Read Ummi Haslinda incredible travel stories!
T: A short bio about yourself, A 3-4 lines that best describe you, what you do for a living and so…
U: My name is Ummi Haslinda Mohd. Rosli, from Petaling Jaya, Selangor. I’m an event manager for a travel association. I love to travel, scuba dive, bake and test my patience with jigsaw puzzles.
T: Where have you been?
U: I recently came back from a 4 months backpacking trip around Europe. I went to 18 countries – Turkey, Greece, Bosnia, Croatia, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom (Scotland and London), France and Spain – in true backpacking style; with a backpack and staying in hostels. I have also been to Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau and New Zealand.
T: What’s your favourite place so far? Why?
U: Can I state more that one place? I have to say Bosnia, Italy, and Norway.
Bosnia is a very underrated country. Travellers always bypass it because of its previous history of war and safety purposes. It is the country of Honey and Blood, but I find Bosnia is a very beautiful country and rich with history, fantastic landscape of mountains, rivers, and unique bridges. People are so very nice and helpful and do not worry, it is safe!
Italy also is a beautiful country in every corner – North, South, East or West. The landscapes are a feast for the eyes, especially when you travel on the road by bus or when you drive. Weather is always pleasant, and there’s a long list of UNESCO Heritage monuments to visit; Colosseum, Pompeii, and etc. The locals are really friendly and the food is delicious! Naples pizza is a must-try, as they say, it is the best pizza in the world!
Norway, the land of fjords, creative architecture, and beautiful people. Also, there are lakes, rivers and sea everywhere. Water makes people happy and I think that’s why the people living there are among the happiest people on earth!
T: One unforgettable travel experience or incident that sticks in your mind…?
U: Hiking Ben Nevis, Scotland. There was no plan to hike, but I ended up doing it. I was the last person to reach the top and bottom, and I was really lucky because I bought a bit of food supply and my life-saving; raincoat. Without these, I don’t think I could survive the freezing cold. And it was already dark by the time I reached the bottom. It was a scary experience but I survived it. At least I can tell people that I’ve conquered Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. Another experience will be skydiving in New Zealand.
T: What was the most challenging thing about travelling?
U: Weather! It’s unpredictable, one minute it’s sunny, then it’s hail storm. Happened to me in Istanbul, Turkey. ..Once bad weather happens, everything else will be chaotic.
T: What place is top of your bucket list?
U: As of this moment, it will be South Africa because I would love to scuba dive the Sardin Run, where you’ll have the dolphins, sharks, birds, and whales feeding on billions of sardines! Also to experience the safari ride, the mountains, wildlife and the people.
T: One advice for travellers?
U: Just go out there and explore, appreciate nature and make new friends! The more you see the world, the more you will learn. You will start to be more grateful for what you have. I like this quote, “Better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times”.