How to Backpack Alone For Dummies (Like Me)

So, I decided to mix it in a little on how I travel alone and how to back pack for dummies,
A better name for this post would rather be,
How to Backpack Alone For Dummies (Like Me)

1) Get a good rucksack or bag pack

Don't get them cause they look good or cause they look cool in the pictures for 'Ticked of Backpacking from my Bucketlist'. Get the ones that are affordable and you know you would be able to carry. Make sure that it's not too heavy and that its not too fancy so you can rough it out a little. I got mine from Karrimor at Sports Direct when it was on sale. Mine's 65 liters, which most of the time, is more than enough knowing that I pack really lightly. I even have extra space for another set of shoes. When you check out the bag you're choosing, try to imagine the stuff you're gonna put in and if the compartments in the bag suits them (eg: where to put extra shoes or hidden extra money). Get a fanny pack or a waist bag to carry items such as camera, passport and small amount of money for easy access. Got mine for about 4 pounds from Amazon. 

2) Pack wisely and lightly !

Bring a good book and plug yourself in with music, that's how you'd enjoy your time alone (well atleast that's how I enjoy mine hehe). Always roll your clothes as it'll prevent the possibility of you having to iron them unnecessarily as you travel. Its always best to bring cotton tops. Never bring too much especially jeans.They put too much weight. Just bring one or two extra whilst wearing one. Never forget to bring a pair of leggings, as they might come in handy incase you decide to go on some wet adventure. Know that you would be able to wash your clothes at some of the hostels you stay in. If you think you can fit in a pair of light shoes, feel free to do so incase your shoes get wet. Bring a really small towel; invest on a travelling towel which campers usually use as they're really light and dry up fast ! If you're a muslim, get a travelling telekung which you can get from zaahara.com [my sister's online web haha]. Note that, the more you bring, the more you would have to carry. Also, always weigh your bag after you're done packing. 

3) Before choosing your destination,

Do check out on wikitravel.com if your destination is safe enough especially if you're travelling alone. They usually give tips at the section 'Safe' so you'd be able to think twice about the place you're travelling. Also, check if you need a visa for your passport before buying any flight tickets to the place you plan to travel to ! For flight tickets, if you're planning to travel in Europe, RyanAir is usually the cheapest you can get but never doubt on checking from other airlines as well

4) While choosing your destination, 

Note that there were a times when I visit tripadvisor.com to get the 'Top Things to Do in ...', I overestimated the time I should have spent there. For instance, most of the things they recommended to do in Prishtina was to check out the monuments which could have been done within a day's trip or a couple of hours so choosing to stay there would not be the best idea. Do check out roughguides.com as well as they pretty much recommend good routes if you're out of ideas on how to plan your trip

5) Accommodation & Logistics 

i) Couchsurfing 

ii) Airbnb 

iii) Hostels

- www.hostels.com

- www.hostelworld.com

- www.booking.com

Other back packers I've met, some of them decided to opt for couchsurfing.com by which you would be staying at people's houses for free. You'd also be surprised that airbnb is sometimes cheaper than the hostels so do check them out as well. To plan my transportation, I usually go through rome2rio.com . Problem with online schedules is that sometimes they are not updated and they might vary over the weekends. So, it's always better to make a phone call to the bus or train company to double check.  . If they seem pretty hard to get a hold of, risk a little and once you've arrived to the country you've traveled to, quickly ask the information counter at the airports for anything you'd possibly need to enquire. 

Not to forget, check out Eurail and their offers ! 

6) Get into groups !

Most backpackers get into groups by travelling and staying in hostels. You'd be surprised by how friendly other backpackers are in the common rooms and the kitchen. If you could tag along with them, that'd be great. If not, try to check out tour sessions in the day. That's where you can meet other people as well or even possibly be friends with the tour guide :)

7) If you're a girl and travelling alone,

Ask the locals nearby your hostel area if it's safe to go out at night for girls. Never ask only one person's opinion. If it's not safe, then avoid taking the risk and simply just stay in. Chill with other backpackers, plan your next journey or even read a good book ! Also, some places offer all female accommodations as well if you're more comfortable with that. Try to book a place in the city central so you would sort of be safer in many ways. You could put on some earphones and pretend as if you're listening to music if the place you're travelling to has a lot of 'teaser' guys. 

8) Be Creative !

Get out of your comfort zone or the 'typical' travel plannings. Try check out ferry rides as well. For instance; a ferry ride from Croatia to Italy would be pretty cool and affordable or maybe even hitch hike? 

