She left Malaysia to sail the world seeking freedom, adventure – and the ‘soft life’
- Syasya Syahirah Nor Azmi gave up her busy life in Penang for endless days of navigating, fishing and refreshing dips in crystal-clear Caribbean waters
- The 28-year-old is part of a growing cohort of young Asians placing a premium on happiness over hustling for success as they embrace the ‘soft life’
Through her Instagram account, “Syasya Syahirah Adventure Life”, the 28-year-old adventurer offers followers a window into her life aboard a Beneteau 57 sailing boat, living in harmony with the rhythm of the sea off the coasts of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Mexico.
What began with a stroke of serendipity with the offer of a spot on a sailing crew has evolved into a two-year voyage around the Caribbean. Syasya’s dreams have now expanded to include reaching French Polynesia and crossing the Pacific next year.
“Ever since I was a child, I had a burning curiosity to explore the world around me,” she told This Week in Asia from Costa Rica.
Her journey isn’t just about exploration, but also the active embrace of freedom, adventure and a simpler existence. Her days are now a blend of navigating, fishing, restocking essentials during shore trips, and refreshing dips in crystal-clear waters, all chronicled on social media.
“My childhood ambition was to be a flight attendant, so I could travel or be a professional athlete. My family always knew that I had big dreams to travel the world,” she said. “Although I never imagined doing that through sailing, only via planes or trains, but never beyond that.”
