Travel
Travel

Mesmerizing Malaysia: 4 Days of Stunning Views, Culture, and a New Chapter

Red and Yellow – these two colors dominated everything on the ground against the vast blue sky. The rooftops, the crown of the pagoda, the lights, the decorations – all bathed in yellow. The Chinese lanterns hanging everywhere – all a brilliant red. It was mesmerizing. I was standing at the stunning Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, Malaysia, with my wife, taking it all in. This trip was unlike any other I had taken – it was my first trip with my wife. A new phase, a new way of traveling, and a new perspective on choosing destinations. It wasn’t just about exploring a place; it was also about learning more about each other along the way.

Yale Historic Site and Hells Gate Airtram, BC, Canada

Did you know that just a short drive from Vancouver, there once existed a town straight out of the Wild West, complete with rowdy saloons and frequent gunfights? During the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush during the 1850s, Yale, which is only 175 kms from Vancouver, used to be a hub of lawlessness and violence. Today its a little town of around 150 people but at its peak during the gold rush its population was around 15000. The reason for its prominence at that time was because of its excellent location. It was situated at the head of river navigation and was also the start of the Cariboo Wagon Road, which is equivalent of todays Highway 1. One fine sunny day in September, I drove over to see for myself the excellently preserved historic site here.

Kilby Historic Site, Harrison Mills, BC, Canada

Kilby Historic Site is a beautifully preserved group of old buildings near the town of Harrison Mills some 100 kms from Vancouver. On a sleepy weekend in September I drove over there on a whim. The drive to Kilby through Highway 7 was pleasant. I like that route as its away from heavy traffic and also passes through some amazing scenery. The area around Harrison Mills used to be the home of the Scowlitz and Chehalis people from time immemorial.

A Visit to BC Vintage Truck Museum, Cloverdale, BC, Canada

While driving in Surrey, BC one day, I noticed a board with the letters ‘BC Vintage Truck Museum’ on the side of the road. I made a mental to visit it sometime. That sometime finally came up last month when I drove over there on a weekend. The Museum is located in the historic neighborhood of Cloverdale.

A morning at the Seaspan Shipyards Open House, North Vancouver, BC, Canada.

A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to attend an open house at the Seaspan Shipyards in Vancouver, thanks to my friend Sunil. He had arranged a ticket for me along with some of his other friends. Seaspan is a ship building company based in North Vancouver which, along with lots of other work, also builds ships for the Canadian Coast Guard.