UK Trip Summary + Debrief

Apologies for the extremely late—3 months later—trip summary. My trip to the UK wasn't as exciting as I hoped it to be, thus I have procrastinated writing this. It's only now, when I've booked my next vacation, that I realised this needs to be written. So without further ado, let's get to it.

HOW WAS THE TRIP?

I had high expectations for the UK. It's the land of Harry Potter after all! Alas, it didn't quite meet my expectations. But before I continue, I must say that this is a personal statement—there's just something about England that I didn't quite enjoy. I did, however, like Scotland very much. It has been months, but I'll try my best to recall the entire escapade.

Edinburgh Castle

Day 1: It was the longest day ever. The UK is 7 hours behind Malaysia, which meant that I had 7 extra hours upon touchdown. So after travelling from Malaysia to London and then to Edinburgh, I was feeling light-headed—unsure if it was the result of exhaustion or jet lag. It was also very cold in London as it was raining, and cold in Edinburgh too as I wasn't dressed appropriately. Temperature in May in Edinburgh was below 10°C. As my family and I were tired and couldn't adapt to the weather yet, we did a little sightseeing before calling it a day.

Day 2: Moving a few of the places in the itinerary around, we hit the major locations we wanted to visit before randomly strolling in search for evening tea. This way, we found hidden gems and dining places including MUM's Great Comfort Food where I tasted haggis for the first time—don't quite like the intensity of the spices though.

Day 3: It was a rainy day. We hiked up to Arthur's Seat before it started pouring on our way down. By the time we reached ground level, we sought shelter and conveniently found refuge in the Scottish Parliament Building. When the rain stopped, we peeked through the gates of Holyrood Palace before heading to Carlton Hill where the sky was finally blue. Yes, a blue sky!

Day 4: We picked up our car from Hertz—got an upgrade for free—and headed to Aviemore. We made a stop at Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery and had some cocktails. After which, we arrived at Aviemore and checked-in to our awesome Airbnb—more on this place down below.

The Breath-Taking Scottish Highlands

Day 5: We spent the day in Cairngorms Mountain. We did the Windy Ridge Path and the Coire an t-Sneachda trails. Windy Ridge Path lived up to its name, so don't be fooled. I had to cup my hands over my ears to stop the wind from hurting my eardrums. It was a good day though. The landscape is unforgettable.

Day 6: As my family and I love cycling, we rented bikes for the day and cycled around Glenmore Forest Park. We were done by noon and did some walking at Craigellachie National Nature Reserve. We also stumbled upon an ice-cream shop in town called Miele's Gelateria. There was a queue right out their door, so we decided to give it a try—pretty good, though the money could be better spent on discounted Häagen-Dazs from the nearby Tesco.

Steall Falls

Day 7: It was another travel day—Aviemore to Glasgow. Along the way, we stopped at Fort William for the Steall Falls and Nevis Gorge trail. We spent quite some time there, trudging through mud to see Steall Falls up close, before continuing our journey to Glasgow. 

Day 8: We had little interest in Glasgow, so it was another travel day for us. We headed for Grasmere in Cumbria, did a little walking in the rather small town, then dropped by Rydall Hall Garden, before checking in at our Airbnb in Ambleside—I actually enjoyed my stay in this Airbnb, but the host made some accusations on how we treated the home which... well... more on that later.

Day 9: The Old Man of Coniston was the hike of the day, of which we didn't complete. It was brutal because of the constant gradient. We made it 80% of the way before heading back down. We also did the Tarn Hows Circular Walk which was, honestly, boring.

Day 10: We tweaked the itinerary to go with the flow. After seeing Stock Ghyll Force Waterfall, we decided to push forward and ascend Wansell Pike. When we got down, we had lunch at The Apple Pie as planned, before visiting Holehird Gardens and Lake Windermere. 

Day 11: A five-hour journey from Ambleside to London. 

Day 12: Let's just say that all of us didn't quite enjoy touring the city of London. We live in a city ourselves and nothing about walking 35,000 steps around a bustling and crowded city was fun. I now know what to omit in my future itineraries—more great outdoors, less cities.

Day 13: In comparison to London, our day trip to Oxford was slightly better. The main downside about Oxford was that there was a graduation happening, which closed off some of the places of interest. It was also raining that day, so it was gloomy and we didn't bother taking much pictures—yes, the weather assumption of this country is a fact.

Diagon Alley isn't always this vacant.

Day 14: This was the day I was looking forward to. I had high hopes. I was so excited. But let me just say... if you're looking for a truly immersive Harry Potter experience, the Warner Bros Studio tour is not the place to go. If you want to play pretend, head to Universal Studios instead. I had a much better Potter experience in the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Osaka then I did at the studio. But for what it's worth, I have some pretty cool pictures.

Day 15: We ditch the itinerary and decided to do some last minute Primark shopping. Why? Because I couldn't find a single Potter item I liked during my entire trip—the Primark at Oxford street was a downer—and dropping by one more Primark was my last shot. I did get some stuff which you will see below.

DID THE BUDGET WORK?

Note: We removed Wildlife Highland Park from the itinerary because there was no payment confirmation and the bank could only confirm purchase at the end of the month. So we decided to skip the place and cancel payment.

Update: Our 12-day car rental—free upgrade due to the original rented car not being available—was RM707.50 per person (instead of the initial estimate of RM726 per person).

As for our in-hand budget, we had an extra £313 which converted to RM1690.20. Once split amongst the four of us, we had an extra of RM422.55 per person.

So, did the budget work? Yes it did. In fact, the cost of the trip ended up being less that RM8K total!

HOW WAS THE LODGING?

(FREE CREDITS! Click HERE for $25 off your first Airbnb stay now!)

