – Jetski tour & Parasailing

We bought a 4 hour jet ski tour via Klook at $234 SGD for double riders. The guide will bring you to island to another island. Transport from your hotel is provided too! We were lucky that there were no other groups on the tour with us, so it kind of felt like a private tour. Jetski was SO much fun! I would definitely do it again and again (oh how I wish it is not an expensive activity). After the 4 hours tour, we chill at Pantai Cenang waiting for the sunset to come. We had booked for a parasailing trip before sunset at the beach that morning for RM120 per person (which can be bargained). Parasailing looks scary but it is actually pretty chill when you are at the top. There is nothing to be scary about. In my opinion, ziplining has more thrill as compared to parasailing!

All in all, I definitely loved this trip as we get to try out new things! If you are travelling around via taxi, then I would recommend you stay around Pantai Cenang as it is a very accessible location.

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Hong Kong in the winter

CHINA

Being in Hong Kong in winter felt amazing. It is not too cold nor hot. It is always nice to escape to somewhere that is not hot and humid like Singapore. Not to mention all those pretty Christmas lights in the streets are so mood lifting. If you would like to visit Hong Kong, I would definitely recommend travelling in Nov – Jan.

Victoria Peak

The best way to get to Victoria Peak is via group tour. With this, you get to skip the long lines queuing for the tram. You can easily made an advanced booking via Klook. We went to see Madame Tussaud’s as well but it was not as great as the one I have been to (Bangkok, London) hence I would not recommend.

Causeway Bay

Going to causeway bay is a must too, especially if you want to shop! There are many high end malls around the area. It is pretty nice to be there during winter because of all the Christmas decorations. The holiday vibe is real y’all.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Disneyland Hong Kong, you have definitely wow-ed me last winter! I would love to come back again (only in winter). The only problem was there were SO many people and there are long queues everywhere. It is probably best to get express pass ticket to be able to enjoy all the rides! I bought the normal pass and have missed out on a lot of rides, sadly. Next goal, to stay in Disneyland hotel for at least a night! Anyone?

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3 days in Krabi

THAILAND

My friend and I have agreed on flying to Krabi for our University Graduation Trip before committing to a full time job. All of our activities booking were made at Krabi airport itself. They have tour package including transport provided to and from airport. We had booked a 2 days tour for Island Hopping and ATV. We stayed in Marina Express Hotel and I actually think that it is a perfect location for Muslims guest. The mosque was just beside the hotel and there were many halal food vendors along the streets. I loved the hotel as it was so cozy!

📍 Marina Express, Fisherman Hotel in Ao Nang
About $50 per night including breakfast

Day 1 – Island hopping

We went for the Phi Phi Island tour package which includes Bamboo Island, Viking Cave, Lohsamah Bay (for snorkelling), Pileh Bay, Maya Bay, Monkey Beach and Phi Phi Don. I heard Phi Phi Island has the prettiest beach but unfortunately I did not see any due to the limited time given to explore the Island. Based on my experience, I felt that Bamboo Island was the prettiest. It was my first time snorkelling and honestly I was terrified that I had to stick next to my friend all the time. If you ask me, I did not exactly enjoy my first snorkeling experience (but all is different now – I love snorkeling!)

Day 2 – ATV tour

ATV tour includes going for an elephant ride, visiting the emerald pool and obviously, an hour of ATV ride. It was actually saddening looking at the condition of the elephants in Krabi as it looks like they were being abused. Our last stop of the day was riding on an ATV however it was pouring so heavily at that point of time. In the end, we get on the ATV in the rain which honestly was so much fun but I am not going to lie though, an hour of riding the ATV hurts my thumb so bad. I am glad we did it because, one bucketlist off the checklist!

Day 3 – Exploring Railay Beach from Ao Nang

We took the boat from Ao Nang to Railay Beach and I just have to warn you, DO NOT sit at the front of the boat or you will get SOAKED. The ride to Railay beach was super bumpy due to the strong current but it was fun for me – not so fun if you have motion sickness. It was nice spending the day chilling at Railay Beach. We ended our day by watching the sunset at Ao Nang beach and I think it was the prettiest beach sunset I have ever seen thus far.

How much did we spent?

