Saturday 21 March 2020

Xiao Bai Choy (XBC Vancation): A step closer to dream

No words could describe the excitement I have with my new campervan building project.

It started with my interest of billing up a tiny home. I used to think if i can own a piece of small land and build a tiny home for retirement. Unfortunately, this is challenging in Malaysia and high in cost. So I kept this interest a side and with my busy schedule over the years, I have forgotten about it until recently I started to see people travelling with campervan which could be a cheaper option to fulfil my tiny home dreams. I have started t research and watch many videos regarding on building a motorhome, however, I'm still very sceptical on building up one for myself. My partner reminded me about my dreams, and with her encouragement I decided to proceed to kick start this project.

My first step is to buy a van. Sounds easy right? It's not easy actually, you will have to identify which type of van you are looking at, either you get a cheap old van or a huge high ceiling, powerful engine van where the cost can range from RM6,000-RM70,000 for a second hand van. So it came back to my budget, how much I am willing to pay for this entire project. I drawn out the finance plan and decided to park RM25,000 aside for the entire project. 

With this budget, I bought a 1993 made Toyota Liteace, a small  high ceiling compact van. A lot of maintenance and repair needed, which I am taking the repair steps by steps.


After getting a van, the next step is to get the measurement and start to plan the furniture that needed to be placed in the van, to solve the power and water supplies. To ensure things is in order, my partner and I have tried to camp with the van at a nearby campsite, to experience and identify the must have items for the van.

Here are some temporary furniture of the van to fulfil our camping desire before completing the whole project.
- A bed
- Air bed
- Electric water pump
- Lights
- Fan
- Curtains
- A table
- Chairs
- Portable gas stove
- Ice box

Monday 18 February 2019

Batu Bukit Chondong - short and sweet hike

It's been a while I have not updated my blog. Well, I picked up hiking as hobby in the past one year and I decided to share some of the trails here.

Batu Bukit Chondong, probably one of the shortest hiking trail in Klang Valley with a breathtaking view.

It starts with an uphill climb following a chain link fence on the left. You will ducked your way through a dense bamboo grove. I love the bamboo as it blocks the sun, making a shady walk.

It's all the way uphill after the bamboo grove until you confronted by a rock wall, where the peak is right after it.

The most challenging part of the hike is to scramble over tree roots and rope to hoist yourself across big rocks to reach the peak. Hard work paid off when you see the view from the peak. There are a few spots for photography at the peak.

It's takes about 20 minutes to reach the peak and another 20 minutes downhill.

Here are some photos of the trail.

The rock wall before the peak


 View from the peak





Hoisting across rock to reach the peak





The peak is rocky, and you have to do a bit of climbing to move around.



The bamboo grove




Sunday 1 July 2018

Singapore

What comes into your mind when we say Singapore? To me, it's just another busy city which has nothing special. My most recent visit to this 721.5 km2 piece of land has proved me wrong.

Being a Malaysian living in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore is just an hour flight away. I have been travelling to Singapore for close to 10 times, but yet to really do a full tour around the island.


Studio M hotel

My 3D2N tour starts by checking in to the sleekly Studio M hotel, a loft inspired designer boutique hotel located next to the Alkaff Bridge, Robertson Walk is just 3mins walking distance and Clarke Quay is just 10mins walk from the hotel.

Clarke Quay

Alkaff Bridge

Since it's an unplanned trip, and we decided to only go free and easy, hence we never struggle on time and just decide where to visit on the spot. So it's completely stress free tour!

Here are some photos taken during the trip. I did a big mistake for not bringing my DSLR this round, however, my Huawei P10 Plus did a good job in capturing those memories.

Singapore Flyer

Supertrees Grove Gardens by the Bay

City View from Marina Bay Sands

The Lotus Pond at ArtScience Museum

The Busy Bee

Sunset view from Skypark
Sunset view from Skypark

Helix Bridge - Marina Bay Sands - ArtScience Museum

The Merlion - Marina Bay Sands

The Merlion

China Town

China Town



Sunday 17 July 2016

Paramotoring-Pulau Indah

This is nothing to do about photography but something that I would like to share here.

I tend to accompany many people for activities or trips, I am just not that adventurous person that daring to things alone; however this time I decided to go for paramotoring alone even though all of my friends cannot make it. This is something that I would love to try in my life. 

So it's a half day activities, flying a tiny aircraft-they called. A very good experience although I'm quite worried that the whole machine will collapse due to the strong wind, but we made it!

This is like the challenges we face everyday in our life, facing turbulence that hits directly on your skin over thousand feet above the ground, you are nervous but you know as long as you are fully equipped, patient enough and stay strong to fight back, you will make it through and when time comes that you need to land, stay calm, off the engine and make a free fall, when you are skillful enough to control you will land smoothly.

Some photos to share. It's beautiful up there the visibility is good today and we are lucky to have rainbow as a bonus.









Tuesday 12 July 2016

The Animals in The Big City

This is a long awaited family vacation. Flight was booked a year ago and things was planned out six months before we leave the country.

So we are here in Sydney, I will first cover all the zoo, we visit. Yes, ZOO! ....and we visited 

The Featherdale Wildlife Park, got a photo with Koala, seeing the lazy Wombat having his afternoon nap. 

The Taronga Zoo, checking out the Wallaby having their tea time and kangaroo sun tanning

and Wild Life Sydney Zoo, playing with the shy porcupine.













Yup, It's me with the shy porcupine!

Tuesday 21 June 2016

I'm Back!

It's been a year I left here unattended.
Well, I changed my career doing event management, where I did travel a bit but don't really have much time for myself.

...and 2016 gonna be an exciting year! Enjoying the freedom of life...
Will start posting great memories again!


Saturday 20 December 2014

Macau - Food Version

I normally don't blog about food for my trips...well, I'm going to do an exception this round,
as it is too good and I would like to recommend.


Must Try 路環漢記手打咖啡
(don't think they have an english name)

The coffee is good, don't ask me why I travel so far for maggi,
this is what the locals have for breakfast and I have to blend in the culture. :)




Lord Stow's Bakery - yummy egg tart! I mean super YUMMY!!!






倫記軟滑腸粉- egg, spring onions, prawns....smooth and soft on every bite