9) Preparing yourself mentally?

Most people tell me, you're pretty brave to go travelling alone. To be honest, I think anyone is actually quite brave enough to do pretty much anything really, its just the 'What If" questions stops you from doing almost everything so stop thinking too much on the bad things that might happen, but start being optimistic, and think about how much you'll enjoy yourself ! If you ever feel lonely, just talk to random people or tag along with people you meet along the way :)

10) Always double check !

No matter where you are or what you do, always be cautious on your surroundings. Going to the toilet, checking out from the hostel, or even just walking in the streets, be aware of what item you have on you and where you've kept it. Its always better not to hold too many things, keep your hands free. 

Last but not least,

Book your tickets now ! Don't procrastinate ! The more you ponder about the idea, the less likely you are up to do it. So you just gotta buy the tickets now and sometimes, figure things along the way :) go with the flow. 

Can't think of anything else for now so that's it for now, atleast. 

Oh, not to forget, have fun ! Enjoy !

Gotta Love Being Single in my 20s

My close friends would know that I've never stayed single for more than a week max since I was 15. I have always been in relationships. Unsure if I am actually inlove with the idea of falling inlove, being in love or just loving the person himself. 

But its been 4 months atleast since I have been single and I am really loving it ! I even started wondering, 'Why have I been in relationships all this while?' (not to say I regret my past decisions or I'd change them)

You gotta just love,

1. The no more phone beeps !

Ahh, with the group whatsapp buzzing a lot nowadays, its pretty nice to just not have your phone beep. Its amazing how my phone beeps so little nowadays from personal whatsapps. It even got to an extent that when I got a personal whatsapp message, I was like 'WHOA, I haven't heard that for a long time!

2. The long walks alone with your thoughts :)

The serenity you get walking alone in the evenings with your thoughts is just mesmerizing. And the best part is, you won't be thinking of 'What you would do for him' or even like 'How much you love each other' and stuff. Your thoughts changes when you're not in a relationship. I think more about myself and the world nowadays, like 'What I can do to improve myself' and 'How can I help contribute to the world?' (well, sorta haha)

3. Being able to do anything you want, anytime 

No obligations at all ! If you feel like just going out randomly tonight, you'll be able to just jump off your feet and go out without thinking, 'If I should spend time with him' or even 'Would he be okay with it'. For me personally, it's the ability to just book a ticket and hop on a plane to travel anywhere I want to, anytime !

4. Building your own character

You make decisions for yourself, on your own grounds, not anyone else's. The things you choose to do is not because 'he likes doing it' or cause 'he thinks its cool'. You'll end up doing it cause, 'I'm just gonna do it just cause I feel like it'

5. Those hours of sleep

You'll be able to sleep for hours without any disturbance (not that sleeping for hours is that much good of a practice, but ya know what I mean). You wouldn't get random night phone calls or text messages obliging you to reply or be there for that particular person

6. Your energy, time and effort can be put into something so much more worth of doing !

The time you spent when you're in relationships, are an opportunity cost to other things you're capable of doing (talking like an economist) but yeah, seriously though. You could spend that time doing charity, giving your love to those who deprive it more. Spend your time with your family cause in the end of the day, they're all you've got

7. Not-Feeling-So-Pathetic-Anymore

'Oh, why isn't he replying me? Calling me? Or texting me?'. No matter how 'secure' you feel, it is inevitable for most of us to feel this way. Gotta love how my emotions doesn't revolve around another person's 

8. Thinking about these last few years

There's a high possibility you'll probably meet the love of your life, and settle down etc soon especially when you're in your 20s, without even trying. And you'd spend years and years of your life with your partner, possibly even 50 years ++ ! So just chill now in the single lane while you still can :) 

But..... if the 'right one comes, at the right time, I don't see a reason, why not?' Haha 

How Can We Help?

I cannot help but to acknowledge, part of the reason why Malaysia is not taking in Rohingya refugees only recently is that we had the responsibility and obligation to take care of these refugees in our country all this while, but we chose to be ignorant towards their existence and their cries for help. Last year, Small Changes (the NGO I'm working with) raised funds for Carefugees; an NGO that helps to feed refugees every year. Not only that, we also hope that we could raise awareness as well by calling refugees from Syria, Myanmar etc to be part of our event and share their side of story by which only if they're willing to. Not only was it unbearable, but their call for help will never end as they are stateless. They have no rights to jobs or education. Moving onto today..