It doesn't look like much but
the Aviemore Airbnb is something!

To make things easy, here are my Airbnb reviews with a few extra notes.

Edinburgh: This place was a lovely, city-centered home—ideal for exploring Edinburgh. The host waited for our arrival to check us in and explained everything in the home. However, at the time we were staying, the windows couldn't open (due to a recent paint job), and the washing machine was moldy. I'm sure the host solved these two problems by now, so it's definitely a place worth considering if you plan to explore Edinburgh on foot. 

Aviemore, Cairngorms: This is a place I would book again should I return to Aviemore. The home was fully-equipped, having almost everything I needed. It was also clean and cosy, and the host was very responsive too! I rarely give 5-stars on Airbnb, but this... this deserved it—a 5-star accommodation worth the price.

Glasgow: The house was a little run down with a lot of non-functioning things. However, the host was very responsive and apologetic during my overnight stay when things weren't in order. I can't say much about everything else since I was there for only a night.

Coniston, Lake District: I was looking forward to this place and it delivered. It was a lovely home, though a little difficult to get in and out of—single, narrow road. However, I was offended when the host wrote an accusing review on our stay, claiming we broke their heaters and spoiled the windows. If only she asked before accusing she would've known that the heaters fell off the walls due to lose hinges and the windows... well, God only knows what she was referring to when we didn't even open them. 

London: Upon my arrival, I had to wait about half an hour for the host to arrive—she could only check us in after her work, which could be an inconvenience for some. The home is in a great location though, and is definitely worth considering if you're looking for a place in London. I also have to add that the host said I asked too many questions—is it just me or are English Airbnb hosts a little nitpicky? I might have met a minority, because my English friends aren't like that.

DID I DO ANY SHOPPING?

Primark Loot

Yes. I brought Roses and Quality Street chocolate home and snagged some Primark stuff. I was hoping to spend more, but there was just nothing more to spend on.

TO SUM THE SUMMARY...

Scotland was great. The people were nice. The scenery was amazing. But England was... underwhelming. My expectations had been set too high from all the British dramas and movies that it I was quickly let down. The question is: would I go back? To Scotland, yes. It isn't rated as a top destination for nothing.

So, where to next—where have I booked a flight to that spurred me to write this post? Well, I can finally say, New Zealand. Yes... New Zealand is happening. It's not being put off any longer! So stay tuned for my upcoming posts, because I'm working on the itinerary and budget as we speak!


(For more pictures of my UK trip, head over to Instagram! I have an instastory collection of my vacation, and I'll be posting a whole lot of #throwbacks gradually.)

Check out my other posts on the UK:

Unexpectedly UK - Itinerary

Airbnb Scotland & England

Budgeting UK - 15 Days 14 Nights

Budgeting The UK - 15D/14N

How much does it cost to visit the UK? Coming from a 'poorer' nation, I've tried to make this trip as affordable as possible--taking into account the currency exchange and how I can be as budget-friendly without completely sacrificing comfort and convenience. What you'll find below is my best attempt at doing so.

15 DAYS 14 NIGHTS IN THE UK

*Ringgit is estimated based on currency exchange. Refer to £ for budgeting accuracy.
**Also, cost has been divided by 4 pax.

Transportation: RM 3806.45

KL to Heathrow (return) via British Airways: RM 2577.40

12 Days Car Rental: £527.22 (pay @ rental location - RM 726* per person)
Train from Kings Cross to Edinburgh: £18.5 (RM 103.05)  

Misc transport, parking, and petrol: RM 400

Entry Fees/ Activities: RM 540 

Edinburgh Castle: £17 (RM 95*)
Highland Wildlife Park: £15.90 (RM 87*)
Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio: £41 (RM 229.41)
Tower of London: £22.70 (RM 127.50)

Accommodation: RM 2065.33

Edinburgh: RM 428.98 (3 nights)

Aviemore: RM 370.20 (3 nights)
Glasgow: RM 95 (1 night)
Coniston: RM 475.18 (3 nights)
London: RM 695.97 (4 nights)

Food: RM 2000

(Daily budget of £24)

*At time of cash conversion, currency rate fluctuates around RM 5.50 = £1

Estimated Total Per Person: RM 8412

To view in-hand cash breakdown, scroll to the end of the itinerary in the itinerary post. What you see above is the breakdown of the complete budget, without going into the minute details. Also, as a group, we rounded off our in-hand cash conversion--the number you see above excludes that.

Personally, I've converted some cash for my own expenditure--I intend to buy all the Harry Potter things I can find. I might just dedicate a post to all-things Harry Potter. But of course, I'll be sure to address the more important question once I return--whether this budget worked--in the trip summary.

Check out my other posts on the UK:

Unexpectedly UK - Itinerary

Airbnb Scotland & England

Post-trip posts:

UK Trip Summary

Airbnb Scotland & England

"Will you be staying in hotels?" you ask.

"What is a hotel?"

When there are Airbnbs, why bother with hotels? Airbnbs are homes away from home. And though some of them suck--based on past experiences--most of them are decent, with some being the best places I've stayed in. So, no surprise here--all my lodging in the UK are Airbnbs. And if you're looking for places to stay during your upcoming trip to the UK, here are my picks that may be favourable to you too.

(Want to give Airbnb a try? Click HERE to sign up and get 20$ off your first Airbnb stay!)

Note: As I'll be driving to Aviemore, I've filtered my search to include free parking on site, and a washer/washing machine from Aviemore onward.

Edinburgh: I chose this place because it was close to Edinburgh Waverley Station. My initial plan was to rent a car from Europcar, located in the train station itself. But after a change of plans--car rental company--it is no longer as ideal as before. The location also makes this Airbnb one of the priciest in Edinburgh. With a strict cancellation policy, I can only hope it's worth the cost.