Flight – $100 SGD
Return trip airport to hotel – 1000 Baht/$50 SGD
Island hopping & ATV tour – 1500 Baht + 200 Baht (for national entrance fee)/$60 SGD + $8 SGD (for national entrance fee)
Boat to Railay – 800 Baht per boat for 8 pax

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What to do in Glasgow, Scotland

SCOTLAND

Glasgow. 1 month overseas immersion program was such an amazing learning point for me. Having roommates, time to explore places, studying in one of the most beautiful University I have ever seen; basically I had one of the best time ever. I actually miss having roommates, knocking on their doors whenever I am bored or having annoying team mates banging on my door while I am napping. Good times. Honestly, when I first arrived at Murano Student Village, I had a love-hate relationship due to having inconsiderate flat mates. The room is definitely not COZY but we started decorating our rooms along the way making it feel like home. Anyway, here is what we did while in Glasgow!

Loch Lomond lake

Loch Lomond is the largest loch in Scotland, the largest fresh water lake on the island of Great Britain and probably the most famous after Loch Ness.

University of Glasgow

What is that one word that you would use to describe UOG? Mine is Hogwarts for sure! I am in awe whenever I am at the main building. I was so proud to find out that Ayat Ayat Cinta 2 actually filmed some of their scenes at my University. So beautiful!

The famous shopping streets, Buchanan Street!

You can shop till you drop here. How my friends and I shop there: Primark, primark and primark. Lush and Nike are one of our favorites go-to store too! Miss coming here almost everyday to shop for clothes and food, haha.

Glasgow Botanic Garden

Great place for a picnic or photo-shoots! The Kibble Palace is one of the largest glass hours in Britain and features a handful or rare orchids!

The Lighthouse

The lighthouse is about 45m high filled with a lot of arts and a spiral staircase that will lead you to a viewing platform. This building is actually designed to hold up to 8000 gallon of water in case the building catch a fire. Great prep right there!

Riverside Museum

Riverside museum is one of the interesting museums I have seen. It contains all kinds of vehicle in history that you would probably have seen in old movies. On top of it all, you can also visit the Tall Ship just behind the museum! If you ever wonder how a ship looks like on the inside, then you should go. I was amazed by how huge it is on the inside as compared to the outside.

Kelvingrove Museum

Kelvingrove museum and park is located near University of Glasgow. This museum will make you feel as if you are in the Night of the Museum movie. I wish I have more photos taken but silly me forgot to bring my camera that day!

City Chambers

City Chambers is located at George Square, nearby the city centre too! It is easily one of the most WOW architecture I have seen in Glasgow. It looks like a palace! Entrance is free and in order to see what it is like on the inside, you have to adhere to their visiting hours. They have only 2 time slots, in the morning and in the afternoon. Definitely worth a visit! It is a pity that they do not allow you to take pictures in most part of the building hence you should go and see for yourself!

Glasgow Science Centre

Glasgow Science Centre entrance is not free, unfortunately! But definitely worth the visit! Lots of cool activities and shows so it is fun to go with your friends.

People Palace

It is closed on Monday. I repeat. It is closed on Monday. My friends and I were silly enough to visit on a Monday morning. At least we get to see the famous fountain, haha!

Ruchill Park

Definitely should visit if you want to watch the sunrise or sunset from up above! I loved how you get to see a 360 degree view of Glasgow City. I am glad that this park is actually located behind our dorm.

Glasgow is one of my favorite cities ever. The people in Glasgow are so lovely. I definitely would come back one day just to pay a visit at the University and also to visit other places in Scotland that I have missed!

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2 days in Edinburgh, Scotland

SCOTLAND

Edinburgh is definitely one of the must-go places in Scotland! It’s great for shopping, hiking or sight-seeing around the city. I had a day trip from Glasgow to Edinburgh for 2 days – a day spent hiking and another spent exploring.

Hiking at Arthur Seat

📍 Edinburgh EH8 8AZ, UK

Fun fact about Arthur Seat is that it is actually an extinct volcano in Edinburgh! The volcano now is covered with green grass. The height of Authur Seat is 251m and it takes about 30-60 minutes to hike up depending on your route. Going up is challenging but going down is terrifying due to the steep rocks.

