On the North Borneo Express after a quick ride in the old DeLorean. Don’t believe me? Check out that train attendant from the 1950s. Time travel rocks!
Who is the Five Foot Traveller?
Hi, my name is Anis, I’m five foot tall, I have flat feet and love to write about travel.
When I quit full-time employment in June 2012, I was very, very scared but curious to know how it would all turn out. The Big News is that I’m still alive, much happier, travelling more than ever and have loads of new friends, so I must be doing something right.
I enjoy hanging out with anyone who can make me think and tell me something I don’t know. Great writing and great ideas inspire me.
I don’t really have a purpose when I travel- I do it because I love it, and because I feel alive when I’m out there with the wind on my face. You know how we’re all different when we’re happy? That’s exactly how I feel about myself when I travel. I like the person I become when I’m travelling, I don’t like the ‘me’ I turn into when I’m stuck indoors.
When it comes to reading, I’d like to think that Twitter hasn’t messed up my brain and shortened my attention span to five seconds, so if I’m still reading something after 15 minutes, that comes under Pretty Good Stuff. If I’m still reading after one hour, that probably means Pretty Darn Incredible. What is the point of this paragraph? I try to look for websites and blogs that can keep me coming back again and again.
If you’d like to talk about freelance writing work, especially travel writing, or if you have any questions at all, you can contact me at anis (at) fivefeetflat (dot) net.
*Here’s where I tell you what I don’t do: I don’t publish press releases or infographics of any kind produced by other people, so if that’s what you have in mind, I’ll have to say no.
Finally, I’m also on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, where I try very hard to sound witty and intelligent (it’s all part of a plan).
Thanks for dropping by and safe travels always,
Anis,
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia (if I’m forced to stay at home).
Hi Anis!
It’s my first time reading your blog but I absolutely love it! So witty! I recently published a book that I think you may enjoy so I’m inviting you to take a look at http://www.iznizahidi.com 🙂
Hi, Kak Anis! My first time too reading this and it’s a wow! Have fun!
Hand on heart – very good reads and great photos!
Discovered your website from an article written on your travel experience from nst —Love your writings and I do envy you – so young but have got the opportunity to explore the world – you are so well-travelled ie. a globe trotter. Keep on writing – do enjoy it very much – particular on those frontier areas. The pictures also speak volumes on how interesting the travelling has been…
Hi. ove your travel. Hope to meet you once you’re back in Malaysia. I am planning for a train ride from Malaysia to Moscow to London next year. Hope we could meet and chat. Kind Regards, Soraya.
Hi Soraya, great to hear from you. Your trip sounds like it’s going to be pretty amazing! Sure, feel free to get in touch with me anytime 🙂
Thanks for your reply. Do let me know when you’re back in Malaysia. Just drop me an email ya. Thanks:)
Hi Anis,
Our Kokopelli guest ( your blog follower) mentioned that you have email to me. Great. I am happy to know that you’re back in town. Unfortunately my email is not so great. I miss so many important emails:( Can you resend it to this address please. kokopelli.bistro@gmail.com. Thanks:)
iam an intrpid traveller too. Recently went to Boracay, Philippines. The best and most beautiful beaches one can find anywhere in the world but Boracay is simply outstanding.Am no really a beach type though, prefer jungles and cities. talk to you about Japan and am also a train buff
Hello, Abdullah. I’ve never been to the Philippines but I’ve heard a lot of good things about Boracay!
Hi anis,
I really enjoy your blog because i also like to travel, photographs things with my camera and eager for new things to explore.
Keep up your great story! You rule!
kuart
Anis, you are living my dream.
Keep up the wonderful blogs and keep those stories coming. Enjoying the world through your experiences.
God bless & all the very best!
Thanks for the encouraging words! xxx
Dear Anis, chanced upon a link to your blog from kak Soraya above. Your travel tales are a treasure of many useful information, thanks a lot for sharing.
Had the idea of taking the trans-siberia route introduced to me quite recently ..so it’s really great to read of another Msian lady who has actually did it, as a single traveller no less!
Keep those blog posts coming 🙂
Hi there Anis,
Remember me Oya (TKC)..Mona Leila (Green house) forwarded me your travel blog..Small world as it turns out, it’s your blog!
I’m inspired to revive my DEFUNCT travel blog after reading yours..hehe..but I’m still procrastinating..
