One of the oldest temples in my hometown of Johor Bahru, Malaysia is Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam Temple. The iconic landmark in the city centre was built in 1911 and stands proud today as an extraordinary heritage site with more than 120 statues and 26 wall paintings within the temple compound.

I was fortunate enough to be invited by friends for a prayer blessing and was given a tour of the beautiful temple. The temple's unique albeit lengthy name has a symbolic meaning. “Arulmigu” in Tamil stands for “holy” or “glory”, “Devasthana” means temple and “Raja” means king.

Amazing in design, the Rajagopuram (tall structure at the temple's outermost gateway) is five-tiered with five gold-plated kalasams (decorative finials atop the temple tower). It was built according to the agamic tenets.

Malaysia's iconic monument is the Petronas Twin Towers, rising 452 m into the skies of Kuala Lumpur, the capital city. Known as one of the tallest twin towers in the world, the towers attract hordes of tourists every day.

Capture a fantastic view of the city from the double decker skybridge connecting the towers on the 41st and 42nd levels. I brought my family for a visit. Just the thrill of hearing our ears pop as you ascend the dizzying heights in the express lift is exciting enough. Strolling across the skybridge is not for the faint-hearted 😃 Admission fees apply.

The best way to capture a good shot of the towers is to lie on your back at adjoining KLCC Park, aim high and click. The towers light up by night. It's a vision not to be missed.

So privileged to see Mt. Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi. The clear blue skies, the fluffy white clouds, and the fields of wildflowers by the lake made a picture-perfect photo. Known as the iconic symbol of Japan, Mt. Fuji is a sacred site that attracts hordes of tourists from all over the world. We were one of many standing there and waiting for visibility to get better on a beautiful day to capture the perfect shot.

It's true what they say about Mt. Fuji being the inspiration behind various artworks, poems and stories. One look at its magnificence and your heart will be singing lyrical tunes to celebrate its grandeur. Notably, Mt. Fuji is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a cherished treasure for the locals.

"One of the most amazing monuments in Japan is Kyoto’s Fox Shrine - Fushimi Inari Shrine in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto. The heritage site is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and the fox statues represent his many messengers.

It’s an uphill climb to the main shrine and it starts from tunnel of vermillion torii gates that had me gaping in awe. Visitors walk under thousands of these torii gates that lead through the wooded forest of Mount Inari.

We were a family of nine and it was a moderate two-hour hike to the summit. We were greeted by the cool breeze through the forest and babbling brooks along the way. Always a blessing to visit such beautiful places.

The shrine is open 24 hours and admission is free."

Mooncake Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival 🥮 in Malaysia is an auspicious celebration!

Celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month in the Chinese calendar, this festival is a love story, a lantern fest and a feast all rolled into one. On this day, the full moon shines the brightest.

Beautiful lanterns are lighted to symbolise a beacon of light to peace and prosperity. Kids love to carry their lanterns around the neighbourhood during the fest.

The Chinese community feast on mooncakes, a traditional treat made of rich pastry filled with lotus seed paste, red beans or sweet and savoury meats with egg yolks. The roundness of mooncakes represent reunion and joy. Seasonal fruits like pomelo are enjoyed along with the mooncakes.

Peace and tranquility reside at Oshino Hakkai (Eight Seas of Oshino) in Japan. These eight crystal-clear ponds fed by the melting snow of the majestic Mount Fuji are a must-visit attraction at Oshino, the ancient village nestled at the foothills of the mountain.

Nothing quite prepares you for the beauty of these pristine pools as the clear waters reflect your image and surrounding landscapes as you stroll by. Wander across the cobblestone pathways and discover centuries of Japanese heritage with every step you take.

Much later, I discovered that Oshino Hakkai is part of the Mount Fuji UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” - Marcel Proust, novelist

Kota Tinggi Waterfalls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Johor, Malaysia. Just a short drive away from the city, this is the go-to place for waterfall picnics, hikes or just splashing around the cool pools. Cascading from a height of 34 meters, the falling waters are like nature’s spa. 

During a scorching day, take a dip in the shallow pools, soak in the sunshine and you’ll emerge refreshed. I have attempted climbing up the surrounding paths to reach the top of the waterfalls. Be careful as the rocks may be slippery. Sandals with a good grip are recommended. The view from the top is phenomenal for the brave-hearted.

Entrance fees apply. Parking and washroom facilities are available. Exercise caution on rainy days.

The best view comes after the hardest climb. This is so true after hiking up Mt. Kinabalu in Sabah, East Malaysia. After months of training, endless stair-climbing sessions, and hiking expeditions up mountains in West Malaysia, we were finally ready to scale the 4,095m mountain, the highest peak in Southeast Asia.

The 2D1N hike begins around 9 am with a leisurely climb from the mountain base to Laban Rata at the center. Misty mountain air, nature like you've never seen before, and tropical pitcher plants in abundance are what greet you during the hike.

Nothing quite prepares you for the sunrise. It emanates from the skies and touches every single surface of the mountain with a shimmer that leaves you squinting in surprise. Nature speaks in words that only your soul understands. 

My favorite shopping street is Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. It's always abuzz with activity from day till late at night.

Historically, Petaling Street is named after a tapioca mill on the same street in the 1800s. Today, it is the Chinatown of Kuala Lumpur. There is an eclectic mix of traditional street food with modern cafes, market stalls, and fruit grocers selling durian - Malaysia's King of Fruits.

Another attraction is an old cinema now transformed into a multi-level bookstore. It's also a great place to meet tourists from all over the world savouring the local cuisine by day and exploring the underground speakeasies by night.

What is the best souvenir from Japan? For me, it is the Yukata. They are Japanese traditional clothing usually made from a cotton blend material for added comfort. The Yukata is much cooler to wear in our tropical weather. And the boy's Yukata is usually a drape-over top designed with straight seams and wide sleeves.

I picked up mine from a second-hand clothing shop in Kuromon Ichiba Market in Osaka. The market is famed for its glorious food and souvenir shops. Honestly, I feel the best buys come from the little hole-in-the-wall shops with no names. 

My Yukata has beautiful goldfish designs with orange-swirl patterns. I bought the Obi belt separately. It is so versatile that I have worn my Yukata for Bon Odori celebrations and any events that welcome ethnic attire.

The Sarong Kebaya is proudly worn by Peranakan ladies of the Nyonya Baba heritage in Malaysia. The batik patterns on the sarong and intricate embroidery on the blouse speak of generations past. It is a living testament to Peranakan artistry, where culture and tradition embody every stitch and seam. Peranakan culture is also known as Straits Chinese culture - a beautiful blend of Chinese and Malay influences originating from Southeast Asia.

I inherited them from my grandmother, who inherited them from her grandmother. Every time I wear them for a formal occasion or a wedding, I can sense the love from my grandmother. I have to take great care while wearing them as the fabric is quite soft and delicate. Hand washing is recommended to maintain its colors and texture.

Nature never goes out of style. Surrender to its flow at Sungai Pandan Waterfall in Kuantan, the capital city of Pahang in the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia.

Known as Malaysia's largest multi-tiered waterfall, the waters cascade down from a height of 250 metres, past multiple cliffs and into a gigantic, azure-coloured pool.

Visitors love to soak in the cool waters, enjoy a picnic or trek around the area to capture Insta-worthy shots. The waterfall is surrounded by the verdant greens of Sungai Pandan Forest Reserve, making it the perfect place to rejuvenate the senses. It's open daily with minimal admission fees.