1 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition 2 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition

Contents 3 FOREWORD 4 LADIES OF LIBERTY UPSKILL YOURSELF FOR 5 YOUR UPCOMING TRAVEL ADVENTURES

THE ‘NEW NORMAL’ 6 TRAVEL REALITIES OF COVID-19 7 HELLO ZAFIGO ROUNDUP 8 8 TIPS FOR BACKPACKING 10 ADVENTURE TIME A GASTRONOMIC TOUR 12 OF 14 RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE 15 STAYCATION & CHILL 16 BINGE WATCH 17 RHYTHMS & READS THE PANDEMIC 18 PLAYBOOK

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Copyright © July 2020 Zafigo. All rights reserved. This e-zine or parts thereof may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form by any means, including electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Zafigo. All information in this e-zine is up-to-date and correct at the time of writing. However, due to the fast pace of the world we live in, the information provided might change during time of circulation, so make sure you keep updated for the latest news at www.zafigo.com. Mirissa, Sri Lanka. Pic credit: Unsplash/@ollivves Mirissa, Sri Lanka. 3 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition

who have gone solo is the freedom by constantly chatting up every to decide where they want to go, single woman they see. Sometimes, and what they want to do each it’s flattering, but if they are too Dear Zafigoers, day. The other is that solo travel persistent, it becomes a hassle and need not be lonely, because it potentially dangerous as well. makes you more open to striking a salute up friendships with the people you At Zafigo, we hope to give you tips meet along the way. On the other on how to deal with these situations hand, it also allows you to keep smartly and safely. Much like how to solo to yourself when you’re not feeling we have done this for our website, all that sociable. ZafigoZine aims to not only give you recaps of some of our best articles travel, on the current theme, but also to “WE WANT TO provide you with some exclusive CELEBRATE NOT articles, travel ideas, and things freedom, to enjoy yourself with. I hope ONLY THESE you find them helpful and equally & women WOMEN, BUT as entertaining. ALSO ENCOURAGE Finally, to all my fellow Malaysians Malaysia is celebrating 63 years MANY MORE TO who are celebrating our of independence on 31 August, independence this month, and we thought this would be EXPLORE THE Selamat Hari Merdeka! an appropriate theme for our WORLD ON second issue of ZafigoZine. Women travellers are, by definition, THEIR OWN.” independent people who know Cheers, how to organise their own itineraries, book their own tickets Of course, solo travel isn’t always and accommodation, and how to a bed of roses. There are safety Marina enjoy their travels safely. We want issues to consider. Some female to celebrate not only these women solo travellers have had to fend off but also encourage many more to unwanted attention. I remember explore the world on their own. how hazardous it was to visit not some remote outlying village in a There are many advantages to less-developed country, but Paris, independent travel of course. The where the men feel the need to one most cited by many women live up to their Casanova image 4 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition

team talk Ladies Of Liberty #teamZafigo weighs in on indepence, freedom, and the beauty of solo travel.

Where did you go on your How has the pandemic Share one advice for first solo trip? redefined freedom for you? someone who wants to My first solo trip was to Byron Pre-pandemic, ‘freedom’ travel solo for the first time. Bay in Australia for Splendor meant going wherever, Pictures can be deceiving. In The Grass, an annual winter whenever and however What you see on booking music festival. I was nervous I wished. I now equate it sites may look very nice initially, but ended up making with the little things – being and pretty, but always use friends and having a ball of a outdoors, not being confined Google Street View in case time over four to my home, it’s located in a days with lots QT with family, dingy area. I’ve of music, great and meeting had this happen food, and my friends. to me before, so good vibes. TENGKU ZAI // we relocated. ELIZA SUB-EDITOR XIN XIN LEE // THOMAS // & CONTENT GRAPHICS & EDITOR MANAGER DESIGN

What is the one thing you What does independence When do you truly feel feel epitomises ‘freedom’ mean to you? independent? for you? For me, independence When I feel I have complete Being financially stable. It’s is the ability to chart my control of this life I have very idealistic to say money own course while making made for myself, from doesn’t matter, especially mistakes along the way. making my own decisions since we live in a capitalistic It is the freedom to pursue and being respected for the society. Having money allows my own destiny, and to live choices I make, to owning me to do whatever I without being my own home want, whenever subservient to and financially I want. other people. supporting

RATHIKA TERCIA GOH myself and SHEILA // // HEAD OF my lifestyle. CONTENT & CONTENT MAGGIE DE SOUZA MARKETING MARKETING // HEAD OF MANAGER EVENTS

EDITORIAL ADVERTISING & PARTNERSHIPS EVENTS [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

We would love to hear your travel tips and stories. Drop us an email at [email protected] 5 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition Master the art of video editing Video editing is a key skill to have as video consumption grows. Whether you’re looking for video editing tips as a beginner, the best smartphone video editing apps, the basic editing cuts you should know, or trying out pro techniques, there is plenty of help online.