So are you freelancing now? I left the rat race in July 2010..or rather took my VSS from “Green Giant” on 15 July 2010..worked for a while as a headhunter..then quit last May 2011 ,to go to Machu Picchu for the BIG 40 bday! Still a bum , 1 year and counting..
Maybe we can meet up one day and exchange travel stories..
-Oya-
Hi Oya, of course I remember you!! How have you been? Machu Picchu must have been amazing :). My email is somewhere on the blog- email me anytime when you’re free to meet up. I’m better Monday-Wednesday and on Sunday. What an amazing coincidence, looking forward to meeting you 🙂
Hi Anis, what can I say, I have found your blog by accident and I found it amazing.
I am presently in Nederland, working on searching for myself, but my soul and heart are in Siberia. Good luck
Thanks Mike,
Good Luck to you too! I hope you find what you’re looking for! That’s one of the reasons why we travel, right? 🙂
Hi,it’s me again. I am sure whilst traveling you met many,many people. Do you spend time talking to them or try to get a little emiotional support as you are traveling alone?Or,are you like me who is willing to brave the world alone. I agree when you wrote that traveling with someone can have its pitfalls. I realize that from my own experience. At least,on your own,you decide best what your needs are. Do reply. Aunty Zaitun
I need to look for stories when I travel, so I make it a point to speak to the locals. I don’t usually do this back home but I find it easier to strike up a conversation with strangers overseas :).
hey anis,
im mash, ur blog is very interesting 🙂 im loving it..its awesome a woman like u travel alone almost everywhere!dats cool!i dunno how u do ot, i always wanna try it, but i cant..because im a people person,so i need to have a fren with me so dat i can talk…or i will b lonely n cant enjoy my vacation.
btw, i love travelling too..just came back from tokyo and ho chi minh recently, but i have to work in the office so i cant travel so long ;( i can just take 1week off the most,and explore some part of the country that i went too. when i travel around,i will walk from 1 place to another so that i get to see everything without missing anything!but of course if its too far away,i will take a bus:)
ur blog really inspire me to take a longer time off and stay longer in order for me to learn the beautiful culture of the people in different places.
well anis, keep up the good work,it is superb!
Thanks for dropping by, Mash :). I agree, walking is the best way to explore a new place! You see so much more that way.
Hi Anis. Your hardy and independent spirit has spurred me to go solo but joining an Umrah Tour. I feel at any age,one needs to be cheerful,have a zest for life and not inclined to get upset over life’s trivialities. Take care of ones heart and not allow people’s comments to upset you. Btw,I have travelled solo many,many times. Once,to Stckholm to Newark and finally to Denver. I rarely met unkind people. Bye for now.
I want to say one thing only : You are really a brave girl.And I am not that brave to do what you love doing. I salute you!
hi there.
just dropping by
reading your blog
melt me to drop a comment.
HI THERE (again..hehe)
Do you have anything about being in Amsterdam? I am going there on 20/01/2013. Thanks for the nice page.
Hello Rosly,
Thanks for dropping by. No, I’m afraid I don’t have any information on Amsterdam…The last time I was there was many years ago and I didn’t take any notes then. I hope you find what you’re looking for.
Hi Anis,got to know about your blog thru your articles in the local newspaper. Very interesting articles. I myself discovered my true passion which is traveling, just early last year. Prior to that, I was just content to reading and watching the astro travel channel about other countries. Nowadays, hardly a week goes by without me having night dreams about travelling. As I am working in one of the government departments, taking leave is not that easy and my days of leave are limited. However, I managed to travel abroad for 6 times last year to neighboring countries. Also planning to travel to myanmar during my Chinese New Year leave soon. Harap-harap juga dapat bercuti panjang sikit dalam bulan Ogos/September ni untuk menakluki beberapa negara Eropah. Selamat tahun baru and take care.
Hi Anis,
Love your articles on the Mongolia trip.
we are alike. easy to start a conversation with strangers overseas.
keep writing and travel ya.
how about Spain and Morocco?
Hi Iza, thanks for dropping in! I’ve got plans for Morocco later this year, hopefully 🙂
do inform me ya! I would love to listen/read about it, it’s been in my wish list for 3 years already..still simpan duit for that!
Hye Cik Anis, I read your arcticle in NST for past 1 month and was curious to know who you are. I`m no traveller but interested in the world.The world map in NST which shows your recent travel from Russia to home by land is amazing.Wish I could meet a person like you and talk and talk about your experience. Anyway best wishes and enjoy your passion.
