Beyond Xela, our school trips took us to three nearby pueblos, where we discovered traditional Maya clothing, colourful churches and local customs. From an unexpected encounter with San Simón to a rainy afternoon adventure, each visit offered a glimpse into life beyond the city.
independent-travel
Xela: Independence Day and Beyond
Xela’s Independence Day celebrations were bigger and longer than I expected, with marimba music, marching bands, traditional dress, and a lively annual fair. Just when I thought the festivities were over, another celebration began, giving me a glimpse into the traditions that shape life in this Guatemalan city.
Xela: Beyond Spanish Lessons
Studying Spanish at Utatlán opened doors to experiences beyond the classroom, from helping local children with homework to discovering Maya clothing traditions, learning about women’s weaving, and tasting local chocolate.
Xela: Getting to Know the City
Getting to know Xela meant walking its busy streets, exploring bustling markets, discovering its history on a walking tour, and finding a favourite coffee shop. Along the way, there were unexpected challenges, small acts of kindness, and plenty of everyday moments that helped me see the city differently.
Melaka: The Last Chapter of Our Journey
Our Malaysian journey ended with three days in Melaka, a memorable walking tour, an unexpectedly stressful border crossing, and one final stop in Singapore. Even the airport turned out to be part of the adventure before we finally headed home.
Kuala Lumpur: Beyond the Everyday
Kuala Lumpur kept surprising us, from the peaceful Perdana Botanical Gardens and fascinating museums to the busy streets of Chinatown, Batu Caves and a Hindu temple we discovered completely by chance. Each place showed us a different side of the city — and left us with something to remember.
Penang: Getting to Know George Town
We explored George Town over several outings, wandering through old clan jetties, historic streets, colorful mansions, small museums, and unexpected corners. Rather than trying to see everything, we returned several times, discovering a little more of the city each time.
Taiping: A City That Grew on Us
Taiping wasn't love at first sight. But over just twenty-seven hours, unexpected encounters, historic buildings, tropical gardens and a few surprises revealed a city with layers of character. We arrived without high expectations — and left wishing we'd had more time.
Pangkor Island: Not Quite What We Expected
We came to Pangkor Island expecting a quiet beach escape. We found a surprisingly busy beach town, a magical beach at night, an unusual temple and a secret rocky corner that seemed perfect. But Pangkor had a few more surprises in store for us.
Cameron Highlands: Trails, Tea Plantations and a Forest of Moss
We came to Cameron Highlands for cooler weather, mountain trails and tea plantations. Instead, we found slippery trails, unexpected detours, moss-covered forests, tea terraces, wild chayote and some of the best strawberries we had ever tasted.