Malaysia & Singapore & Taylor Swift

Gavin surprised me with Taylor Swift concert tickets in Singapore on Christmas morning. Whattttt. Taylor Swift will be my first concert ever! Not a day goes by for me without hearing Taylor's name on the radio, her music, or in conversations with friends. She is all over the media these days. She has made billions on her "Eras" tour and I am pumped to see her show in Singapore!

Singapore is the only country that is both a city and a country because of its small size. Gavin and I decided to explore Malaysia while we were on that side of the world. We had quite the travel itinerary to get there. We flew to Oahu Sunday night where we spent the evening with Jace and Megan. The next morning we flew to Sydney, Australia, and had 7 hours to kill before our flight to Singapore! We flew Scoot Airlines and sat next to a fella who had been to Taylor's concert in Sydney twice. He said he spent $2,500 on tickets. He was showing me all of his videos and photos. He was drooling over one of the videos of Taylor looking directly at him. There are crazy Taylor fans everywhere! I think he must have rewatched the concert 2-3 times during the flight. He was on a Taylor high! Gavin and I were also cracking up that all the flight attendants were wearing Pikachu ears on the flight and the whole plane was covered in Pikachu stickers. We met up with Trae and Anna at the Singapore airport at 3 AM! I was so excited to see them! This is our first time doing a couples trip. I met Trae on my mission and was so glad to catch up with an old friend. I loved that Trae and Anna were sleeping in the airport like us to save money. If you were to ever sleep in an airport, Singapore is the one. They have fancy rest areas and full-on couches. Plus, the Singapore airport is pretty fancy - the bathrooms are pristine and spotless. We ended up chatting all night while exploring the airport. We found a huge slide and watched some shops transform into a 3D movie screen with a mini-show.

Our first stop was in Penang, Malaysia! We were greeted by 90-degree weather and 96% humidity - talk about a warm welcome. Eager to explore, we wanted to drop off our backpacks at our hotel to roam around comfortably. However, our excitement dampened when we arrived at the hotel only to see signs everywhere stating "no homestays here." Frustrated, I tried calling the hotel, but the number was out of service. Wasting precious time under the scorching sun, we were informed by a security guard that it was a scam. Reading online reviews confirmed our suspicions - many others had fallen victim to the same issue. Frustrated, we decided to move on and find alternative accommodation. We ventured into a hotel down the road to pay for a night just to store our bags and finally, after this hiccup, set off to explore the city!

Our first destination was the picturesque Kek Lok Si temple. Opting for a leisurely stroll instead of taking the tram up the hill, we embarked on the path leading to the temple, which began in a bustling alleyway filled with various vendors. Each vendor eagerly displayed their array of clothing, trinkets, and bags, urging us to stop and browse. However, nothing caught our eye as we found most items unappealing, resembling yard sale merchandise. Politely declining their offers, we maintained our focus and continued our ascent towards the temple.

The Kek Lok Si temple is one of the largest and oldest Buddhist temples in Malaysia. During our visit, the grounds were adorned with vibrant red Chinese lanterns in honor of the recent Chinese New Year festivities. Upon stepping inside the temple, we were greeted by numerous grand prayer halls and magnificent golden statues of Buddha. The air was filled with the soothing aroma of incense candles, emanating scents of fragrant wood and herbs, albeit a bit overwhelming for me to linger too long. Despite our hopes to witness the massive Buddha statue at the temple's peak, ongoing renovations we weren't able to witness him. Nevertheless, we reveled in the panoramic city vistas from the temple's heights.

Exiting the temple, we found ourselves battling the stifling heat and the drain of our energy reserves due to long hours of travel, sleep deprivation, and adjusting to the time difference. Relief washed over us as we stumbled upon a 7/11, where ice cream delights and Slurpees revived our spirits. Understanding the best antidote to jet lag is syncing with the local time zone, we pressed on despite how tired we were.

That afternoon, we ventured to the majestic Penang Hill, the tallest mountain in the region. The lush surroundings of Penang surprised me, with an abundance of rolling hills embracing the landscape. Upon reaching the summit, we encountered an artist offering portraits at 10RM per person (2.50$ USD). We agreed this would be an awesome souvenir. We eagerly sat for our drawings. The final drawing had us in a laughing fit - from Trae's elongated neck to the funkiness of our features.