Walk to Calton Hill

It is half the height of Arthur Seat. You can definitely get a nice view of the city from up here. Calton Hill is designed to commemorate the many brave men who gave their lives during the Napoleonic Wars. However it is not completely built because they did not have enough budget for it. Despite not being completely built, the existing monument overlooking Princes Street is sure impressive!

Go to fairy-tale looking, Dean Village

📍 Dean Path, Edinburgh EH4 3AY, UK

We did not do enough research hence we got lost trying to find the cute village but it was definitely worth the visit – just to get good pictures! If you are keen, read up this article for more information on how to get here!

Hop on hop of bus in Edinburgh

Very convenient to explore around Edinburgh in just a day! For more information of the attractions, click here!

Edinburgh Castle

📍 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG, UK
Opens daily: 9.30 am – 6 pm
Website: https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/

I would recommend getting the tickets in advanced if you plan to visit to avoid the long queue at the ticketing counter. The fascinating thing about Edinburgh’s Castle is that is sitting on the rock – which was a 700 million years old extinct volcano. Mind blown.

Photo credits to https://www.neweuropetours.eu/sandemans-tours/edinburgh/edinburgh-castle-walking-tour/

That is all that I get to do during my time in Edinburgh. I hope to visit again during Christmas. Heard it’s lively during that time of the year filled with markets and fairs!

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What to see in Brighton, United Kingdom

ENGLAND

I have definitely left a piece of my heart in Brighton. It is one of my favorite places ever to live in. If you know me, then you will know that I fell in love in Brighton by watching YouTubers that lives there. Being there felt so surreal – literally happiest at its maximum. What made my trip even better was seeing my friend who was studying at Birmingham coming over! We have not met in a year and the last time we met was in Singapore, hence we were overwhelmed with happiness. Shout out to you, Nini! Hope you are doing good in the UK xx

My private room with en-suite bathroom was one of the best Airbnbs I have ever stayed. Our host were so lovely and I definitely recommend! The room is so so cozy, very spacious and they can accommodate 2 people. Moving on, here is what you can do while in Brighton for 2 days!

Shopping/Cafe hopping at The Lanes

📍 The lanes, Brighton, UK

I definitely LOVE going to the lanes. So many exotic shops, pretty home decorations and many more.

Take selfies at the Photobooth

📍 22 Gardner St, Brighton BN1 1UP, UK
Opens daily: 11 am – 5 pm
Ticket price: 4 Pound
Website: https://www.photomatic.company/

Taking countless of pictures at a photobooth with my favorite people is definitely one of my bucketlist! This is the photobooth that Zoella and Mark goes to! Please excuse me fangirling, I used to watch their vlogs on YouTube every weekend.

Spend some time at the Royal Pavillion

📍 4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton BN1 1EE, UK
Opens daily: 10 am – 5.15 pm

Spend some time at the Palace Pier!

📍 Madeira Dr, Brighton BN2 1TW, UK

Go to the funfairs, have some fish and chips, get an ice cream then chill by the beach! Best thing to do during summer (when it’s not too cold). It was kinda freezing when we were there because of the strong wind, but we still loved our time.

Brighton Hove beach huts

📍 Hove Lawns, Kingsway, Hove BN3 2PE, UK

Take pictures at the Brighton beach huts or you can even rent a hut! They’re all different and cute!

Walk to the Brighton Bandstand

📍 Kings Rd, Brighton BN1 2PQ, UK

The iconic bandstand in Brighton! Great architecture hence nice to take photos!

I definitely do miss Brighton and would love to come back if given the opportunity. See you again, Brighton!

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First time in Bangkok, Thailand

THAILAND

My first ever holiday trip with friends (not with school) was to Bangkok in 2015. Shout out to my diploma gang, it was a smooth trip! It was actually our post graduation trip before the dudes had to go National Services while the ladies had to wait for University to commence. We had about 5 full days in Bangkok & here is what we did!