Aviemore, Cairngorms: Definitely looking forward to this little getaway from the city. Cosy, homey, and cheap, what more can I ask for?

Glasgow: Talk about a fancy bathroom! As an overnight stay, I chose the most affordable and clean-looking space I could find.

Coniston, Lake District: I stumbled upon this place while hunting for a convenient Airbnb in Lake District. It's a little out of the way, but with a car, the location isn't really a problem. Also, I kind of like the seclusion.

London: You probably already know--London is an expensive place to stay in. Being able to find a cheap and well-located Airbnb is a challenge, and I'm glad I managed to find this one. It's right outside the congestion zone, and the host is communicative even before my arrival.   

So, how much do these picks cost? The group total for lodging is RM8261, making it RM2065 per person for 14 nights. This averages to RM148 a night per person. Do note that I had some Airbnb credits that gave each person a RM150 off the entire lodging cost.

The nightly average in the UK is definitely higher than my previous trips. But, I still managed to keep the lodging cost to around 2K. When I get back, I'll be sure to review each of the Airbnb. Hopefully, they are worth the amount I paid.

Check out my other posts on the UK:
Unexpectedly UK - Itinerary

Budgeting UK - 15 Days 14 Nights

Post-trip posts:

UK Trip Summary

Unexpectedly UK - To Scotland & England I Go!

I know I've mentioned of my plans to visit New Zealand, but somehow--when it was time to decide--another country diverted my attention. But... that isn't such a bad thing--the UK is awesome too. After all, it's where all the Harry Potter-y is! And to be honest, I never thought I'd ever get a chance to visit the UK--this trip is almost a dream come true.

In comparison with my previous trips, this will be my longest one yet--15 days and 14 nights. The first half of my trip will be in Scotland, while the second half will be in England. So feel free to scroll through the entire itinerary. Upon my return, I'll write a summary addressing the feasibility of my hard work below. 

*All dates, maps, and accommodations have been removed. I'll list the Airbnbs of my choice in a separate post.

Check out my other posts on the UK:
Airbnb Scotland & England

Budgeting UK - 15 Days 14 Nights

Post-trip posts:

UK Trip Summary

I Travel But I'm Not Rich

Just because I travel, it doesn't mean I earn a hefty paycheck. It doesn't mean I come from a wealthy family. And just because I travel, it doesn't mean I'm secretly a rich and famous author.

I feel like I have to say this - to clear this up - because often times, people assume my bank account is overflowing with ka-ching. Friends imagine I'm paid highly at my day job, strangers are quick to conclude that my parents are sponsoring my trips, and extended family assume I'm earning thousands in book royalties. But here's the truth: I'm not earning a lot from my 9-6 job, I pay for my own escapades (and then some), and the last time I cashed in a royalty cheque - of a few US dollars - was over two years ago. I'm not wealthy. I simply choose to invest in experiences rather than possessions. #TypicalMillennialRight?

To some, this might sound silly. Wouldn't I need a house one day? Shouldn't I be saving for my future children? Why am I investing in a holiday, instead of a retirement plan? Very legitimate questions. And yes, I do have a retirement plan and a savings account. But... I don't have the money to buy a house, nor do I have any cash prepared for my future children. Why? Because if I die tomorrow, I can't take my deeds or bank savings to the grave. But if I die tomorrow, I can take my memories. I can take the experience of sinking knee-deep into snow, the sight of a glorious mountain range, and the understanding of another culture, beyond my death. In my final moments, I wouldn't be thinking of a life I could've lived, but I would've actually lived it.

Of course, I know that growing up means more responsibilities. I'm aware, that if and when I settle down to start a family, I may not be able to travel as frequently as I do now. I'll experience another facet of life, with a change of priorities. And I'm fine with that. But for now, in this season of my life where I have the freedom to explore, learn, and encounter, I'm going to invest in experiences... and do so wisely (always on a budget). After all, I didn't inherit a million dollars from a long lost relative. I have to make the most of what I have for a world beyond my own. And until the road ahead requires me to turn, I'll be charging forward.

(P.S I'll be heading to UK next! So stay tuned for the details in the coming months.)

Hokkaido Trip Summary

I'm back! And oh, how I wish I wasn't. Now cue the long wall of text!

How was the trip?

Firstly, my trip was a day short - thanks to AirAsia moving my flight a day later, and giving me seats I didn't book. Yay for AirAsia and their low budget service. Indeed, everyone can fly! Yes, I'm still sour about what they did. But alas, that's the AirAsia we know and love. With that said, the summary below will be a little different from the initial itinerary. Though, I must say, that despite spending one day less, I enjoyed my getaway in the cold of Hokkaido. Was it better than Tasmania, though? Hmm...

Day 1: Touched down in New Chitose Airport earlier than expected. After picking up the car, rented from World Net Car Rental through Tocoo, we headed to Noboribetsu. Chitose itself was colder than I've ever experienced, but Noboribetsu outdid it. It had a wind chill of 3 degrees celsius! We didn't spend much time there, as it was too cold to bear. But, we did have ice-cream at Milky House before heading straight for Hakodate. After checking-in, we went to Daimon Yokocho for dinner. It was too cold to ponder over what to eat, so we settled for the ramen shop by the entrance.

