fayekwanportfolio-blog

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The Inkslingers Issue 3

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The Inkslingers Issue 2

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Your Name: An Out-of-Body Experience

Pic: Taki (left) and Mitsuha (right) of Your Name. (Photo credit: The Japan Times)

Back in 2013 when celebrated animator Hayao Miyazaki announced his retirement following his final film, The Wind Rises, fans across the globe were left to search for his artistic successor.

Despite the recent good news that he will be coming out of retirement for one final film in 2019, fans were also left with an extra treat. Amongst the chaos, another talent has emerged within the animation film industry in the form of Makoto Shinkai.

It’s probably best to start getting used to that name. It is responsible for creating the breathtaking body-swap fantasy that is Your Name, which has become Japan’s second highest grossing film of all time after Spirited Away.

As of this month, it has grossed USD$197.5 million (a whooping RM8.7 billion) domestically since debuting in August last year and even created Oscar buzz along the way.

The 43-year-old former graphic designer’s  been releasing films since 2004, often revisiting themes of longing. Whether it’s youngsters who travel to ghost towns (Children Who Chase Lost Voices) or lovestruck teenagers moving to different sides of Japan (5 Centimeters Per Second), they all highlight the struggles of seperation within the younger generation.

It highlights the challenges and dreams of people like Mitsuha, the small-town teenager and female protagonist of Your Name.

Frustrated with life in her slow-moving, countryside hometown of Itomori, Mitsuha repeatedly wishes to be a high school student from the city instead. Until one day, amidst the aftermath of a rare meteor shower hitting Japan, she finds her herself in the body of a schoolboy named Taki, living in Tokyo.

This strange phenomenon continues without reason for the first half of the movie, and the two youngsters go on temporarily switching bodies at random. As their friendship progresses in the form of messages written on one another’s arms, it’s only a matter of time before the duo decide to meet up.

However, the body-switching suddenly stops without warning, and Taki is left to wonder about the girl who once lived his life. Determined to meet her in person, he leaves Tokyo in search of Mitsuha and sets off on an adventure before her forgets her name.

An adventure that is guaranteed to leave audiences in awe of Shinkai’s bold narrative style, his hand-drawn visuals and the beautiful soundtracks that accompany it.

Just like the semi-retired Miyazaki, Shinkai exhibits exceptional attention to detail in terms of graphics; each frame of Your Name is gorgeously illustrated from start to finish. It possesses the ability to transport viewers anywhere with its drawings, from the vast sweeps of a crater-barren landscape to the quaint but luxuriously decorated cafes of overpopulated Tokyo.

The film’s storyline goes hand in hand with its stunning visuals, featuring time-travel paradoxes and hues of nostalgia that everyone can resonate with. What seems to start out as a simple love story then takes a turn with several plot twists as it launches viewers into Mitsuha and Taki’s compelling, unconventional relationship.

Your Name is emotionally statisfying, with hints of tragedy that are subtle yet strong enough to tug on the hardests of heartstrings. It also concludes with an ending that leaves viewers thinking about how we shouldn’t take our lives for granted. While it may seem complex, the storyline is evenly paced and reasonably easy to understand.

 For all its intricately animated graphics and unexpected storylines, there is also the charm of its J-pop soundtrack by well-loved band Radwimps. Although the band specialises in rock music, they experiment with all genres ranging from soothing ballads to the traditional sounds of Japanese folk songs.

All these make up for a dazzling cinematic experience, with the film now becoming a cultural phenomenon in Japan. It has created a legion of dedicated fans who attend multiple screenings, even making pilgrimgaes to some of the natural landmarks made famous in the film.

And now the world is able to experience what Japanese movie-goers have, for the film’s success is being brought across the waters. Your Name—or Kimi No Na Wa, as it is known in Japan—is set to debut in North America during April this year.

Unfortunately, the movie will not be making its way to Malaysian theatres. Despite this, it is readily available on anime websites Solar Movie and Crunchyroll, equipped with English subtitles for your viewing pleasure.

“Treasure the experience, for dreams fade away after you wake up,” says Mitsuha’s grandmother, but that is not the case with this splendid movie. Your Name is sure to make its mark in one’s memories and leave viewers wanting more, even after its magical light has vanished from the screen.

