Your Nashata traveling essentials

It’s almost the end of the year, and that means holiday season is here for most people. Regardless of where you are heading to, don’t forget to pack a piece of Nashata into your suitcase!

Nashata was designed with the athlete in mind, but that also means the pieces are versatile. You can wear it in almost any casual situation – while exploring cities, boarding a flight, lounging at the beach, or my favourite, “runcations”.

Here’s how to pack your Nashata traveling essentials, based on your type of vacation:

URBAN EXPLORER

Your vacation will most likely revolve around discovering modern cities, or walking to museums, or cafe-hopping. It’s going to get hot and humid with all that walking and navigating around the city, so opt for some sun protection like a sunglasses and hat. A quick-dry top will keep the sweaty smell at bay. Keep it casual and presentable in with a pair of jeans.

FREQUENT FLIER

Crossing different timezones is a normal thing for you. That long haul flight is going to get chilly, so layer up a hoodie to keep your warm and give you privacy so you can sleep. Don’t forget some entertainment to keep you occupied on that 10 hour flight – it’s the perfect time to catch up on a tv show or finish a book.

ISLAND ESCAPE

Sun, sand, and sea – it’s about to get wet! But that does not mean you have to compromise your modesty. Swim to your heart’s content in the Sibaha. Who says you can’t have fun under the sun while covering up?

THE RUNCATION

Another weekend, another run, another city. Don’t forget your race gear, you don’t want to be stuck in an unfamiliar city looking for a top, pants, or worst, shoes! Also, soothe that tanned skin after hours in the sun with some natural remedy.

So where will you be travelling to? Don’t forget to post your OOTD and tag us!

Sea Canoe and ATV Ride in Phuket, Thailand

I had to be in Thailand for a business trip, so I decided to take the opportunity to schedule my flight a little bit early before the meetings and conference started by spending a few days in Phuket. Phuket requires no introduction, it is a well-known international tourist destination. Escaping the crowded beaches, we opted to explore sea caves near Phang Nga Bay by canoeing.

Phang Nga bay is about 45 minutes via boat from mainland Phuket. As we rode on, the geological features of the beaches begin to change. There were many cliffs instead of long, sandy beaches, and plenty of mangrove forests. We spotted many smaller islands that were probably privately owned as it did not look uninhabited. After all, who does not want to own a small piece of paradise on earth?

We arrived at a cliff with a very small opening at it’s base. The small opening leads into a cave that will take us deeper. I’m no geology expert, however I am amazed by the rock formations and the raw beauty of the caves. Naturally carved for thousands of years through forces of Mother Nature such as erosion, landslides, and earthquakes, only God’s powers can create these unique formations and will continue to evolve through time.

IMG_3389Going into the belly of the cave underneath the cliff

IMG_3404Emerging from the cave, we spotted a lone mangrove tree. This small, muddy island underneath the tree is home to many small crabs

IMG_3466The warm, clear sea water is home to many animals, such as this jellyfish. Don’t be deceived by these harmless-looking creatures, they sting!

IMG_3491 IMG_3447Eagles trailing our boat.

IMG_3468Each canoe comes with a guide who will paddle for you, so all you need to do it just sit back and take in the view. However, I took turns paddling with my guide, just for fun.

Besides the sun, sand, and sea, Phuket is also known as a place for adventure seekers. For some adrenaline rush, we discovered an ATV site and went for a one hour drive. Our guide took us through the forest, village, and beach. There is nothing more thrilling than the rush of wind on your face and manoeuvring through some rough terrain, leaving us feeling that we wished we had booked for a longer drive. One hour simply wasn’t enough!

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Phuket has a lot to offer, I wish I had more time to enjoy everything it has to offer and explore even more. But for now, it’s time to get serious and head to work!

 

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When travelling, always prioritize for comfort in my Heather Hoodie! Then change into work-appropriate attire later.

Until next week,

The Weekend Runner.

No website available for tour companies for the above activities, however upon arrival at the airport there are plenty of booths and tours to choose from. Prices may vary depending on your ability to bargain.

