Trip - Bintan - The Residence

Hi Blog,

In 2023, I took my first trip to Bintan with D, and we stayed at Nirwana Gardens. I want to visit all the beach resorts in Bintan (if only I were sponsored). Even though I spoiled one of my travel mates' experiences (typically) there due to my eyesoreness and shxttiness. However, I will either do it myself or have an accommodating travel mate if there is one. For my second stay in Bintan, based on Google Maps 'resort search', I want to target the more distant resort, which is The Residence, in the east of Bintan.

Good morning, Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. This time, I got the later ferry, so I won't be rushing.

Hope I won't disappoint anyone, including myself, on this trip after that wallet-bleeding incident... Let's go and explore together!

Trip - Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus

Hi Blog,

Today, I took leave to visit Lazarus Island. It seems I really love that place, don’t I? Yes, I have even thought about going to the island once a month, but I don’t want to get too accustomed to it and lose its magic.

Perfect weather for an island visit!

Today's post is special because I want to share my visit to an island feature: Tiny Away, or Tiny House @ Lazarus, which will soon be closing down. I wanted to experience it before it disappears, so let me show you how I spent my time there. Any new reader should take note. My experience at Tiny Away Escape is only a small part of my entire post. It may not provide useful information for everyone. Here, I share my stay at Tiny Away Escape.

If you missed my previous trips to Lazarus Island, you can check them out here. Oh my, I am a Lazarus regular. Lazarus Island and Kusu Island (2017) and again (2017), Solo trip (2017), Drone on the Island (2018), Disappointed Trip (2019), Chao Ta Day (2020), Me-Time (2020), Leading a Group (2020), Beach boy (2021), Visiting the island (2021), Explored the Unexplored (2021), Rainy Island (2021), Best Suntan (2022), Monday Orange (2022), Leading a Hike (2022), Sunny Island (2022), Mr Sun's Island (2023), Lesser Sun (2023), No Water (2023), Access while Low Tide (2023), New Tent (2024), Free Trip (2025), Quiet Battle Within (2025), A Day at Lazarus (2025), Weekend Suntan (2026), Eyesore Tanning (2026), Good Friday Lazarus (2026)

Trip - My Disney Adventure Cruise Experience

Hi Blog,

I had the opportunity to go on a Disney Cruise with L, something we had promised to do since last year. The pricing for the staterooms is based on two adults, meaning that even if only one person travels, they still pay the full price. Since a stateroom can accommodate up to four guests, sharing the room is a smart way to save money. L is a big Disney fan, and since his partner isn’t interested in cruises, he invited me to join him on this trip. Given that the Disney Cruise rarely stops in Singapore, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to experience something special together. This is the background behind my decision to embark on this journey.

The weather seemed calm for travelling!

Honestly, the price I paid for the cruise was quite wallet-damaging, but I believe it offers great value for the experience I’m about to have. I hope it will be worth it with the amenities and activities included. I’m determined to make the most of this adventure and embrace everything the cruise has to offer. Let’s embark on this journey together! If you want to go on your own Disney Adventure Cruise, you can click here to find out more.

Trip - Oceanarium Singapore

Hi Blog,

It was supposed to park under January 2026, but I will need more time to draft this one. (This one took me a lot of time. This will be a perfect example if I decide to do a serious post which no one reads. Hahaha...) Anyway, this post is about the Singapore Oceanarium. Have you been to Oceanarium yet?

I was fortunate to get a ticket from my admin team because I missed the opportunity to go to the Oceanarium with my colleagues last November while I was attending a three-day course.

Today I decided to utilise that ticket before it expired. Personally, I love to look at fish tanks in an aquarium; it is like they take a small section of a habitat for closer observation, as if you are swimming with them. Hence, many years ago, I visited Singapore Sea Aquarium (2015 & 2020) twice and Underwater World (2016), and I love it.

Trip - Penang City Tour

Hi Blog,

For the second part of my journey, I will continue my post from Taiping to Penang City. If you have missed it, you can continue from there and come back again.

Taiping is a quiet town, but I love it. If I could teleport anywhere to travel around, I would visit Taiping again...

Thanks to our tour guide for arranging that itinerary, and I am excited about the next one to Penang. If you missed out on my first Penang itinerary in 2016, you may click here to read more of it. It was when I had just started my blogging habit, so my write-up was quite raw.

Trip - Taiping Sepatang Tour

Hi Blog,

This weekend, I will be travelling again! Many people have commented that I treat the airport like my second home. I understand they are teasing me, but it's not a pleasant feeling, and I need to learn how to manage it. My elder brother wants to organise another big family trip to Penang, and our itinerary will be managed by a tour guide. Previously, he had taken my aunts and uncles to Genting Highlands Day 1 & 2, and KL Day 3 & 4 (2024).