Day 2: We woke early for our drive to Matsumae. The sky overhead Matsumae was unlike the gloom in Hakodate and Chitose. Matsumae basked in heaven's spotlight, mimicking the first light after a storm. A place known for their variety of Sakuras, it's no surprise the weather was in its favour. As for the rest of the day, the itinerary was tinkered - we visited Goryokaku Park for tea time at Rokkatei, followed by Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse for shopping, and then Lucky Pierriot for dinner. Oh, fun fact: Sakura ice-cream tastes a lot like cough medicine... which I like. But unfortunately, the soft serve version was only available in Matsumae.

Day 3: Because of the change of travel dates, we had to check-in to another accommodation in Onuma Quasi National Park (more on this lodging below). But before doing so, we visited the morning market for squid-fishing and kaisendon. And since the weather was chilly, we decided to ascend Mount Hakodate under the morning sun. After which, we spent the rest of the day in the national park area - far from fun in the rain.

Day 4: Traveling day; we headed to Lake Toya for the trails, then Lake Hill Farm for ice-cream. The farm is worth the visit, as it not only offered decently priced gelato but mirrored the opening scene from The Sound of Music. Since we were pressed for time, we headed for Otaru right after (a place we can all agree wasn't worth the drive). Then in Sapporo, we strolled to Sapporo Factory Mall for a filling and cheap buffet dinner (of 1500 yen per person).

View from Lake Hill Farm - about 20 feet from a goat acting as the farm's
friendly pet dog (it had a dog house and was on a leash - no kidding).

Day 5: The day went pretty much as planned, except we omitted Ramen Alley. The Mount Moiwa hike took exactly an hour to the peak, and was a good mid-trip workout. We got to practice our 'konichiwas' while burning calories. Since we were staying in the city centre, we had time to return to our accommodation for a quick shower before exploring Sapporo city.

Dinner at Jingisukan Daikokuya.
They suggested 2 servings per person - a
serving costs about 700 yen. So, we had 10! 
Do also try their radish and almond salad.
It's really refreshing after a long day.

Day 6: Checked-out and headed for the Historical Village of Hokkaido. The village itself is pretty large, so we spent about an hour before leaving. It's a cool place for pictures, with history surrounding structures. As for Asahikawa's Ramen Village, it's smaller than it looks - don't expect much. However, I personally enjoyed Asahiyama Zoo. Aside from the glass panel, nothing is between you and the animals. In fact, some areas don't even have glass separations! It definitely beats Taipei Zoo.

Day 7: There's actually much less to do in Biei than expected. Most of our time were spent at Tokachidake Observatory, where we played with snow. It might've seemed strange to the other visitors, but coming from Malaysia, we couldn't resist making snow angels and having snowball fights. We also opted out of sushi dinner and went for Genghis Khan (Jingisukan Daikokuya) instead. Do note that if you don't reserve a table at Genghis Khan, you'll have to arrive early to get a number. I was there at 4:25pm and there were two other groups arriving at the same time - trust me, you want to be early. The restaurant is also quite difficult to pinpoint, so if you don't have an image, look out for a fat man on the restaurant header.

Day 8: The day we were looking forward to! But, we went during the wrong season... for hiking - my fault, mostly. I thought we could hike to the summit of Mount Asahi in trainers. But when we arrived, it was white. We couldn't even do the Sugatami Pond Circuit, because the ponds and circuit track were topped with snow! The most we could do was explore the vast whiteness, before our toes numbed - forcing us to retreat. And with ample of time on our hands, we dropped by a few of the 'flowering' spots in the vicinity (it wasn't flower season yet), before calling it a day.

It's still winter on the mount. The experience of sinking thigh-deep into snow is something 
we would remember for a lifetime. Or, until we see snow again.

Day 9: We departed early for Furano, making Campana Rokkatei our first stop for dessert/breakfast. Then, we headed to Furano Marche - to be honest, it didn't live up to its name. After which, we drove to Ningle Terrace. Ningle Terrace is beautiful in the day, and I can only imagine how amazing it would be at night. Once done with the sightseeing, we headed for Aeon Chitose to shop for meat for our barbecue dinner - our accommodation in Eniwa was the best (more on it below).

Sweet treats from Rokkatei - a fraction of what
Hokkaido has to offer.

Day 10: Booked a ride (from Chitose to Lake Shikotsu) and buffet lunch with Mizu No Uta. Frankly, Lake Shikotsu doesn't have much to offer. So after lunch, we rented bicycles for a one-way return trip to Chitose Station. It took almost 2 hours. If not for the need of some physical activity, I would advice against doing so. Also, since my last bicycle fall in my childhood years, I brought home a decent graze.

Day 11: Our Eniwa host kindly offered to drive us to the train station at 7am. The vacation ended shortly after some duty-free shopping, when we left Hokkaido soil for Malaysia.

Did the budget work?

We had an access of approximately 7000 yen per person, totaling around 28k as a group. This excess was after spending 15k (collectively) on unplanned, last minute shopping. 

Most of the excess came from the transportation budget, while some came from the food budget. With cheap meals from Seico Mart, and reasonable offers from Aeon, we could splurge in Genghis Khan, go on two buffets, snack on Hokkaido treats, and fill a basket with meat. So yes, RM5,500 is more than enough for 11 full days in Japan. 

*The budget summary is based on the initial 12 days 11 nights plan, despite only spending 10 full days in Japan as mentioned above. If you're curious about our 10-day budget surplus, it was around 38k.

How was the lodging?

(Click HERE for $25 off your first Airbnb stay!)

Hakodate: Spacious but with a bathroom on the ground floor. Also, narrow and steep stairs. Its location is pretty close to popular attractions. And the host made up for the lack of coffee and tea with free drinks.

Paarde Musee: I had to book this place after the flight change, and it didn't disappoint. It was more expensive than the other accommodations (about RM200 a night, per person), and the container home is rather small. But the surrounding farm, with horses ten feet from the doorstep, is a fun escape for a city dweller - a good stop for an overnighter.

