The Boring Side of Backpacking: Killing Time, Being Productive, and Relaxing for a Second

The day after I left my hostel job, I used some points on a hotel and absolutely crashed. I had plans to go to a Firefly Park with friends, but I was overwhelmed and retreated. The moment my head hit the (four!) pillows (luxury!), I realized that I was completely, utterly exhausted. I could barely move. I didn’t leave the building for the next 24 hours…I extended my stay another night because I needed to get my energy back and make a game plan. My flight to Australia wasn’t until the 12th of October…and it was the 23rd of September. I had originally booked a trip to Bali, but fears of Mt. Agung’s possible eruption kept me in Malaysia. (The alert level for the airport was one step away from completely shutting down, and I had a cat to sit. Honestly, if I didn’t have obligations in Australia, I might have risked getting stuck in the world of the Yoga Barn.) I had a very limited budget, a weak source of freelancing income, over two weeks before my flight to Australia, and no plan…so I had to kill some time.

Continue reading

me, too

Me, Too.

I saw the “Me too.” statuses going around Facebook pretty early on, and I didn’t think too hard about copying and pasting the status. The idea of showing your social network just how often women are sexually harassed or assaulted is meant to be a wake-up call for men. Without going into detail about my experiences (yet), I also was curious as to how many women would participate. I knew it would make me feel less alone.

Continue reading

George Town: Your Instagram’s Favorite City

I left Kuala Lumpur earlier than expected, and my time in Malaysia has been unexpectedly extended. (Say that five times fast.) After weighing my options, I decided to go to George Town for a few days. …and then I went back. And then I went back. Throughout my travels in Malaysia, George Town has become my home base. I love doing work at Wheeler’s Coffee and eating at the Woodlands Vegetarian Indian Restaurant. Kuala Lumpur is a better base if you’re going to explore more of Malaysia or Southeast Asia, but I’ve found myself back in George Town multiple times without a single complaint.

Continue reading

Ladies’ Night and Rooftop Bars: Your Guide to Kuala Lumpur’s Nightlife

If you’re traveling through Southeast Asia, you may have a layover or a pit stop in Kuala Lumpur. You’ll find that Malaysia’s capital city has it all, from nature parks to shopping malls to great nightclubs with cheap drinks.

If you have a day in the city, use this great Kuala Lumpur guide to plan your itinerary. Once you’ve had dinner and a drink at Jalan Alor, however, it’s time to explore Kuala Lumpur’s exciting nightlife.

Continue reading

table9 bangsar

Review: Table9

On my way out of Kuala Lumpur, I decided to treat myself and take a trip to Bangsar Village. Bangsar Village is a great area for dining, drinking, and enjoying Kuala Lumpur at night. Tucked away in Bangsar Village is Table9, and I used a KindMeal deal to get a discount on my solo dinner date.

Continue reading

Grab Cafe Kuala Lumpur

Review: Grab Cafe

My past few KindMeal reviews have all taken place around the Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur, but I’m shaking things up! This week I’m reviewing Grab Cafe!

Address: Unit 1-5, Ground Floor Menara UOA Bangsar, No. 5, Jalan Bangsar Utama 1, Bangsar, 59000, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hours: Open 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; Closed on Saturday and Sunday

Free Wifi? Yes!

KindMeal Deal: 10% off with Basic Discount; 20% off with KindWords Sharing; valid on any meat-free items

Do They Take Cards? They accept card payment for purchases over MYR 20.

Continue reading

Can Vegetarians Visit Southeast Asia?

Can Vegetarians Visit Southeast Asia? An Herbivore’s Guide

Anyone with a dietary restriction may be hesitant before traveling to a new place, especially if you’re already dealing with new languages, new cultures, and new traditions.

I stuck to a plant-based diet while traveling through Europe, but I was unsure of what I would find when I got to Southeast Asia. All I saw on Instagram are people eating scorpions off the street, and I couldn’t find too much information on how easy it was to stick to a vegetarian diet. I’ve been in Southeast Asia for three months now, and here’s what I’ve learned…

Continue reading

Review: Cafe Etc Kuala lumpur

Review: Cafe Etc.

Coffee shop lovers will hit the jackpot visiting (or living in) Kuala Lumpur. I have another review sponsored by KindMeal, the world’s first meat-free lifestyle platform! This week, I visited Cafe Etc., and I’m happy to share this local gem with you!

Cafe Etc.

Cafe Etc Review - Kuala LumpurAddress: 198, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hours:  10 AM-10PM Tuesday-Sunday; closed on Mondays

Free Wifi?: Yes!

KindMeal Deal10% off with Basic Discount; 20% off with KindWords Sharing; valid on any meat-free items

Know Before You Go: Credit cards can only  be used on purchases MYR 60 and up.

Continue reading

review: vcr coffee

Review: VCR

I’ve been working remotely for the past year and a half, so I’m always looking for quality coffee shops that allow me to set up shop and enjoy a good drink while I work. So when I saw a KindMeal deal at VCR, I jumped on the opportunity. KindMeal offers 25% off for a Portobello Mushroom Quiche and Cappuccino.

Continue reading