The motive of this post is to sort of give you a couple of ideas on'
'How you guys can help and contribute in helping these refugees?'

1. Sign the petitions!
On 15 May 2015, Malaysia’s Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar was quoted as saying: “We have to consider what our people want to see us doing.”
There a few websites that put up petitions that needs your support by signing yourself up for it !
i. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/250/235/804/rescue-the-rohingyas/
ii. https://www.change.org/p/h-e-le-luong-minh-asean-member-states-government-of-malaysia-save-the-migrants-asylum-seekers-stranded-at-sea?recruiter=7666896&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=des-lg-share_petition-no_msg
Those are a few websites that was shared among my colleagues, so sign before its too late and let's hope changes will take place !

2. Volunteer at UNHCR Malaysia
A good friend of mine interned at UNHCR Malaysia last year and said much help; no matter what skills you have, is much appreciated ! You can help by teaching these kids as they have no rights to education, provide them skills to sustain themselves and lots more. No harm just by signing yourself up although you may not know how much you are of help @ http://www.unhcr.org.my/Volunteers-@-Volunteers.aspx 
I just registered myself, and hoping that I myself would spare time and energy to support them as well over my Summer break 

3. Support NGOs
There are a few NGOs in Malaysia that are and have been a helping hand to the asylum seekers settling in our beloved country. Do support them by giving them funds or even attend their events. Here's a couple of these NGOs:
1. Carefugees (http://carefugees.org/ )
2. Rohingya Society of Malaysia [RSM] ( http://rohingyasocietyinmalaysia.org/ )
3. UNHCR (not to forget!) 
4. Shelter Home ( http://www.shelterhome.org/index.cfm?menuid=23 )
and recently;
'Rakyat4rakyat' also collaborated with 'Food Aid Foundation' to provide food aid and life jackets 

4. Purchase from Rohingya businesses
In Selayang's Pasar Borong, the Rohingya's are trying their best at making an honest living by selling groceries and vegetables (Not only that, I heard that they're cheaper too!)

5. Be Creative & Spread the awareness !
The change comes from you, and it has to start today. The society has to stop being ignorant on the ones in need in Malaysia (And am not only referring to the refugees). Spread the awareness now, that these people need your help. Organize events, raise funds anyway you like, as long as the message is out there. That we need to help each other cause,
'The moment we stop fighting for each other, that is the moment when humanity is lost' 

Special thanks to all my good friends and colleagues (especially from Small Changes MY) for spreading the idea and many ways on how we can contribute as a community. Let us give a helping hand. And let's start today.

'I do not own rights to all ideas, pictures or videos in this post' 

Mother's Love

The strongest spirits in the world lies within our own mothers. 

Since 2002, my mother discretely collected bits of her thoughts on how she felt since her mother passed away. And only after 8 years, did she decide to share it with us through her Facebook. Here's a repost from your page ma. As the world should know how beautiful and amazing a mother's love is. 

There is no bigger love than a mother's love. 

Just imagine from the day a mother finds out that she's carrying her child in her womb. How happy a mother feels, to know that she is carrying a child of her own. From that day, she knew that she will have to take good care of herself, as it is good for the child. Though sometimes she does not like to eat something, but she still had to do it, for her child.

On the day the you were born that is the most happiness day of her life. The minute she sees you, she drops tears of happiness without realizing it.

Many love comes and goes but not mother's love, even until the moment you have a family of your own. 

Mother's love is unconditional.

There is no end to it, until the day she closes her eyes forever.

She will do anything for her child from day 1 till the very end.

She hides her sad feelings and will always try to smile even in bad times.

Sometimes, when your mother is no longer in this world, then only would you realize that you really miss her and you really want her.

You will miss her so much.

Sometimes you want to tell or share your happy and sad moments. Those moments when you need a shoulder to cry on,  to tell something personal to someone, which sometimes you can't even tell it to your husband.

Sometimes when you want to tell about your child's achievement, you can't tell it to your friend or even to your sister, cause some may say that you're boasting about it, but if you tell it to your mother, she can share the joy n happiness. Oh god, how I wish she is still around. Love you always mom.

Happy Mother's Day to all :)

Written by:

Rogaya Ahmad

'All I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother'

I love you Ma. Never have I failed to shed a tear whenever I think of how amazing and blessed I am with your love. Ps, I sort of accidentally fell asleep right after you called me to wake up for Subuh to study this morning so am feeling super guilty. Hehehe. Love you ! 

Edited by : Eniza Ellias