The farm surrounding our container home.

Sapporo: It's a small living space on the third floor, with a challenge to find on a GPS. But the host is helpful, and it's only a 5-minute walk from Sapporo Factory. It's also very cheap for its central location.

Alas, our final stay.

Asahikawa: Unresponsive host, and useless wifi - it had reached its quota upon my check-in. So, don't bother with this place. The reviews on the Airbnb page is dated. I'm guessing the host gave up being a host, seeing as she didn't leave any reviews to allow newer reviews (possibly bad ones) to appear on her page. So, really, don't bother - stay as a last resort.

Eniwa: Yes, it is indeed, out of the way (placing between Sapporo and Chitose). But this home is worth the distance. For the price you pay, you get a fully equipped home with four bedrooms, and a kind, helpful host who lives right behind. Also, the host has the equipment you need to have your own barbecue! So consider this home if you're visiting Sapporo and Lake Shikotsu.

Did I do any shopping?

A minimum of 15k, yes. It's hard to resist the variety of Kit Kats and popular Hokkaido treats. And when you see people bagging boxes of the same stuff in the duty-free shops, one cannot help but do the same.

The new Kit Kat flavours I managed to get my hands on were Raspberry, Premium Mint, Hokkaido Melon, Sakura & Roasted Soy Bean, Sakura Matcha, Sakura Nihonshu, Wa-Ichigo, and that-dried-cherry-tomato-with-dark-chocolate-flavour-I've-no-idea-what-it's-called.

To sum the summary...

It was a fun escape from reality. I definitely love the self-less and laid-back culture of Hokkaido. And I plan to return in the future - to the places I've not been. Japan is a wonderful country with lots to see. I'm so glad I'm not done with it yet.

Where to next? Most probably - definitely aiming for - New Zealand.

(For more pictures of my trip, head over to Instagram! I'll be posting a whole lot of #throwbacks.)

Check out my other posts on Hokkaido:
Hokkaido It Is - Trip Itinerary
Airbnb Hokkaido
Budgeting - 12 Days 11 Nights

How 'Price Less: A Musical' Changed Me

Let’s be honest, it’s not the musical that changed me - it was the arduous journey. But before I get into ‘how’, I have to admit that I wasn’t in glee to be part of the team. When I agreed to be one of the stage managers, I couldn’t shake off the immediate regret. I was aware that I had to sacrifice my time for a task I found little joy in. You see, I’m not a people person. I’ve not made new friends in years. And being thrust into an environment, where I only knew few of those involved... I actually kept to myself for months. So why - why did I agree to do it if I was going to dread it?

 The only reason I said ‘yes’ was because there was a need - a need I was prompted to fill. I knew God had placed this role on my lap, with reasons I wasn’t privy to. However, He didn’t force me to do it - He only hoped I would. And because I wanted to make Him proud, I grudgingly agreed. True enough, His reasons prevailed.

I joined the team in June, 2016 - wow, it’s been almost a year! And in those 10 months, I’d skipped hours of workout, ruined my diet at times, missed out on much needed sleep - and all for what? A questioning of my life’s priorities. What were they? This, was what I used to claim my priorities to be: God, Family, Dream, Exercise, Friends.

I use the word ‘claim’ because I claimed God was first. And by joining the Price Less team, God called me out on this claim. Yes, I agreed to do it because of God. But I wasn’t happy about it for the first few months - I wasn’t happy because I had to put God before family and my workout sessions. So in truth, God wasn’t on top of the list. Jeng jeng jeng.

When I realised this - no, when He made me realise this - my perspective changed. I decided to stop whining about the death of my muscles (yes, I’m exaggerating), and the hiatus of family days, to actively practice what I preached. And when I did, the journey became meaningful. Not only did I grow in my relationship with God - allowing Him to teach and mold me along the way - I was also open to meeting new people, and to offer my time to others.

Like I said, I’m not a people person. Friends came in last in my priorities. In fact, I rarely agreed to plans - especially dinner plans, because ‘I need to workout’. For me to actually say ‘yes’ to spending time with you, you’d have to be someone I’d consider almost family. Because the reality before Price Less was this: I was comfortable being alone. I didn’t need people to be physically around. I was completely fine in my own bubble. But, the reality after Price Less is different. I didn’t realise how wonderful it is to have a bigger circle of friends - to laugh with, cry with, fret with, and play with. The people I’ve met in this journey burst my self-bubble. And I’m glad it did. Though it took a couple of months, I eventually opened up to the idea of including new people in my life.

 It’s strange to hear me say this, but I look forward to meeting people now. I’m willing to give up my time - make a few sacrifices - for those I call ‘friends’. I’m still a little awkward with those I’ve just met, and I still avoid saying the first ‘hello’ to strangers, but I’ve learned to trust more and share more with those around me. And I wouldn’t be like this, if I said ‘no’ in the first place.

Honestly, I’m relieved that the tiring season is almost over. But I’m also sad - sad I wouldn’t be able to see the people involved, as frequently as before, after the curtain call. Nevertheless, I’m thankful I got to meet all of them. And I’m grateful, so very grateful, that God prompted me to do this. It has truly been... a priceless experience.

Budgeting Hokkaido - 12D/11N

Japan is pricier this time around. Malaysia didn't do well economically in 2016, and it is not strengthening its ringgit this year either. With the weak currency, I had to set the budget at RM5500. Now if only 100 yen was still RM 3, it would've been a cheaper holiday.

12 Days, 11 Nights in Hokkaido

*Ringgit is estimated based on currency exchange. Refer to yen for budgeting accuracy.
**Also, cost has been divided by 4 pax.

