What’s the weather like in Jakarta?

It is humid year-round. Temperatures range from 24-33°C.

What time should I start my day?

Aim to start your day by 7-8am. Traffic gets bad fast after 8am till off-work hours.

What is the best way to get around Jakarta?

By commuter trains and Grab bike. Try to avoid taking taxis after 8am as traffic gets really bad.

How many days is enough for Jakarta?

2 days is enough to cover all major attractions such as local markets and museums. But if you have limited time, 1 day in Jakarta is sufficient to get a feel of the city.

How much cash should I bring?

About IDR 500,000 per person per day. Enough to buy from local stores, tipping Grab drivers and tour guides.

Any hidden costs I should watch out for?

Pricing for rides booked on Grab is not the final price stated when booking. There will be additional fees for tolls calculated on top of it after your ride.

Any day trips from Jakarta?

You can consider going to Bogor, which is 1 hour drive away from Jakarta. Bandung is 30 to 50 minutes ride away from Halim station by high speed train.

What’s so special about Penang?

Penang is known for its food. Local specialities include duck egg char kway teow, Penang laksa and Peranakan dishes, many of which are hard to find elsewhere. The island is also home to a distinct Peranakan culture, which grew out of Chinese immigrants marrying local Malay women. Much of this heritage is still preserved today through its museums and food.

Is Penang a worthwhile destination to visit?

Yes, if you are into food and heritage.

What is a must buy in Penang?

Traditional mung bean biscuits (Tau Sar Piah/Tambun biscuits), Penang white coffee, local art & souvenirs

What food is Penang famous for?

Penang Laksa, white curry noodles, duck egg Char Kway Teow, Hokkien Mee (Prawn noodles), Peranakan food

Is Malacca worth visiting?

Yes, Malacca is worth visiting. It's a UNESCO World Heritage city, with colonial era architecture and a history and culture that's still well preserved today. It's also very accessible with flight or driving overland options to get there from Singapore.

What is Malacca famous for?

Malacca is famous for its colonial history, peranakan food culture and night market.

Are Melaka and Malacca the same?

Both are referring to the same city. Melaka is the Malay spelling while Malacca is the English spelling.

Is 2 days enough for Malacca?

Yes, it is enough to cover main highlights in Malacca with historical sites, food and tourist spots.

Is it easy to get around Malacca without a car?

Yes, if it is within the city. You can get a Grab taxi very easily in the city while it may be a little more difficult if you are coming from a more remote area.

Can you visit Malacca on a tight budget?

Yes, usually will cost around S$250-300 per person with food, accommodation & transport for 3D2N trip

Tea Travels

About

The author

Hi, I’m Tea, a full-time worker and deliberate traveller based in Singapore. With limited annual leave, I travel on the margins, making the most of long weekends, public holidays, and the occasional stretch of annual leave. This blog is where I share how I turn limited time into meaningful adventures, proving that you don’t need months off to experience the world.

Life in Singapore

As a working professional in Singapore, I don’t have much annual leave, so I’ve learned to stretch it. I plan my trips around public holidays, long weekends and short breaks, and that’s how a few days off turn into proper trips. Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a longer overseas trip, I don’t think travel needs to be extensive to be fulfilling. It just needs to be intentional.

That mindset is also why this blog exists. I’ve always loved writing, and I’ve been drawn to the idea of building a life with more freedom, one where travel isn’t squeezed into a handful of leave days. I’m still working towards that, and this blog is part of the journey. Until then, travel is what lets me step outside my routine, experience different cultures and see the world from a broader perspective.

How I Travel

Most of my trips are to nearby destinations, built around weekends and public holidays. Singapore is well-positioned for this: a short flight opens up a surprisingly wide range of places, from mountain trails to coastal towns and vibrant cities. For longer breaks, I’ll venture further, taking advantage of a longer stretch of leave when a destination is worth the extra time.

I don’t believe every destination should be explored the same way. A hiking trip deserves a different pace from a city break, and a cultural getaway calls for a different itinerary than a beach holiday. The planning always depends on what a destination has to offer.

What stays consistent is my approach: I prefer balanced itineraries over packed schedules, leaving room to enjoy a place instead of rushing from one attraction to the next. Every itinerary and guide I share is based on trips I’ve personally planned and experienced while working full-time.

Who This Is For

This blog is for working young adults who want to travel meaningfully but don’t have unlimited time off.

If you’re the kind of person who opens the public holiday calendar in January and immediately starts planning long weekends, you’re in the right place. If you’ve ever wondered whether four days is enough for a destination or how to make a short trip feel worthwhile, this is for you.

I’m not writing for people who can disappear for three months. I’m writing for people with two weeks of annual leave, a full-time job, and a desire to see more of the world without sacrificing every vacation day to rushed itineraries.

Here you’ll find realistic itineraries, honest recommendations on how many days a destination actually deserves, practical transport and budgeting tips, and travel guides based on real experience rather than idealised schedules. My hope is that these guides help you travel with more confidence, make better use of your leave, and create trips that feel meaningful.

If that sounds like your kind of travel, I’m glad you’re here.

Start your journey here!