Travel with Purpose. Travel at the Speed of Teja
One of the perks of having marine conservationist friends, is that you have the inside scoop to the many islands they work in. I already knew about the endangered dugong population of Pulau Sibu, because a friend from my time in the Perhentian Islands is now involved in that research. It was, in fact, a…
Like most foreign visitors, he wanted to visit Cameron Highlands. Somehow, despite fairly regularly returning to Malaysia, my new friend still had not been. I thought about it. Cameron Highlands today has changed since I remember it from my childhood trips. It is not as cool anymore, because agriculture has expanded in the Tanah Rata…
“Why don’t you ask the shaman directly? He’s at ease now, since we’re waiting for low tide,” the organiser said. He led me over to the rough wooden platform, bedecked in nipah frond origami decorations, and sat me down before the head shaman of the Mah Meri in Pulau Carey. I could hardly believe how lucky…
I have been twice to the national park of Malaysia, our jewel – the rainforest of Taman Negara. It was, in fact, the first destination I chose for my first solo trip when I first decided to get back into travelling. Taman Negara (literally, ‘National Park’) was the first Malaysian nature park to be gazetted. Located in…
“You said you would help me think of a sustainability project. You haven’t done anything; I still don’t have one,” complained my friend from his habitual stretched-out position on my sofa. “I said I’d help you figure out why you can’t get going on it. I’m just a catalyst, remember?” I corrected calmly from my…
No one seemed to mind being sent to Muscat. That alone created a feeling of intrigue in me, for the Sultanate of Oman. Let me explain. I work with a lot of international professionals. Some of my work-mates in the office are expats. Some of my counterparts in companies I deal closely with, are likewise…