Sutapa’s Solo Sojourn: Unwrapping Malaysia’s Magic with Thrillophilia
This birthday I got myself the best gift possible- a getaway to Malaysia!
Unlike other people, I am not someone who likes to throw huge parties, be the centre of attention and invite dozens of people on my birthday. What I want on my birthday is to go somewhere quiet but beautiful and live the day on my terms. I have been like this since my childhood. I have tried my best to avoid birthday celebrations and have always requested to stay at home with my closed ones.
If you are wondering why..?
Well, I just think that you get only one day in a year that is entirely dedicated to you. So, you should have the liberty to celebrate it however you like. Birthdays are the perfect time to indulge in some self-care and enjoy some ‘me time’.
So, for this year’s birthday, my plan was to go on a solo trip to Malaysia. It was my first time going solo and especially, to a different country.
I knew this news would drop like a nuclear bomb on my family but I had already made up my mind.
The Hurdles of a Solo Female Trip!
I know a solo female trip sounds all nice and exciting, until you face the real challenges!
So here are a few of the difficulties I came across:
First and foremost, the family! Get ready to be charged by questions like, “How will you travel alone?”, “What if something happens, who will take care of you?”, “Is it even safe out there?”, “Can you not take someone with you?”.........and the list goes on.
Secondly, you have to be extra careful and alert throughout the trip. It seems like women are naturally wired to stay vigilant in unfamiliar environments. So, yes, I have been more relaxed and calm when I have travelled with others.
Thirdly, you have to navigate everything on your own. I mean, you can always take help from the locals around but most importantly, you will have to learn how to be self-sufficient, in case there is no one to help you.
To be honest, these challenges I faced, made me realise my true potential as a solo traveller. Before this, I never thought that I would be able to plan an international trip alone and complete it successfully.
Solo in Style!
In all honesty, I am more than glad that I went on this trip, that too on my birthday. For me, it was a life-changing experience that I am surely going to cherish forever.
My trip started from the beautiful city of Kuala Lumpur. Let me just start by saying that this capital city has one of the most stunning skyscrapers that I have ever seen. The locals here were quite friendly and gave me a warm welcome.
Another fact worth mentioning is that I got a beautiful stay in a famous 4-star property. My room was spacious with the most mesmerising views out the window. Even the hospitality and the services were top-notch that definitely made my stay more comfortable.
If you ever visit Kuala Lumpur, make sure to visit the iconic KL Tower if you wish to see the best panoramic views of the city. I visited there in the evening and literally got to see the entire city sparkling with bright city lights.
My recommendation of other top attractions that you should not miss out visiting are the Petronas Twin Towers, KL Bird Park and Merdeka Square.
Fearless & Free
All my nervousness disappeared after the first day and the next morning I was embracing my freedom.
Genting Highlands is an amazing one-stop destination where you can find entertainment, food and activities- literally everything.
I reached Genting Highlands in a fun cable car ride. It was a quick 15 minute ride which showcased the breathtaking scenery of Malaysia. Upon reaching, I visited the Chin Swee Caves Temple which is placed on a hilltop and offers surreal views.
Next, I visited the Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park where I spent the majority of my day. There I tried plenty of thrilling rides, explored the various sections, enjoyed a few live shows and munched on some delicious snacks.
Unfortunately, I did not have sufficient time to explore any further and had to return back to Kuala Lumpur. However, on my way back, I made a stop at the Batu Caves which is a beautifully built limestone cave and a temple dedicated to a Hindu deity.
A Gateway to Paradise!
Saving the best for last, I also did a short tour of the stunning Langkawi Island in the end. Another reason why it was so special is because it was my birthday!
As soon as I entered my hotel in Langkawi Island, I was greeted with complimentary drinks and the staff whole-heartedly wished me ‘Happy Birthday’. I was really surprised as I was not expecting this at all.
I had personally hand-picked what places I wanted to visit in Langkawi Island. My day started by enjoying a beautiful long drive on the Langkawi Sky Bridge which was completely enveloped by lush greenery. And, I made it all the more exciting by listening to my favourite Bollywood songs throughout the journey.
Later, I visited the Telaga Tujuh Waterfall and spent some relaxing time there. I dipped my feet in the natural pool and simply soaked in the scenic views around me. Not going to lie, this was one of the moments when I was missing my family too much.
Moving forward, I requested the driver to take me to the gorgeous Tanjung Rhu Beach as I wanted to end my day by witnessing a beautiful sunset on the beach. I reached there exactly on time, laid down on the soft sand and then saw one of the most magical sunsets of my life.
As I was admiring the sunset, I sighed and then it hit me again- I missed my family more than I thought!
A Birthday to Remember!
Till date, undoubtedly, this was one of my best birthdays. It was exactly how I wanted to celebrate it, amidst beautiful scenery, in peace and serenity.
Additionally, I was so happy to successfully complete my first solo trip ever. It taught me a lot of new things and I definitely came back as a completely new person. Well, what else could be a better gift than this?
Read More: Thrillophilia Malaysia Reviews