And while some couples are packing their bags for domestic tourist spots or booking flight tickets to romantic overseas destinations at five-star resorts, Hafizah, 47, and her husband Roman Onillon, 40, have embarked on travel plans of a different kind.
The Malaysian-French couple are headed to Langkawi Island but have chosen to go there on foot, both to satisfy their thirst for adventure, and to do their part for nature by picking up trash along the way.
“I told Hafizah that we need to do something because I just couldn’t stand staying at home anymore,” said Onillon, laughing, adding that he had to cancel his bicycle touring plans due to the pandemic.
The couple first met in 2013 through the travel community website, Couchsurfing, when Onillon was holidaying in Malaysia.
“I was working in New Zealand at the time, and I asked if she wanted to come with me. Within three months, she quit her job, sold her car and joined me there; I proposed to her a month later,” he said, smiling.
The couple spent five years in New Zealand before returning to Malaysia in 2018. “I was homesick, and I missed the warm weather,” she told FMT.
Onillon currently works as a freelance photographer while Hafizah works in the oil and gas field and has recently completed her contract.
KL- Langkawi on foot
Hafizah and Onillon plan to begin their journey on June 8 and are open to anyone else joining them on their walking adventure.
“We will document our journey on social media, and those interested are welcome to come along, even if it’s just for a short distance,” said Hafizah.
The pair plan to walk 25-27km daily, hoping they can reach Langkawi in 20 days.
“We estimate that it’ll cost RM100 per person per day to cover the costs for food and accommodation,” he said, adding that they’re also looking for sponsors interested in supporting their cause.
“One person has kindly offered to host us when we arrive in Langkawi,” he said.
The couple also have a YouTube channel called “Discover Evolution”, where they post videos of their travels. “We try to promote local cafes and homestays through our channel; we hope it’ll attract more tourists now that the borders are open,” Onillon said.
Environmental awareness
While preparing for the trip, the couple has been picking up trash at different locations around Malaysia in order to raise environmental awareness.
“We recently went to Morib Beach and it was really sad to see bottles, plastic waste, cigarette butts and face masks everywhere, even though there were many bins around. We even saw nappies in the playground,” he said, adding that they managed to collect two garbage bags of trash.
The couple did the same while at Cameron Highlands, and they intend to keep doing this till their departure date, hoping to create a movement.
“We’d like to bring school children on similar trips too; it’s good to inculcate a love for nature while they’re still young,” he pointed out, adding that they’d also like to collaborate with environmental NGOs.
Curiously, some people have belittled their mission.
“They said why don’t we pick up the rubbish in their houses instead, and that what we’re doing isn’t going to change anything. Some people try to discourage you even when your intention is to do something good,” he lamented, adding that thankfully, they have a lot more supporters than detractors.
Although Onillon is an avid cyclist, this will be his first walking adventure with his wife. Hafizah was initially nervous about their plan. “I didn’t think I could do it but I am more confident now.”
“Remember, it’s all in the head,” said Onillon, smiling.
Keep track of Hafizah and Onillon’s adventures by following them on their website, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.