The panoramic view from the hilltop provided a breathtaking view of Penang, a memory I will always cherish. Descending to the base, we indulged in the local favorite, Char Koay Teow, a flavorsome country dish best enjoyed from the vibrant street vendors. While eating we received a surprise message from our Airbnb host, offering a complimentary upgrade to the luxurious Jazz Suites. Being cautious of this freebie, we soon found ourselves navigating through personal mail to access the accommodation. We weren't impressed with the "free upgrade." It seemed as though we were downgraded.

As sunset hit we ventured to a nearby food market where we devoured dumplings that captured the hearts of Gavin and Trae. Nestled on a bustling street corner, the market buzzed with activity as vendors cooked, and locals bonded. Ordering our food, we settled among the lively atmosphere, eagerly anticipating our meal. Gavin unexpectedly drew attention from locals, who eagerly requested photos with him leaving us in awe of our new celebrity companion!

The following morning started early with an invigorating bike excursion through the scenic countryside of Penang, guided by a charismatic local named TC. We adored TC and his knowledge about Malaysia, some of which bore a striking resemblance to plants found in Hawaii. TC showed us the palm oil nut, part of Malaysia's significant palm oil production - ranking as the world's second-largest producer. He also shared Malaysia's worrisome diabetic population, attributed to the sugar-laden coffee and treats. We read into the local coffee ingredient label and were taken aback by the high sugar content, overshadowing the actual coffee itself.

During our hot beautiful bike ride we saw Komodo Dragons gracefully gliding through murky canal waters. However, we were sad by the sight of a dragon afflicted with unsightly lumps caused by bacterial infections. Along our journey, we passed by one of the largest fishing villages, giving us a glimpse into the livelihoods of the local residents and their unique way of life.

Malaysia has four distinct seasons - hot, scorching, wet, and drenched -TC told us many locals are found inside the new shopping malls enjoying the AC. The bustling streets were filled with motorcycles, the most popular mode of transportation for residents, often accommodating entire families on a single bike - a sight that left us grateful for guided tour on bikes!

We visited a quaint farm where we had the opportunity to interact with ostriches and goats. While here we learned bout Durian trees, known for their unique fruit - the "stinky fruit" popularly sold on the streets. Due to the awful odor emitted upon opening, many establishments and public spaces enforce bans on consuming Durians. Even from a distance, we caught a whiff of the fruit's distinctive aroma, which reminded me of rotten fruit. Our one regret was not trying it. Interestingly, owning a Durian tree can be wonderful for locals. The trees have a three-month harvesting season that gives the locals lots of profit.

We had an awesome Grab driver who informed us about the abundance of monkeys at the botanical gardens Upon arrival, we were greeted by an eerily empty park, likely due to the scorching heat and the lack of shelter and hydration facilities. Not letting the conditions get to us we decided to explore the gardens despite the sweltering conditions.

After a brief four-minute walk, we were pleasantly surprised to spot monkeys frolicking in the trees.As we ventured to the rear of the gardens, we discovered numerous monkeys seeking solace in the shade. We attempted to coax the monkeys into playful interaction, but they remained shy and aloof, with every now and then a few spirited screeches. Their screams about scared me to death.

We hiked up steps we saw on a mountain in hopes of reaching a waterfall, only to be met with a shallow stream at ankle depth. Not the view we were expecting we decided to immerse ourselves in the cool waters before bidding farewell to the botanical gardens.

As we made our exit from the gardens, we saw an additional group of monkeys lounging on a bridge, their posture and behavior looked freakishly, human. We found it difficult to tear ourselves away from observing them. We felt so happy that our Grab driver gave us this recommendation.

That evening, we wandered through Little India, enjoying the vibrant sights and sounds of the streets. Entering a clothing store, we found ourselves trying on traditional outfits, with the boys purchasing some stylish shirts. The attentive gaze of the employees as we browsed made us appreciate our purchases even more.

Little India lived up to its name, with Indian music resonating from shops adorned with brightly colored fabrics. The tantalizing scents of curry and freshly baked naan bread wafting from nearby restaurants transported us to a world reminiscent of India itself. Malaysia's diverse population, comprising Chinese, Malays, and Indians, was vividly represented in Little India. The experience left us with a deeper appreciation for the melting pot of cultures that define Malaysia.

Our journey continued to Ipoh, Malaysia, a smaller and less touristy destination compared to Penang. Traveling in style, we hopped on a luxurious bus with reclining seats to reach our next destination. Our first stop in Ipoh was the Perak Cave temple, a Buddhist temple nestled around the rocky mountain, forming a magnificent cave. Inside, we were greeted by towering golden Buddhas that gave off an Avatar the Last Airbender vibe.