Transportation: RM 2560.69

KL to Hokkaido (return) via AirAsia: RM1240

10 Days Car Rental via Tocoo: RM523.74 (54,000 yen per group)
Tocoo fees: RM116.41 (RM465.67 per group)
10 Days Hokkaido Expressway Pass: RM90.20 (9300 yen per group)
Driving Permit: RM37.50 (RM150 per group)

Misc transport, parking, and petrol: RM552.84 (14,250 yen)

Entry Fees/ Activities: RM 75 (1920 yen)

*Entrance fees and boot rental.

Accommodation: RM 1432.50

Hakodate: RM486.50 (3 nights)

Sapporo: RM296.25 (3 nights)
Asahikawa: RM365 (3 nights)
Eniwa: RM284.75 (2nights)

Food: RM 1400 

(Daily budget of 3000 yen)

*At time of cash conversion, currency rate fluctuates around RM 3.90 = 100 Yen

Estimated Total Per Person: RM 5468.19

To view in-hand cash breakdown, scroll to the end of the itinerary in the itinerary post. What you see above is the breakdown of the complete budget, without going into the minute details. I'm glad I managed to keep it below RM5500. Hopefully, I'll have a surplus. Once I return, I'll let you know if the budget worked in the trip summary. 

*Now, I know I over-budgeted on miscellaneous transport. With little experience in self-driving holidays, I prefer to be safe than sorry. Besides, the extra can be transferred to the food and non-existing shopping budget. Who has a problem with that? 

Check out my other posts on Hokkaido:

Hokkaido It Is - Trip Itinerary

Airbnb Hokkaido

Post-trip posts:

Hokkaido Trip Summary

Airbnb Hokkaido

I've never booked a hotel since I discovered Airbnb. That's how awesome Airbnb is - price wise. When it comes to the accommodation itself, you'll just have to read the comments by other guests. But generally, the places are pretty decent. Depending on the country, location, and your budget, there are hidden gems to be found. These are the four I've decided to go with.

(Want to give Airbnb a try? Click HERE to sign up and get 20$ off your first Airbnb stay!)

Do note I'll be driving in Hokkaido - I've filtered my search to include free parking on site, and a washer/washing machine (because we all have to wash clothes). 

Hakodate: This is the most expensive stay of the entire trip - RM162 per night per person. There are other cheaper Airbnbs in Hakodate, but this is most central. I'll be able to walk instead of drive, saving on parking and fuel. Also, it looks pretty spacious compared to the others... AND it has a washer. Oh, and despite the Japanese on the Airbnb page, the host speaks English.

Sapporo: Talk about price, this is the cheapest stay of the entire trip - RM99 per night per person. The basic search on Airbnb didn't show this lodging. I can't recall how I stumbled onto it. I just did. And when I did, I bookmarked it immediately. I imagine it to be pretty small as it always is with Japan, but with such a price and ideal location, it's a wonderful find.

Asahikawa: There aren't a lot of options in Asahikawa offering free parking. With the little variety, I settled with this. I do not have any expectations as the comments aren't all praising. However, it is only RM122 per night per person. I can't complain.

Eniwa: Just like Asahikawa, there aren't a lot of options near New Chitose Airport either. As this is my last stop, I didn't want to travel much on the day of my departure. So after discovering only one option, I settled with it. To be honest, it looks pretty awesome - it's a whole house! There's also a BBQ pit, and I intend to do some BBQing during my stay. The cost is RM142 per night per person. Also, the host speaks English. (*I found this listing on Airbnb first, but booked via Homeaway.)

The total cost of lodging is RM1433; averaging RM130 per night. I won't be able to find a comfortable hotel, with a washer, at that price. Comparing with my previous Japan trip, it's the same average cost - not accounting for the weaker ringgit this time around. What did I say? Airbnb is 'lit'. 

As always, I'll return with short reviews on the accommodation. I don't expect them all to be as wonderful as their pictures, but Japan is known to be clean. That's all I ask for. 

Check out my other posts on Hokkaido:
Hokkaido It Is - Trip Itinerary

Budgeting - 12 Days 11 Nights

Post-trip posts:

Hokkaido Trip Summary

So It's Hokkaido, Eh?

The initial plan was New Zealand South Island. But during the planning, NZ blew my budget. Hence, I settled for a cheaper holiday though not less wonderful: Hokkaido. Having loved my previous trip to Japan, any reason to go back is a good reason to go back. So it didn't take me long to settle on this place.

Being the advanced planner I am, my itinerary was pretty much set in December. I've only decided to post it now, certain I won't make anymore significant changes to it. And with the current exchange rate (higher than my last Japan escapade), I've capped the budget at RM5500 - more on the complete budget and accommodation in future posts. For now, here's the itinerary.

*This isn't the full itinerary. Maps, dates, and accommodation were removed. 

Check out my other posts on Hokkaido:

Airbnb Hokkaido

Budgeting - 12 Days 11 Nights

Post-trip posts:

Hokkaido Trip Summary

Taiwan Trip Summary

So, I'm back. With a sunburn. With extra body fat. And with boxes of Taiwanese mochi. Nope, no pineapple cakes... because Malaysia makes those better at a more affordable price. Now on to the important question:

How was the trip?

Generally, Taiwan was OK for me. I won't go back. It may only be 4 hours away, but it's not on my to-revisit list unlike Japan, South Korea, and Australia. It just didn't leave a great impression. But... that's just me. Who knows, you might have a different experience.

Blue sky and a sunburn at Qixingtan beach.

Day 1: A whole day of travel, from airplane to bus to train. We landed in Taoyuan International Airport at 11.30am and checked-in at Hualien at 6.40pm. 

