Greetings! I’m Agni.
Keen globetrotter on a relentless quest for the best durian and street food, travel blogger, Chinese Medicine doctor, avid hiker, runner, bookworm, yoga teacher and more!
In a nutshell, I’m Agni, the travel blogger behind Quest For Durian.
I’m here to share authentically, inspire you and help you to travel more. Read on to explore my backstory and the motivation behind this blog…
As a second-generation Canadian, my parents hail from Penang, Malaysia and Sevenoaks, England respectively.
With mixed Chinese-Malaysian, English, Irish, French and Scottish heritage I grew up listening to my dad speak Hokkien to his parents, and my grandma articulate in better Mandarin than English when I visited Penang, Malaysia often as a child.
My mum expressed a longing to re-connect to her UK roots and an interest in our Celtic ancestry, the standing stones of Europe and the stories of our ancestors interweaving across that continent.
Born in Ottawa, she moved to the UK at 6 months of age on an ocean liner and grew up in Liverpool (during Beatlemania!), then later in Sevenoaks, before sailing back across the Atlantic to Thunder Bay, Ontario.
These intersectional beginnings influenced my global outlook and continue to do so to this day!
Mixed heritage has imbued me with a seeminly endless curiosity to explore my cultural roots across myriad countries, and an invigorated zeal to uncover human truths and underlying motivations that drive us all.
For me, home is not a specific city, place or continent, but rather a feeling of togetherness, rest and peace with myself and my company no matter the locale. 🥰
I was born and lived out my childhood in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada with a stint in Victoria, British Columbia. My love for travel destinations began brewing with visits to Hawaii and Malaysia as a child. I took my first solo journey to Japan when I was 16 years old and have never looked back since!
Teaching yoga and English financed my travels throughout my twenties, allowing me to live abroad in Asia and the Middle East.
When I turned 21, I purchased a one-way ticket to Europe and spent eight months exploring England, France, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. I then journeyed through India for six months and resided in Shanghai, China, for a year.
My adventure led me to Nepal, where I lived for four years from 2008-2011. During this time, I delved into Tibetan Buddhism and studied Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Nepali languages, punctuated by trips to India, Malaysia, Singapore and the United States.
I later taught yoga for a permaculture and herbal medicine program in Israel in 2012, where I lived for two years while also traveling to Palestine, Egypt, and Jordan.
During this period, I also managed to fit in a 3-month road trip around Europe in a Volkswagen van visiting Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, France, Slovenia and Italy.
Additionally in 2012, I travelled overland in Central America from Panama to Mexico through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala over the course of 3 months.
In my 30s, British Columbia, Canada was my home base for a deep dive into 5 years of Chinese Medicine studies, followed by 3.5 years of teaching at Pacific Rim College while practicing acupuncture. At this point in time I began exploring Canada locally with side trips to Scotland, England, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Peru, Hawaii and other parts of the United States.
My husband Gavin and I met during Chinese Medicine school and bonded over our first camping road trip in a Subaru Forester through Idaho, Utah, Arizona and Wyoming.
I bought a Westfalia campervan in Victoria, Canada and proceeded to explore Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands from 2021-2024, documenting my #vanlife adventures. From campsites to hikes to waterfalls and food destinations, I offer you a local perspective of the islands.
In May 2022, I traveled back to Nepal via Singapore with Gavin, where we volunteered with the Acupuncture Relief Project and explored the stunning Annapurna region on a trek.
In the summer of 2023 we visited the Açores Islands of Portugal with purposeful long layovers in New York City.
In August 2022 we moved back to Vancouver, Canada after 7 years in Victoria to be closer to a major international airport and explore more of mainland British Columbia’s hiking regions.
To celebrate turning 40 and our 8th wedding anniversary we took a trip to Japan in the summer of 2024.
In April-May 2025 and to celebrate Gavin’s birthday, we spent 3+ weeks exploring Taiwan, Vietnam and South Korea.
The bucket list is ever-growing, and I’m far from finished. However, after two decades of purposeful world exploration, I’ve honed my travel hacking skills to bring you expert advice and insider tips for your dream destinations, all shared through my blog!
Why Durian?
Durian holds a special place in my heart as it speaks to my roots and heritage in Asia. This incredible fruit is native to the region and is highly valued in Penang, Malaysia—the island where my dad is from. Every time an opportunity arises to try durian, I’m genuinely excited.
