KUALA LUMPUR: Photojournalist and former national figure skater, Annice Lyn, is no stranger to blazing her own trail.
From a young age, she honed her passion for figure skating into a professional career, and afterward, she traded her skates for cameras, standing out as a sports documentary photographer and visual storyteller.
She is a Canon Malaysia EOS Youth ambassador and co-founder of Women Photographers Malaysia. Major publications have featured her work as a photographer including TIME, National Geographic, the New York Times, Prestige, and Tatler Asia.
Annice recently hooked up with Porsche Malaysia, which has offered her the Cayenne and let her explore obscure and beautiful landscapes across Peninsula Malaysia.
A firm believer in the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words”, the Forbes 30 Under 30 alumna began a nationwide journey through redeveloped heritage sites and immersed herself in local culture to capture people and landscapes.
Annice.
She started her journey by making a beeline out of the city. “I still get excited every time I travel, even if it is now part of my work.”
Up, and slightly to the left from Kuala Lumpur – the 340hp Cayenne is eagerly unleashed on winding, hilly roads until asphalt ends and the dirt begins.
The SUV itself is historic in its own way; it’s the first Porsche model to be
locally assembled in Malaysia
and the first outside of continental Europe.
The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) of the RM575,000 Cayenne cushions the bumps, regardless of terrain, until the car arrives at a unique tunnel-like entrance with stalagmites and stalactites.
This is Gua Kajang, near the Unesco heritage site of Lenggong Valley – an area that reveals traces of Malaysia’s ancient history.
“Through projects that I’ve been a part of, I discovered a hidden gem in Lenggong Valley. With so much history to uncover and so many possibilities to explore, it offers a surreal sense of escape into a different world,” says Annice.
On the road again, a local vendor selling various knick-knacks flashes a bright and cheerful smile her way. Annice is instantly transported to her childhood days, rekindling memories when such vendors were a common sight across Malaysia.
She is on her way to Kuala Sepetang, a picturesque fishing village formerly known as Port Weld, and the quiet roads punctuated by road signs and the occasional street-side store offer Annice a chance to reflect on the philosophy of mindfulness and gratitude for the simpler pleasures in life.
In an idyllic setting that exudes kampung-chic, Annice meets the locals and listens to the stories surrounding their culture, and the importance of preserving traditions.
“The friendly locals welcomed and invited me to learn the traditional art of mat weaving. It is such an intricate process. Handcrafted by the locals, each mat is unique and resembles the personalisation of the Cayenne: tailored to every individual.”
Back to the comfort driving mode in the Cayenne, on the return leg of the trip, Annice makes a detour to the city centre, Kuala Lumpur. These days, the capital of Malaysia is more well-known for its tall skyscrapers and teeming nightlife, but – if one bothers to look – there are plenty of historic sites to explore.
Located off Merdeka Square, Rumah Tangsi is a beautifully restored heritage mansion, recognisable thanks to its colonial buttercream-coloured façade. Completed in 1905, which was once a townhouse for businessman Loke Chow Kit, is now a hub for the arts.
Just 10 minutes away, another restored building awaits: the 112-year-old Sentul Depot was, for a time, one of the largest railway engineering workshops in the world, housing the most advanced locomotives and railway carriages.
Today, engineering of a different kind takes place within its walls, as creators from all over Malaysia display their wares at weekend makers’ markets.
“As a visual storyteller, I believe that photography is a tool that allows me to capture the present and preserve the past. I’m glad that these historical sites are given the appreciation they deserve, and the community is able to breathe new life and purpose into these century-old buildings.”
The last stop on Annice’s journey is the refurbished Zhong Shan building – a testament to the country’s emerging arts scene. Built in the 1950s, the building is home to the likes of art collectives, letterpress printers, independent booksellers, and underground musicians. The narrow corridors are peppered with deep conversations and unbridled passion for the various trades that are plied here.
She also explores a contemporary letterpress stationer – The Alphabet Press. Annice says, “Although hand-applied printing is a traditional technique used centuries ago, the fine craftsmanship results in works that exude a sense of understated elegance. This is not unlike the intricate detail inside the Cayenne, where fine materials and exquisite craftsmanship is also on subtle display.”
As Annice makes her way back to the Cayenne, she is overcome with gratitude. “This place gives me a sense of belonging and a strong connection to it. I have worked here for more than three years, and this feels like coming home.”
“Rediscovering my roots as a Malaysian, this adventure with the Cayenne gave me a different point of view – and I can’t wait to share it.”
Follow Annice Lyn’s journey across Malaysia in the Cayenne on Porsche Malaysia’s Facebook, Instagram pages and website at https://dealer.porsche.com/my/malaysia/en-GB/Cayenne-explores-Malaysia-with-Annice-Lyn.
Keyword: Photojournalist Annice Lyn explores Malaysia with Porsche Cayenne