Remembering my adventures
Hi, my name is Irene Cabay. I was born and raised in the small farming community of Ardmore in north-east Alberta, Canada. I grew up on a farm and certainly did not see a lot of the world other than the neighbouring town that sold farm equipment. I have 3 great kids who all have... Continue Reading →
JANUARY 16-20, 2026 Brunei is a tiny country on the northern coast of the island of Borneo, on the South China Sea. It is surrounded by Malaysia on the land side. It has under a half million people, with approximately 64,000 living in the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan. It is ruled by a Sultan.... Continue Reading →
TOILETS There is no toilet paper in the stalls. There is a big dispenser on the wall as you walk into the main area. However, always have your own paper with you because sometimes the big dispenser is empty. Always grab a few restaurant napkins, they work! There are usually one or two western sit-down... Continue Reading →
JANUARY 10-16, 2026 Many years ago someone had given me a travel magazine with a feature on Borneo and the orangutans. The bug was planted! Now here I am!! Borneo is the world's third largest island. It has flora and fauna found only on this island. It is divided into three nations: Indonesia controls the... Continue Reading →
JANUARY 6-9, 2026 Ipoh used to have the nickname "City of Millionaires" from its tin mining heyday. There is evidence of the affluence it once had; but sadly, we found the city to be a shadow of what it once was. The former grand buildings now had paint peeling and many were covered in vines.... Continue Reading →
JANUARY 2-6, 2026 Cameron Highlands is a popular hill station in Pahang. It is known for its cool climate, lush tea plantations, vibrant flower gardens, strawberry farms, and hiking trails. We went because we heard it was nice. It had a very alpine feel to it. It was noticeably cooler, but by no means cold.... Continue Reading →
DECEMBER 26-30, 2025 George Town is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its unique cultural fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and British. It is the capital of the state of Penang. It was founded by Francis Light on July 17, 1786, when he first set foot at what is now Fort Cornwallis in the... Continue Reading →
DECEMBER 21-26, 2025 We took the bus from Melaka to Kuala Lumpur. The bus is cheap, luggage is included in the price and the seats are more comfortable than an airplane. The bus terminal in KL is massive, with 6 levels. It took us a while to sort out how to exit. When we left... Continue Reading →
DECEMBER 17 - 21, 2025 We took a bus from Singapore to Melaka, Malaysia. It has been said that if one can maneuver through the public transport in a foreign country, then there is nothing they cannot do. We received detailed instructions on how to get to the bus station, and even where to wait... Continue Reading →
DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2025 First off, let me dispel the rumour that Singapore is expensive. It is not! If you want to stay at the fancy hotels, eat in the fancy restaurants and shop 'til you drop, then it is expensive. However, decent mid-priced hotels and discount hostels are ever present. Street food will... Continue Reading →
DECEMBER 10, 2025 Although I wrote another article about specific things we saw and did in Ubud, I want to write some general notes. First of all, the weather here is a constant 28-30 C. (82-86F) It rains nearly every afternoon, in varying intensity. Bring an umbrella. Pack super light. You can buy cheap dresses,... Continue Reading →
An Old Lady with a Backpack 