Skye Gilkeson

Women’s Health Malaysia Editor, Sueann Chong. Image © Women’s Health Malaysia

What do you think Kuala Lumpur’s biggest attraction is for visitors?

When I have visitors from overseas here, the first thing I take them to are the best Malaysian restaurants and food spots. Malaysians are big foodies and we are proud of our culinary offerings. To really understand what the food culture is here like, I’d say go to Jalan Alor, one of the night markets (pasar malam in Malaysian) and any famous banana leaf restaurants.

A feast of local favourites on Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur. Image © Skye Gilkeson

What are the must-see landmarks in the city?

Definitely the Petronas Twin Towers, Batu Caves and Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square).

What is your favourite thing to do in Kuala Lumpur?

Since I work in the city, I usually try to avoid it like the plague (on weekends). But if I have to pick something, I’d say for a night out at a good restaurant or a run around the KLCC Park.

Which are your favourite healthy restaurants and cafes?

I used to hate salads because, in Malaysia, they used to consist of a bowl of lettuce, cucumber and cherry tomatoes (yawn), but that was before places like Life Juice and Chai Bar popped up. I like the option of making my own salad bowl with healthy ingredients. I also like Simple Life and Ashley’s in Bangsar.

The setting for talking about food, training, travelling and writing with Women’s Health Malaysia Editor, Sueann Chong in Kuala Lumpur. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Possibly the best raw chocolate tart I have ever eaten from Ashley’s by Living Food Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. Image © Skye Gilkeson

How do you think Malaysians compare to the rest of the world in terms of their approach to healthy living?

It’s hard to compare with the rest of the world, but if you’re talking about a country like Australia, I’d say we have a long way to go. In fact, I know a lot of young Malaysian entrepreneurs who have started healthy salad and juice bars, restaurants, bakeries and gyms, because they had that experience when they were studying in Australia, and decided to bring the idea back here. However, we are progressing in terms of practicing a healthier and fitter lifestyle and more people are getting involved in wellness programmes and signing up for gym memberships.

What are the biggest health movements you are seeing across Malaysia right now?

Personally, I think social media plays an important role here. It has almost become a form of motivation and inspiration for many young Malaysians to embark on their fitness journey after seeing so many posts of themselves working out and cooking good, healthy food. I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all since it has such a positive result. Another thing would be running. Malaysians love to participate in runs.

Sueann Chong says running around after daughter Lily helps her stay fit and healthy. Image © Sueann Chong

How do you personally stay fit and healthy?

Luckily, I have a job that exposes me to healthy eateries and new workouts all the time. I get bored easily and need constant change to keep me on my toes. I also have a little girl that keeps me running after her all the time. She’s like my own personal trainer and pretty hardcore too.

Which are your favourite parks, gyms and studios?

I love running at the TTDI Kiara Park. If you want cool gyms, try out Fuel Athletics, Xero Gravity, Revelation Republic and District 13.

Women’s Health Malaysia is still a new publication. How has it been received and what is your audience most excited about?

I beam with pride when I see women of all ages and background buying the magazine and reading them. My friends have started this thing where they will send me snaps of other people reading Women’s Health on trains, in gyms and cafes. Creepy for them but exciting for me. It’s the perfect timing for us to come in now as more Malaysians are turning their lifestyles around. It feels like we are on this journey together as we work towards getting fitter, better and stronger. It sounds like a marketing spiel but I truly believe in that statement.

The Men’s Health Women’s Health Night Run series has just kicked off in Penang, Malaysia. Image © Women’s Health Malaysia

Night Run competitors in Penang pick up the latest issue of Women’s Health Malaysia at the first event of the series. Image © Women’s Health Malaysia

We had a very funny attempt at badminton during our visit to the capital. It has traditionally been the most popular sport around the country. Is that still the case?

It’s a game most Malaysian children grew with. As kids, we used to play badminton with the other neighbourhood kids using our house fence as a net. The fact that Malaysia was put on the map because of badminton, every child’s (or parents) dream back then was to be an international badminton champ. It’s not the same as it used to be but I would say it’s still very popular.