I will be staying overnight at my elder brother's house so that we can grab a meal together with my aunties.

I hope this trip will be conflict-free and less dramatic, and that we can bond well! Personally, I just wanted to relax during the whole trip. It was a four-day trip, and I will divide this into two long posts about different parts of Malaysia - Taiping and Penang.

Personal - Good Friday Lazarus

Hi Blog,

It's Good Friday today, a holiday! Yippee! What should I do today? Some time ago, my friend J accompanied me on camping trips to Pulau Hantu and several hiking excursions. Subsequently, he had to attend to certain family matters. Once matters had settled, he wanted a break and requested that I accompany him on a visit to an island.

The weather today appeared to be quite favourable.

But but... I don't like the idea of visiting Lazarus, especially on public holidays... But that is the only day when he can take a break from his part-time work and feel that his mother is able to take care of herself. I think from my past Lazarus visits, I had never tried to visit on public holidays. I will take this opportunity to show you why.

If you missed my previous trips to Lazarus Island, you can check them out here. Oh my, I am a Lazarus regular. Lazarus Island and Kusu Island (2017) and again (2017), Solo trip (2017), Drone on the Island (2018), Disappointed Trip (2019), Chao Ta Day (2020), Me-Time (2020), Leading a Group (2020), Beach boy (2021), Visiting the island (2021), Explored the Unexplored (2021), Rainy Island (2021), Best Suntan (2022), Monday Orange (2022), Leading a Hike (2022), Sunny Island (2022), Mr Sun's Island (2023), Lesser Sun (2023), No Water (2023), Access while Low Tide (2023), New Tent (2024), Free Trip (2025), Quiet Battle Within (2025), A Day at Lazarus (2025), Weekend Suntan (2026), Eyesore Tanning (2026)

Trip - Short Getaway to Korea

Hi Blog,

As you know, travelling with a group of friends is one of my wishes, and that also includes travelling with colleagues. Why so? Because, personally, I think being able to travel together is an art; it shows a willingness to bond and to get to know one another.

But sometimes, it has an issue. Is there anyone who wants to do so, especially with me? Haha. When it happens, it is a blessing for me.

But there is a risk when travelling together; it can break the relationship or leave scars during or after the trip. Personally, I take every moment of travelling to get to know a person and determine whether that person is a good travel partner.

Anyway, I will be going to spend four days on a four-day getaway in Korea with my colleagues! I won't divide my four-day trip into four posts and will keep it all in one. By the way, in case you might have missed my previous trips to Korea, if you are keen, you may click on My First Korea Trip (2024) & Korea Trip with my Mother (2025)

Trip - Staying at Montigo Resort Batam

Hi Blog,

This year, I didn't go to Halloween night at USS, and I also wanted to visit some resorts in Bintan or other places with D. However, I can't forget that I spoiled D's mood during the trip. I think not just him; I also nearly spoiled HD before, too. So I decided to go on a solo staycation, but for this trip, I wanted to give one more chance to test other people's patience with me, so I got SKK to accompany me.

Anyway, I should stay focused on the topic. Today, I will be going to a resort in Batam, where I always ask my friends or colleagues why staycations in Batam don't have nice beaches.

Until I came to a website that always has special offers for civil servants, I found that this resort would be my first staycation, which I decided to try: Montigo Resort at Batam.

Personal - A Day for Lazarus

Good morning Blog,

Okay, so after ages of planning and finally finding the perfect time to go to Lazarus with my friends, D was trying to find the right date with his busy schedule and mine. Fortunately, we actually made it happen!

Blessed weather, too! As you may recall, it has been raining lately, but Heaven was preparing these clouds for noon. 

I always want to visit a beautiful beach and become a beach boy (well-tanned, healthy, active, and always cheerful). Too bad, I am a seal and can only do so when I am there to daydream.

Trip - Visit JB Capyba Cafe

Hi Blog,

Call me naive or noob, because today I was going to take a train from Singapore to JB for the first time! I often hear about this method of transportation to JB from other people, but I haven't had the chance to experience it due to the difficulty in obtaining a ticket.

And after a month plus of planning, we finally got a chance to try it out!

BP helped us book the train tickets on the online portal (link). Based on my testing with the platform, high-demand periods generally occur on weekends; therefore, it is advisable to make advance reservations.

