Personal Essay

Pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, unforgettable views — Koh Lipe in Thailand is a tropical gem within reach.

Our contributor, Meriza, reflects on the life-changing decision she made to quit a well-paying full-time job to solo travel in her mid-40s.

With Father’s Day approaching, David Bowden reflects on the immense impact travelling with his daughter has had on their relationship and her upbringing.

Applying layers of sunscreen, David Bowden heads off on an adventure to the remote island of Koh Tao to discover a part of Thailand closer to paradise than its better-known neighbours.

Is there a limit on how much people are willing to spend on now-exorbitant post-pandemic travel? Our Editor mulls over it and comes to a surprising conclusion.

In this op-ed piece, our Sub-Editor discusses the positive aspects and difficulties of being a non-traditional parent in today's fast-paced, modern society.

“Nobody would die without spices, but plenty have died for them,” wrote Bill Bryson in his book, At Home. Melaka (Malacca) was once a strategic spice port that traded with Europe. David Bowden returns to Melaka to investigate the early history of this popular tourist destination.

Having no idea why I went to Kaohsiung in the first place, I loved it anyway, and I’ll be back again.

Read what this mama of two got up to when she visited Gunung Jerai with her family.

Our Sub-Editor pens down her thoughts on why, even though it’s a stunning destination, the Maldives may not be worth all the hype (and hard-earned cash).

As Hari Raya Aidilfitri approaches, our Founder , Marina Mahathir, pens down her thoughts on what this festive season means then and now.

As we go through this holy month-long journey of self-reflection and sacrifice, let me share some personal insights on my experience observing Ramadan in Europe.

“I believe in the impossible,” the late Florence Griffith Joyner once said. The Olympian smashed the 100 metres, setting a record time of 10.49 in the women’s category. That record achieved at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 remains untouched to this day. While my achievements are far from what Joyner accomplished, I too, share the…

As the world slowly goes back to the normal we were once starved from, our founder, Marina Mahathir reflects on monumental events events of this year.

About to embark on climbing Mount Kinabalu’s summit for yourself? Well, if you’re wondering what it’s like to summit Malaysia’s highest peak, then here are all the photos you’ll need to see.

Zafigo’s founder, Marina Mahathir, reflects on what makes her Malaysian, and essentially why home will always be Malaysia.

Neither a hiker nor a climber, our Editor decides to go on the climb of her life anyway — scaling Malaysia’s highest peak, Mount Kinabalu. This is what she’s doing to train.

Our Malaysian trans siblings share what Transgender Day of Visibility means to them, what allies can do to support their trans friends and their hopes for Malaysia's future.

Is working remotely, and by the beach no less, all that it’s cracked up to be? One Zafigo team member spills the beans on what it’s like.

Our founder, Marina Mahathir, pens down her thoughts on what gearing up for 2022 looks like for her.

Our founder, Marina Mahathir pens down her thoughts on why it’s important for us to be kind, and not just on World Kindness Day.

When wandering turns to warring. We emerge as one of three kinds of people from this pandemic — what’s important is to remain kind to each other, whatever our travel choices may be.

I've learned to separate my selfish travels from my conscious ones. Not that there is a right or wrong way to travel. But the older I've gotten, the more I crave life-changing journeys.

Should I stay or should I go? Even as the pandemic turns endemic, this quandary will remain for some time to come. And it applies to all aspects of movement -- dining in, travelling locally, and especially travelling abroad.