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Teaching refugees as a student

Pic: Despite language barriers, teaching refugees gives one an insight into their lives and perspectives.

Although the word “refugee” is nothing new, it has undeniably become ubiquitous in news portals within the last couple years.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide has now exceeded 50 million. This was unseen since the catastrophic World War II.

As of last month, over 150,000 refugees are registered with UNHCR in Malaysia. It is estimated that 90 percent of these refugees are from Myanmar, with 30,000 children below the age of 18.

Think about it. We’re living in a country where 30,000 children are spending their childhoods in exile and are at risk of being abused and exploited—as we speak.

Should we help them? Yes.

But why? Because as political philosopher Edmund Burke once said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. 

Earlier last month, I had to take part in a compulsory module called Community Service Initiative for my final semester in Diploma in Communication at Taylor’s University (TU). It required me to teach Myanmese refugees aged 14 to 19 basic feature writing in Ruth Education Centre, Cheras.

Having read various articles on a refugee’s hardships and people’s experiences volunteering with them in the past, I knew that I was in for a challenge 

What I didn’t expect what for it to be one of the most enriching, fulfilling and special five weeks of my life. With that, as a student, I urge you to do the same.

Teaching refugees isn’t just an act of doing good to the community. By volunteering at their centre, you’re assisting these children by giving them an education they were denied back in their homeland.

The students I met were only offered lessons in basic school subjects such as Maths and English. While these were obviously life-long beneficial classes, offering lessons from a university student’s point-of-view gives them a different perspective outside of their classrooms.

I was initially given the idea that the students in my class weren’t particularly proficient in the English language. While this may ring true, it was wrong for me to immediately assume that they were going to be hard to teach.

The children I met were incredibility intelligent and talented. Despite the language barriers, they were eager to learn and, at times, made me feel ashamed for not appreciating my education more.

They were filled with an immense amount of potential to bring change to the world, but the only things restricting them were the sheltered lives they lived. Most of them only knew of happenings within the centre’s fixed curriculum, and their access to anything outside of it was through their phones.

As a volunteering outsider, you hold some power to provide them extended knowledge and even a new set of skills. And you don’t need a first-class degree to do it. 

But the learning doesn’t just come and go from one end. As a volunteer, you are also given the chance to improve your own skills and develop your field of knowledge. Being a teacher itself allows you cultivate some sense of leadership skills, which are crucial with group assignments.

Sometimes, even as a teacher, the students may challenge what you already know. For my feature writing classes, I decided to highlight the importance of taking good pictures and providing interesting headlines and captions, instead of the conventional newspaper articles.

With just a short lesson and some guidance, the refugees were able to come up with inspirational narratives for even the dullest of pictures, all from the heart. Some of which I, a Journalism major, would not have been able to come up with myself.

Coaxing them to express their thoughts on paper also encouraged them to tell me their stories, and it was during that lesson where I found myself actually making friends and even learning along with them.

Reading their short captions gave me some insight into their lives back home. Although there were some grammatical errors, I could feel the sincerity in their captions, and the significance of the subject in the pictures to them.

You grow along with your students, and get to learn more about the world.

The refugee crisis is at an all time high as of 2017. Discovering the tragic happenings in other nations and becoming familiar with these people are more than just reminders to appreciate your comfortable lifestyle. 

It teaches you to stay humble, and lets you know that you are capable of making a change—even with something as simple as teaching a two-hour lesson once a week.

At the end of my community service, my students left notes thanking me for my lessons and that it truly gave them a different view on feature writing. Just knowing that I was able to make an impact on not one, but several lives was a truly rewarding experience. There’s nothing quite like it.

Everyone, especially children, deserve to be kept safe, healthy and protected. But these kids should also be given the opportunity to obtain an education and express themselves. And that can start with you.

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Mixed couples: The final taboo

Pic: Chia (left) and Charles (right) received negative comments about their relationship from peers.

SUBANG JAYA – Malaysia’s multicultural background has often played a crucial part in shaping the festivals and foods that locals and tourists both enjoy. Its celebrations ranging across all races are believed to be what brings the country together.