The flavour is a complex and fascinating blend of silky mango custard pudding with hints of ayahuasca, pungent garlic and onion, and creamy avocado, ice-creamy goodness! Despite its acquired taste and thus polarizing reputation, it has a surprising addictiveness that keeps me coming back for more.
I’ve had the pleasure of tasting durian in six countries across the globe, from the iconic musang king in Malaysia to a unique durian cendol in the bustling Chinatown of Paris, France, and even durian hot chocolate in Vancouver, Canada.
The diversity of ways this fruit is enjoyed—whether in its pure form or as part of inventive dishes—only deepens my love for it. I can’t wait to continue exploring more permutations and creative inventions of this deliciously unique fruit!
The name Quest for Durian further represents my broader search for hidden food gems and fascinating cultural curiosities around the world.
For me, this journey is not just about discovering new ways to enjoy durian, but about finding those off-the-beaten-path culinary treasures that tell a deeper story of the places I visit. It’s about uncovering local flavours, traditions, and experiences that speak to the essence of a place.
The quest is ongoing, and I invite you to join me and follow along on this flavourful adventure!
Where I’ve Lived/Travelled
To date I’ve travelled to 40 countries, and have lived in 6: Canada, China, Nepal, Malaysia, Israel and England. These days I am based in Vancouver, Canada and typically spend at least one month per year abroad. My expertise lies within the following destinations:
📍Japan – Tokyo, Hitachi, Mito, Takaoka, Kyoto, Uji, Nara, Osaka.
📍Thailand – Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pai, Khao Sok, Krabi, Railay Beach, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Lanta, Koh Muk, Trang, Hat Yai, Padang Basar, Surat Thani, Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao, Nang Yuan.
📍Nepal – Kathmandu, Boudhanath, Budhanilkantha, Bhaktapur, Patan, Namobuddha, Bhotekoshi, Everest region, Pokhara, Lumbini, Muktinath, Bajrabarahi.
📍India – Delhi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Shimla, Dharamsala, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Varanasi, Gaya, Bodh Gaya, Kolkata, Puri, Chennai, Madurai, Kanniyakumari, Thiruvananthapuram, Neyyar Dam, Alleppey, Hampi, Mumbai.
📍China – Hong Kong, Xiamen, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Changsha, Zhang Jie Jie, Guilin, Yangshou, Guangzhou.
*I lived in China teaching English and yoga in Shanghai in 2006-2007
📍Indonesia – Bali (Denpasar, Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Ubud, Ceking Rice Terrace, Goa Gajah, Padangbai, Les, Toya Bungkah hot springs, Danu Beratan, Candikuning, Munduk, Danau Tamblingan, Lovina, Air Terjun Sing Sing, Balian Beach, Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, Kuta), East Java (Ijen Crater, Mount Bromo, Probolingo, Yogyakarta, Borobodur, Candi Prambanan).
📍Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur, Penang (Georgetown, Tanjong Tokong, Batu Ferringhi, Air Terjun Titi Kerawang, Snake Temple, Kek Lok Si ), Langkawi, Melaka, Butterworth.
*I lived in Melaka, Malaysia teaching yoga in 2009
📍Singapore
📍Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An, Ninh Binh/Tam Coc, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi.
📍Taiwan – (Taipei, Yehliu Geopark, Shifen, Jiufen)
📍South Korea
📍England – (London, Leicester, Windermere, Hawkshead, Carlisle, Stratford upon Avon, Painswick, Stroud, Avebury, Bath, Salisbury, Oxford, Whitstable, Broadstairs).
*I lived in Leicester, England while taking my first yoga teacher training program in 2005
📍Scotland – (Glasgow, Innellan, Annan, Ruthwell, Dunoon, Oban, Glencoe, Inverness, Forres, Loch Ness, Edinburgh)
📍France – Paris, Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo, Fougères, Orléans, Honfleur, Étretat, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Carcassonne, Minerve, Peyrepertuse, Avignon, Montpellier, Perpignan, Nice, Metz.
📍Spain – Barcelona, Girona, Valencia, Granada, Gibraltar.
📍Germany – Munich, Berlin, Dresden, Bavaria, Würzburg, Füssen, München, Heidelberg, Düsseldorf.
📍Italy – Genoa, Florence, Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Salerno, Torri, Pistoia, Mariana, Venice.