Is activewear and fitness fashion a huge trend in Malaysia the way it is in the rest of the world?

Hell yeah! I used to hate the term activewear but now I’m a huge advocate of it. I think it’s the same with a lot of women here. Finally, we have an excuse to rock out in our treks and sports tops. Plus, activewear comes in such cool designs now, it will be a shame to just wear it to workout.

How do you think women’s body image in Malaysia compares to the rest of the world?

Women in Malaysia are generally petite. Saying that, we have a high rate of obesity in the country and that’s due to our poor diet. Also, looks can be deceiving—while some people may be skinny, it doesn’t necessary mean they are fit or healthy.

We have a lot of influential athletes in Australia who encourage people to become healthier. Who are your game changers in Malaysia?

Squash player Nicol David is a national hero. We featured her in our October issue last year and she was so inspiring. Her passion for the game and what she wants to do helping young women in sports proves that her sportsmanship goes beyond the court.

When I had the chance to speak to gold medalist Farah Ann (another sports hero we have featured in Women’s Health), I felt she was real. She spoke about how gymnastics build her confidence and perseverance. People used to tell her she was either too tall or too big for the sports and that didn’t stop her. She believes in herself, the sports and nothing could stop her.

Read Skye’s expert articles for Women’s Health Malaysia here and here.

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/

Skye Gilkeson

While there are shuttles the run around the resort delivering guests to their rooms the main meeting point to your villa door is at most about a kilometre away. So if you like to stay active on holiday you’ll relish the relaxed stroll through the rainforest or the boardwalks on the coastline.

However, if you want to push your heart rate a bit higher to balance out those buffet breakfasts, there are plenty of other options too. The Berjaya gym is well-equipped with new cardio equipment and free weights. It’s located in the main building, conveniently just upstairs from Dayana Restaurant where you’ll grab your morning eggs.

 

Seven Wells Waterfall Langkawi

Being big believers in training while taking in the sights we knew a run to see the nearby waterfall would be perfect. We kitted up and made sure we were well-hydrated and hit the road. We were told it would take about 25 minutes to climb the mountain to Seven Wells.

As it can be in Langkawi, it was a very humid day so we took it steady on the short initial road leg. The incline is pretty steep heading up to Seven Wells, but a great set of stairs lead you all the way up (when I say great, I mean solid and safe with viewing platforms at intervals if you need a break – picture hundreds of stairs). We powered it up to the top in about 10 minutes and arrived panting and sweaty but loved it.

Seven Wells gets its name from the seven pools that feed into the falls. We started at the top to check out the pools and peek over the edge. A short run back down the stairs and a quick diversion on to another path and we reached the bottom of the falls. The pools are quite shallow at the moment and the waterfall wasn’t as dramatic as you might expect but I can imagine it puts on a pretty powerful show during the rainy season (September to November).

We took a moment sitting on the rocks to take in the surrounds and catch our breathe before heading back towards the Berjaya. We enjoyed the company of the local monkeys on our run back to the Berjaya. All-in-all it was about an hour round trip and we just loved it.

I would recommend people with a good level of fitness walk to the Seven Wells. There are hundreds of stairs, but you may just need to take it a set at a time. If you are fit, you’ll love the anaerobic hit the stairs will add to your run.

If you’re not super mobile or you have very young children, I would recommend getting a car to drop you up at the road or even that path that leads to the waterfall. There is still a walk down, but the path is paved and fairly level until you reach a set of stairs at the falls. Pack a picnic or some cool drinks and take in the beauty of the falls from a spot of the rocks in the shade of one of the trees.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Langkawi

Stand up paddle boarding has long been on my fit hit list. Finally, we took the opportunity to give it a go, while staying at the Berjaya. How could we not? The water was shallow and warm; you almost wanted to topple in. Thankfully though, we didn’t. Given the conditions, it was easier than I expected with only a gentle breeze and very small ripples running across the water’s surface. I didn’t look like a Victoria’s Secret model on a catwalk, but I didn’t belly flop either, so that was good enough for me. The Hubby was the winner though; he took to it like a Bondi boy to water. Cost: About 50RM per hour to hire

