Meet a Glamorak Member from Singapore

Glamoraks come from all over the world. We're all at different ages and stages but we share one thing in common: a love of the outdoors. 

Meet Pang Kim Buay
Kim lives in Singapore, has two grown up children and she teaches chemistry at A-level. Her walks are mostly in parks or coastal, anywhere between 3 and 7km in length. She describes herself as a beginner/intermediate but she began walking back in 2003. 

Who or what inspired you to get into walking?
I had health problems and high blood pressure so my doctor recommended exercise to control it.

Is there a particular walk you’ve done that really sticks out in your mind? 
1) I did the Milford Track guided walk in New Zealand for three days when I was about 24 years old.
2)The hike up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan last year at 58 years old-felt a sense of achievement as I had not walked uphill (900 m) much as the only hill in Singapore is 164 m high. I managed to do the 4 hours trek (round trip) with my not-too-good knees for three reasons: I practiced climbing my local hill for three weekends, I wore knee guards and I used hiking poles

Why do you enjoy walking? 
It makes me feel good as our body releases good endorphins during exercise. I love nature very much. Its good for my health. It lets me socialise with friends when I lead the walk.

What walks or challenges are on your bucket list?
1) Trails in Canada's National Parks
2) Sapa rice fields 
3) Walk the Great Wall of China again but in different region

What’s the biggest walking challenge you’ve undertaken?
Upon return from Bhutan, I became hooked on climbing not too difficult hills/mountains.  So I went across to Malaysia and climb Gunong Lambak in Kluang/Malaysia.  It was unexpectedly more difficult than the trek in Bhutan as I really needed to hold on to the ropes to get up at some parts.  Fortunately I went with the same two younger colleagues as our Bhutan trip and we encouraged each other to reach the top.

Tell us one unusual thing about you unrelated to walking?
I am crazy about travelling!

What advice would you give to other women about walking?
Use walking for bonding and exercising purposes.  Our University friends of about 10 ladies sort of reunite for walks about three times a year.  I've lead about eight walks already since 2015.

Why did you decide to join Glamoraks?
I have always loved the English countryside as I studied in University of London Institute of Education in 1983/1983 on our Government scholarship.  It is one country that I love visiting again and again.  I loved the walk to see Seven Sisters near Brighton and some short walks in Lake district last year.  

What do you want most from the Glamoraks community?
To see and enjoy the experiences of many like minded people from all parts of the world and hopefully join some walks by Glamoraks when I visit England again after retiring.  Next year I will be 60 years old.

If you would like to get inspiration from other women from around the world who also enjoy walking, meet up with them, take on new walking challenges or explore, join Glamoraks - an online community making women around the world happier one step at a time.