Hi Anis,
I been read your artical published on ‘The Star’ and know u been travel Russia via Siberian Train!
I interested yr experience through this country & been planning for Mongolia, Russia & East Europe in this coming July.
Just would like to know more about Russia Visa application! Did u obtained the visa in Russia Consulate in Malaysia? And how did u get the ‘Invitation Letter’ as requested? And how much did u paid for the visa cost?
I been search for many websites regarded the ‘Invitation Letter’ & would like have the cheapest way to get it except pay/ buy for it or through the travel agent!
Thanks.
Tan
Hello there Tan,
I got my Russian visa from the consulate here in KL. The information is all here: http://www.fivefeetflat.net/resources, including the cost of the visa. I hope that helps, and have a good trip this July!
p/s: The article that you’re referring to was in the NST, not the Star.
Ah, sorry for the mistake, and thanks for the info..
Hi Anis – just stumbled upon your blog while looking for information about the Trans-Siberian. What an experience!
Will spend the weekend reading through your blog. Turkey is amazing, I’d love to return one day. 🙂
Safe travels, happy feet,
A.
Morning Anis,
Nice meeting you at the AWE. I learned a lot from you and did gained some information that I am looking for especially from experienced travel wrters like you all. But what matter most is that you all inspired me to travel solo in the future.
All the best and will be visiting your web again.
Rgds,
Janeta, Sabah
Hello Janeta, It was really nice meeting you too! Keep in touch and take care 🙂
Hi there!..nice blog…yep you are living my dream…my heart wants to travel but my feet bound here…hihihi pusing2 dalam Malaysia dulu lah…
salam singgah!
http://jalanjalanpusingpusing.blogspotcom
Thanks for stopping by! Nothing wrong with pusing-pusing kat Malaysia dulu :). Safe travels always!
Hey there! I just wanted to drop by and say hi since we chatted at the US ambassador’s house this evening. It was great to meet you and I look forward to following your blog. (I’ve already added you to my Feedly account.) 🙂
Hi Michelle! So glad we met :). I’m reading your blog now and I love your Book Musings!!
Hi Anis,
This is Saul at GPSmyCity. We are interested in sponsoring a giveaway on your blog for mutual benefits. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please reply to my email at your earliest convenience. Thank you.
Best regards,
Saul Tarasov,
sault@gpsmycity.com
Dol!!
Hope u don’t mind me calling you that.. I need to start reading ur blogs from now 😉 just wondering where’s your destination for next year? As for me.. ( thinking out loud and in chronological order) Cape Town, Manila, Florida, London (iffy) and Turkey… Keep in touch! xx
Lin K
Hi Lin 🙂
Cape Town is amazing, you’re going to love it! No solid plans as yet for next year but I’ve got a few ideas, so…we’ll see 🙂
Hi,
I once used your picture and story as inspiration to soon to be graduated uni-students on what they can actually do in life. A-gap year of sort to enrich their perspective.
Any plan to get close to teen readers? Would be nice if we can broaden their mind, especially the girls.
Thanks
Hafiz B
Hi Hafiz, thanks for dropping by. Are you attached to a college? I’d be happy to meet and chat with a few of these students if you like. Send me an email/message me via my Contact page if you think any of them might be interested 🙂
Hi Anis, great offer, but I should have asked you much earlier.
I am not residing in Malaysia at the moment – on a very long leave from a Uni in Johor hence temporarily without any contacts.
On other matter, I used to read your writing in NST, before it suddenly disappeared. ( I am old-fashion paper and pen type). I enjoy it – easy, short and often witty. If you can throw in some good-take on young travelers and how they seem to take life on the strides, the bug might catch on and ensure streams of brave future traveler.
I for once, have begun to ponder.
Thanks.
Hafiz
Hi Anis. This is the first time I am reading your blog. I am one of the 3 aunties you met at a wedding reception recently. So glad to have met you and listened to your adventures and advice. Will be keeping track of your travels from now onwards. Happy travelling!
Thank you for dropping by!! I hope our paths cross again one day :).
Hi Anis! Love your humour. Definitely a must read and follow. I shall enjoy your adventures. Give me oomph to go out there.
I just had a career change when all my peers are retiring. I want to see the world like you!
Cheers
Dory
Hi Doris, thanks for the kind words :). All the best!