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/

Skye Gilkeson

Fine white sandy beach at Berjaya Langkawi Resort, Malaysia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Berjaya Langkawi Resort

The popularity of the Berjaya Langkawi Resort is evident on arrival with the reception area abuzz. The main building welcomes guests from Australia to the Middle East and even Finland with its warm wooden exposed beam roof, chandeliers and fountain. Reception sits off to one side and the Lobby Bar (where you’ll enjoy a welcome drink) is perched with a view down to the hotel gardens towards the sand.

Our little home on stilts at the Berjaya Resort Langkawi, Malaysia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Luxury Langkawi Overwater Bungalows

With 424 rooms, the Berjaya resort offers a number of different accommodation options. For those who want to sleep among the centuries-old jackfruit trees and do some monkey spotting, the Rainforest Chalets offer a tree-scape with water glimpses.

If you’re happier on the water, you should pay a little more for a Premier Chalets on the water. The overwater bungalows are unique to the Berjaya in Langkawi. Our overwater chalet felt like a real island home for the few days we stayed. Each individual chalet sits on stilts over the water. The small wooden luxury huts are connected by a series of board walks. Stepping into our chalet on the night we arrived, we were treated to our first breathtaking Berjaya sunset. Taking a moment to relax on our balcony, drinking in the colours was just a magical way to begin our stay. The privacy and position on the coupled with little luxury touches like the nightly turn down service makes it easy to see why the chalets are so popular with couples seeking an indulgent, romantic escape.

Image © Skye Gilkeson

However, it’s the Premier Suite on water that’s really been designed for honeymooners. It’s pretty special. The resort has almost completed upgrades of a number of their chalets, including these suites on the water. They have kept the bones not the buildings and transformed the internal layouts. The result is modern, high-grade finishes and in my eyes the biggest draw card – a jacuzzi in prime position to take in the 180 degree water views as the sun rises and sets.

Bedroom at the Premier Suite on water at the Berjaya Langkawi Resort, Malaysia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Balcony in Premier Suite on Water at the Berjaya Langkawi Resort, Malaysia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Daybed in the Premier Suite on Water. Berjaya Langkawi Resort, Malaysia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Jacuzzi at the Premier Suite on Water, Berjaya Langkawi Resort, Malaysia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

What to do at the Berjaya Langkawi

What the Berjaya does really well is to cater for different demands around the resort. It really is a resort where you can come, try something new each day on site and you really don’t have to leave, if you don’t want to stray to far on your vacation.

Beach chalets at Berjaya Langkawi Resort, Malaysia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

We were guests while the resort was at 95% capacity. With more than 400 rooms occupied, that’s a lot of people staying on site. But it never felt that way. The design of the resort appeared to be the reason. The central pool area is broken up into the main pool and kids’ pool among others. There’s also the busy sunken walk-in pool bar, which is a great spot to people watch, even if you aren’t partaking in an afternoon tipple. Down on the beach, there are more beach chairs with a chilled-out vibe and the beach bar where you can sink you toes in the sand while sipping on a margarita.

The Taaras Spa

An afternoon spent at the spa is one of the most indulgent ways to spend your time at the Berjaya. Entering the gorgeous tropical gardens of the Taaras Spa Langkawi you feel miles away from the rest of the resort. It’s a world of relaxation all its own and it was easy to see why this could be considered by many as the best spa in Langkawi The private oasis is nestled among tropical gardens in a quiet corner of the Berjaya Resort Langkawi.

Taaras Spa at Berjaya Langkawi Resort, Malaysia. Image © Skye GIlkeson

The Hubby and I chose the couple’s massage. On arrival we were shown through our change rooms, supplied with plush robes, slippers and lockers for our valuables with ample time to settle in to pamper mode. The 50 minute oil massage was in a room just for the two of us with a window looking out to the gardens. The faint frangipani aroma of the oil carried me back to home while the therapist’s hands worked their magic on my tired muscles.