However, a side less mentioned of the country’s diversity is the romantic relationships that cut across these lines.

Interracial dating has become more common with the current younger generation. Despite this, social stigmas still persist among their elders, and surprisingly, even their own peers.

Due to Malaysian societal pressure, couples of different races often face worries of causing conflicts with their families because of their parents’ disapproval. They also face problems with their own classmates, or when in public.

“We get a lot of stares when we go out,” stated Amirah Qistina bt Hazrin, 20, on her dates with her Chinese boyfriend Tan Wai Hoong.

“Sometimes it feels a little awkward because we just want to enjoy each other’s company in peace.

“It’s not just the fact that I’m Malay, but I’m a Malay wearing a hijab. It’s sort of a double whammy,” said the University of Nottingham Malaysia Communication student.

Due to the uncomfortable number of stares they get, Amirah and Tan have resorted to eating at the same quiet café in Cheras most of the time.

“Not a lot of people come here, so we don’t feel the need to hide ourselves,” said Tan, a School of Engineering student at Taylor’s University (TU).

The couple first met in high school and got together in 2014, when they were Form Five. Looking back at their two-year relationship, Amirah said it wasn’t easy telling her parents that she was dating a Chinese boy.

“When my mother first found out I was dating Tan, she got angry and immediately told me to bring him over that weekend because she and my father wanted to meet him,” recalled Amirah.

“But after he went home that night, my parents told me that they weren’t angry because he was a Chinese, but because I kept the first month of our relationship a secret from them.

“They said they would have been just as stern with him even if he was Malay.”

Unlike Amirah’s parents — who now warmly welcome her boyfriend into their household and even openly invite him to family gatherings with extended relatives — Tan dejectedly admitted that his parents still disapproved of their relationship.

“They obviously weren’t happy about it when I first told them, but they didn’t say much because they thought we wouldn’t last,” said Tan.

“After two-years, they’re a little more open to the idea of me dating a Malay girl. I still don’t think I can easily bring her home though,” he laughed good-naturedly.

Despite the parental setbacks, the couple agreed that the hardest part of being in an interracial relationship was actually the judgments they faced from their own age group.

Tan recalled his Foundation classmates’ surprise at him dating a Malay girl, after showing them a picture of Amirah.

“Majority of the students in TU are Chinese; anybody can see that,” he said matter-of-factly.

“I’m not sure why it was so shocking for them either. I got asked a lot of questions as well, but the one I remembered most was ‘Have you eaten pork in front of her?’ which I thought was super random.”

As if the ignorant questions weren’t enough, the couple has also received derogatory comments from the Internet: Amirah’s tweet on a gift from Tan in commemoration of their 100th day anniversary previously resulted in a great deal of backlash from Twitter users.

“It was a handmade gift which I found really sweet,” said Amirah.

“My first thought after receiving it was to post it on social media to share my happiness with others. I mean, that’s what it’s for, right? I didn’t think of the any negative consequences when I decided to post it.”

The tweet was retweeted over 500 times within two hours. Amirah then received replies and personal messages in her Twitter inbox criticizing her relationship with Tan, some Twitter users even going as far as to call her a “betrayer of her own race.”

“It’s not like I’m some celebrity, so it shouldn’t matter so much to these people,” she said. “But for some reason, the post went kind of viral and people took it personally, taking their anger out on us.”

When asked what could have triggered such a response, Tan, 20, answered that it is mostly due to the issues brought up by the country’s leaders.

Amirah added that political conflicts in Malaysia have played a big part in the uncalled-for remarks.

“Especially between the Chinese and Malay race, there has been quite a lot of tension and problems that appear in the newspapers in the last couple of years,” she said.

There has been a rift between the Chinese and Malays since the elections in 2013 and 2014. The country’s policies of preferential treatment for ethnic Malays have also deepened the mistrust between the two races.

This has taken a toll on Malaysians, and conservative mindsets still exist to generalize certain cultures. Despite the setbacks, the couple still remains hopeful for fellow Malaysians to be more understanding.

