
This past August, I was Skyping with my sister. She was in Australia at the time, to spend a year out there working and exploring. She told me that she and her boyfriend had decided to fly to Southeast Asia to spend a couple of months having an adventure. She said three powerful words to me as well: you should come. So… we did. Just like that. Despite the fact that Asia has never even been remotely on my radar. Maybe because of it. A month later we were on a flight, and over thirty hours later [yes, 30!], we were in Kuala Lumpur.








I think I was underprepared for how western Kuala Lumpur is. I found the city to feel surprisingly familiar despite all sorts of evidence to the contrary. It felt a lot like an eastern city disguised as a western city, I suppose. So while we had much fun traipsing about the city, I think the most fulfilling part of my time in Malaysia was when we left the city. The more rural parts of Malaysia were utterly magical. First up, the Batu Caves—an incredible hindu shrine. A giant golden deity, about three gazillion steps, dazzling caves, and monkeys galore. This girl couldn’t ask for more.










We also traveled to Melaka to explore this historic city and UNESCO world heritage site of cultural blend. Malay, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, British. Such a strange and intriguing path this small city had. The density of culture is almost overwhelming.















One of the most magical experiences of our time in Malaysia? We went trekking to see the fireflies. There’s an actual region known for the intense prevalence of fireflies. We didn’t know what we were getting into when we decided to head out there, but we were certainly dazzled. There was silence and darkness. We were guided along a creaky dock, onto quiet boats. There was almost no light. There was only a hint of hazy glow in the blackness. And suddenly a few little glowing specks in the trees. And then a few more. And then a million sparkles, a scintillating symphony. I wish I could have better captured this, but I don’t really believe it would be possible to accurately represent that magic mood, that feeling of endless wonder.




Malaysia was full of unexpected magic. It was also a special opportunity to travel with my sister and peek at newness together. In Malaysia I think I discovered how much that the rural speaks to me over the urban, but no matter, there were things to discover everywhere. Beautiful, quiet things.
oh man, you’re blowing my mind with these photos. Did I tell you we’ve added Cambodia to our Japan honeymoon trip?! can’t wait to see those photos…
I am SO excited for you. This is stupendous news, and I believe it will make an awesome compliment to Japan. I can’t wait to share my Cambodia photos. It was a dream.
oh my glob – these are marvy-do! Monkey Love Bliss! :)
Oh no you DI-INT just quote adventure time to me. You get a high-five.
Wow, I love the pictures. The colours are so nice and the monkeys so cute! I love the old bearded ones and the ones hugging
Hee hee, I am totally developing a monkey obsession. But to the Malaysians, they’re just like squirrels. Nuts, right? Pun intended!
Wonderful photos. So excited. And those monkeys. Whoa. So cute!
Yeah, cute overload, right?!
jasmine! these photos are AMAZING. seriously. i think you need to publish a book! can hardly wait to see the rest.
Jodi, you are so very kind. I don’t know what to say except thank you for ever and ever. I can’t wait to share more.
These photos are amazing. Every bit as good as National Geographic. AE
Now that is a bombshell of a compliment. Thanks, Eleanor!
Jas as always, these are truly magical. What a beautiful adventure! I can’t wait for part 2.
You are too lovely. Thanks, Katie!
Love the lead shot as well as the four portraits in front of the patronas towers! Super bummed that I wasn’t able to meet up with you all that weekend.
We’ll make it happen somewhere else that’s fabulous! Thanks, Ev!
Your pictures are so inspiring!
I have to ask – did you all actually climb all those stairs?
Thank you so much! We SO climbed all of those stairs. It was a little torturous. Okay, a lot. But I stopped an awful lot to photograph and interact with monkeys all the way up… ;)
Lovely photos Jas.
Thanks, Karen!
SO wonderful. You have captured the holiday spots of my SE Asian childhood- and captured fireflies! Woweeeee. My firefly photos are up there with whale-watching for comedy travel shots {i.e. all of my feet or a blur!)- I am impressed.
Thank you! It helps to have a pretty epic camera. And of course, there were rejects that definitely didn’t make the cut!
Oh Jas, these are so stunning. And they make me miss you so incredibly much. Maybe it’s the monkeys?
I do indeed miss our monkeying around. xo.
What an incredible trip you had! I especially love the top-down view of those stairs next to the gold statue. I’ve never been to Malaysia, but it’s going on my “to-visit” list now.
Hey, Karleen! Thanks so much. It was a place that totally took me by surprise, too!
Girl, you are my hero! I hope I have the courage to just go somewhere someday. No real planing, just get on a plane and go and just live it. Asia has never really been on my radar either but your photographs might have just changed my mind…
Can’t wait to see Cambodia through your eyes!
Delightful.
jazzy, these are AMAZING. i finally got around to sitting down and looking at these, and they are gorgeous. i love them all. you are amazing. ADVENTURE!
Yay, yay, yay! Thanks, my lovely. You are!