After the massage, we were ushered into a relaxation room and offered a cup of sweet, fresh ginger tea. I took a few minutes to observe the surrounds while sipping on the delicious brew. But I couldn’t resist the empty pool for too long.

Our spot in the sun. Taaras Spa at Berjaya Langkawi Resort, Malaysia. Image © Skye GIlkeson

There’s something to be said for spas like the Taaras that create an spa experience and don’t simply offer spa treatments. Taaras does that by providing a space for clients to relax after their treatment, to unwind and reflect. We were encouraged to use the sauna or steam rooms inside or take a dip in the pool or recline on the sun loungers at its edges, with a view back to the ocean, in the garden. We swam, soaked up the sun and enjoyed a deliciously healthy lunch in the garden together. Those extra touches really transform a great spa into a five-star spa.

Pahn-Thai Restaurant. Berjaya Langkawi Resort, Malaysia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Dining at the Berjaya Langkawi

Malaysians love their food and that translates at the Berjaya with nine restaurants on site, cooking up cuisine from a number of different regions; from Chinese to Western. We tried a few during our stay and we were impressed.

Pahn-Thai Restaurant 

The only floating restaurant in Langkawi, Pahn-Thai Restaurant is the perfect spot for a date with your partner. At the far end of the resort, you’ll stroll the board walks to the restaurant or get the shuttle to drop you at the pier. We were fortunate to have the restaurant a stones’ throw from our chalet, so it was a no-brainer for our first night. The food delicious, produced with locally sourced ingredients like fresh seafood and spices. I highly recommend you try the seafood dishes , in particular the steamed squid and prawns served with a fresh coconut with coconut mousse. It was my dish of the night. Make sure you book a table as Pahn Thai is a popular spot and with tables carefully spaced, not everyone will grab a seat.

Dayang Cafe 

Dayang Cafe is the main resort restaurant where you will enjoy the buffet breakfast with views over the pool area and gardens. The morning buffet includes everything from eggs to fresh fruit, curries, cereal and pancakes – both western and Asian options – so there’s something for everyone.

Each night of the week the restaurant plates up to a theme – from Malay to Chinese. We chose the Barbecue night to dine there so we could make the most of the huge selection of fresh, grilled seafood, meats and salads. The food was plentiful and we walked away full (because we kept going back for more). A buffet is the perfect way to try a range of dishes.

Bouillabaisse at Beach Restaurant. Berjaya Langkawi Resort, Malaysia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Beach Restaurant 

If you prefer to take advantage of eating on the sand, Beach Restaurant is the one to try. The menu is a mix of Western and Indian cuisine, so you’ll find something for the kids if you are on a family holiday. We enjoyed a special of Indian style grilled chicken, grilled Cajun Salmon and bouillabaisse.

Our final Berjaya sunrise. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Berjaya Langkawi Resort 

Karung Berkunci 200, Burau Bay, 07000 Langkawi, Malaysia

WEBSITE | CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY

Berjaya Langkawi Resort is about 20-30 minutes drive from Langkawi International Airport. A local taxi costs about 26 RM or you can pre-arrange a transfer with the resort.

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/

Skye Gilkeson

Observing the beautiful orangutans at a Borneo orangutan sanctuary was a once in a lifetime experience. Image © Skye Gilkeson

It was another early morning start for us as we made our way to the local bus terminal, just outside the Kuching city centre. Locals were waking with the help of a bowl of rich Sarawak Laksa, many with a strong cigarette in hand. The rain was spitting. The Hubby, went in search of a couple of takeaway coffee or kopi for the ride out to the wildlife sanctuary. He emerged a couple of minutes later holding two plastic bags, tied at the top, straws poking out and a dark blackish liquid swimming around inside. His grin was ear-to-ear. “Take away coffee!” he said. Clearly a different way of serving the universal morning heart starter.