Free online courses on video editing are also in adundance. These are available on Udemy, digital nomads Coursera, and Skillshare. THE LAST THING YOU Upskill Yourself WANT WHEN VISITING AN ICONIC TRAVEL DESTINATION IS TO For Your Upcoming CAPTURE BLURRY, OUT-OF-FOCUS SHOTS Travel Adventures OR VIDEOS. Instead of feeling down Level up on your about missed travel photography skills opportunities, invest The last thing you want the extra time you may when visiting an iconic travel currently have into destination is to capture upskilling yourself. blurry, out-of-focus shots (or BY KATHLEEN TAN videos) on your camera or phone. Raise your game with Besides maximising on your free photography courses by travel experiences, learning Nikon School or a free 12-part Travel blogging 101 something new helps to course by Harvard University. Clueless on how to start? reduce stress, and mastering Blog hosting sites Wix, these skills can potentially Also, for all you phone WordPress, and Squarespace generate passive income. photographers, there are online courses dedicated have guides. For those who Here are some ways you can to iPhone users while Shaw want to monetise their travel upskill to make the most of Academy offers a free course writing skills, Entrepreneur your future travels: on smartphone photography. gives practical tips.

Upskill away at bit.ly/UpskillTravel 6 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition flying The ‘New Normal’ Travel Realities Of COVID-19 As the world embraces the new normal brought on by COVID-19, what will this mean for travel moving forward? Here are a few ways travel could change for us, post-pandemic. BY KATHLEEN TAN

Close to 90 per cent of Local staycations the world’s countries have Travellers will likely enforced travel restrictions in choose drive-to domestic a concerted effort to contain locations over international the pandemic. However, destinations, as they seek observers believe that travel more control over their will make a comeback. personal space. Driving means not having to deal Digital health passports and with public areas such as contact tracing apps airports and the confined COVID-19 will mean cabin spaces of aeroplanes Touchless travel increased scrutiny on every or cruise ships. Touchless data-entry passengers’ health condition, technology — gesture with more healthcare Hygiene is everything control, touchless document protocols for check-in and Travel accommodations scans, and voice commands disembarkation at airports. with superior hygiene — are being explored. More standards will come out tops. Currently, airports and contactless norms may Healthcare professionals and airlines employ the use of include cashless payments, hospitality industry players thermal cameras, rapid on- stairs instead of lifts, and agree that this is one of the site COVID-19 tests, and displays being repositioned silver linings of the pandemic health screenings. to ensure social distancing. — a healthier way moving COVID-19 may herald the forward — as hotel operators TRAVELLERS WILL emergence of digital health have to now adopt hospital- CHOOSE DOMESTIC passports to document like hygiene standards. OVER INTERNATIONAL travellers’ personal data such This applies across sectors, DESTINATIONS FOR as age, underlying health as businesses must now MORE CONTROL OVER conditions, and travel history reimagine themselves with a THEIR SPACE. — quickly assessing an ‘safety comes first’ mentality. individual’s risk profile. Head to bit.ly/NewTravelNorms for more. 7 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition

conversations Hello Zafigo Roundup Missed out on any sessions from Season 1? You can still tune in on all past sessions via the ‘Watch & Listen’ links below.

Travel In The Time Hustle From Home: Earn Shifting Your Mind: How To Of COVID-19 Extra Income Online Live Well In The New Normal ZafigoX alumna Dr Sakia Remote working guru A women’s health coach, Haque and Xyza Cruz Bacani Aisha Preece shares ideas Amanda Luukinen explores on the pandemic situation in on how to make money in how to live well while staying their home countries. challenging times. in the same place.

WATCH & LISTEN WATCH & LISTEN WATCH & LISTEN

The Future Of Travel Trailblazers: Succeeding Independence: The Benefits Tony Fernandes of AirAsia Your Way In The World Of Solo Travel Group and Lavinia Rajaram Squash champion Nicol Seasoned solo travellers of Expedia discuss the global David and superstar singer- Priscilla Patrick and Mei Mei crisis’ impact on the travel songwriter Yuna on what it Chu on why you need to and tourism industtry. takes to succeed. explore the world alone.

