Review 2023 in Retrospect

Hello from Don Mueng Airport, Thailand, I just finished travelling to Thailand and waiting for my return flight. 2023 has been an incredible year, I revisited Terengganu state, South Korea and Thailand, explored many new places and made countless memories that will last a lifetime. 

Who and what I meet and lose in the year 2023?

MET

1. My long-lost Sarawakian friends – Soon Hung & Xiu Bin

2. My long-lost university and Lang Chao Drama Club friend - Wand Chih

3.     My long-lost Korean Friend – 관식

4. Friends from Interviewees
5. Friends when I travel to South Korea

LOST

1. Luggage that means a lot to me
2. GSC Berjaya Times Square
3. Ryu Jun Yeol and Hyeri couple, my favourite Korean celebrity couple

What I have done in the year 2023?

1. Joined a few university gatherings, with my PAP mates, my direct senior, my coursemate and Lang Chao Drama Club friends

2. Joined the “18 Years Old Friends Gathering” 

3. Reunited with my long lost Korean Friend – 관식 3 times, in 3 different countries, in 3 different seasons 

4. Travelled to Redang Island, which is also the first Peninsula East Coast Island I went

5. Travelled and explored Metro Prima, Putrajaya, UPM, Sungai Besi, and Sentul Barat by the newly fully launched MRT Putrajaya Line 

6. Travelled to Penang with ETS again after 5 years, experiencing the newly launched Penang Ferry

7. Travelled by train in Thailand

8. Took 12 watercraft rides while travelling to Redang Island, 2 boat rides while doing an interview about Klang River, and 1 ferry ride to Penang, so it’s a total of 13 watercraft rides this year, which is the most I have taken since I was born

9. Kuala Lumpur-Kuala Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu-Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur-Incheon, Gimpo-Jeju, Jeju-Gimpo, Incheon-Kuala Lumpur, Penang-Bangkok, Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur, so it’s a total of 8 flights I took this year, which is the most I have taken since I was born

10. Flew on a foreign airline for the first time

11. Flew abroad from an airport other than the main international airport for the first time

12. Overnight at Don Mueang International Airport and Incheon International Airport

13. Visited the Olympic Stadium and World Cup Stadium for the first time

14. Visited VAN GOGH ALIVE: THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE EXHIBITION

15. Watched 2 performances – MAMA LOOKING FOR HER CAT and ROADS AWAIT at Kuala Lumpur Performing Art Centre (KLPAC)

16. Experienced daycation in KL Hotel 2 times

17. Swim in the rooftop pool for the first time

18. Swim in the sea for the first time

19. Experienced and learned snorkelling, it’s fun to snorkel with sea turtles

20. Experienced underwater photography for the first time 

21.   Experienced autumn for the first time

22. Attended Itaewon Halloween crowd crush tragedy memorial event

23. Attended Klang River Festival

24. Dined at MICHELIN Bib Gourmand award winner restaurant for the first time

25. Ate Mookata in Thailand for the first time （Mookata originated from Thailand, but I only ate in Malaysia before that）

26. Ate TWG Tea ice cream for the very first time

Conclusion: 2023 is a year filled with unforgettable first-time experiences, unexpected fun and dreams come true moments.

Where I have travelled in the year 2023?

1. Jeju City, Jeju-do, South Korea

2. Jeolmul Natural Forest, Jeju-do, South Korea

3. Gwangchigi Beach, Jeju-do, South Korea

4. Seongeup Folk Village, Jeju-do, South Korea （33.39°N 126.80°E, currently the southernmost place I reached in South Korea）

5. Seongsan Ilchulbong, Jeju-do, South Korea （UNESCO World Natural Heritage site）

6. Manjanggul Lava Tube, Jeju-do, South Korea （UNESCO World Natural Heritage site）

7. Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea（Host City of 2018 Winter Olympics）

8. Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea

9. Mount Seorak, Gangwon-do, South Korea

10. Hwadamsup, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

11. Korean Folk Village, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

12. Unification Village, The DMZ, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea 

13. Imjingak Park, The DMZ, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

14. Dorasan Observatory, The DMZ, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

15. The 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, The DMZ, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea （37.92°N 126.80°E, currently the northernmost place I reached in South Korea and the world）

