Visit Azzah Jailani on Instagram.
About you
Hi, my name is Azzah, and a 22 years old girl from Malaysia. I am currently a final-year student taking chemical engineering. I discovered my passion for travel (particularly solo) and photography while doing my industrial internship in France. As an introvert, I love exploring new cities on my own while being in my own solitude. I truly believe that travelling teaches you a lot of things that you could never possibly get in books and classrooms.
Why do you travel and look for adventures?
Just the thought of the number of places I have yet to set foot on, the scrumptious cuisine I have yet to try, and the amazing souls I have yet to cross paths with, makes me never satisfied by staying at one place. I am constantly searching for views that take my breath away. After solo traveling in six countries in Europe, I realize that traveling helps me to get out of my comfort zone and try things I have always been scared to do! It was more or less a self-discovery journey. It reminds me of the quote “Travel far enough, you meet yourself ” and I could not agree more.
What kind of adventures do you look for when you travel?
While traveling, I crave for adventures and experiences that I can’t have in my home country like hiking in Switzerland surrounded by a breathtaking turquoise blue lake or ski-ing at the mountain in French Pyrenees. I also love to immerse myself in the culture of the country I’m visiting by trying out their traditional cuisines or staying at local AirBnB.
What’s your go-to travel hack?
My rule of thumb is: Wake up early in the morning to enjoy a new city on my own. Personally, I think cities have a whole different vibe when you stroll around early morning compared to when it gets crowded as more tourists start to explore. As an introvert myself, I often find it overwhelming when I’m surrounded by a lot of people. So, waking up early allows me to explore famous tourist spots without many people around.
Got any gear you can’t travel without?
My extendable tripod and Bluetooth remote! Definitely a lifesaver.
What destination are you eager to go back to?
Interlaken, Switzerland. I went there last summer, and it was excruciatingly gorgeous. I would love to go back during winter to have a different experience.
How do you stay safe when you’re travelling?
Never do things that you won’t do in your own home country. For instance, I would always make sure to be at my airbnb by sunset or before it gets dark. Updating close friends and family members about your itinerary would help too so at least someone else have an idea where you might have been in case anything happens. It is also a good idea to do appropriate research of the new city you’re about to visit, eg: how to get around, do’s and don’ts etc. Make sure you download the map of the city so you can always view it offline in case you ran out of cellular data or at a place where the signal is unsatisfactory.
What’s the best way to experience a destination like a local?
Personally, I love to stay at local Airbnb to experience living as a local in a local neighborhood. Don’t be shy to ask the hotel receptionist for recommendations of places to eat or hang out, trust me they would love to help! Also, what is the point of visiting a new place without trying their cuisines? Be open-minded and give it a try. Who knows you would end up finding your new favourite food?! Learning common phrases in their language would be fun too! Locals appreciate it when you TRY to speak their language.
What’s your favourite word in another language?
There’s this one word that I learnt in my French class which is “copain”. It is basically a term for “boyfriend”. What makes it interesting is how the word was originally formed. In French, “pain” means bread and I guess we all know the French are always on another level when it comes to their bread and pastries. It is a huge part of their culture and means a lot to them. While the word “co-” indicates sharing something with someone. So, the word “copain” could be briefly translated to “someone that I share my bread with”. I personally think that it’s super cute.
When and where are you next travelling?
Since I am now back in Malaysia after completing my internship, my future travel would be around my home country and hopefully Southeast Asia which I never had the chance to explore yet.