WATCH & LISTEN WATCH & LISTEN WATCH & LISTEN 8 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition 9 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition

3. Dressing down to dress up Maps, Booking.com, Uber, destination inspiration As it is with most Asian and Pick Me. countries, dress semi- 5. All aboard! Tips For Backpacking: conservatively to avoid The Sri Lankan railway What you need to know offending sensitivities. You network is one of the most can wear sleeveless tops and before you rough it scenic in the world at over shorts because it does get out in sri lanka. 1,500 kilometres. hot and muggy in the day, It was only during the 2. Pack light but make sure your outfits Buy your train tickets two or planning stages that we If you’re not the sort to pack are still decent. three weeks ahead of time! 8 light, the hardest part about realised this was going to be a backpacking trip. backpacking is packing. Here’s what we learned Utility and practicality and how we coped along outweighed fashion on the way. BY ELIZA THOMAS this trip, so I roll-packed everything into a medium- My friend Xin and I were sized backpack. At the airport going to Sri Lanka for the check-in counter, my bag first time. Our fun-but-hectic only weighed 7.9 kilograms. itinerary covered Colombo– Ella–Nuwara Eliya–Mirissa– Galle–Colombo. At some point of the planning stage, it became very obvious that Ella our usual travel luggage Light t-shirts are your best It’s a very sought-after trip, wasn’t going to be practical friends, as are dry-wick so tickets sell out quickly or convenient. leggings to keep you cool because they’re affordable – That is how our trip to Sri and comfortable. Also avoid roughly USD18 for a second Lanka unexpectedly turned wearing attention-grabbing class (the optimum choice) into our first experience at jewellery on your trip. carriage ticket. backpacking. Here are eight 4. App-y travels 6. Grub-a-dub-dub useful tips that you can use Smartphones make travelling Sri Lankan food is good! It’s to help map out your journey: in this day and age that tasty, comforting, flavourful, 1. Plan in advance much easier because and best of all, affordable. A First things first – check on 9 Arch Bridge almost everything can be decent meal for two costs whether you need a visa. If done online or via an app. about USD16, and portions you do, apply for it online. THE HARDEST Stay connected at all times are sizeable. Although you Next, start doing your PART ABOUT with a local telco SIM card can find most cuisines, we research on Sri Lanka at least BACKPACKING IS THE (approximately USD12) that mostly indulged in local food four to six weeks in advance. PACKING. UTILITY you can buy upon arrival because where better to get Pinpoint places of interest, AND PRACTICALITY at the airport. The apps we authentic Sri Lankan food plan your routes, and OUTWEIGH FASHION. found most useful Google than in Sri Lanka itself?

Photos by Xin Lee by Photos budget accordingly. Galle Lighthouse Get all eight tips at bit.ly/SriLankaBackpack 10 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition

zafigo guide Adventure Time Indoor and outdoor activities throughout Malaysia for nature lovers and culture vultures. BY RAISA GABRIELLI Kapas Kapas Island, 11 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition 3 Bouldering Location: Bump Bouldering, Petaling Jaya, Getting here: Public transport or car

Located in Jaya One, the entrance fee, including shoes and chalk, is a mere RM58 1 (approximately USD13.20)! 6 Hiking 4 Waterfall Location: KL Forest Eco Park, Hot spring Location: Chamang Waterfall, Kuala Lumpur Location: Kampung Panchor Kuala Lumpur Getting here: Public transport Hot Spring, Getting here: Car Nestled within the heart of Getting here: Car Chamang Waterfall is just 90 the city is the KL Forest Eco An hour from Kuching, this hot minutes from Kuala Lumpur Park. The entrance is actually spring is open daily, providing by car. A majestic waterfall connected to the KL Tower, you with health benefits from with an endless stream, you’ll so if your home or hotel is the minerals in the water be spoilt for choice here. nearby, you can walk over. whenever you want. Alternatively, you can take the LRT to Masjid Jamek or the Monorail to Bukit Nanas and walk to the starting point.

2 Snorkelling Location: Kapas Island (Pulau Kapas), Terengganu Getting here: Car and ferry

From Kuala Lumpur, Marang 7 Jetty in Terengganu is 4.5 5 Tea-tasting hours away by car. From the Museum-crawling Location: Tea plantations, jetty, it’s just a 15-minute Location: Cameron Highlands, journey to Kapas Island. If you Getting here: Public transport, Getting here: Car like secluded islands sans by car, or on foot tourists and clear water, then Choose between tea-tasting this is the perfect location for Exactly like a pub-crawl, but either at Bharat Tea Plantation you. Plus, snorkelling costs instead of bars, trail through or Boh Tea Plantation. There’s just RM25 (approximately museums. There are about 20 also strawberry-picking, and USD5.70) per person for two or so museums to visit on the numerous farms you can do hours with two stops! island, so take your time. this at, so just drive around.