Sightseeing in Bangkok

1. Calypso show at Asiatique

📍 2194 Charoen Krung Rd, Khwaeng Wat Phraya Krai, Khet Bang Kho Laem, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10120, Thailand
How to get there: Go to Sathorn Pier to take the free shuttle boat service that operates from 5pm – 11pm
Ticket price: THB 900
Website: https://www.calypsocabaret.com/en

Calypso is a ladyboy show where they will perform on stage with unique costumes, skits and dances! If you do not want to see the show, I do recommend dropping by Asiatique. It is an open air mall so you can shop and eat all you want! Not to forget, it’s a picturesque location too!

2. Madame Tussaud’s

📍 สยามดิสคัฟเวอรี่ 989 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
Opening hours: 10 am – 8 pm
Website: https://www.madametussauds.com/bangkok/en/tickets/

It was our first visit ever to the wax museum and it’s great for taking pictures with celebrities that you do not get to meet in real life! L-O-L. There are some interactive corners so it was quite entertaining to be there. We had also bought our package that includes getting our hand waxed as a souvenir to bring home (which had melted after a few months by the way).

3. Ocean World

📍 991 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm
Website: https://www.sealifebangkok.com/en/

4. Terminal 21

📍 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand
Opening hours: 10 am – 10 pm

Not recommended for shopping as the items can be pricey but great to explore! Every level has a different theme of countries, even the toilets! While being in terminal 21, you can also go to the cinema for a different experience (anywhere in Thailand); they actually play their national anthem before the movie begins.

5. Chinatown

📍 Yaowarat RdKrung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand

Shopping in Bangkok

1. Chatuchak Weekend Market

📍 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand
Opening hours: Time varies, closed on Mon & Tue

Shopping in Chatuchak in summer is unbelievably HOT so be prepared! Great for shopping for souvenirs or summer clothes.

2. Union Mall

📍 54 ซอย ลาดพร้าว 1 Khwaeng Chom Phon, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand
Opening hours: 11 am – 10 pm

Recommended if you want to shop for formal clothes! It’s nicer to shop here as compared to Chatuchak as it is air-conditioned.

3. Pratunam Market

📍 16/5 ซอยแสงกาญจน์ Khwaeng Thanon Phaya Thai, Khet Ratchathewi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Opening hours: 10 am – 8 pm

Photo credits : https://asiamarvels.com/pratunam-market/

4. Platinum Mall

📍 222 Phetchaburi Rd, Khwaeng Thanon Phetchaburi, Khet Ratchathewi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Opening hours: 8 am – 8 pm

Recommended to shop in bulk, so grab your friends here with you!

Photo credits: http://www.bangkok.com/shopping-mall/platinum.htm

5. MBK Mall

📍 444 Phayathai Rd, Khwaeng Wang Mai, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
Opening hours: 10 am – 10 pm

MBK Mall is one of my faves, because they have the best watermelon juice at the top floor food court. Great for shopping too! Lots of halal food variety for our Muslim travelers!

Photo credits: https://www.novotelbangkokploenchit.com/bangkok-destination/shopping-guide/mbk-center/

Massage in Bangkok

Rangnam Spa & Massage

📍 39 Rang Nam Alley, Khwaeng Thanon Phaya Thai, Khet Ratchathewi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Website: http://www.rangnamspa.com/

After all the walking in Bangkok, you definitely deserve a massage. I was not used to getting myself a massage so my friend and I decided to try out foot massage. My first foot massage was uncomfortable due to mixture of pain and ticklish (because I had blisters on my feet). Nonetheless, the aftermath felt GREAT. Our legs finally felt light again. Definitely recommend!

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Guang Zhou (School trip)

CHINA

It was a 2 week immersion programme with Nanyang Polytechnic and the reason I chose this destination was because I wanted to skip general studies module for the following semester. I did not exactly enjoy my time in Guang Zhou but it was definitely a huge learning experience for me. The main thing that made the trip bearable was the company that I had. Let’s just conclude what actually happened while I was there. One thing to highlight is that you are going to have a hard time travelling around Guang Zhou if you do not have a Chinese speaking companion. Also, finding good halal restaurants here are not easy!

