A Life of Travel: Sprinting in Abu Dhabi, Life in KL and Meeting New People

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It's Tuesday and it's time for a travel newsletter...

📆 update

Hello from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!

Getting here was… an adventure.

I flew from Lisbon with a layover in Abu Dhabi. The first flight landed late, leaving me with only 35 minutes before my next flight departed. Cue the frantic Abu Dhabi airport sprint: weaving through people, running next to moving walkways because they were too crowded and skipping the line at security.

When I got to the front of security, I somehow pulled off the smoothest and quickest security check in all of my years of travel. The whole thing took about 15 seconds. I felt like a true travel master at that point, right until I realized I still had to reach my gate, a good distance away. Off I ran, belt in hand, towards the A wing of the international terminal.

And I arrived at that gate just as they were making the “Final Call” announcement.

Far more sweaty than I wanted to be before a second 7 hour flight in a row, I settled into my seat and allowed myself a moment of feeling quite triumphant.

In the end, the whole journey from Lisbon to Kuala Lumpur took only 16 hours. Not bad for half a world away.

So here I am now, writing to you from my 38th floor apartment overlooking the city skyline. There’s a rooftop infinity pool, a gym that I go to daily up on the 53rd floor, and at night, the views are truly impressive.

I’ve always loved Kuala Lumpur – it’s one of those cities that just makes life easy. It’s very safe, has great infrastructure, world-class food from every culture, endless cafes to work from, and a fascinating mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other international communities.

It’s remarkably hot here though, typically reaching 35C (95F) with about 85% humidity. Basically, I haven’t stopped sweating since I ran through the Abu Dhabi airport!

But that’s the least of my worries. I’ll take the heat in exchange for the high standard of living, excellent value, my daily routine and the ability to meet new people from all over the world.

Also, every time I walk out of my building, I am greeted by the view below of the impressive Petronas Towers.

I’ll be here until at least July 20th and then I’ll either extend my stay or move on to somewhere else. There are many factors involved and the next couple of weeks should help me decide.

💭 reflection of the week

This week, I was reminded that travel is not always about discovering new countries. Sometimes it’s about discovering a new version of yourself – the one that emerges when you sprint through an airport, meet complete strangers over dinner and watch the world go by from a rooftop at midnight. As much as we observe the destinations around us, we must not forget to look inward and reflect on those discoveries as well!

🤝 meet new people

Here in Kuala Lumpur, I’ve been using the TimeLeft app to socialize. It brings 6 strangers together for dinner on Wednesday nights. It operates in 250+ cities across 55 countries. You answer some questions, pay a small fee, receive the dinner details and you show up. That’s it. If you want an easy way to meet new people, it’s worth trying out, whether you’re traveling or even at home!

Interested in a deeper, more meaningful adventure that goes far beyond general sightseeing…. while having a ton of fun in the process? That’s what we do!

🇳🇦 Namibia 2026 – If you’re into surreal desert landscapes, wild safaris, and feeling like you’ve stepped straight onto another planet from the moment you land, this Namibia trip is for you. This country does not disappoint.

🇧🇦 🇲🇪 🇭🇷 Balkans 2026 – Our Wander the Balkans trip is a perfect mix of lesser-visited European locations, complex history, warm people, unique activities, and wonderful food. Now’s the time to visit before the crowds arrive…and they will arrive!

🇮🇶 Iraq 2025 – For many, my Iraq trip sounds crazy. But tell that to the 40 people who have already joined our previous Iraq trips 🙂 This is one of the most rewarding travel experiences you can have in the world! (Also, I do not organize trips that put our guests’ safety at risk. I take this very seriously.)

👉 See all upcoming tours here

🌐 around the globe

🌍 Earth as Seen from Space
Ever feel small? These stunning images of our planet taken from orbit will make you feel like a tiny speck floating on a very beautiful rock.

🗿 Italy’s Bizarre Garden of Monsters
Imagine wandering through a quiet Italian forest only to find giant stone ogres and mythological beasts staring back at you. Weird, eerie, and oddly awesome.

🏔️ Villages Built in the Clouds
These are some of the world’s highest villages, some so remote that life there hasn’t changed for centuries.

🏊️ Would You Dive 60 Meters Down?
Deep Dive Dubai is the deepest swimming pool in the world. Watch this short video and decide if you’d go for a casual swim… all the way to the bottom.

✈️ What’s for Dinner at 35,000 Feet?
Ever wondered what airline meals look like around the world? This quirky site has thousands of photos to either whet your appetite or kill it completely.

🏆 The World’s Most Beautiful Restaurants
Prix Versailles just announced this year’s most stunning restaurants.

🍱 Saving Japan’s Disappearing Cuisine
A beautiful piece on the women working to keep Japan’s regional food traditions alive before they’re gone forever. Hungry and heartwarming.

💸 Where Hotel Prices are Rising (and Falling)
Planning upcoming travels? This 2025 index shows where your wallet will hurt more – or less – this year.

🎮 Iraq’s Secret Game of Mheibes
During Ramadan nights, Iraqi men gather for this intense game of hidden rings, strategy, and pride. It’s as much about community as competition.

🗺️ where in the world?

A big congratulations to those readers who guessed the location of the photo in the previous newsletter! Here’s who guessed correctly:

Corina, Cheryl, Steve, Scott, Keith, Jatin, Jeanne and Alex

The location is the port city of Valparaiso, Chile, where colorful homes, a UNESCO-listed Historic Quarter, great seafood and funiculars taking people up and down the hills all come together!

This week’s photo:

It’s time to guess…where was the below photo taken?

If you have a guess (the more specific the better), click reply and let me know. Anyone who guesses correctly will be mentioned in next week's newsletter 😄 

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Thank you so much for reading!

Derek
(my middle name is Earl)

WanderingEarl.com

Travel Insurance: My personal recommendation for affordable and reliable travel insurance is Safety Wing. It was created by travelers, for travelers, and it's rapid growth in popularity is well-deserved.

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