Personal - Five Days Korea Trip with my Mother

Hi Blog,

I decided to bring my mom on a trip to Korea — just the two of us. This is the first time I’m holidaying with her on my own, without friends or other relatives, and it feels both significant and a little intimidating. I wanted to make the most of this opportunity while we’re still healthy and able to travel together. My main aim was not just sightseeing, but also strengthening our bond, creating happy memories, and hopefully gaining a better understanding of each other. I believe this trip is an opportunity for me to show my mom that I care for her, appreciate her, and want to make the most of the time we have together.

Day 0 – Time to travel!

Before we left, I was worried about the potential struggles we might face. I know from our past that communication can be difficult — sometimes I feel I’m not being heard, or even that I’m misunderstood. This made me nervous about whether we’d enjoy the trip or if conflict might arise and spoil the experience. I was afraid I might become stressed or discouraged, rather than strengthening our relationship. Nevertheless, I chose to be brave, to appreciate the moment, and to do my best to make it a warm and meaningful holiday for both of us.

Trip - Australia D6 - Returning Reflection

Hi Blog,

Finally, my last post was about my first trip to Melbourne. However, most people thought writing a blog, especially what I was doing, was time-consuming and pointless. Most people will simply save the photos to their phone or somewhere else, where they will be kept and possibly forgotten.

It felt like a form of reflection, recalling, learning, and memory to me. Like, right now, first thing in the morning, I started packing.

While packing, I was reflecting on the entire process and feeling... If there is someone who can care for my plants, I will have to stay longer... Alright, let’s get back to the topic.

Trip - Australia D5 - Beach & Phillip Island

Hi Blog,

After the State Coal Mine, our next plan for the day was to visit Phillip Island and meet some adorable pet penguins. It was highly recommended by my friends.

WC told me there was a road that I was looking for, so I quickly snapped it with my phone, as I couldn't spare any time to hesitate. It turned out to be good enough, if not the best!

Along the way, I asked WC to stop by one of the beaches on Phillip Island, and he agreed! Let's go!

Trip - Australia D5 - State Coal Mine

Hi Blog,

Today marked the fifth day of our trip to Melbourne. Staying at someone's house puts me at ease.

Sitting on a carpet at home is a unique experience, but I understand it requires a lot of upkeep.

Where will we go today? We tried to keep it simple with three locations, starting with the farthest (not as far as the Twelve Apostles), and as the title suggests, WC had never heard of it.

Trip - Australia D4 - Go Suburbs

Good Morning Blog,

Fourth day in Melbourne, and there are still so many things and places I have not seen... Anyway, I intended to spend the first three with my friend Sf and the last three with my Australian friend WC. Fortunately, Sf and WC do not mind making new friends, so Sf will not be alone in the city while I am away with WC.

WC will be coming to our hotel to pick us up.

I was wondering what and where we would be going next. The fourth day was spent visiting the suburbs where WC lived to gain a general understanding of how the locals live.

Trip - Australia D3 - Geelong Waterfront

Alright Blog,

Where were we? Oh, yeah. So, after checking out Sovereign Hill, we headed to our next stop.

It was a different kind of road, and I was admiring how long and twisted it was. I like the road that leads up to the sky because it creates a beautiful image that is both unreachable and reachable.

Will anything be interesting to look out for at the next location? Should have. I will not make many comments and will let my photos speak for themselves.

Trip - Australia D3 - Sovereign Hill

Good Morning Blog,

Let us continue with our third day in Australia. Where are we headed today? You knew from the title.

It would be another long car ride, but still shorter than the Great Ocean Road on Day 2.

You may be thinking that Sovereign Hill is just a place; what makes it special? We were going to the Sovereign Hill Gold Mine Tour, which a few people had recommended to me, but Sf suggested it, and it would be a great place to visit.

Trip - Australia D2 - Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve

Yoh Blog,

Let us continue from where we left off in the previous post: the Great Ocean Road. Sf recognised that I enjoy seeing the natural side of a new location, so he suggested we visit Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, which offers free admission! Yippee!

Another long ride, but not far from the Great Ocean Road.

What's Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve? In short, Tower Hill is home to some of Australia's native wildlife, including emus, kangaroos, and koalas, which live in a large dormant volcano. Visitors can explore the area's wetlands, craters, and bush. My imagination began to run wild, as if there would be a large number of animals roaming around like on a safari. Let's see if we can find any!

Trip - Australia D2 - Great Ocean Way

Good morning Blog,

Today we went on a road trip to the Great Ocean Road! Anyone who knows I am going to Melbourne has highly recommended it.

You may be wondering if my title is incorrectly named. It should be 'Road' rather than 'Way', correct? There is a reason, which I will explain last.

Why did I wake up so early, like 6:30 a.m.? Aside from the need to get the vehicle out early due to the long distance, there was another reason...