Lingnan Impression

📍 Waihuan West Road, University City, Panyu District, Guangzhou 510006, China
Opens daily: 9am – 6pm

Cultural Exchange Programme

📍 China, Guangdong, Guangzhou, Panyu

School of IT showcasing our Malay culture

Leather making module

📍 China, Guangdong, Guangzhou, Panyu

Huaisheng Mosque

📍 56 Guangta Rd, Zhong Shan Liu Lu, Yuexiu Qu, Guangzhou Shi, Guangdong Sheng, China

Shangxiajiu (Shopping Streets)

Pearl River Beer Museum

📍 No.118 Muodiesha Street, Xingang East Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, China

Pearl River Piano Museum

One of the many parks in Guangzhou

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About Me

OTHERS

Hi everyone! I’m Atiqah, currently based in Singapore. I’ve always had a passion for travelling, and whenever I explore a new destination, I love documenting my experiences through video blogs and writing.

One of the things I enjoy most about capturing my travels is being able to look back on all the little moments and details that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether it’s rereading an old blog post or rewatching my travel vlogs on YouTube, it allows me to relive those memories all over again.

At the same time, I hope that the experiences and information I share can inspire others to travel more confidently or even help with planning their own adventures. My goal is to continue exploring as much of the world as possible, keep creating travel vlogs, and constantly improve my storytelling and video-making along the way.create better videos.

My Travel Bucketlist

OTHERS

PS: Bucket list is not in order and changes overtime.

Can’t wait to explore the world ✈️

☑ Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt
☑ Visit the Colosseum
☐ Discover the Taj Mahal
☑ Visit Milan Cathedral
☑ Explore Paris and Versailles
☐ Explore Moscow, Russia
☑ Visit Bali
☐ Visit Yogyakarta
☑ Swimming with whale sharks in Cebu
☑ Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls in Cebu (Cliff jumping)
☑ Swimming with millions of sardines
☑ Swimming with sea turtles
☑ Dolphin watching/swimming with dolphins
☑ Swimming with Manta Rays
☑ Swimming/Diving with sharks
☑ Visit a pink beach
☐ Dive/Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef
☐ Visit Grand Canyon
☐ Visit Palawan in the Philippines
☐ Northern Lights – Iceland/Norway
☐ Hop on the hot air balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey
☐ Niagara Waterfalls
☐ Go to Disneyland Orlando
☑ Visit Japan
☑ Explore London
☑ Explore Amsterdam
☑ Visit Brighton in United Kingdom
☑ Go to Paris Disneyland
☑ Road trip in Melbourne Great Ocean Road
☐ Relax at Blue Lagoon, Iceland
☑ Go to Capri, Italy and visit Blue Grotto
☑ Visit Positano and Almafi Coast
☑ Explore Morocco
☐ Explore Czech Republic
☑ Hop on a gondola ride in Venice
☐ Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center in Abu Dhabi
☑ Desert Safari tour
☐ Walk on Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
☑ Visit the leaning tower of Pisa
☐ Explore Switzerland – Toboggan Ride, Paragliding, Flying fox
☑ Take Scuba Diving certification
☑ Visit Mount Kinabalu
☑ Explore Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
☑ Go to Hong Kong Disneyland
☑ Stay in a Disneyland Hotel
☑ Ride on a Jetski
☑ Go on a Parasailing
☐ Rent a clear kayak and explore island to island
☑ Ziplining from one island to another island (above the sea)
☑ Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festival in Chiang Mai
☐ Visit Greece – Santorini, Mykonos
☑ Go on a helicopter tour
☑ Walk Through Indonesia’s Tegalalang Rice Terraces
☐ Explore Istanbul
☑ Travelling by land via night sleeper train
☑ Ride on an ATV
☐ Experience Christmas Wonderland in London
☐ White water rafting
☐ Visit an active volcano
☐ Skydiving (honestly unsure)
☑ Spend the night on a boat
☑ Stargazing
☐ Visit Iran
☑ South Africa + exploring exotic islands!
☐ Learn snowboarding
☑ Road trip on a Caravan at Great Ocean Road
☑ Mountain flight at Mount Everest
☑ Camping in Sahara Desert
☑ Sandboarding
☑ Experiencing life in Safari
☑ See Victoria Falls in Africa
☐ Visit Kenya
☑ Visit Zimbabwe
☑ Visit Namibia
☑ Overnight in a treehouse
☐ Visit Sri Lanka
☐ Visit Socotra
☐ Learn Freediving
☐ Explore Kazakhstan