• Clara and the Chasing Grandma of Christiania Copenhagen mural agirlnamedclara
    Travel

    Clara & the Chasing Grandma of Christiania, Copenhagen

    Are you thinking to visit Denmark? If a trip to Amsterdam isn’t complete without visitting the Red Light District and perhaps, sampling a space brownie or smoking weed, then a trip to Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark, isn’t complete without visitting Christiania. What comes to your mind when you hear “Copenhagen”? The birth town of Hans Christian Andersen and The Little Mermaid? The yummy butter biscuits in a round tin? I thought so too, but after the Northern Europe trip, Christiania comes #1 to my mind – thanks to the unique memory! Freetown Christiania or Christiania is a controversial community in the borough of Christianshavn, Copenhagen. In short, this…

  • girl tourist smile trastevere cobbled stone rome italy summer agirlnamedclara
    Travel

    Trastevere, a Hidden Gem in Rome

    I’m sorry that recently I only update this blog once every two weeks. I don’t have the mood to share travel stories when many people are tired of the lockdown (like me) or facing financial problems. But! I realized that I feel happy when I recall summer trips when the sun shines so bright and the air feels light. Therefore, this week I want to share with you my lovely experience in Trastevere, a hidden gem in Rome, Italy. Finding Trastevere, a Hidden Gem in Rome I reached Rome in the afternoon and had a quick lunch at the airport (something that I regret). By the time I put my…

  • girl smile gabriella cruise deck stockholm to finland sea background agirlnamedclara
    Travel

    M/S Gabriella – What Overnight on a Cruise Feels Like

    Now that we have new hopes that the Covid-19 vaccines might be rolled out in November, December or Q1 2021, we can continue our travel dream. It’s not that I’ve stopped dreaming, but I had no mood (and inspiration) to write about my travel experience seeing the cases are increasing. This week, let me share with you my experience boarding a cruise when in Europe. We’ll be boarding M/S Gabriella, a cruise ship that departs from Stockholm, Sweden to Helsinki, Finland. My Room and My Favourite Spot on the Gabriella Cruise I love travelling but I never dreamt of boarding a cruise. Luckily, I was able to have the experience…

  • pink hair girl traveler tourist take photo of ship building sea porto portugal agirlnamedclara
    Money,  Travel

    Vitamin Sea in Porto & How Financial Goals Saved Me

    I didn’t expect that many people enjoy reading my previous post. One friend even messaged me saying that it’s so refreshing. So I guess in unprecedented times (or stressful, to some) like this, you’d like to see a similar post. This week, let me take you to Porto, an enchanting coastal city in northwest Portugal and share how my financial goals saved me. P.S.: the girl on the cover photo is not me, but I like how her pink hair is contrasting with the blue sea hehe… Porto: Sea, Wine Tasting and Sardines I had only two days in Portugal – one in Lisbon, one in Porto. Of course, one…

  • asian girl long black hair smile chinatown kl lorong panggung vintage decor rooftop mural painting
    Travel

    Chinatown 2.0: Lorong Panggung Amps Up the KL Destination

    Since I always take public transport, I often go to Pasar Seni (Central Market) bus hub. Although the location of the bus hub is very near to China Town, it’s been ages since the last time I visited the KL destination. So, last weekend my sister told me that there’s a hidden alley in Chinatown that would be one of the best hangout places in Kuala Lumpur. Apparently, a hidden alley just got a makeover earlier this year and it looks fabulously vintage! The makeover project dubbed Project Kwai Chai Hong has restored 10 shophouses and a laneway hidden between Lorong Panggung and Jalan Petaling. Let’s take a look at…

  • Travel

    Beach, Babe & BaraCoco Bungalows

    Following the previous post about the digital detox trip, this week I want to recommend a beautiful beach bungalow in Tanjung Bira, South Sulawesi, Indonesia: BaraCoco Bungalows. That’s right! South Sulawesi is more than just witnessing the ‘walking dead’ ceremony, hanging coffins and historical burial sites in Toraja. If you plan to go to Toraja (August is the best month), why not end your trip with a nice stay at a beautiful beach bungalow? BaraCoco Bungalows is located right at Tanjung Bira (Bira Beach), giving you direct access to the beach whenever you want. Each bungalow has its own balcony, a queen-sized bed and a private bathroom, ensuring you have…

  • Travel

    Nuwara Eliya: An English Tale in Sri Lanka

    Being a tropical country located near South India, I used to think that when visiting Sri Lanka, all I needed to pack was summer clothes. Wrong. Especially if you’re planning to stay in Nuwara Eliya, a beautiful English town on top of a hill. Dubbed Little England, the town is a contrast to other cities in Sri Lanka not only because of the English history, but also the climate and architecture. Founded by Samuel Baker in 1846, Nuwara Eliya’s cool climate (daily average of 16°C) made the town a favourite place to stay for British civil servants and colonialists. I’m so happy to include Nuwara Eliya in my Sri Lanka…

  • Life,  Travel

    I Visit Lonely Planet’s Hottest Destination 2019 and Regret

    Like most of my friends, or should I say, most Asians, Sri Lanka, Lonely Planet’s hottest destination in 2019, is a country that we never dream of visiting. It doesn’t even cross my mind. However, my crush tells me that he’s been to Sri Lanka four times and the country is one of travel’s best-kept secrets. Really? What are the good things in Sri Lanka? Soon after, Lonely Planet named Sri Lanka the best country in the world to visit in 2019! I feel so curious. I know that I need to see and experience the country myself. “You better hurry or it’ll soon become packed with travellers, just like…