The Weekend Runner: Snorkelling in Weh Island, Acheh, Indonesia

For this week, I swapped my running shoes with flip flops, packed my bags, and flew to Acheh. My main destination is Weh Island, a hidden Indonesian gem not known to many yet. This island is about 1 hour ferry ride away from the main city of Banda Acheh.

IMG_2674Upon mentioning Acheh, the first image that comes to almost everyone’s mind is the 2004 tsunami tragedy. Banda Acheh has made tremendous progress since then. However, the road to full recovery is still long for the locals. This boat was carried by the waves about 1km away from its dock and landed on a villager’s house.

 

Pristine, raw, and untouched, Weh Island is not for the faint-hearted or those expecting luxury. Instead, this place is suitable for those seeking an adventure of a lifetime. The amenities and infrastructure here might not be up-to-date, but the view is definitely 5-star worthy. Upon arriving, not wanting to waste another minute, we quickly changed into our swimsuits and head to Iboih Beach to snorkel. There are many spots on the island to go snorkelling, however Rubiah Island which is accessible from Iboih Beach, is recommended by the locals to have the best view of the coral reef.

IMG_2576It is adviseable to respect the local customs such as dressing conservetively, even while swimming. The Nashata skirt allowed me to move freely while snorkelling, while keeping it modest.

 

The next day, we explored the village and Sumurtiga Beach that was near to our hotel. Since we did not hire any guide, we just went swimming and did not do any snorkelling. Despite being close to the village and the hotel, the water was surprisingly unpolluted and clear but there were not many coral reefs since the waves are pretty choppy.

IMG_2569Our hotel might be basic, but the view is award-winning for sure!

IMG_2622The sea beckons for a swim. How can we say no to that!

 

Going to a country where life is tough makes you appreciate what you have at home. Despite all the hardship, there are hardly any beggers on this island, and only a handful at the harbour on the mainland. We were glad that we decided to travel here because we are indirectly helping the local economy and promote the tourism industry.

IMG_2570Despite all the hardship that they have been through, the locals here are friendly, hardworking, and pious.

For accommodation and arrangements, contact Freddie Santai Sumurtiga

P/S: Shout out to all full, half marathon, and 12K runners who have successfully completed the Cyberjaya Twincity Marathon! I spotted so many ladies who ran in a Nashata top/ hijab/ skirt-pants yesterday, thank you for your continuous support. Give me a high 5, sisters!

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Until next week,

The Weekend Runner

The Weekend Runner: Releasing turtles and Putrajaya 100 Miles (Support Team).

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For this week, I had to swap my number bibs for name cards and lanyards as I head up to the East Coast of Malaysia for work. We were lucky enough that our accomodation was pretty close to a turtle hatchery. So one evening, after we were done for the day, we decided to participate in a program to release baby turtles into the sea.

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IMG_1848A little briefing on handling these precious baby turtles. Their shells are still soft and will harden as they grow older.

IMG_1859Moments like these make me want to say “I really love my job”.

I spent a few minutes with my turtle before it was time to release, but I was already getting emotionally attached to it. A million fears were racing through my mind my baby turtle swam into the open sea. My biggest fear was that my children or grandchildren will only know turtles from pictures in books. What if they will never knew the unique swirls on each turtle’s shell? What if they will never meet the eyes of these creatures, and look deeply into their gentle souls? If we continue to pollute the sea with plastic bags, or do not stop eating turtle eggs, these animals will be pushed to the brink of extinction very soon. I would hate to think that my worst fears might come true if we do not change our ways and realize the deteriorating impact of our actions to the environment.

 

For more info on this programs, bookings, and arrangements, head to: http://www.pahangtourism.org.my/index.php/destinations/islands-beaches/cherating/pantai-chendor

 

The next day on Sunday, I headed to Putrajaya to cheer friends who ran in the Putrajaya 100 Miles in the 100km category. It’s not everyday you get to be a part of an ultramarathon event, and 100km is a really big milestone in every runner’s career. They needed all the help they could get to stretch their physical and mental endurance.