“I guess they had bad experiences but that doesn’t mean every relationship’s supposed to be like that. They should be more open-minded towards these kinds of things — it’s 2017,” said Tan.

“They shouldn’t see it as a betrayal of the race or as if we’re doing it to get back at them, it just happened. We just happened,” said Amirah, before she holding onto her boyfriend’s hand with a smile.

Despite the controversies that arise in a multiracial country, the couple has proved that interracial dating proves to be just like any other relationship. Any implications of political agendas or racial supremacies show that Malaysia has a long way to go towards being a unified and developed country.

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Disabled-friendly library in TU (Students on wheelchairs to gain better access to library facilities)

Pic: Kang using the TU library computers in Level Two with dif culty, due to her mobility impairment.

SUBANG JAYA – Students with mobility impairment in TU can soon expect better access to the library facilities following plans to create a disabled-friendly library. 

According to TU Chief Librarian Jefrina bt Jamaluddin, these changes include lowering the height of the printing computer tables, upgrading the manual gate at the entrance and adding ramps to enter discussion rooms. 

“As of now, we have six disabled students on campus and we want them to have the same access to all the facilities and resources as other students.”

Jefrina added that the library’s first plan is to create a more convenient entryway for students on wheelchairs, as they currently enter the library through a manual gate.

She hoped to improve this by upgrading it into an auto gate, which the library staff can operate from the counter.

“We are still discussing our budget with the university management, but hope to finalise everything and begin this project within the next few months,” she added.

Christina Kang Xiao Xi, who faces mobility impairment, said she hardly enters the library as it is not convenient to use the facilities.

In regards to the library’s plans for students in wheelchairs, the 25-year-old finds that it would make a huge difference in her student life.

“I think it is a good move, because right now I avoid the library as the design is not fit for my wheelchair,” said the School of Computing and IT student.

She added that her main struggles included having to drag chairs to make space for her wheelchair and being unable to enter the discussion rooms in Level Three.

“Because of such incidents, I prefer to use the library website and refer to PDF files when I am doing assignments,” said Kang.

“However, I have two years left in TU so I look forward to being able to go to the library more often after the renovations have taken place.”

Along with modifying its facilities, the library plans to refurbish the 24/7 room by adding plug points at every desk—similar to the ones in Level Four.

Jefrina said the library is also seeking assistance from TU students to rectify issues regarding noise, faulty facilities and security. 

“Several School of Medicine students have submitted complains about other students making noise, so we added signage reminding students to stay silent especially on Level Four.

“However, this does not seem to work so we hope students can look out for their friends and remind each other to keep quiet in the library,” she said.

She added that they hoped for students to report on others misusing their Student IDs, such as letting outsiders into the library under their name.

Jefrina also hoped for the TU community to notify the library staff of any damaged plug-points using the library’s Google Doc form.

“The library is very big and we cannot handle it on our own. We have seven staff working to satisfy 11,000 students,” she said. 

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Students refuse cheaper brands despite price hikes

Pic: Loke is willing to spend on quality goods.

SUBANG JAYA – Although the cost of living in Malaysia is significantly increasing, majority of Taylor’s University (TU) students are not switching to cheaper brands for school supplies, clothes and daily necessities.

School of Communication student Eunice Loke Wai Kei said she preferred quality items over lower-priced goods that may not last long.

The 19-year-old added that she wouldn’t switch stationery brands unless there were alternatives that work just as well.

“I think students wouldn’t care if items are a few ringgit pricier, because spending with our currency does not hit us as hard as it does to our parents,” she said.

Despite this, Loke added that she was willing to eat at cheaper food outlets that served mediocre meals.

“I believe in taking everything in moderation, so eating less delicious or unhealthy but cheap fast food once in awhile is alright for me,” said Loke.

Muhammad Adam bin Omran, 19, said he was also unwilling to sacrifice quality when it came to purchasing water bottles.

“I would still buy from more expensive brands like Tupperware instead of the ordinary plastic bottle from 7-Eleven,” said the School of Computer and IT student.

He added that buying water bottles helped reduce wastage and was more cost-effective in the long run.

