Malacca or known as “The
Historic City” is located about 3 hours from the country’s capital, Kuala
Lumpur. In history, it is widely known to be the capital of Portuguese Malacca
and Dutch Malacca before being part of the British’s Straits Settlements
together with Singapore and Penang.
Along the historical
Chinatown Street of Malacca, Jonker Walk, lies one of the beautiful reminders
of Malaysia’s past; the Shophouse. Shophouses are usually two to three stories
high, with the lower floor being utilized as a shop and the upper floors as a
residential space.
Stepping inside the lobby,
at the authentic Peranakan Mansion transports you back into 1920s Malacca: from
the original intricate porcelain floorings, fine carpets, teakwood furnishings
and to that particular Baba (Male) color of bright tourmaline, each aspect of
the property screamed old-world Chinese glamour.
Kuala Lumpur, the capital of the Southeast Asian country of
Malaysia is definitely not your normal metropolis. It is a melting pot of
different Asian minorities and as a result, it forms a city with a diverse
culture- a mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian settlements peacefully living under
one developed city. How amazing is that?
You could say that the Majestic Kuala Lumpur is the grand old dame of Malaysia's capital; it was built in 1932 as a 51-room hotel and have witnessed many important milestones in this Southeast Asian country's history. After being restored from its 28 year closure, The Majestic Kuala Lumpur is now better than ever; with the construction of the very modern Tower Wing and a stunning facelift of the old Majestic Wing. It definitely gives you an insight of what this city has to offer: a beautiful mix of the old and the new.
Call me the details guy, but for me, it is always the small things that makes an escape extra special; a personalized hand-written letter, a welcome gift or a little something that makes you feel at home the moment you see it. I guess luck was on my side during my work slash business trip to Gaya Island Resort because I got all three.
As an art student, I am often attracted to the gradation of colors; especially when it happens in nature. On my recent trip to Malaysia, I was amazed by how a 15-minute jetty ride can change the colors in nature by a 180 degrees; from the solid color of city pavements to the turquoise blue waters of Gaya Island.
Gaya Island is located a few kilometers west of Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia's state of Sabah and a two-hour plane ride from the country's capital, Kuala Lumpur. Its amazing how a two-hour plane ride can change the scenery; from the very modern buildings of Kuala Lumpur to the gradient blue waters of Gaya Island. This is one of the reasons why I keep coming back to Malaysia.
After an amazing stay at the Gaya Island Resort (as always) in Kota Kinabalu a few days ago, I saw myself on yet another airplane seat. This time, with a brief stopover in Kuala Lumpur before taking a short 4 hour hop to Manila. Of course, with a stopover in Malaysia's capital, I just had to visit Malaysia Airlines' Regional Golden Lounge at the Main Terminal!
As a kid, I never liked the beach (I know, who could
actually hate the beach?!), but yeah I did. Maybe because I was spending so much time in the
city that I wasn’t really used to living that kind of life. But recently all of
that has changed- I was sitting in a beach chair at the Gaya Island Resort
beach, sunglasses on, a cold beverage in-hand and looking at the horizon. I
asked myself: “How can I seriously hate all of these?!”
Of course, like any other resort, Gaya Island Resort is no exemption in putting this notorious "don't disturb" room sign (I mean everyone wants privacy and cleanliness, right?). But what sets them apart from the others is this super awesome wood block with one side that resembles a girl doing the "hush!" hand gesture while the other one is a simple broom carving.
I adore these kinds of details; very unique yet not screaming with attention. Just the right amount of it
Its crazy how a simple five to eight minute boat ride can take you somewhere "out of this world" kind of silent and serene. You might think its impossible (I did too!) till I experienced it exactly two weeks ago in Gaya Island Resort in Malaysia.
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Welcome to Passport Out!
Join us as we let go of everything familiar! and make the unfamiliar, familiar.