The race started yesterday (Saturday), at about 7am. The support team was already on standby at the checkpoints, helped the runners pace, or carry the essentials. I was unable to join them on Saturday because I was still travelling, but I kept tab of their progress (and pain!) through social media and text messages. So the least I could do was cheer for them at the finishing line and helped them take pictures on Sunday. The cut-off time was 30 hours, and they managed to complete the run in roughly 26-27 hours.

IMG_1944The support team who worked just as hard!

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IMG_1939Sleep-deprived, exhausted, and sun-burnt, the least I could do was be a familiar face at the finishing line, cheering for them to finish strong.

 

It was an interesting experience to be a part of an event from a support group’s perspective. I have always thought that running was an individual sport – the only person you need to think about is yourself. However going solo was never a viable option in an ultramarathon. Without proper coordination, planning, and strategizing from the rest of the support team, a runner’s performance might be severely affected, or worst, he/she will not be able to complete the race. It was a humbling experience, and there are lots more for me to learn.

 

Until next week,

The Weekend Runner.

The Weekend Runner: Yogyakarta Adventures

After unpacking from my trip in Yogyakarta, I realised that most of my dirty clothes are covered in either volcanic ash or sand. If my clothes could talk, they would probably say “Phew, what an adventure!”. They have seen it all on this trip: noisy markets, mountains, beaches, and many more. If you expect a relaxing, slow paced trip then Yogyakarta is not the place for you. Just like it’s locals, Yogyakarta is bold, resilient, and adventurous, not exactly a place for the faint-hearted.

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I tagged along with a few friends on this trip and they are absolute history buffs. Steeped in rich heritage, culture, and mystical believes, Yogyakarta proved to be the perfect place for them. Therefore, temple tours to Candi Prambanan and Candi Borobudur is a must. Each temple has its own unique features to be explored, so we walked and even climbed a few kilometers to cover the elaborate temple complex. Luckily, I brought along my favourite Jazri Riada tops because they are light, comfortable, and cool. Plus, no sweat marks in photos because they evaporate sweat too!

 

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Jazri Riada is made for exploring! I brought along my both of my favourite colours.

IMG_0302Candi Borobudur is best viewed during sunrise. To get to the viewing point, we had to do a short hike up Punthuk Setumbu. The view at the top is all worth the work out.

11889600_10207356714225912_6603914117845254114_n11960156_10203312878421521_3779639741325860584_n11896004_10207356716985981_6713033447156715573_nThe famous Candi Borobudur. I can recall some of these pictures from my secondary school textbooks.

 

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Candi Prambanan. As opposed to the Buddha influences in Candi Borobudur, this temple is actually a Hindu temple.

 

Besides temples and historical sites, Yogyakarta is also well-known for its natural attractions. It’s diverse landscape ranging from volcanoes, mountains, rivers, and beaches proves to be a giant playground for outdoor enthusiasts. However, since we are pressed for time, we managed to squeeze in a volcanic tour around Mount Merapi which is still an active volcano, and sunset by Parangtritis Beach.

IMG_0407One of the many active volcanoes looming ahead. Powerful, omnipresent, and highly respected by the locals.

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A trip to Yogyakarta will not be complete without a trip to the volcanic site. This is still an active volcano so the tour will not take you directly to the active site.

 

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11960105_10207360480960078_4400998598969834602_nYou need to rent a jeep and a guide because most roads are not accessible by cars. 

11921634_10207360484320162_8078637467946233065_nIn Malaysia, sandy beaches are usually white (if not polluted). However, Parangtritis beaches have black sand because of the surrounding volcano.

11947658_10207360485720197_7771330899787980101_nI wish I brought along a swimsuit!

11924765_10207360486640220_3419597861974654023_nSunset by the beach

 

At the end of this trip, my mind lingers to a popular quote that goes “Travelling is the only thing that you buy to make yourself richer” and I can’t help but to agree with that saying. Yogyakarta has left me with a deeper appreciation for other cultures, Mother Nature, and God’s almighty powers. So, where will my next adventure be?

 

Until next week,

The Weekend Runner.