16. Misari Speedboat Park, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

17. Haneul Park, World Cup Park, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

18. Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea

19. Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

20. Incheon International Airport, South Korea

21. Gimpo International Airport, South Korea

22. Jeju International Airport, South Korea

23. Don Mueang International Airport, Thailand

24. Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, Bangkok, Thailand

25. Hilton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand

26. Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand

28. Hua Hin Night Market, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand

29. Cicada Market, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand

30. Siam Venezia, Phetchaburi, Thailand

31. Redang Island, Terengganu

32. Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu

33. Crystal Mosque, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu

34.   Sultan Mahmud Airport, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu

35. Genting Skyworld, Genting Highland, Pahang

36. Chin Swee Caves Temple, Genting Highland, Pahang

37. Sam Poh Footprint Temple, Batu Maung, Penang

38. Penang War Museum, Batu Maung, Penang

39. Balik Pulau paddy field, Penang

40. Penang International Airport, Penang

41. Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal, Butterworth, Penang 

42. Mangrove Point, Port Klang, Selangor 

43. Hotel Maya, KL

44. Pacific Express Hotel, KL

45. The Freedom Club Hostel KL

46. Eslite Spectrum Kuala Lumpur

47. BookXcess The Garden Rooftop, KL

48. Muzium Orang Asli, Gombak, KL

49. Muzium Seni Kraf Orang Asli, KL

50. Saloma Link, KL

51. Taman Midah Night Market, KL, a night market that I hadn't visited for more than a decade

52. Kuala Lumpur Performing Art Centre and Sentul Park for 2 times

53. KLIA 2 airport for 6 times 

Conclusion: This section reached the highest amount of all time, with more than half places in foreign countries, I travelled and explored many new places in 2023, and this is my biggest achievement so far.

Which movie I watched in the year 2023?

1. 《PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH》
2. 《THE FABELMANS》
3. 《TITANIC》(25th Anniversary Re-Release)
4. 《毒舌大壮 A GUILTY CONSCIENCE》
5. 《AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER》
6. 《EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE》
7. 《BARBIE》
8. 《PAST LIVES》
9. 《WISH》
10. 《富都青年 ABANG ADIK》

Conclusion: The year 2016 was the last year I watched more than 10 movies, feel great to achieve 10 movies a year again after 7 years.

When was the most unforgettable day for me in the year 2023?

1. 24 February 2023 - Entered Genting Skyworld theme park, it's hard to believe I can still have fun like a kid in my 30s

2. 16 August 2023 - Travelled to Redang Island, an east coast island that I wanted to go to so much during my teenage.

3. 20 October 2023 – Revisited my favourite country - South Korea after 8 years

4. 21 October 2023 - Reached South Korea - North Korea Border, better known as the 38th parallel in Korea for the first time, and deeply fell in love with my first fall experience

5. 30 October 2023 – Done crossing Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do and Jeju-do, 5 provinces of South Korea in 11 days, re-broaden the area I visited in South Korea, being The Third Tunnel at the 38th parallel is the northernmost place I reached; Seongeup Folk Village at Jeju Island is the southernmost place I reached

6. 27 December 2022 – Travelled Hua Hin, a Thailand beachside town that I wanted to visit for so long

Conclusion: 2023 is a year with 4 seasons for me, from the Genting Highland trip in Spring, the Redang Island trip in Summer, the South Korea Trip in Autumn, and the Thailand Trip in Winter.

All I can say is that 2023 has been the best year of my 2020s. Thank you so much for creating these unforgettable memories, you guys mean the world to me and let's have an amazing time together in 2024.

一个向夏天 ‧ 一个向秋天之大马夏季篇第六天 - 我好想重返20岁，他还是我认识的狼少年I have become a Miss Granny, He is still the Werewolf Boy I know

柾国的《Seven》不懂被我回放了多少遍，昨晚在轻快铁站听到这首歌以后，我好像中毒似的一直重听，搭了末班车回到家也是如此。我昨晚回到家之所以没有马上睡觉，一方面是因为我和관식在双峰塔公园互道再见和晚安以后，我们就在IG聊个不停，从我搭轻快铁到躺倒床上都没停过，一边聊一边听着《Seven》，直到我们其中一个人睡着为止。睡醒的时候已经是早上10点，醒来之后的第一件事还是透过IG发信息给他，告诉他我吃了早餐搭公交过来，大概中午12点才会到他在美丹燕美下榻的The Freedom Club Hostel KL民宿，怎料今天出门等什么来什么，交通一路通畅无阻，提早了半个抵达。

“Departed? Breakfast?”