Day 2: We rented bicycles at Giant Bicycles for NTD150 per bike a day. It was half the initial price I thought it would be. Apparently, NTD300 was for weekends. We cycled all the way to Qinxingtan beach via the city road, then cycled back to the city via the bicycle path for lunch. Did a little city sight-seeing before returning the bikes at around 3pm. After resting for a couple of hours in the hostel, and noticing the sunburn on our arms, we headed to Dongdamen Night Market for dinner. 

Day 3: Our taxi guide picked us up at our hostel at 9am. He drove us to Taroko National Park and stopped at all the places on the itinerary, except Baiyang Waterfall Trail as it was closed (the only trail I was looking forward to). The trails weren't fantastic, but there were some scenic spots. Still, I've seen better. I guess the more you travel the harder it is to be impressed. Also, pictures are an exaggeration of reality. If you'd like to see more pictures, check out my Instagram. 

The memorable 7-course lunch.

Day 4: Our taxi guide was right on time again. His name is Jason Huang, should you be interested. He gave an excellent service, despite the East Rift Valley being a dull place. In a sentence, let me say, Liyu Lake is just an ordinary lake, Lin Tian Shan Forestry Park is a timber museum, Guangfu Sugar Factory has nothing but sub-par ice-cream, and Ruisui Pasture isn't much of a farm. The only highlight of the day was our aboriginal lunch. Jason reserved a table for us at this reservation-only restaurant. It was NTD350 per person for 7 wild-grown, organic, aboriginal home-cooked dishes. We had our own likes and dislikes, but it was a gastronomic adventure. 

Day 5: We hopped on a morning train to Taipei and checked-in at 2pm. Then, we headed to Taipei Zoo. For the entrance fee, it is worth a visit. The zoo is huge! And there's plenty to see, if you have the time. After that, we took the Maokong Gondola to Maokong Mountain - we had the crystal cabin. As the sun was setting, the only bone-chilling moment was when cold gushes of air swooped into our glass cage. But despite the cold, the 30-minute ride provided a great panoramic view of day transitioning to night. Once at the top, we were just in time for dinner. Bracing the chilly air, we headed to Longmen Restaurant for a meal overlooking Taipei city. 

*Tip: if you want to cut cost, take a taxi down Maokong Mountain instead of the gondola. We saved NTD45 per person and 15 minutes.  

Day 6: Thinking businesses started early, we headed for Ximending at 9.30am. Half of the shops weren't open yet, but we managed to kill some time before heading for brunch at Tian Wai Tian Hotpot. You must, I repeat, you must give this restaurant a visit. The variety of seafood, desserts, drinks, fruits, and Haagen Dazs ice-creams is worth every dollar. It was the best meal of the trip, and the best buffet I've had in my life. Trust me, it's worth it. After that filling brunch, we visited Chiang Kai-Shek memorial hall, followed by the National Palace Museum (which is overpriced, in my book), and Shilin Night Market for dinner. Being that Malaysia has adopted the popular Taiwanese street food, and that we were still stuffed from the buffet, nothing intrigued us enough to make us stay for long. So we headed back after a few bites of stinky tofu. 

History lesson at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.

Day 7: We were told to take Bus 1819 instead of a train to the airport. Just in case you end up wandering around like we did, you can buy the tickets by the bus station itself. There's a booth just a few feet from the Bus 1819 queue. Our flight was at 12.40pm and we touched Malaysian soil at 5.10pm. It was back to reality. 

A warm meal on the chilly mount.

Did the budget work?

Yes. I had a surplus of NTD335. Depending on the conversion rate, that's about RM40. Not much, but I was surprised there was an extra. As the aboriginal lunch and the Longmen dinner couldn't be estimated before hand, and were actually expensive, I was afraid I would be short on cash. But even so, there were plenty of NTD to go around.

How was the lodging?

Hualien: This listing is a hostel. The host failed to make mention of this. When I search for listings on Airbnb, I always tick the 'Entire home/apt' box. So when I checked into this place, I assumed we would have the privacy. But when night came, we were surprised to find another person staying on the third floor. Now if you don't mind hostels, then this is a great place. It's clean, cosy, and comfortable. But if you're like me, and you prefer your own space, skip this one and look for another.

Taipei: I have no idea how this listing is constantly booked and has such a high rating. I don't like to give bad reviews as it affects the livelihood of others, but despite the spacious rooms, this place lacks hygiene. The bathroom is molding, the heater isn't working, and we found a dead cockroach under the table. The home itself isn't new, but the host could've paid more attention to cleaning. Oh, and there's barely any kitchen utensils. Like I said above, pictures are an exaggeration of reality, and very much so in this case.

The cliche shot by Taroko Archway.

Did I do any shopping?

I didn't plan to, but with a surplus in budget, I did. I brought home Taiwanese mochi, nougats, and dried fruits. My brother bought himself a pair of shoes for half the price it would have been in Malaysia. 

To sum it up...

Taiwan isn't my kind of place, and it has failed to top my previous escapades. It wasn't a bad trip, but it wasn't memorable either. At least I can check Taiwan off my list. 

Next stop, Hokkaido!

Check out my other posts on Taiwan:

Taiwan Getaway! - Trip Itinerary
Choose A Place Already! - Lodging
7 Days Taiwan Budget  

7 Days Taiwan Budget

Let me first say, that for 7 days, it's a pretty cheap trip. I tried to keep the budget below RM2k, but because I'm not sure about the food cost, I decided to play it safe and increase it. I also had to hire the taxi guide for an extra day, as an attraction I intended to visit on my own closed for the year.

