So here we are, the end of the year again. Firstly I would like to apologize for the lack of updates from August to December as I was busy preparing for my wedding and also our new home. 2013 was not really the year of traveling for me. I’ve added a few new cities to my list but failed to meet my requirement to add one new country to my list every year. However, 2013 was still an amazing year although all overseas travel was done in the first half of the year.

Just like I did every year, I will list down my 10 best moments for the year. Take a look at my list for 2011 & 2012.

So here we are, I’m sharing with you my 10 best moments for 2013.

10. A short getaway to Singapore

I went on a short getaway to Singapore in late January. Although it was a short one, I still manage to visit a few nice places. Before this I came across about the Gardens by the Bay from blogs and also TV shows. Since I got the opportunity to visit Singapore, I decided to check it out.

Check out the entry for the Gardens by the Bay.

a view nearby the popular Arab Street

Masjid Sultan

Gardens by the bay

9. Bali Bali Bali…

Late March, I was in Bali, Indonesia’s most popular tourist destination. My last visit was in 2010. It was my first time organizing a trip for 30 over people. Among the places that were covered during the visit were the Kecak dance at Uluwatu, the highlands of Kintamani, Nusa Lembongan Island and the Bali Hai cruise.  We also did stop by at one of the popular Luwak Coffee plantation.

Check out my video for my Bali trip.

the Kecak dance in Uluwatu

dining at one of the restaurant in Kintamani

Lembongan Island

8. Experiencing winter in Hanoi

This was actually my first trip for the year, in early January. Went there with Lin & Jackpot. Honestly I underestimated Hanoi’s winter weather. The weather at that time was only around 10-15 degree Celsius but it was still really cold. This is because of the damp cold and also the wind factor. We spent most of our time in Hanoi city plus one short trip to Tam Coc in Nin Binh region.

Check out the post about Tam Coc.

the old church in the center of Hanoi

the buffalo.. taken on the way to Ninh Binh

us with some of the graduates from one of the local university in Hanoi

7. Guilin… the land of the mountains

In late April, I was in Guilin with a few of the #TravelholicAwesome members. The whole trip was actually planned from Hong Kong overland to Hanoi via Guilin and Nanning. However, due to work commitment I had to cancel the plan to join the whole trip but still manage to squeeze into the trip in Guilin and Nanning.

inside the Red Flute cave

the twin pagodas in Guilin city

view inside one of the mosque in Guilin

6. Revisiting Shanghai, center of modern China

Mid-March, I visited Shanghai for some work assignments. My previous visit was in 2010 and there were not really much changes except for one more high rise building being built nearby the Oriental Pearl Tower. I tried staying at different area from my previous visit to understand the surroundings better. Also this time, I did checked out one of the water town situated nearby Shanghai.

Check out my post about the Qibao Water Town

Shanghai after dark

taken at Qibao Ancient Water Town

view inside the Yuyuan Garden

5. Fun time at the Rainforest World Music Festival

In June, Sarawak Tourism Board and Air Asia flew me to Sarawak to attend the Rainforest World Music Festival. We were there for 3 days and the event was awesome!. We stayed at the Bidayuh Baruk Suite in Damai Beach Resort, next to the event’s venue. There were performers from all over the world. Apart from the concert, the highlights was the music workshops. This is where the visitors can learn more about the music and dances from the performers.

Check out the post about the festival Part1 & Part2

the Orang Ulu house

our room

performers in action during one of the workshops

performance by one of the Malaysian team

4. Langkawi with #TravelholicAwesome

In July this year, I went on the annual #TravelholicAwesome trip. This time the destination was Langkawi. Langkawi is a holiday island situated in the northern part of Malaysia. Last year our trip was to Redang Island in the east coast. Although not all could make it for the trip this year, it was still a fun trip for us. I look forward for a much more wonderful trip next year. We flew into Langkawi and rent a car there. The best part of the trip was the never-ending travel tales shared along the trip. Thank you #TravelholicAwesome & The Styliss Photography for capturing our pre-wedding photos during this trip.

the house of Mahsuri

the hanging bridge at Gunung Matchinchang

#TravelholicAwesome family

3. Witness the enchanting view of Yangshuo

During our stay in Guilin, we did make our way to Yangshuo, a small and peaceful town. The town is famous for its beautiful mountain and river views. If you take a look at China’s 20 yuan note, the river and mountain pictured in the note was a view in Yangshuo. We try out the cool Bamboo rafting, visited the Shangri-La park and watched the some cool performance there.

Check out my video on Yangshuo & Guilin

awesome view at the Shangri-La park

the Bamboo rafting

the Impression show

this is also where we did our pre-wedding photoshoot.. thanks again #TravelholicAwesome & The Styliss Photography

2. The blog milestone

Alhamdulillah this year there were tons of opportunity for me to collaborate with big companies and media. Among the highlights were

Air Asia offered me to be part of their Bloggers Community.

My Escape to Redang video was played on national TV… in the Selamat Pagi 1Malaysia show.

featured in LISA magazine

my article is featured in SINGGAH magazine

Featured in Harian Metro, one of the national newspaper.

1. I asked and she said yes

Got married to the lovely Mas Zuber. No need to described further, this is my best moment of the year and also the best of my life. Thank you for all the wishes and prayers… and also to all who came to our wedding reception!.

with all the Malaysian Travel bloggers

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBVZMfHAsl4&w=500&h=350]

So those are some great moments for me in 2013. Hope you guys had a great time too this year.

2014 please be awesome!

InsyaAllah we’re kicking off 2014 with something BIG. Where to? Stay tune 😉