Travel Recap: S2025

Hello everyone! What's up? I hope it's not too late for me to wish you all a happy new year! Here's to wishing that 2026 will serve us with more good surprises & rain us with glorious achievements ahead. Cheers! 🍻

For today's post, looking at the title, I'd like to gladly share my travel experience throughout the whole 2025. Before we start, I'd like to inform you all that for this travel journal specifically, it's gonna be a little different from the previous ones as the prior travel writings were focused more on what I did (itinerary) for the whole of the trips. So for this journal, I'd like to emphasize more on what I've gained & learned also how each country has opened my eyes to perceive the world & life in general. Without further ado, let's buckle up cause we have 7 flights to catch!

HAT YAI, THAILAND.

I kicked off my expedition with going for a vacation to my favourite country (still) aka my second home, Thailand back in January. Sawadee Khrap. It's a yearly tradition for me to visit Siam & you all know it well right? Doesn't matter which part of the country, Thailand is a must every year. So for last year, I decided to go to Hat Yai & when you say "Hat Yai", there's only one thing that pops to your mind. "FOOD". Excluding Malaysian Cuisines, I can boldly claim that Thailand's Food is one of the best in the world. I could devour all those Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, Pad Kha Prao, Khao Mok (& the list goes on man) all day long.

The thing about Hat Yai, as well as Thailand in general, the country introduced me to a more leisurely, gentle way of living where joy isn't loud, costly, or hurried. It showed me that joy can be straightforward, freedom can feel natural, and commonplace experiences like a meal, a stroll, or a stranger's smile can have significance. I discovered that sometimes traveling doesn't change who I am—rather, it exposes who I already was, just in a different location and that life doesn't need to be fled, only expanded. That is why Thailand will forever have a special place in my heart. Chan Rak Khun Siam.

EAST JAVA, INDONESIA.

Fast forward to 8 months later, I then flew to another neighboring country, Indonesia. For this trip, I decided to explore the east side of Java Island comprising of Surabaya, Malang & Batu. This time, it was all about reconnecting with Mother Nature. From Mount Bromo's splendor to the beauty of Tumpak Sewu Waterfall & finally Surabaya's vibrant metropolis, East Java was a short reality escape.

East Java probably made me realize how small I am in the face of nature, how resilience is quietly built through struggle, and how beauty frequently coexists with chaos. It also taught me humility, patience, and gratitude, demonstrating to me that growth isn't always comfortable, that strength comes from adapting, and that life, like travel, is about embracing both awe and hardship with respect rather than control. Thank you Indonesia for always reminding, humbling & teaching me the meaning of gratitude.

ISTANBUL, TURKIYE.

3 months after East Java, I then decided to spend the last few weeks of 2025 in Europe, starting off with Istanbul. For your information, Istanbul was just for a short layover before my next flight. Albeit it was only for a few hours, I still enjoyed my stroll around the major city which sits on two continents; Europe & Asia. I don't need to mention how wonderful Istanbul is as I've already shared about my Turkiye Exploration in my previous posts. Istanbul 2025 was more of a trip down to memory lane, reminiscing how good the Turkiye 2024 trip was. The first thing that I looked for was of course their infamous Nutella Simit. The first bite had me saying "I've missed this country so much" 😂.

Istanbul reinforces the idea that contrast can coexist beautifully, that chaos and calm, old and new, Asia and Europe can all live side by side, and that identities don't have to be singular and that it's possible to exist between worlds, cultures, and histories without having to choose one. This has probably enlighten me to be more at ease with duality, complexity, and the in-between spaces of life rather than constantly searching for clear labels or absolutes. Tessekur Ederim.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM.

4 hours after departing from Istanbul, "London, here I am." It's a city where ancient history, global power, and daily chaos somehow coexist, medieval buildings sit next to glass skyscrapers, everyone walks like they’re late for something important, and the weather provides exactly zero emotional support. Nevertheless, I'm able to finally comprehend & accept the hype of the city itself, the reasons to why people, especially Malaysians love visiting there. London is ancient in soul, chaotic in spirit. It's where tradition meets unpredictability. Not to forget, the accessibility of their public transportation especially their underground train, which is prominently known as The Tube is definitely top notch! If you somehow want to experience the classic London style, get yourself on the double decker, specifically bus Number 1. It's like a moving London Museum, running through the heart of the city passing tons of famous landmarks, including Big Ben & The Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Tower of London & many more. Inevitably one of the busiest city in the world.

The city has probably taught me to value structure, resiliency and the rhythm of a city that never stops moving. It opened my eyes to cherish the beauty of diversity, the quiet power of routine and order, and how a place can feel both monumental and personal at the same time, reminding me that growth frequently results from navigating complexity while staying grounded.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM.