“Done Breakfast. I’m in front of your hostel”

“Huh? Sudah? OMG~”

관식赶紧下楼接我上楼坐，然后急急忙忙地跑去洗漱，没想到热浪岛回来过后，还可以一睹他刚睡醒的容颜~ XD

托等候他洗漱收拾的福，我有机会跟来来往往的老外帅哥打招呼，顺便参观这一间民宿，没想到这座民宿外表古色古香，里面还蛮新潮的。

관식Check Out和将大行李安放在柜台过后，我们就走到楼下吃午餐，美丹燕美这一条路最多的就是肉骨茶餐厅，短短几步路就有五家，不过我从小到大都没吃过这里的肉骨茶，因为我家人都坚信最好吃的肉骨茶就在巴生，且认为这一带的肉骨茶餐厅只是骗游客的，直到去年年底，位于这里的阿喜肉骨茶餐厅荣登米其林指南必比登推介名单，让我对这里的肉骨茶产生了兴趣。

我跟관식说起想品尝荣登米其林指南必比登推介名单的阿喜肉骨茶餐厅，他也欣然答应，我们抱着寻宝的心态找寻该餐厅，怎料半路却杀出另一家肉骨茶餐厅的店员，把我们请到他那里，관식说他姐姐来电便走出去接电话，我就跟店员说等他回来了再回来点餐，结果几分钟过去了不见他的人影，我开始怀疑他把自己走丢了，想要打电话给他的时候才发现，我的IG和面子书都是他的未接电话和留言……

“Yuqian, Yuqian, Yuqian, Ah Hei bakuteh, Sini!!!!”

“Yuqian, Yuqian, datang sini, Ah Hei.”

这下我才确定他找到了阿喜肉骨茶餐厅，看到他那么急促信息，我忍不住笑出声来，这一笑惊动了等我点菜店员。

“怎么了？”

“我想起高兴的事情…… 哦，不，我想起还有其它的事情，我们不吃了，不好意思，感谢招待。”

“小姐，小姐。”

我迈着六亲不认的步伐离开了那家餐厅，直到看到正在排队的관식为止。看到这个至少要排上二十分钟的长龙，我不禁笑说我们为了品尝米其林指南必比登推介餐厅，竟然推掉了准备好接待我们的餐厅也要困在这个长龙中。

墙壁上的菜单还有日文，看来这里也很受日本人欢迎

我们总算没有白排，因为这里的肉骨茶真的很好吃，他甚至把店里最后的油条都Refill完。看着他狼餐虎咽，尽情一饱的模样，立刻让我想起九年前大学时期的我们，去了农业公园之后跑去巴生的兰花园吃肉骨茶，那时我们都嫌那家的肉骨茶难吃，只有他像今天那样吃的津津有味。

“You look like a hungry werewolf.”

“뭐라고?” 

“먹어 먹어, 맛있어요?”

“Sedap Sedap.”

这里的肉骨茶比我们九年前吃的那家好吃太多了，只是以我现在不怎么健康的身型来说，即便再好吃也要适可而止， 我好想重返20岁，回到那个可以尽情吃的年纪。无论如何，还是要谢谢관식，托他的福才吃到很想吃很久的肉骨茶，这也是我第一次在米其林指南必比登推介名单的餐厅用膳。

吃完午餐之后，我带他从武吉免登站坐捷运去中央艺术坊站，为的就是要带他去上次没有去到的鬼仔巷，这个巷子对我而言没有什么吸引力，但我还是会带没来过的朋友过来走走，比如去年我就带过大学的朋友艾娜和愉闰，2020年我就带过中学的朋友Nathelie，还有前同事武维过来，可今天不知怎么的，鬼仔巷竟然放了很多三星的广告牌，관식看了掉头就走。

관식对眼前的默迪卡118很是好奇，因为上一次他过来的时候，这座楼还没有建上来……

“What is that building?”

“It’s Merdeka 118, and it will be the second-tallest building in the world when complete, the main contractor is a Korean Company too, but I can’t remember it
s Hyundai or Samsung. ”

“No wonder tak cantik lah.”

