Corsica – Mediterranean island in the sun
Through the airplane window, Corsica looks like a melange of rugged mountains falling into a turquoise sea, staying true to its reputation as the most mountainous island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is home to large tracts of pine forests surrounding glacial lakes and pockets of beautiful freshwater pools with crystal clear water, as well as […]
Mum and daughter weekend retreat in Rye
Last weekend, I spent two days with my daughter Raphaella in Rye, a medieval town in East Sussex. The night before our departure, I paced the flat feeling intimidated that I would be her sole “in charge parent” for the next two days. What if she threw a tantrum all day? What if she was […]
Travelling with a baby
This year marks the first time in ten years that I’ve been in Malaysia for Chinese New Year. Gone are the carefree travelling days of strolling down the airport’s moving walkways with my freshly blow-dried hair waving in the wind, perhaps reading a good book before casting a wistful look over London as the plane takes off. Published in February’s paper edition of The Star […]
Finding my place in the holiday season
As I look out of the bedroom window to rolling hills and snow capped mountains in the horizon, I reminisced on all the different window views I’ve had on the last day of every year since I left Malaysia in 2004. Published in January’s paper and online edition of the Star Metro.
A Quiet Place in Britain’s Most Southerly Point
There is a place I love, Where one cannot believe their luck, Right at the edge of the storm, It borders a tipping point, Above, the bluest sky yields across the yonder, Below, aqua, salt, ice and air coalesce and bounce off the shore, Its face shines like sunbeams, And it always looks so happy […]
Life On A Sicilian Volcanic Island
Skimming across the Tyrrhenian sea, one can see the Gran Cratere of Vulcano in the distance. Arriving in this volcanic island was like approaching Jurassic Park, with its steep hills of vines and trees, deserted coastline and smoking crater. Disembarking the ferry that took us here from Milazzo, we walked past a man who resembled a dinosaur, confirming our […]
260 hours in Norway Part 3: Svolvær to Tromsø
Svolvær-Tromsø by ship The Hurtigruten wasn’t just any ship. From far, the horizontal chain of yellow lights on the top deck made it seem like a cruise ship with a fairground on board. The MS Nordnorge Hurtigruten was our home for the night, one that sailed from Svolvær to Tromsø, stopping at Stokmarknes, Sortland, Risoyhamn, Harstad and […]
260 hours in Norway Part 2: Svolvær, Lofoten Island
When we crossed the Norwegian sea on a 30-seater Wideroe aircraft to Svolvær, I was sure I spotted the dark fin of an orca swimming in the sea. Landing after a 20-minute journey, a short taxi ride took us to Svinoya Rorbuer, a rorbu resort located on an idyllic waterfront, fringed by the mountains. Upon opening […]
260 hours in Norway Part 1: London-Oslo-Bodø
Imagine a place where the pine trees, rooftops of houses in rustic villages and alpine tundra are covered in snow. The once translucent water flowing from a waterfall now frozen solid. To many, this is a typical winter scene, where plants, animals and humans work harder on the inside than the outside. Except if you’re […]
The Cutest Reason To Visit Norway
When I was younger, I saw a video of thick-coated huskies pulling sledges across snowy mountains. These elegant canines commanded respect and admiration, but growing up in Malaysia, the Arctic was an unreachable and exotic place for me, and an encounter with these furry creatures was nearly impossible. So when I went to Tromsø, northern Norway, it felt […]