Here's the break down:

7 Days, 6 Nights in Taiwan

Transportation: RM1149 

KL to Taipei (return) via Malindo Air: RM911

Airport to Taipei Station (return): RM40

Hualien Express Train - Tze-Chiang (return): RM110

Hualien One-Day Bike Rental: RM38

Misc Transport: RM50

Entry Fees/ Activities: RM285

Hualien 2-Day Guide Fee: RM215
National Palace Museum: RM32
Taipei Zoo: RM7.50
Maokong Gondola (return): RM30.50

Accommodation: RM 632

Hualien: RM 400 (4 nights)

Taipei: RM 232 (2 nights)

Food & Miscellaneous: RM392 

(Odd amount as it's adjusted to fit the round up of RM800 cash in-hand)  

*At time of cash conversion, currency rate fluctuates around RM 12.72 = NTD100

Estimated Total Per Person: RM2434

As always, I'm pretty sure there'll be a surplus. How much exactly, I can't tell now. It's always better to have more than less, right? Once I get back, I'll confirm whether the budget worked.

Check out my other posts on Taiwan:

Taiwan Getaway! - Trip Itinerary
Choose A Place Already! - Lodging

Post-trip post:

Taiwan Trip Summary 

Choose A Place Already!

I love Airbnb. I've said that one too many times. But it isn't just the cheap rates I love, the act of home-stay shopping is also extremely fun. Though, occasionally, frustrating. 

After days of scrolling and narrowing down options, I finally decided on these two places for my Taiwan stay. There will be no pictures, as you'll be able to see them on the listing itself.

(Curious about Airbnb? Click HERE to sign up and get 20$ off your first Airbnb stay.)

Hualien: Since I'm traveling by train, I like to make sure I have a place near the train station. It saves time and money when your Airbnb is just around the corner. Thankfully, I managed to find this place. It doesn't look very fancy, but there's a big space with necessary amenities. Strangely, no towels provided. But for RM100 a night (per person), who's complaining. 

Taipei: Apparently, there's a lot of Airbnbs around Taipei Main Station itself. However, a majority of them are small and... room-less. I personally like having rooms. After switching up my dates, I managed to secure this spacious apartment. It's RM116 a night (per person), and only 10 minutes away by foot to the main station.

Naturally, I compared my chosen listings to my prior trips. Taiwan is similar to Japan in many ways. However, after staying in two wonderful homes in Tasmania, one cannot help but wish that beautiful houses and generous hosts are everywhere. Still, Taiwan lodging cost is the cheapest by far with an average of RM105 per night. 

As to how the homes really are, I'll find out once I'm there. And as always, I'll be sure to fill you in on my discovery when I get back.

Check out my other posts on Taiwan:

Taiwan Getaway! - Trip Itinerary
7 Days Taiwan Budget  

Post-trip post:

Taiwan Trip Summary  

Taiwan Getaway!

I am going to Taiwan!

I've held back this post because there were changes to the itinerary due to a closure of one of the places I intended to go. However, everything is finally settled. So without further ado, here's my itinerary. It looks different from the rest, being that it's a short trip. But I've included as much information, as comprehensively, as possible.

HUALIEN

Day 1 - Travel & Check-In (Monday)

KUL to TPE - 7am to 11:35am

Airport to Taipei Station via Kuokang Line Bus1819, 55 minutes (NTD125)

Taipei Station to Hualien Station via Express Train Tze-Chiang, 2+ hours (NTD440).

Alternative travel plan:
Take Capital Bus from Taipei City Hall to Luodong, 1 hour.
Luodong to Hualien via Local Train, 1 hour 40 min.
(NTD209 combo ticket)

Day 2 - Coastal Biking (Tuesday)

Nanbin Park to Qinxingtan Beach

Rent a bike at Giant Bicycles Hualien Station, 8am - 6pm/ NTD300 a day.

Dongdamen Night Market

4pm - 12am
Hualien Terminal Station

Day 3 - Taroko National Park (Wednesday)

Guide pick-up at Hualien Station

Taroko Archway→ Shakadang Trail  → Changchun Shrine → Swallow Grotto → Cimu Bridge → Ho liu Suspension Bridge→ Lushui Trail → Baiyang Waterfall Trail

Day 4 - East Rift Valley (Thursday)

Guide pick-up at Hualien Station

Liyu Lake → Lin Tian Shan Forestry Park →The Guangfu Sugar Factory → Ruisui Pasture

TAIPEI

Day 5 - Check-in & Sightsee (Friday)

Hualien Station > Taipei Station via Express Train Tze-Chiang, 2+ hours (NTD440).

Taipei Zoo

9am - 5pm/ NTD60

Wenshan-Neihu Line - Taipei Zoo Station.

Maokong Gondola

8.30am - 10pm/ NTD240 (Maokong Mountain return trip) 

Taipei Zoo Station

Day 6 - Taipei Sightseeing (Saturday)

Brunch at Tian Wai Tian Hotpot
11am/ NTD539

Ximen Station Exit 6.

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall 

9am - 5pm
CKS Memorial Hall Station Exit 5

National Palace Museum

8:30am - 6:30pm/ NTD250

Tamsui-Xinyi Line - Shilin Station > Bus R30

Shilin Night Market

4pm - 2am
Jiantan Station Exit 1

Day 7 - Going Home (Sunday)

TPE to KUL - 12:40pm to 5:25pm

Taipei Station > Taoyuan Station via Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR), 20 minutes (NTD160).

Taoyuan Station Platform 1 Bus Depot > Airport via shuttle bus, 25 minutes (NTD30).

Check out my other posts on Taiwan:

Choose A Place Already! - Lodging
7 Days Taiwan Budget

Post-trip post:

Taiwan Trip Summary