听到他这么一回答，我立刻意识到他埋怨我带他看跟韩国相关的地方，因为这些韩国相关的地方都一直在提醒他今晚就要回国。

他说想给家里添购茶具，我就带他进中央艺术坊寻找；他说想给自己买一个行李箱，我就带他走进茨厂街，怎料走到最后，他既没买到茶具也没买到行李箱，倒是在茨厂街买了一杯火龙果果汁，走到中央艺术坊站的时候，他又买了Rotiboy面包做搭配。

我们又回到了武吉免登站，因为他要去金河广场的超市做最后的购买，一开始我以为他会买各种各样像是零嘴、饮品之类的，怎料他要买的竟然是虾扇标甜味酱油，而且一买就是好几瓶。

虽然这个酱油不是我家里会吃的牌子，但是我们常常都会在嘛嘛档看到

“Korea also got soy sauce, why you insist to buy this? ”

“In Korea we only have masin, we don’t have this kind of manis soy sauce, and use it to cook Korean BBQ sangat sedap.”

这一刻我才真切的意识到他对我国食物不朽的爱，已经不是美食佳肴、糕点和水果那么简单。

 “But you didn’t get any new luggage, these soy sauce bottles are fragile how you are going to bring back? ”

“I think I managed to bring back all of them without luggage, I will get some unused boxes later, what I need is cellophane tape and scissors, can you help me to get these 2 items? ”

我买来了剪刀和胶带以后，我们各自拿着都装有酱油的箱子走回民宿，箱子还蛮重的，我想如果我今天没有过来的话，他可能也没办法买那么多瓶……

“You look exhausted, are you ok, Miss?”

“I am now Miss Granny, cannot walk as fast as last time.”

回到民宿，관식让我把纸箱剪成一片片，然后跟着他用纸皮把一瓶瓶的酱油捆起来，之后他再小心翼翼地塞好塞满，不一会儿，一切就装好了。从这里可以看见，관식是妥妥的一个旅游达人，什么行李不够放的问题他都能解决。

跟The Freedom Club Hostel KL民宿道别以后，我们趁着还有一点时间跑去柏威年广场吃TWG的茶香雪糕，这不是他第一次吃这个雪糕了，可这是他第一次在马来西亚吃，他想来吃的主要原因，只不过是这里的价钱比他去过的任何国家分店还要来得便宜，而他之所以知道这里价格比较便宜，是因为六月的时候我帮他看过价钱，托他的福，我也第一次知道和尝到这一个茶香雪糕……

这是관식在台湾吃TWG雪糕时拍下的照片，他说台湾有更多口味可选

……只是我们谁也没想到今天的价钱跟六月会如此不一样，问了柜台的小姐姐才发现，原来店里所有的商品价格都在8月1号全面上调，而且上调的幅度还不少…… （T.T）

现在的价钱

两个月前的价钱

不过，看到관식的美食清单又打上一个勾，我还是感到很心满意足，剩下的Roti Tisu、Murtabak和 Karipap，就看等下机场有否吃到的运气了。

我们成功的在晚上八点赶到机场，并在八点半之前把该寄放的行李寄放。由于离他飞机起飞的时间还有两个小时多，我们就继续寻找可以吃到Roti Tisu、Murtabak和 Karipap的餐厅，这些都是嘛嘛档可以轻易找得到得食物，于是我们就选则在很有本地特色的Bungkus Kaw Kaw吃晚餐，遗憾的是，这里并没有我们要找的三种食物。

“Looks like you have to come again to enjoy this food, however, if there is anything you want to buy, you can let me know, I will bring it when I travel to Korea. ”

“Today is August 20, and you will come to Korea on October 20, so we will meet again in 2 months.”

“See you this Autumn, 우리 가을……에…… 만나요……”

“가가가가가……”

看来他已经厌倦了我蹩脚的韩语，原本想说的“I will stay until you enter boarding gate”，最后却化成了“Stay in touch”，我们就在这么匆忙的情况下道别了。

乘坐布城线捷运的时候，관식透过IG给我发来了信息，我们聊天的内容大致上就是他怕我没赶上末班车，我怕他没赶上回程的飞机……

我们走在各自的回家路上

……此时此刻，思念也在我们各自的回家路上蔓延开来，多想跨过距离去拥抱你，而不是抱着手机说想你……

…… 好在这一次我们不会分开太久的时间，我们横跨三十多纬度，两个季节的双向奔赴才进行到一半呢！

一个向夏天一个向秋天大马夏季篇圆满结束，一个向夏天一个向秋天韩国秋季篇倒数计时。