Bangkok On A Whim

Somewhere in mid-September, I decided that life was getting a bit too much for me to bear. As I was driving to work one morning, I thought to myself - I need another holiday.

I'm not one for running away from my problems. I'd like to think that I'm the type of person who handles and manages stress quite well.. but things got kinda overwhelming and I, as usual, was yearning for a getaway. But my favourite travel companion; my boyfriend was bogged down with a lot of work. I know I would go insane if I didn't get out of this place and instead of just waiting and wishing, I booked flight tickets for one to Bangkok and an Airbnb apartment for the following week, and called it a day.

Remember in this post I mentioned that the time spent by myself was one of the best time of my life? I love the freedom and exhilarating experience of walking in a foreign country on my own, listening to conversations I don't understand and deciding (or not) when and what to eat.

It was my second time in Bangkok this year, third in total. The places I went were new yet held a hint of familiarity. Though a short trip, it was needed for me to isolate myself from life back home and recharge. I didn't take that many photos - I made it a point not to be on my phone so much. Those with a timestamp are taken on "film".

I like how these photos evoke a sense of loneliness but believe me, I was anything but that. I know it's not hardcore backpacking across the country for a month but it's still some much-needed 'me time' away from it all to think, to reflect. And in case you're wondering, yes I am proud of the fact that I can drop everything behind for a while and travel somewhere on my own on a whim.

Instead of always harping on it, just do. Just go. Sometimes, you just gotta put yourself first.

♥

Ici à Paris

I've been in sort of a funk lately.

Could be the drab weather we've been having. Maybe it's the inconsistent work/off days that had me on a stop-go-stop-go mode.

Either way, nothing has made me miss Paris more than now (so far). The thought of being away, in a place which I am not familiar with and where I know no one, and no one knows me: it's safe to say that being there for a week by myself was one of the best moments of my life.

Back story: I was actually there on work assignment to cover the Paris Air Show and Skytrax Award (the Oscars of the aviation industry) and which right-minded person would not extend the trip? Naturally, lots of pictures were taken on that trip, which I will not cram them all in this post.

I'm not gonna be all poser and stuff and say that I wasn't impressed or blown away by this place. Man, every corner I turned was a feast for the eyes. Funny how it never crossed my mind to visit Paris or France yet there I was. The universe works in weird and wondrous ways. Having lunch on the Eiffel, sitting in parks, strolling aimlessly.. looking at these shots makes my heart feel full and immediately transports me back. One day, I shall again.

♥

Mossy Cameron

green terrains of tea | more tea plantations | first Boh stop | always behind you, never far :) | Sungai Palas glass teahouse | brunch | smart boy is smart | tea and scones for every meal | making our way up | mossy trail | towering trees | must we leave? | with our new Canadian friend Jenna

If you've never driven up to Cameron Highlands on a broken car radiator, your argument is invalid.

Back then, my car tends to overheat because of what we assumed was a leaking radiator. So I was used to refilling the radiator every morning before heading out. Despite that, we decided to wing it and drive from JB to Cameron Highlands for a getaway. Guess what? The car overheated three or four times on the way up. Major claps to ourselves. Thank god it didn't overheat until we were almost at the top where the weather was already cool and it wasn't too frustrating. We made it up there and returned to lower ground with a few stops to refill the car before going to Ipoh to finally fix the damn radiator (that's a story for another day).

Our initial plan for Cameron was to head up to Mossy Forest but with a heavy heart we had to let it go cos no way are we gonna make it up there with a damaged radiator right? The day before we left Cameron, we had brunch at the Sungai Palas tea house because I wanted to see the glass teahouse. As we left, we passed by a signboard that says "Mossy Forest --->>>>" and we turned and gave each other the "are you crazy or not? smile" and without saying anything, he made a u-turn. Two stops and refills later, we were there! No one else was around as we made our way into the forest because it was about to rain. Grey skies hovering above, threading the damp and mossy trail, the air was crisp.. what's not to love? Alas, we had to quickly leave the forest as it began to rain and met a backpacker (legit backpacker from Canada not the twt_backpacker type lul) who was somewhat lost so we gave her a lift down. But not before stopping for some fresh strawberries with cream!

Spontaneous with snippets of memorable moments, as usual. He had work to do when we were up there but we still made the best out of it. More soon? :)

♥