Penang Neighborhood Guide for Expats

Choosing Where to Live in Penang – the Top 8 Locations If you’re an expat planning to move to Penang, your future happiness may depend a lot on where you choose to live. But no pressure! 🙂 I put together this Penang neighborhood guide to help you find an area that suits your interests, personality…

Hairanoia – An Expat Fights Frizz in Malaysia

Thank you, humidity, I always wanted to look like The Lion King. Hair it is: the ugly truth. The humidity level in Malaysia is so high that you have to peel leg skin off chairs. Your sheets often feel like Saran Wrap. And unless you have incredibly thick hair, the humidity will transform your once-luxurious…

Pandamonium in Chengdu, China

Pandas, spicy Sichuan food, a big-ass Buddha, and a couple of charming ancient neighborhoods – that’s all you need to know about Chengdu. Did you stop reading after the word “panda?” That’s the only thing I needed to hear to convince me to book a trip to Chengdu. Because c’mon, we’re talking about giant living…

Getting a Wellness Check in Penang, Malaysia

Wow, getting a check-up in Penang, Malaysia is a pretty eye-opening experience! The medical lightsaber wielded by one particular doctor certainly made my eyes pop out, but more on that later… Not only are health evaluations here a fraction of the cost than in California (where I’m from), but it’s also the most comprehensive one…

Finding Fulfillment in Penang, Malaysia

One of the most frequent questions I get from recent transplants and people thinking of moving to Penang, Malaysia is: “What do you do with your time?” When you move someplace new, you have a chance to make a fresh start. Whether you’re retiring here, working as an expat in Malaysia or retiring early and…

2 Days in Malacca, Malaysia

If you live in SE Asia and want a quick, cheap trip to Portugal, head on down to the quaint Unesco World Heritage city of Malacca, Malaysia. Sitting in the terracotta-tiled bar of the stylishly Mediterranean Casa del Rio hotel while sipping a sangria by the river, you might just catch yourself saying: “Wait, this…