Within the last year, toll rates of several major highways have escalated between 20 sen and RM3. Fuel prices have gone up by 15 to 20 sen following the new year.

Current governmental economic policies such as the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2015 has also led to a higher cost of living in the country 

Chin Wen Shen from Taylor’s Business School, who lives in Nadayu28 Residences, Bandar Sunway, said his household expenses have increased from RM300 to RM400 per month since he moved in early last year.

He added that he took up a job as a part-time administrator in a tuition centre to help cover the higher living costs.

“Things such as water bottles or clothes are worth paying extra for, because quality for these items matter,” said Chin, 22.

However, he added that budgeting was important and that buying inexpensive quality goods was still possible by hunting for bargains in newspapers or supermarkets such as Tesco.

School of Communication and international student Syed Shadman Islam said his monthly expenditures have also increased with the drop of the RM exchange rate.

“I usually save some money per month for movies or outings with friends, but over the last few months I haven’t been out as much because the prices have gone up,” said the 21-year-old from Bangladesh.

Regardless of the higher rates, he added that he was hesistant to use cheaper brands, especially when it came to buying backpacks or shoes.

“I enjoy splurging every now and end with a good quality, branded item, so I don’t see myself switching brands for personal products,” he said.

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TU food outlets to use biodegradable packaging

Pic: Chong presenting the final design of the biodegradable packaging to be used in TU food outlets.

SUBANG JAYA – The food outlets in Taylor’s University (TU) will be introducing biodegradable packaging materials as an environmentally friendly solution to plastic or Styrofoam containers. 

Made from processed sugarcane fibres, coconut husks and recycled cardboard boxes, the new packaging is safe from dangerous chemicals and other harmful substances. 

Facilities, Environment, Health, Safety, Security and Administration (FEHSSA) Senior Sustainability and Project Manager Edward Chong Eu Siang said the packaging has proven to be durable and void of leaks.

“We experimented with different foods and tested it out with hot rice and curry, but it is a strong design and nothing will leak through,” he said.

According to Chong, it did not contain any artificial colouring and is only two to three sen more expensive than the usual Styrofoam and plastic packaging.

“The ones we use now are very harmful because when you add in hot food, the plastic absorbs the heat and releases carcinogenic chemicals,” said Chong.

He added that the packaging was easily biodegradable and would not bring harm to the campus’ environment.

“The boxes will start to decompose within five days. 

“It will eventually return back to the materials it is made out of and blend into the environment,” he said.

Chong said the eco friendly products are currently piloted towards food outlets on Block C, D and E.

The project will be implemented between April to June, through restaurants such as Temptations and food kiosks like Rasa, Chill and even Juice Factory.

The aim is to instill new behaviours and change the mindsets of TU students and staff by creating a sustainable campus environment and reducing wastage at the same time.

As reinforcement, Chong said the campus community will be charged between 50 sen to RM1 for every biodegradable packaging.

“This is to encourage them to save money and bring their own Tupperwares and containers from home, instead of just depending on the food outlets,” he said. 

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Couples Date in the Dark while blindfolded

Pic: Participants reaching out to feel each other’s faces to make up for the absence of their sight.

SUBANG JAYA – In conjunction with Valentine’s Day this year, 14 couples got to experience a literal blind date event and lived in the shoes of the visually impaired. 

The event was organised by the School of Communication (SOC) Public Relation students for their Diploma final semester project.

Ashley Loo Ka Yan, 18, said the event gave her an insight into the life of a blind person.

“I found out that they can still live normal lives and experience things in different ways, even without the sense of sight,” said the School of Medicine student.

“I actually really enjoyed myself and it went better than expected,” she added.

Taylor’s American Degree Transfer Program (ADP) student Cheong Chwee Theng said being blindfolded made her insecure, as she could no longer see her surroundings.

“I felt sort of unsafe the whole time,” said Cheong, 24.

“I’ve always known blind people only see darkness, but this made me realise what they must feel too.”

Dating in the Dark also saw participants from other universities, due to the popularity of the event on social media site Facebook.

 “It was all over my timeline and I thought it was a pretty interesting take on blind dating,” said Syahmie Fayyadh Jaafar from International Advertising, Communication and Technology (IACT) College. 

