Female Hot Air Balloon Pilot Atiqah Khairudin and her sister Izzati became hot-air balloon pilots in September 2015 – the first female balloonists in Malaysia.

In conjunction with International Women’s Day (IWD), Atiqah shares her love for flying and traveling solo as a woman with SmartDory.

The 101 Questions are to get to know Atiqah Khairudin better, get insights into her lifestyle, and get some great travel tips.

Up, Up and Away As A Female Hot Air Balloon Pilot

My name is Atiqah Khairudin.

I am a female hot air balloon pilot.

I am 32 years old and living in Kuala Lumpur.

Ever since I was in primary school, I cycled between 5 pm and 7 pm around my housing area and explored places independently.

There were scary moments when I got more adventurous, like a curious cat, I cycled under a concrete bridge, and I found homeless drug addicts just staring at me.

Looking back, I knew from the get-go I always loved exploring places by myself.

After working multiple part-time jobs during uni and getting a bit wiser, I bought a return flight ticket to Europe for a month, intending to do some soul-searching.

Now I travel mostly to fly in hot air balloons because that’s what I do for a living.

And there’s no better way to experience a city than from a bird’s eye view!

#1 Who is the most exciting person you’ve met?

A man named Francisco Arrogini (I am still surprised by how well I remember his full name!).

So this chap was an architect living in my favorite city, Rome, Italy, which felt like an outdoor museum.

He took me to the underground theatres and homes of prominent figures and showed me many underrated buildings in the city!

Of course, coming from an architectural background, how he explained each landmark was astounding!

He told me who built what and why the construction was in such a way.

That opened up my eyes to meet the locals with various industry backgrounds.

#2 Do you feel better or worse about the change in diet?

I feel worse. I really do because I am a foodie; I cannot leave my rice and the Santan gravy.

That’s why I try to sneak in Brahims and spicy prawn sambal in my luggage wherever I go.

#3 City or countryside?

There’s no other place as authentic as the countryside.

It is less frantic with fewer people and a friendlier environment.

People are more welcoming.

You get to have decent conversations with people of all ages.

I stayed in Igualada in Spain for over a month, and you go to the same sundry shops and kebab stalls.

The locals remember you, and you can’t help but feel like part of the community!

#4 How are you documenting your trip?

I would always carry a pocket journal wherever I went.

I like to jot down interesting things and draw the scenery I experienced that day.

When I am back in KL and go through the journal, it instantly brings back the emotional feelings of wandering in the lost.

I can almost relive those moments.

#5 What food from your home do you miss the most?

Nasi Kandar. Nasi Kerabu. Nasi Lemak. Nasi Campur. Pretty much any Nasi 😀

#6 Would you rather see many places or get to know one well?

When I started traveling, I thought I wanted to cover as many places as possible, although the time was short.

But then I realized that the shorter your time, the less you get to enjoy the moment and absorb the culture.

A few years later, I decided to stay put in one city or country as long as I could whenever I traveled.

This way, I relax more than most of the time, carrying my luggage, rushing to the airport, and repeating.

Cause let’s face it, the reason we travel is to escape.

#7 How much do you plan vs. how much do you leave to spontaneity?

All this comes down to numerous mistakes, especially when I was younger; money was a big issue, so I wanted to squeeze in everything in just one day, and I got fatigued and kiasu.

Now, I am both.

My daily framework consists of AM, NOON, EVENING, and PM.

I would just put the activity or stay in. No specific place, no specific activity.

So when I arrive at the location, I will take my time talking to the locals and then decide.

#8 What are your favorite apps to use when traveling solo?

The best app I use is Ulmon – CityMaps2go, wherever I go!

It has offline maps that guide you to local landmarks and provide comprehensive details on local transportation.

It is convenient when you do not have a local sim card.

Another app that I use is MuslimPro. I use it as a guide when I want to find halal restaurants and halal butchers.

It’s convenient when I stay in one place for more than a week, and I need to cook.

My go-to is also Evernote, my brain dump where I do research and include links and details to the places and people I want to meet.

#9 What are your packing essentials for a solo trip?

A printed copy of all essential documents (passport, flight tickets, emergency contacts)

1. Clothing – depends on the weather
2. Two pairs of shoes (walking, sandals)
3. International Adapters, Powerbank, Chargers & Gadgets
4. Toiletries (Moisturiser & Sunscreen – the most important!)
5. My traveling journal
6. First Aid Kit
7. Small purse – for daily use (i do not carry all my cash; I keep it safe and only take a sum of it daily)
8. Credit Card

#10 How do you meet new people when you’re traveling alone?

Either through the ballooning community or Couchsurf, a platform where you can stay at their houses or meet the locals over coffee or dinner.

I chose the latter; I wanted to dive into the culture and understand how the locals think, and using the Couchsurfing website to meet locals is the perfect platform!

Quote From Hot Air Ballon Pilot Atiqah Khairudin

The more I travel, the more grateful I am to live in Malaysia. ~ Atiqah Khairudin

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