Check out more adventures at bit.ly/MsianAdv 12 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition 13 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition

grub hub

9 12 14 Go food trippin’ Salai masak cili api Johor Tuaran mee A Gastronomic throughout our fair This fiery dish features In this east-meets-west Many say that Sabah’s country and discover smoked duck or beef dish, a thick broth of cuisine is underrated, and Tour Of Malaysia popular (and very loved) cooked with a spicy coconut cream and they’re probably right. A dishes from each state. coconut milk and kunyit flaked mackerel engulfs simple-yet-hearty dish, BY TENGKU ZAI () gravy. a bed of spaghetti. Tuaran mee is served It’s then topped with with pork and best 10 PAHANG 6 and enjoyed hot off Hainanese chicken Patin served with spicy the wok. The poached chicken is Ikan patin is a local belacan juicy, drizzled with soy freshwater fish that’s (shrimp chili sauce and aromatic oils, quite fatty. Gulai paste). and finally garnished with tempoyak, on the other herbs. The accompanying hand, is a thick curry rice is super tasty too. made with fermented durian. Put the two 7 KUALA LUMPUR together, and what you get is a yummy viand Malaysia’s , that’ll have you it’s usually enjoyed over coming back breakfast. There’s no for seconds. better way to start the day than with a delicious and spicy parcel of nasi lemak.

1 PERLIS Pulut mempelam Sweet mangoes and drizzled 13 SARAWAK with coconut milk. Sarawak laksa 2 KEDAH 4 PENANG 11 MELAKA Local peppers are what Fun Fact! Char kwey teow celup give this dish its heat Did you know that 8 SELANGOR A sticky ‘candy’ made ‘Char’ means to fry, while rather than spiciness. Banana leaf rice A communal meal that almost every state in of coconut milk, brown kwey teow refers to flat A typical bowl consists Traditionally a South sees its eaters dunking Malaysia has its own sugar, and rice flour. in the dish. of vermicelli, shredded Indian cuisine, this skewers of meat, fish laksa? From creamy , and vegetables beansprouts, and large to peppery to spicy, 3 5 TERENGGANU beautiful mess is prawns. The magic is enjoyed by all in in a pot of boiling gravy. there’s something really in how peppery the The most striking feature Meaning ‘trader’s rice’, Malaysia. This coma- Particularly popular in for everyone. laksa broth is. of this dish is its bright it’s referred to as the nasi inducing meal is best Melaka, this is a meal that

Illustrations by Xin Lee by Illustrations brings people together. blue rice. lemak of the east coast. eaten with your hands. Get the delicious details at bit.ly/FoodTrippinAroundMY 14 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition

cocktails by country Rumble In The Jungle This cocktail is made with uniquely-Malaysian flavours, and packs a tropical and bitter-sweet punch!

Rumble in the Jungle is a spin on the world- B.Y.O.B famous Jungle Bird (Be Your Own Bartender) cocktail that was created at the Kuala Lumpur Hilton INGREDIENTS hotel in the late 1970s. It’s a Coconut and that really shows off pandan rum* • Tuak • Campari • Tropical Malaysia’s melting pot juices • Elemakule of cultures – tuak (rice bitters • Gula Melaka wine) from Borneo, curry • Curry leaves leaves, fragrant pandan, and sweet pineapple. The *Mocktail version mamak-inspired stainless Coconut water • Pandan extract steel kole, finishing garnishes of pandan leaf and dried pineapple slice, along with a miniature Time flies flag makes this the “when you're perfect drink to celebrate having rum Malaysia, especially -Erik Voskamp with Hari Merdeka and ”

Illustrations by Xin Lee by Illustrations Malaysia Day coming up!

Fun Fact! Yohoho, And A Bottle Of Rum! This recipe is courtesy of PS150. Rum was such a prized commodity in the 18th century that 150, Jalan Petaling, 50000, Kuala Lumpur. it was even used as currency. A huge perk of being a sailor www.ps150.my back in the day was receiving bottles of rum as payment. 15 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition

destination inspiration Staycation & Chill Exploring Malaysia? Here are some hotels to call home on your weekends away.