The 22-year-old added that he made new friends that night and was glad he decided to give the event a try.

Held on 14 February from 7pm to 9pm, Dating in the Dark is a matchmaking party involving blindfolded couples who paid RM10 to spend two hours getting acquainted with each other.

The couples were served light refreshments and encouraged to guess the food they were eating together.

Organising committee chairperson Yee Cheryl said the event was for the single people on Valentine’s Day.

“Dating in the Dark was created to inspire people to not judge someone based on their looks, but their personality instead,” she said.

“We also wanted to spread the message that inner beauty is more important than outer appearances.”

The 20-year-old added that the event exceeded expectations in terms of turnout and received many positive responses from romantic hopefuls.

“We did not expect so many to be so interested in it, but a lot of people actually turned up to register on the day itself.

“Unfortunately, we had to turn them away due to limited spaces,” she said.

Dating in the Dark was part of a series of events under the campaign Life in the Dark, which was held from 13 to 15 February in different parts of TU.

Other events included Walk in the Dark, a pitch-black obstacle course in LT4 based on Dialogue in the Dark in Bandar Sunway, and Dining in the Dark, a luncheon in total darkness.

Yee said their campaign was inspired by the group members’ personal experiences involving the visually impaired.

“My own father suffers from glaucoma, which is a condition where pressure is built inside the eye and brings damage to it,” she said.

“We wanted to spread awareness on difficulties the blind face in their daily lives. 

SOC lecturer and project advisor Philip Gan Chee Keat said he was satisfied and even surprised with the turnout for all three events.

“The project itself was a very noble idea, and I’m quite satisfied after seeing the number of people that participated and enjoyed themselves in all the events,” he said.

He added that it was a good message to remind people to appreciate their sight and he glad that the event was carried our smoothly. 

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CANDY FOR NOBODY

A shop owner in Ipoh’s empty Concubine Lane, making an elaborate multi-coloured cotton candy. As it was during the off-peak travelling season, there were no tourists to cater to.

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EVEREST PLATES

Towering stacks of dishes waiting to be plated and served at a famous chicken rice store in town. Further back, a worker tackled countless chickens for the day.  

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POVERTY @ GOLDEN TRIANGLE

A homeless and disabled man asking for donations in Bukit Bintang, in the rain. Shoppers around the area continuously walked past him without sparing a glance or offering a single cent.

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POODLE VS. DONUT

A poodle gazes at a donut hungrily, over the edge of a bench. It stared at the pastry with a glazed expression.

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CURIOUS BUT DANGEROUS

A little boy dangerously peeping into the fountain waters outside Suria KLCC and on the verge of falling in. His parents were busy taking pictures instead of supervising him.

[fayekwanportfolio-blog]

The following was for BFM 89.9′s travel programme Ticket to Ride. I wrote the script, usually written by the show’s producers, for the entire episode. It featured travel writer David Hogan Jr’s travels to The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

I then edited the sound clips and produced the show on my own.

Listen to the podcast link here

Intro

This is TTR, the show that takes you places while you remain firmly in you seat. I’m your host Adeline Choong and this week’s traveller David Hogan Jr, takes us through The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and its natural, historical wonders. Stay tuned till the end of the show where we’ll then take you through some tips and deals for you to plan your next holiday.

—

Often associated with camels and desert plains, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is far more than its image as a country filled with barren red sand. Its panoramic scenery ranges from multi-coloured canyons and soaring cliffs to unique shores and high-mineral saltwater lakes. Located right in the centre of Middle Eastern countries Israel, Saudi Arabia and Syria, Jordan is a nation rich in ancient history,  dating back as far as the Palaeolithic period. In the midst of this country, mostly encompassed by desert lies Amman, a city built on seven hills, or jabals, which serves as Jordan’s current capital. Although lacking in history as compared to the rest of the nation, it still features impressive Roman ruins alongside a hubbub of souqs, and is the best place to begin your Jordanian adventure. David tells of his arrival in Amman, and his travel tips to ensure a comfortable journey out of this city.