Eager to explore further, we climbed the temple's stairs to the top, lugging our backpacks under the scorching heat and humidity, causing us to sweat like crazy. Thirsty for some cold water, we continued onwards and upwards, each step bringing us closer to the breathtaking from the top. From the top we saw colorful buildings and majestic mountains in the distance, a sight that made every drop of sweat worth the effort.
At the top we encountered a friendly Australian couple who resided close to our friends Trae and Anna, this added to our Ipoh adventure.

That afternoon we went to Ling Sen Tong temple. We loved the big Buddha lying down and how the temple was tucked up against the rock. The outside of the temple had numerous colorful statues and the temple sat in a very peaceful place of town. In the temples you see people praying and kneeling down worshiping Budha and on the other side of them someone is posing for a picture or photographing the statues. They don't really care who comes to their temples or what goes on inside. 

Later that afternoon, we ventured to Tasik Cermin Ipoh, also known as Mirror Lake. Here, we hoped on a boat ride around the beautiful lake, soaking in the beauty of the surroundings. As a safety precaution, we were required to wear life jackets, as many locals in Malaysia do not know how to swim. Our guide informed us about the dangers of the lake, recounting stories of tragic accidents where individuals fell in and were unable to be rescued. We went around the lake in a compact inflatable boat, we marveled at the lush greenery and glimpses of wildlife, including monkeys swinging from the vines overhead.
As the sun set we strolled through the streets of Ipoh, enjoying ourselves in the sights and sounds of the city. The atmosphere was occasionally disrupted by the distant echoes of Muslims engaging in prayer, adding some peace to the crazy city.

The following day, we hoped on another bus journey, this time heading towards the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The city greeted us with lots of energy and busy streets. Our first stop was at the city park, where we caught sight of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers towering over the skyline.

In the park we observed locals frolicking in the fountains, seeking relief from the sweltering heat. We were tempted but, the thought of the fountain's cleanliness kept us away.

Our group was joined by Anna's friends from her missionary days, Alina and her husband Stephen, who added a delightful touch to our group. Together, we all ventured to the swinging bridges, offering great views of the Merdeka Tower, the world's second-tallest building. The tower's distinction as the tallest structure,

After the bridges we ventured to explore the vibrant street markets of Kuala Lumpur. The market was bustling with activity, the street was lined with charming shops offering an array of goods, from pottery and clothing to kitchen essentials and skincare products.

Gavin indulged in a pair of luxurious silk pajamas and socks, while each of us found some chopsticks to take home. I couldn't resist purchasing a beautifully crafted cutting board, envisioning it as part of my kitchen in Kauai.

As left the market and stepped outside, we were met with a sudden downpour. Our Grab driver reassured us that the rain was merely artificial and would soon dissipate by nightfall. Not sure by the term "artificial rain," we exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what to make of this mysterious fact.

The following morning, we got up early to visit the awe-inspiring Batu Caves, a magnificent Hindu temple nestled against a mountain. The entrance to the temple was marked by a grand colorful staircase and a majestic Buddha statue.

As we made our way up the stairs, we were caught swiff of bird poop. There were numerous birds perched along the temple's exterior, giving off an awful scent. Despite the unpleasant scent, a young boy gleefully chased after the birds with a care in the world what he was running into.

We found the interior to be a serene sanctuary, where we observed families and individuals engaging in worship rituals guided by a priest. These rituals involved prayer, lighting of lamps, burning of incense, making offerings of flowers or fruit, ringing bells, playing music, and chanting. Each action aimed to engage all five senses. The familiar practices observed in the various temples we saw became very similar and reminded me that I am glad I don't have to worship this way.

After our visit to the Buddha temple at Batu Caves, we rushed to attend a church service at one of the three English-speaking branches in Malaysia. It was a heartwarming experience to connect with fellow church members and engage in spiritual fellowship and worship in a way that is comforting to me.

During the service, Trae and Anna encountered a fellow church member from their home stake named Jeramey, who raided enthusiasm and energy. Upon learning that we were planning to attend a Taylor Swift concert in Singapore, Jeramey was our biggest fan! He encouraged Trae and Anna to seize the opportunity, emphasizing that "money comes and goes, but you gotta do it."
Influenced by Jeramey's contagious excitement and my persuasive efforts over the past few days, Trae and Anna made a spontaneous decision to purchase tickets to the Taylor Swift concert right then and there. It was a moment of joy and excitement!