📍Vatican City
📍Greece – Patras, Athens, Delphi, Crete, Santorini, Samos, Chios.
📍Turkey – Izmir, Pamukkale, Antalya, Olympos, Mount Chimaera, Konya, Sivas, Tokat, Amasya, Zonguldak, Istanbul.
📍Slovenia – Ljubljana, Lake Bohinj, Lake Bled
📍Austria – Salzberg, Vienna
📍Portugal – Açores
📍Slovakia – Bratislava
📍Czech Republic – Prague
📍Monaco
📍Panama – Panama City, Balboa, Boquete, Bocas del Toro (Bastimentos, Colón).
📍Costa Rica – Parque Nacional Cahuita, San Cristobal, San Isidro de El General.
📍Nicaragua – Ometepe, Granada.
📍Honduras – Tegucigalpa, Comayagua, Cópan Ruinas,
📍Guatemala – Antigua, Lago de Atitlán, Semuc Champey, Tikal, Flores.
📍Mexico – Palenque, Isla Mujeres, Tulum, Cancun
📍Peru – Lima, Cusco, Pisac, Sacha Munay, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu.
📍Morocco – Tangier, Rabat, Salé, Casablanca, Meknes, Fes, Errachidia, Merzouga, Ouzoud, Marrakesh, Essaouira.
📍Israel – Jerusalem, Bet Shemesh, Aviezer, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Netanya, Haifa, Klil, Adama Ecovillage, Petah Tikva, Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea, Jericho, Eilot.
*I lived in Israel in 2012 teaching yoga in Moshav Avi’ezer for a herbal medicine program
📍Palestine
📍Jordan – Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Petra, Madaba, Dead Sea, Amman.
📍Egypt – Dahab.
📍Canada – Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Victoria, Nanaimo, Cumberland, Courtney, Comox, Port Hardy, Gulf Islands (Saltspring, Saturna, Pender, Galiano, Hornby, Gabriola, Quadra), Nelson, Saskatoon, Toronto, Montreal.
📍USA – Hawaii (Oahu, Maui, Kauai), New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada.
Interactive Map of Every Place I’ve Travelled
If you’re a chart fiend like me who loves scheming via the bird’s eye perspective of surveying the globe from above and plotting out numerous destinations upon maps, you’ll love this easy-to-scrutinize clickable map of every destination I’ve written about thus far on the blog! 🧐
👉 Inspect the Interactive Travel Map Here 🗺
Where I’ve Been Featured
I’m thrilled to share my collaborations and features—here are some of the places where my work has been showcased:
🇳🇵 Acupuncture Relief Project: Nonprofit organization providing free, sustainable healthcare and acupuncture services to underserved communities in Nepal. Read my 2022 volunteering experience: “Seeing Nepal in a New Light.“
🌿 Medicinal Roots Magazine Fall 2022: “Accessible Acupuncture in an Integrative Clinic in Rural Nepal.“
☯️ Unplug Hour Wellness: Boutique acupuncture clinic in downtown Vancouver, Canada where I currently base my Chinese Medicine practice. If you’re ever in Vancouver, you can book in with me here for acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion and Chinese herbal medicine.
🏋🏻♂️ Functional Holistic: Resource hub blending functional medicine and holistic approaches to health and wellness.
🎥 When the Iron Bird Flies: A documentary exploring the journey of Tibetan Buddhism and its impact on Western culture. I was interviewed for this documentary while living in Nepal between 2008-2011.
Why I Blog
🌟 To inspire others to step out of their comfort zones and explore the world.
🌟 To prove that creating a life untethered to one location is achievable.
🌟 To motivate people to break free from conventional routines and chase their true passions.
🌟 To share the wisdom travel naturally brings by exposing us to diverse cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives.
🌟 To help expand worldviews and inspire a deeper appreciation for our shared humanity.
🌟 To provide practical travel tips, destination guides, and actionable advice on travel hacking, remote work opportunities, and budgeting, showing exactly how I made full-time travel a reality—and how you can, too.
If you find the travel tips on this site useful, consider buying me a coffee here to help support the blog and allow me to continue creating free content for you! Also, don’t forget to share the Quest for Durian travel blog with your friends, and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for more travel inspiration!
Thank you for embarking on this adventure with me!
♥ Agni