After a few days of strolling  around London, it was then time to get the EU stamp chopped in my passport. The very first EU city for me is Bruxelles. The capital city of Belgium where people speak multiple languages mid-sentence. Charming, perplexing, and just chaotic enough to keep you guessing whether you're in a history class or a government meeting. This city proudly calls itself the “capital of Europe” while secretly hoping you notice its waffles, chocolate, and ridiculously complicated comic strip statues. It's where bureaucrats sip expensive coffee, medieval streets meet glassy EU offices, and tourists try to find the Manneken Pis without losing their sanity. Beyond its political significance, Brussels has a distinct character because to its rich fusion of art, food, and history, as well as its elegance, structure, and subtle influence.

Brussels and its people assisted me in observing the value of balance and diplomacy, how to navigate complexity with patience, respect, and subtlety. The city demonstrated that influence doesn't always shout, that paying attention to both the small details and the bigger picture can reveal deeper understanding, resilience, and a quiet confidence in how to live and interact in a diverse world. Brussels is mysterious & elegant all together.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS.

One of the cities in this world that I've dreamed of visiting, Amsterdam ✅. It's a charming, chaotic, and unapologetically laid-back city where centuries-old architecture meets a "go-with-the-flow" vibe that somehow makes getting lost feel like an essential part of the experience. Bikes outnumber people, canals double as streets, and everyone seems perfectly fine with walking past a museum one minute and a coffee shop the next. A very chill city. Amsterdam too reflects a way of life that emphasizes innovation, tolerance, and a careful balance between history and modern existence. It is open, inventive, and firmly rooted in its community and waterways. Referred to as the city of bicycles 🚲. I kid you not, crossing the streets in Amsterdam is an extreme sport.

Amsterdam with its people probably have made me discern the importance of openness, tolerance, and simplicity, demonstrating that life can be rich without being complicated. The  city has opened my eyes to living thoughtfully but freely, embracing creativity, sustainability, and community. The city reminded me that growth frequently results from curiosity, adaptability, and respecting both tradition and progress in equal measure. I'd like to retire there for real. You all can "Meet Me in Amsterdam".

SWITZERLAND.

Last but not least, The Land of Mountains, Lakes & Precision, The Heart of Europe, A Heaven on Earth, Switzerland. It's a place where chocolate is essentially a food group, mountains are taller than your aspirations, and everyone manages to be both perfectly on time and suspiciously neutral about everything. It's immaculate, efficient, ridiculously beautiful, and subtly competitive, leaving you to wonder if the cows are evaluating your life decisions as you hike past them. A country where everything works perfectly & I'm not even exaggerating it.

To be honest, I didn't expect celebrating the last days of the year & even the NYE in the country is something that was needed for myself. Experiencing Switzerland from my point of view, was the perfect way to wrap my whole 2025. From Zurich, to Interlaken, to Lauterbrunnen, to Grindelwald, EVERYWHERE IS MAGICAL & MAGNIFICENT. One thing about all those places, to travel among them is effortless because of how efficient & superb the country's public transportation system is. Trams, Bullet Trains, Gondola, Cable Cars, Busses & even Boats, the country has everything to keep everyone & everything going. I just cant understand how they built all those railways & operate the trains through all the mountains up there. Insane innovation. You go to Switzerland and you'll understand why the country is expensive. Everything is expensive, including the experiences themselves which each of it is worthy. Coop & Migros are gonna be your bestfriends there 😉.

Switzerland has taught me the value of discipline, precision, and respect for both others and the environment. The country depicts that a society can thrive through organization, neutrality, and harmony. Whereas for the landscapes, they have reminded me the importance of patience, perspective, and balance, encouraging a mindset that combines efficiency with appreciation for beauty and quiet strength.

Taken together, all these places not only expanded my views but also subtly destroyed my previous perspective on life. Travelling has the ability to reshape our sense of time, purpose, and identity through constant movement and contrast, demonstrating that life is not meant to be rushed, simplified, or lived in one fixed way but rather to be fully, intentionally, and with a deeper awareness of the world and myself. Thailand slowed me down. East Java humbled me with its raw nature, Istanbul taught me to live between worlds, London and Brussels revealed the weight of structure and influence, Amsterdam showed the power of openness, and Switzerland embodied discipline and balance. Every place has its own stories & lessons for us to learn from. They all serve a purpose on assisting us to perceive the world through a larger scope.

For me personally, travelling is no longer about "Where to next?". It's more of a "What's next?". Exploring didn't give me answers. In fact, it taught me better questions. I believe that the real landmark of a country is not all the architectures nor the landscapes. It's the way of life. That is the metric. It is our obligation to keep on exploring thus we can accept & respect the differences in this world. The world is indeed a beautiful place.

"Travelling leaves you speechless, then turn you into a storyteller. It gives you home in a thousand strange places then leaves you a stranger in your own land." - Ibn Battuta

Takecare - A.