–

Once under Roman rule, Jerash – previously known as Gerasa—was amongst the 10 great cities of the Decapolis. Initially buried in centuries upon centuries of sand, the city has since been restored to reveal evidence of Roman urbanism in the Middle East. Upon entering this city, expect to be welcomed by Hadrian’s Arch, a 2000 year-old triumphal structure first built by Emperor Hadrian in 129 AD. The rest of the city covers towering temples, spectacular amphitheatres and colonnaded streets, all fit for the ultimate history buff and archaeology enthusiast.

—

Nestled in between remote valleys is Wadi Musa, a town built along the outskirts of Petra. Over the last few decades, this modern town has been developed to serve the multitude of tourists that surge into the area to visit the ancient city. Presenting visitors with an array of restaurants, hotels and souvenir stores that eventually bring them to the main gates of Petra—all operated by local Bedouins—it has garnered a reputation as guardian of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. David shares his impressions when crossing the barrier, and staying in Wadi Musa.

—

The splendour of the prehistoric City of Petra would, undoubtedly, amaze any traveller that crosses its path. Shielded by vibrant red and brown mountains, and hidden from the rest of the world, this lost city was only rediscovered by a European traveller in the 1800s. Yet another sight to behold as you make your way into Petra is the natural beauty of the Siq, a sandstone slot canyon with winding paths, all situated between cliffs that stand at the grand height of 80 meters to introduce one to the highlight of this ancient Red-Rose city. With camels and donkeys as the only means of transportation, it is important to be well equipped with comfortable footwear as you embark on the journey into Petra. David shares his experience upon entering the narrow gorge, and his recommendations.

—

Located at the end of the Siq and standing tall through thousands of years of existence is the iconic façade of The Treasury, with its intricate details and majestic pillars carved directly into the sandstone cliffs of Petra. It is every bit as astounding as one can imagine. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985, it was once a thriving center for people of the Nabataean empire and even served as a filming site for an Indiana Jones film. The history of the Petra today still largely remains a mystery, with archaeologists continuously working towards discovering more about this grand desert city.

—

Apart from the Treasury, the most impressive monument at Petra is the Monastery also known as al-Deir. Built by the Nabataeans in the 1st century and measuring 50 meters wide by approximately 45 meters high, architecturally the Monastery is an example of the Nabatean Classical style. It is the second most visited building in Petra after Al Khazneh. The Monastery is similar to design to the Treasury, but it is much larger and much less decorated. It might be a short climb for some, but not for David.

—

Being fit is important if you are planning to climb up the Monastery. It may sound daunting, but there are plenty of places to rest, and donkeys available to rent. The Monastery facade is so big that it seems like an optical illusion – the doorway alone is taller than a house. It’s all worth it to travel up there and spend a night or two just like David.

—

One of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the world is the Jordanian east coast of the Dead Sea. The leading attraction at the Dead Sea is the warm, soothing, super salty water itself. The salinity of the Dead Sea is so high that everyone can easily float on their backs. But, there are few precautions you need to take note when visiting the Dead Sea.

—

The Dead Sea is flanked by mountains to the east and the rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west, giving it an almost other-worldly beauty. There are facilities there too which includes a cafe, sun-loungers and sunshades and the very necessary fresh-water showers for when you’ve come out of the sea.

—

When traveling to Jordan, make sure you plan your stay there at least a week or so as there’s a lot to do there. All in all, it was an eye opener for David.

—

Outro

Log on to our facebook page, Ticket to ride on BFM 89.9 or for more visual guide, follow us on instagram @bfmradio. Coming up some amazing deals, but in the meantime, here’s Lamma Yeghib El Gamar by Samira Tawfik. This is Ticket To Ride on BFM89.9.

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Towards the end of my internship at radio station BFM 89.9, I was given the task to co-host a weekend programme, I Love KL, together with producer Daryl Ong, although interns are not usually allowed to go on-air.

I had the chance to interview Rojak Culture, a social enterprise created to united Malaysians, and their new game, The Lepak Game. 

You can find the original podcast link here.

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BINGE.com

For my Digital Graphics class under Taylor’s University, I was required to design the homepage of a magazine website. My magazine was titled BINGE, and it focused on the genre of food.