Keeping A Journal

#kodakMOMENT

Well, hello there.

It's been  a while since I last write here. Been quite busy with work, life and yes! TRAVEL. I have just returned from Cambodia. It's a work + bp trip. Went for 2 days meeting and further extended my stay to explore the city of Phnom Penh. 

And no, I didn't get to go to Siem Riep and explore Angkor Wat. As much as I'd love to, it just didn't fit in with my schedule cos it's either Phnom Penh or Siem Riep. And I chose Phnom Penh. I had a jolly good time there. 

Ok, I'm digressing. Lari dari tajuk posting. hahaha.

Anyway, coming back to the topic. For avid traveller, season backpacker, constant flashpacker or whatever it is you wanna call yourself, I have this to say to you: KEEP A TRAVEL LOG. 

This. My mini travel journal. Small and easy to carry around.

Well, a travel log can be in any form that suits you. Never ever imitate or try to follow what others are doing. Just because what they did was awesome, it may not necessarily be good or fit in with your style. In the end, you'll end up NOT DOING IT. 

The best possible way is to just write it within your schedule. If you ask me, when travel I will always write a snippets and point form just to recall it during the writing process. 

If I'm on the and it's difficult to event write, then I'll resort to voice note in the phone. Later when I'm free or during coffee or in proper sitting position then only the writing process begins. Even so, I like to write in numerical order. Not some lengthy paragraph that will definitely bore me to death. 

To give you idea, just go to Tun Mahathir's blog (http://chedet.cc/). It's clear, cohesive, concise, straight to the point and very crisp. 

Senang je kan. 

One more thing that I love to do is that I doodle in my travel journal. That keep it interesting and excite me to write more. Well, if not more the doodle help me to reminiscent the event that happened. For my euro trip, I didn't write a lot, but I doodle in it and the doodle reminded me of the interesting stories behind.  

Below. My travel - doodle from recent trip to CAMBODIA:

I hope the above gives you an insight how to start writing. Remember, so much our memories kick-ass, one day it'll fail us that we will find it hard to remember the time you had when travelling. This will be your personal treasure. And you may share with your kids or grandkids. Better, publish it and share to the world! 

Ok, that's all for the time being. I'm yet to blog on Phnom Penh. Gimme time.  

See you later, alligator. Hehek.

Why do we travel

There's this saying: The world is your oyster, TRAVEL!

As cliché as it may sound, there's some truth in it. Oyster, famed for its aphrodisiac (read: medicinal) purposes and of course, and by that, it metaphorically signify that it provides pleasure. And no one can deny the fact that traveling gives you joy; regardless for whatever purpose, mean, distance and who you travel with. 

arc de triumphe, paris 2013: that's me blowing kiss to y'all! hahah

The mood swings and severe headache from planning and scheming would cease once you start your car, or step on the plane to embark for the journey. The sense of relief is indescribable and you will sheepishly smile loudly! I have traveled to quite a number of countries for the past 20 years. The first overseas trip was when I was an undergraduate student. It was like a dream come true and I enjoyed every bit of it. 

the younger version of me back in the heyday where life was simple, fun, 
and no worry (except exams and deadlines!)

Despite financial challenges, I could proudly claim that I did it! Stepping foot in the London was a lifetime dream and when the opportunities knocked, without any hesitation, I jumped to the offer! And it was worth every bit of it. 

first time reached Normandy (read: Saving Private Ryan). beautiful town with centuries old architecture. 
we crossed the English channel via Brittany Ferry for good eight hours.

And yeah, I don't know whether this is true or not, there's this study on the things your are passionate about with your blood type. Guess what, I'm a B positive type and travel fits nicely with the people who like to travel. Coincidence? You tell me. He he he. 

When it comes to travel, all of us have preferences. Some like to travel lavishly while others prudently. Your status too say so much about your traveling style. For student, you may look into the opportunities that allow you to travel with an edge i.e through education means like university or college mate trips. 

this was back in campus years. we hiked the Gunung Tahan. Tiring. But fun!

Traveling as a student was one many highlights that I will always cherished. Sometimes its not about the destination. Rather, who you travel with. One of the biggest hurdle traveling as students is the financial aspect of it. For that matter too, you travel with friends because it close the gap you are facing when cost is accounted in. You split the cost, you shared your food and chew gum when there's not enough money to buy food (TRUE STORY HEH!)

Below the Eiffel Tower. The weather was unpredictable. Cloudy and drizzling 
and all of a sudden, it was bright and shiny.