The 3RM ($AUD1) bus took us out to the reserve. It was a Sunday morning but far from the sleepy scene you’d expect on the weekly day of rest. We passed churches packed with devotees at prayer, and sat patiently in traffic jams caused by the carloads of families making their weekend visit to the graves of relatives passed. The masses of people visiting every cemetery we passed was like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

A cheeky orangutan at the Borneo orangutan sanctuary where we spent the morning. Image © Skye Gilkeson

About an hour later we pulled up at the Semenggoh Nature Reserve. The reserve has been operating as a rescue and rehabilitation centre for the endangered orangutan, as well as other species since 1975.

A driveway guided us along the 1.3 km walk to the orangutan feeding trails. It was about 8:15am when we arrived to get a good vantage point for the morning feed. The park does two feeds per day; at 9am and 3pm.

As the crowd began to mill around one of the rangers quickly warned, “The big guy is on his way”. It was Ritchie, the alpha male. Ritchie is the boss of the 26 orangutans living in the reserve. He’s 34 years old and weighs a whopping 140 kilos. We scampered to catch a glimpse of Ritchie, worried we might miss him. But there was no real risk of that – Ritchie is a very big boy! He emerged from the thick greenery and strolled down the path towards us. I’d be lying if I said having an alpha orangutan just metres away didn’t make my heart flutter a little. Then, the guide reminded us it’s mating season and old Ritchie can be “a bit unpredictable”. Ritchie made a sharp turn down towards a small wooden bridge bound for the feeding area. A feast of fruit awaited and that was clearly more interesting than us. Soon we heard the trees rustle and saw the treetops shake. Orangutans began to swing on in from all directions.

A bold little baby orangutan in Borneo. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Reminded to keep camera flashes off and not to get too close (especially with young children – Ritchie’s not a fan), we watched with smiles and eyes wide. The younger orangutans played, climbed and swung on vines whilst inhaling fistfuls of banana and flinging the skins to the ground. Ritchie took up prime position with a pile of breakfast and began to work his way through it. After about half an hour, he jumped down from his post. Breakfast was over. Ritchie carefully walked his way back towards the viewing deck, pausing to check in on the others as he made his way back up the path. The rest of the group soon started to follow. But then we got an incredible surprise…

Mother and baby relaxing in the middle of the viewing deck. Image © Skye Gilkeson

A mother and her baby started walking towards the crowd. As they stepped over the barrier, we scurried back to let them pass, in awe and disbelief at having these amazing creatures within a few arms reach.

The keeper told us she likes to hang out with the crowd sometimes. Her toddler clinging to her back they made their way to the middle of the viewing deck where the crowd was gathered. They stood, they tried to tear a small sign off a post, they lay down for a minute, scratched their bellies and generally looked to be having a little fun with us. Another move and they climbed up into the rafters of the shelter’s roof. There they stayed, leaning against the beams, only moving to grab a fresh bunch of bananas.

A mother grabs a bunch of bananas with her baby in tow. Image © Skye Gilkeson

This was really one of those travel experiences that I will always treasure. It wasn’t a safari or a deep jungle trek but it may be the closest I get to orangutans in my lifetime. From the outside looking in, the 26 orangutans at the Semenggoh Nature Reserve appear to be well cared for and happy, the way nature intended.

A curious face peeks at me while snacking on a banana. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Semenggoh Nature Reserve and Borneo Orangutan Sanctuary 

• Take the K6 bus from Kuching bus terminal 2. For the morning feeding you need to make the 7.15am bus. Allow yourself a good 1.5 hours to get to the reserve and walk to the feeding pen.
• You can also take a taxi out and it will drop you right at the feeding pen.
• The cost is about 10 RM (just over $3AUD) to enter the park / 3RM each way for the bus
• Pack an umbrella and/or raincoat and good walking shoes.
• Make sure you don’t miss the bus back to Kuching at 11am for the morning or 4pm for the afternoon visit. It can be difficult for the staff to find you transport and an expensive trip for you.

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/