That afternoon we went on top of KL Tower to overlook the city of Kuala Lumpur. We spotted several beautiful mosque's from the top along with our hotel and the Batu caves! The city was very beautiful from above. The air quality is horrible in Malaysia so I'm not sure you can ever see the mountains because of all the pollution. 

Our hotel had an awesome rooftop pool with an infinity edge overlooking the stunning city skyline of Kuala Lumpur. Wanting to make the most out of our siwn, we decided to have some fun and challenge each other to a swimming game in the pool.

The game involved swimming laps vertically without coming up for air, with an additional lap added each time. The competition quickly became to intense form e. I never made it past round one. Gavin was as the victor, impressively completing 16 laps! He is a celebrity;) Our rooftop swim was a memorable experience.

We quickly showered and then headed to the Chinese temple Thean Hou temple. As we entered the temple grounds, we fell in love with the dazzling array of Chinese lanterns filling the temple grounds, casting a warm and vibrant glow in the evening light. We loved the Chinese lanterns and Avatar-looking statues. We all agreed that this temple was our favorite.  

That night we went to the greatest food market of all time. The streets were lined with vendors selling the most delicious food. The streets were teeming with an endless array of vendors, each offering up the most delectable and mouth-watering treats. Everywhere we looked, we could see the sizzling of grills, the chopping of ingredients, and the fragrant aromas wafting through the air, tempting our taste buds and stirring up our appetites. We were in heaven. All the smells were making my stomach growl. We sampled so much yummy food on the streets. In fact, the food in Malaysia has been the best food I have ever had while traveling. We had corn, mango sticky rice, marshmallow ice cream, honey sesame chicken, and spring rolls at the street market! We were full and happy. 

Some of the other food we ate included waffles filled with chocolate, Char Koay Teow, curry dumplings, yellow watermelon, curry chicken, milo Roti, noodles, 1$ ice-ream, bakery items, chicken and rice, green curry, pad Thai, mango Lassi, dumplings and a variety of fruit drinks. We also went to a restaurant that has the cheapest one-star Michelin star food called Hawker Chan. Our favorite was the beef slab from  Beef Cheng Heing. Who knew a slab of jerky could hit so hard?   

To end the night we decided to get a karaoke room so we could prep for Taylor Swift. We have been loving how cheap everything is in Malaysia. All our meals have only cost a few dollars making us feel like we own the world. We were all going super crazy in the Karaoke room singing and dancing like crazy people. We called it quits after an hour because we didn't want to lose our voices. We saw the city lights before calling it a night. I love walking around the glowing skyscrapers. 

The following morning began with an early start as we headed to the airport at 3:30 am. Despite our initial frustrations at arriving at the airport much earlier than necessary, we soon realized that our early departure was a blessing in disguise. Our driver unfortunately dropped us off at the wrong terminal leading us to a frantic search for a shuttle to take us to the correct terminal.

Upon reaching the check-in counter, our troubles were not over yet. We encountered difficulties in getting our boarding passes, as the self-service kiosk seemed to be broken for us. After waiting in line at the customer service counter, we were directed back to the kiosk, only to be redirected once again to the customer service agent. GAH!

Once finally checked in. We found ourselves facing struggles at security, where Gavin's slightly overweight bag became an issue. After hastily rearranging our items and putting clothing on we walked to our gate, only to realize that we had more hurdles to face. We walked another two miles to our gate. We thankfully made it onto our flight to Singapore! I again was seated next to a Swifty who told me she couldn't sleep at all that night because she was so excited about the concert.

Upon landing in Singapore just after dawn, Gavin and I felt a sense of excitement having recently watched "Crazy Rich Asians" before our trip. We had high expectations for the city, envisioning it as what we saw in the movie. However, our hotel turned out to be situated in a less than desirable area, far from the luxury we had anticipated. Passing through grimy alleyways, uninviting street corners, and littered roads, we finally arrived at the Bright Star Hotel. Due to Taylor Swift's upcoming performances in Singapore, hotel prices were out of the roof, making our choice of the Bright Star Hotel a wallet-friendly option. Gavin particularly enjoyed the Merlion statues scattered around the city, a unique symbol of Singapore's charm.

