kathleen poon Archives | Kat Pegi Mana: Where Is Kat Going?

Short Getaway Places Near Kuala Lumpur

December 29, 2017 Kathleen Poon Collaborations, Destinations, Malaysia

Anyone wants to know the destinations to visit in Malaysia, the information given is usually the capital city, Kuala Lumpur (KL), the islands of Penang and Langkawi, the historical city Melaka and the jungles of Borneo in East Malaysia. With the exception of Melaka which is only a two-hour drive from KL, the other places require driving around four to five hours or a flight time of two hours or so. Depending how much time one has in Malaysia, the aforementioned places might not be doable especially if one has only two or three days at hand. However, we, as

Ibis Coimbra Centro Hotel – Review

December 17, 2017 Kathleen Poon Destinations, Portugal

When it comes to choosing the right hotel accommodation, it is a matter of three things: affordability, facilities and location. Luxury hotels might be out of reach for some of us which then leaves us with boutique and budget hotels or hostels. Boutique hotels are springing up like mushrooms in nearly every city but after some time, they might lose their sparkle, not being able to upkeep their maintenance and facilities. Hostels are definitely not suitable for business travellers or for those travelling with families. However, there is one trusted brand which has appealed to all groups of travellers –

Student Life and Fado in Coimbra

December 13, 2017 Kathleen Poon Destinations, Portugal

Halfway between Lisbon and Porto in the central region of Portugal is a medieval city called Coimbra. Perched on a hill overlooking the Mondego River, Coimbra (pronounced as kweembra) flourished under Moorish rule for over 300 years until the Christians ousted them in the 11th century. Coimbra was the medieval capital of Portugal from 1139 to 1255 until Afonso III decided to move the capital to Lisbon. *Read: Discover Lisbon with Lisboa Card Coimbra is also Portugal’s equivalent of Cambridge or Oxford, renowned for its university – Universidade de Coimbra – the oldest and most distinguished university in the country.

guide to melaka comments from local trishaws

Guide to Melaka – Comments From a Local

December 6, 2017 Kathleen Poon Destinations, Malaysia, Travel Guides

I have been wanting to write this post for a very long time – a post on the top things to do and see in my hometown, Melaka. However, I have been hesitant because there is a lot of content posted about Melaka and publishing another listicle post on this historical city might not make a huge difference. Many friends and acquaintances have asked me about what should they do, where should they stay and what food should they eat in Melaka. To be honest, I’m not an expert about my hometown. When I’m not travelling, I go back to

Timez Hotel Melaka – Review

November 29, 2017 Kathleen Poon Destinations, Malaysia, Travel Guides

Most of you are aware that my hometown is in Melaka (Malacca) and that I come back to Melaka regularly to visit my parents who still live in this historical city. When I was invited to stay at Timez Hotel in October, I jumped at the opportunity because firstly, I seldom get to stay in a nice hotel in my own hometown, and secondly, I was able to bring a guest. So, I brought my mom along for this staycation with the intention of having a mother-daughter bonding session especially when I had just returned from Europe a couple of

Discover Lisbon with Lisboa Card

November 26, 2017 Kathleen Poon Destinations, Portugal, Travel Guides

Portugal has never been viewed as an exciting European holiday destination until recently. Previously overshadowed by major players of European tourism such as France, Germany and Italy, Portugal – or rather its capital city, Lisbon – has had been a short detour for most tourists travelling in Spain. But Lisbon is now one of the hottest new destinations that offers a rich and varied history, lively nightlife and mostly sunny weather all-year round. Sitting on seven hills, Lisbon is a treasure chest of historical monuments and grand plazas. To discover a city like Lisbon, you will invariably spend some amount

guide for first timers to whistler peak 2 peak gondola image via flickr by atsushi kase

Guide for First-Timers to Whistler, British Columbia

October 23, 2017 Kathleen Poon Collaborations, Travel Guides

The ultimate vacation resort of Whistler in British Columbia is situated hardly two hours away by road from the coastal city of Vancouver, Canada. With convenient bus connections from the airport, getting to Whistler has never been so easy. I have put together a helpful guide to unlock the perfect vacation for those of us intending to visit this dream destination for the first time. Getting to Whistler As mentioned, this mountain paradise, Whistler is only just a short two-hour drive from Vancouver with the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway making a perfect entry point to this iconic holiday destination. In case

Here’s What You Should Know About Arctic Cruises

October 11, 2017 Kathleen Poon Collaborations, Travel Guides

At the mention of the Arctic Circle, one can’t help but imagine icebergs, seals, walruses and polar bears. Most of us learn about the Arctic from books and television from which we understand that it is the coldest and most remote place on earth. No matter how utterly bleak the Arctic is – did you know that there are expedition cruises to the Arctic for travellers? Yes, that’s right. Modern travellers can realise their dreams by going on an expedition cruise to the Arctic which for many of us consider it as a trip of a lifetime. I have always

isit monterey when travelling to san francisco cannery row image via Flickr by Christopher Chan

Visit Monterey When Travelling to San Francisco

September 27, 2017 Kathleen Poon Destinations, USA

Recently, I watched a travel program on TV that featured Monterey, California, a coastal town situated south of San Francisco. Watching that program brought back a lot of memories of my trip to San Francisco many years ago. I remember that trip being a fantastic two-week vacation covering San Francisco, camping in Yosemite National Park, and a quick getaway to Monterey. Most people make day trips to Monterey, but when I was there, my instincts told me that this laid-back and casual town was also perfect for those wanting to spend a night or two to explore its attractions at a

Harmony Street and Melaka River Cruise

September 13, 2017 Kathleen Poon Destinations, Malaysia, Travel Guides

Throughout the course of history, the Melaka River had helped to transform Melaka (or Malacca) into a strategic trading point between the East and West for nearly 700 years attracting merchants, traders and travellers passing through who made this former port their home, blending in their respective heritage and traditions with local culture. As a result, Melaka became a huge melting pot of cultures, and it is now one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse cities in South-East Asia. ***** Just across the Melaka River and the Stadthuys is the city’s most touristy area – Jonker Walk – where