Bestadventurer: Recent Episodes
Fumiko Umemoto
I'm an adventurer, speaker, blogger, and challenger. I traveled around the world to change my life in 2015. Now I am on a mission to change the world.Here, I'll share lots of travel tips and ideas.
South America has some of the most stunning geographic features, including towering mountains in Peru to lush rainforests in Costa Rica. It also has many cultural highlights and vibrant cities. Here are 10 of the best reasons you should start thinking about planning that trip to South America!
Whether you’ve never visited Tuscany before or if it is one of the places you are dying to explore, get the insider scoop on where the locals go for their favorite dishes to eat in Tuscany. From your seafood cravings to a desire for that perfect pizza dough, we put together a list of 13 dishes you must try on your trip.
There’s no question that Italy is truly like something out of a fairy tale. From the blue, cobalt waters and spectacular views to the pristine white-sand beaches, this country manages to be modern, fresh, and yet seemingly untouched at the same time.
There are few places in the world that can rival the spectacular views of Italy. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the dramatic coastline of Amalfi, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
But if you’re looking for the spectacular views in Italy you’ve seen in pictures but never seen in person, then here are 8 locations of views and sights you’ll want to visit.
IMAGINE A SMALL VILLAGE ONLY A FEW HOURS AWAY FROM THE URBAN HUBS OF THE WORLD. ONE THAT IS FAR ENOUGH AWAY THAT YOU CAN ENJOY PEACE AND QUIET, BUT CLOSE ENOUGH TO ACCESS MAJOR ATTRACTIONS. WELL, NOW IMAGINE WHAT THESE PLACES MIGHT BE LIKE – I’VE GATHERED THE 8 MOST BREATHTAKING OLD VILLAGES IN THE WORLD.
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that occurs when electrically charged particles from the Sun, known as the solar wind, hit the earth's atmosphere. The Northern Lights are extremely rare and difficult to predict in advance, which is why it's important to check out this list of the best places you can visit to see them - because you never know when they'll be back!
Malaysian desserts are certainly some of the most varied and mouth-watering delicacies in the world. From the richness in flavors and also tantalizing textures, these colorful desserts are definitely worth checking out for those who are planning a visit to Malaysia.
While there are plenty of desserts that are highly commercialized such as the Portuguese egg tarts or ABC ice-kacang (shaved ice served with beans and syrup), the country also has its fair share of lesser-known desserts awaiting to be discovered. With that said, here are five lesser-known desserts to look out for in Malaysia.
Cekodok
Kicking off the list of Malaysian desserts is the cekodok, deep-fried banana fritter balls that are often served as snacks. Cekodok is often sold in the roadside stalls of Malaysia and is also known by other names such as ‘jemput-jemput’ or ‘kuih kodok aka ‘toad cake’. The dessert itself comes in an intriguing shape of a brown little ball that is an uneven and lumpy appearance.
Do not let its ugly appearance fool you, however, as the snack itself is a popular tasty treat among the locals. Crispy on the outside, while soft and fluffy on the inside; one can certainly feel the chewiness of the texture with the sweetness melting in the mouth while having a bite. It is no surprise why this bite-sized snack is often consumed during teatime, as it goes wonderfully well with a cup of warm tea.
Kek Lapis
Next on our list of under-appreciated Malaysian desserts is none other than the vibrant kek lapis. Literally translates from the Malay language as ‘layer cake’, this colorful cake serves not just as a local delicacy, but also an exquisite art created among talented cake artists. Kek lapis is divided into two categories; one with ordinary layers and the other with patterns and motifs.
The layers and patterns are often dyed in bright and vibrant colors (a minimum of two colors at least), resulting in these dazzling cakes resembling paintings and mosaics themselves. Kek lapis is certainly a delightful dessert to enjoy with its smooth texture, together with its rich buttery taste, complimented with a little touch of sweetness. Be sure to look out for these cakes during festive seasons in Malaysia, especially during Eid al-Fitr (Hari Raya Aidilfitri).
Bubur Cha Cha
A rather unique dessert simply known for its heartiness as well as its fascinating background. ‘Bubur’ means porridge in Malay while the word ‘cha cha’ stems its origins from the Chinese Hokkien dialect word ‘che che’ which means abundance. And rightfully so, as this dessert is a coconut milk dessert that features an assortment of sweet potatoes and taro, making it one of the most colorful Malaysian desserts. Furthermore, the name itself stems from two languages, which reflects its origin as a Nyonya dessert (descendants of Malay-Chinese marriage from the past).
Together with its rich heritage, comes along with rich flavors as well. It features a creamy rich texture, mixed together with the sweetness from its colorful ingredients; which will make your tummy go yum-yum. For a fun fact, there is also a local saying that the more types of sweet potatoes you add in, the tastier the dessert becomes.
Kuih Bangkit
And here we have our next entry of Malaysian desserts that happens to be a fan-favorite, especially during festive seasons. Kuih Bangkit is a small traditional cookie that is made out of sago or tapioca. The word ‘Bangkit’ means a rise in Malay, with reference to how the cookie expands in size upon baking. This dessert was made using coconut milk and was originally created as a prayer altar offering.
Furthermore, the cookie itself comes mainly in the shapes of animals and flowers which have their own auspicious meanings (example include Chrysanthemum flowers which represents longevity). While the cookie itself looks hard on the