In the afternoon, we wandered through the Gardens of the Bay, enjoying the breathtaking city skyline from the bridge. Singapore's renowned cleanliness and top-notch infrastructure were immediately noticed by us. In fact, Trae couldn't resist mentioning time and time again. We marveled at the convenience of tapping on and off buses with our credit card. A quick pit stop at a mall for some food led us to a DIY noodle bowl station. Gavin and I, feeling adventurous, decided to create our own unique noodle concoction. With a variety of unfamiliar toppings laid out before us, we attempted to solicit recommendations from the lady behind the counter, only to see her pointing to the price of the bowl over and over. We tossed a mix of random ingredients into our bowls, hoping for the best. While our noodle bowls may not have turned out as delicious as we had hoped, we savored the experience.

We took a nap that afternoon to prepare us for the highly anticipated Taylor Swift concert scheduled for that evening. Our one hour nap saved our life. Once dressed and ready, we embarked on a leisurely 20-minute walk to the stadium, joining the company of fellow "swifties" strolling along the streets. Eager for some pre-concert sustenance, we grabbed a serving of chicken curry from a nearby street vendor. As we ate we were entertained by a cheerful Asian DJ spinning Taylor Swift's hits outside. Despite his enthusiastic attempts to hype up the crowd for the concert, most people paid little attention. Not caring the DJ solicited the audience for their favorite Taylor Swift song suggestions, only to be met with silence. Unbothered he declared he would choose a song himself, hoping it would match their expectations. Dressed in ripped jeans and a white muscle shirt, the DJ exuded one Taylor Swift song after another. I kept thinking bless this mans heart while he was up there.

The stadium was packed with people from all over the world! The four of us were some of the taller bunch there. We snapped some photos outside before heading in. The inside of the stadium was packed with decked-out swiftys. I chose to dress up as Taylor Speak Now era with a mix of Midnights because of the sparkles on my purple dress. Gavin had a nice Taylor T-shirt on and Trae and Anna went dressed in black for Reputation. Gavin and I had ground-floor seats with an awesome view of the stage. Since we were on the taller side we could see everything! We listened to Sabriana and anxiously waited for Taylor's countdown clock to appear on stage. I thought we were going to have to wait a lot longer after Sabrina but just before 7pm, the countdown began. The crowd started going wild at midnight and Taylor came out looking like a queen.

Singing along with Taylor Swift and fellow fans was an a magical experience. The concert was a filled with favorite songs, leaving us unable to pick just one standout. Tracks like "Enchanted," "Long Live," "Karma," and those from her 1989 album were a hit! The surprise performances, a mash-up of "This Love" and "Call It What You Want" on the piano and "Foolish One" and "Tell Me Why" on the guitar, left in awe at Taylor's incredible talent. Every moment of the night felt magical and flawless, with Gavin and I singing our hearts out and fully immersing ourselves in the experience.

During the concert, I found myself seated beside a father who had brought his daughter all the way from Australia. Dressed in socks, boots, jeans, and a thick flannel shirt, he seemed incredibly uncomfortable in the absence of air conditioning. He was sweating profusely. I couldn't help but suggest he transform his jeans into shorts for some relief, prompting him to find some scissors and buy a Taylor shirt. He came back looking more comfortable and relaxed. We bonded with others by sharing bracelets.

Taylor's live performance was nothing short of exceptional, with amazing sets, dazzling costumes, and talented dancers the whole show was incredible. Despite the sweltering heat causing us to guzzle water didn't dampen our energy. Even Taylor herself, adorned in beautiful dresses, felt the effects of the heat, she was sweating through her clothes but still looked like a queen. An unforgettable night for sure!

The concert ended right as a massive rainstorm came rolling in. We tried waiting out the rain for a bit but only found the rain falling heavier. We decided to just make a run for it as fast as we could back to the hotel. We ran through Singapore in the pouring rain screaming while enjoying the coolness of the rain.. One of the best nights ever! 

The next day we finally slept in trying to catch up on all the sleep we missed during the week. Our trip ended with shopping around Chinatown, seeing the Botanical Gardens, meeting up with my friend Shobana whom I haven't seen in 9 years, and spending time in the beautiful Singapore airport.

Malaysia is an underrated country that is full of the kindest and most diverse group of people, beautiful temples, and the tastiest food. I would love to come back and explore the countryside. Singapore was clean, expensive, and as bougie as I expected. And Taylor, you are even more of a queen in person. I don't know how someone can look so flawless while sweating through their clothes. Malaysia, Singapore, and Taylor Swift were more than I could have possibly imagined. Thank you, Gavin, for the best surprise ever!