Liu Men Hotel, Melaka Rich in history and Instagrammable rooms, the rooms are named after historical figures such as Parameswara 1 and Hang Jebat in a Peranakan setting. liumenhotel.com

The Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur This is easily the hippest place to be if you’re looking to stay in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, to learn more about her 2 history, and to be inspired. thechowkit.com

The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort, Redang Wake up to the view of turquoise water and white sandy beaches, all while being surrounded by a rainforest. It’s also a 3 diver’s paradise and great for families. thetaaras.com

Ipoh Bali Hotel, Get that Bali high! This hotel’s interior oozes Balinese design – bamboo cages, antique wood, and warm colours to 4 soothe your senses into relaxation. ipohbalihotel.com

Malihom, Penang How often does one get to say that they’ve stayed in a rice barn? These ‘villas’ were previously Thai Lanna rice 5 barns that are over 100 years old. malihom.com a Sheil Rathika by Text

For more ideas, head to bit.ly/StaycationAndChill 16 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition

Zafigo@play Binge Watch Editor’s Pick About to get on a long- haul flight? Here are some of our favourite Man Like Mobeen Netflix shows you ought 3 SEASONS, 13 EPISODES to download to keep you TOTAL WATCH TIME: 4.75 HOURS entertained during Mobeen is an ex-drug dealer Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem your journey. raising his younger sister in and Madness Birmingham. Along with his 1 SEASON, 7 EPISODES + 1 SPECIAL friends, he tries to live life as a TOTAL WATCH TIME: 5.9 HOURS good Muslim man, but funnily Not one single person enough, this proves to be on this planet thought much harder than expected. there would be so much drama in the world of big cat conservationists and collectors in America, but Never Have I Ever in came Joe Exotic, Carole 1 SEASON, 10 EPISODES Baskin, Doc Antle, and TOTAL WATCH TIME: 4.5 HOURS their respective crews to Life is hard as a teenager, but Peaky Blinders blow everybody’s minds. Devi, an Indian-American girl, 5 SEASONS, 30 EPISODES Ugly competition, murder has it really rough. Her father TOTAL WATCH TIME: 28.6 HOURS allegations, drugs, polygamy, passes on and her legs stop Set in the early 1900s, the animal trafficking, and even working for three months. So Peaky Blinders are a gypsy a run for the American Devi tries to reinvent herself gangster family involved in presidency in 2016, this while dealing with grief, her illegal activities including true crime documentary cultural identity, relationships, gambling, rackeetering, and offers twists, turns, and jaw- sex, and an arch nemesis. arms and alcohol trading. dropping outlandishness. 17 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition

SPOTIFY PLAYLIST Bueno Vista Social Club zafigo@play This music gears us up for sunny weather, a tasty cocktail or two, Rhythms and dancing all night long. Fun times! & Reads Prefer tucking your nose SPOTIFY PLAYLIST in a book or just jiving to Next Wave Neo-Soul some really sick beats This playlist creates a while on-the-go? We’ve smooth and sexy vibe that got you covered! sets a mood at any time of any day. If chocolate had a sound, this would be it.

BOOK Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo Zafigo’s Fave Follow the lives of 12 black women in this gripping novel that touches on feminism, politics, and the patriarchy.

BOOK Becoming by Michelle Obama A book in three parts, Becoming takes the reader through the SPOTIFY PODCAST former First Lady’s life. Postcard From Paris Transport yourself to the land of croissants and BOOK escargot. This podcast Last Tang Standing is packed with romantic by Lauren Ho Parisan tunes to cook to or Parental expectations, a entertain over dinner. nosy family, and the burden of having it all — this is a relatable read for many of us. Follow Zafigo On Spotify 18 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition

personal safety The Pandemic Playbook: 5 Ways To Ensure You Stay Safe From COVID-19 This virus doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere soon, so we put together some life rules to get you through the new normal. 3 Keep updated on the 1 daily stats Keep to your hygiene and Just because everything has safety routines reopened, that doesn’t mean Always wear a face mask and all is right in the world. Stay maintain social distancing. Be updated on case numbers, aware of public surfaces like recovery rates, death tolls, hand rails, elevator buttons, and other important data. door handles, and try your 2 best to not touch them. Keep socialising to a minimum As the saying goes, ‘just because you can, doesn’t mean you should’. All it takes is one person to be exposed to the coronavirus for them to get sick and/or infect others. 5 Keep healthy Beyond hand-washing and wearing masks, take care of your health by eating 4 a balanced diet, staying Keep potentially risky hydrated, exercising, and activities to a minimum getting enough sleep. Whatever time you may need Daily meditation, talking to to spend doing things like friends and family, grocery shopping, getting and other stress- a haircut, or eating at a relieving activities restaurant should be cut are some ways to down. We all need to do our keep your mental

bit to help flatten the curve. health in check. Xin Lee Xin by Thomas; Illustrations Eliza by Text

Work on your defence at bit.ly/ThePandemicPlaybook 19 | zafigozine: The #Independence edition

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