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Year 2: From a Pandemic Backyard Pool to a New Life in Cyberjaya and Langkawi

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Year two of our Malaysia series is a bit unusual. 2020 was the height of the global pandemic, and we barely have any photos from that year, since we could hardly go anywhere. So this article covers life during the 2020 lockdowns, our move to Cyberjaya, and a trip to Langkawi Island at the end of 2021.

What you'll find here

1. Stuck at home: our backyard pool and BBQ habit

2020 brought a stretch of pandemic lockdowns that kept us from going out much. During that time, we bought a large inflatable pool for our backyard so the whole family could still play together — a small turning point for us. We started small, and as the kids grew fond of it and wore it out, we upgraded three times: first a bigger inflatable, then finally a proper framed pool we kept set up permanently.

With outings limited, that backyard pool became the highlight of our kids' days. And around the same pool, we started doing BBQs almost every week. With Malaysia's year-round outdoor-friendly climate, firing up the charcoal on weekend evenings for meat and vegetables became our new normal.

💡 Tip with kids: many landed homes and townhouses in Malaysia come with a yard, and BBQ grills and home pools are affordable and easy to find at local hardware stores or online. Even when outings are limited, having a yard changes everything for kids' playtime.

The condo's play area — this was our garden, in effect.
The condo's play area — this was our garden, in effect.
A coin ride in the mall. During Covid, this was about the extent of our outings.
A coin ride in the mall. During Covid, this was about the extent of our outings.
A paddling pool in the garden — one of the few pleasures on the days we could not go out.
A paddling pool in the garden — one of the few pleasures on the days we could not go out.
In a float, the two sisters together.
In a float, the two sisters together.
In the paddling pool in the garden.
In the paddling pool in the garden.
Chasing each other with water pistols.
Chasing each other with water pistols.
Even a small pool was enough, day after day.
Even a small pool was enough, day after day.
Noodles eaten outdoors — we started eating in the garden more often.
Noodles eaten outdoors — we started eating in the garden more often.

2. Moving to Cyberjaya: a new start in Symphony Hills

After that, we relocated to Cyberjaya, a planned tech hub in Selangor state. We settled into "Symphony Hills," a neighborhood of landed homes and townhouses with yards. We actually moved twice within Symphony Hills itself, from our first place to a larger one — and that pool we kept upgrading came right along with us to the new backyard.

Playing in the blue framed pool in our backyard
Playing in the blue framed pool in our backyard

By the time the new school term started in September 2021, we also have a record of online learning at home — schools were still running some classes online because of the pandemic.

My child doing online schoolwork at home while I watch nearby
My child doing online schoolwork at home while I watch nearby

💡 Tip with kids: Cyberjaya is a bit removed from central Kuala Lumpur, but that trade-off makes it much easier to find a spacious home with a yard. During periods when you're spending more time at home, having outdoor space makes a real difference in day-to-day comfort.

3. A Christmas concert at Epsom College Malaysia

The international school our child came to attend was "Epsom College Malaysia" — the overseas campus of the UK's storied Epsom College, set on a large campus in Negeri Sembilan state.

In December 2021, we went to see the end-of-year Christmas concert put on by the strings ensemble. Watching the kids line up on stage in their green uniforms and Santa hats, violins in hand, was one of those moments where you really feel how much they've grown.

Kids performing violin at the Christmas concert
Kids performing violin at the Christmas concert
The strings ensemble lined up on stage
The strings ensemble lined up on stage

💡 Tip with kids: boarding-school-style international schools like Epsom College Malaysia are often located well outside central Kuala Lumpur. Whether a school bus is available and how long the commute is can make a big difference to daily life, so it's worth checking before you enroll.

Epsom's Christmas concert, mid-performance (she is second from the left).
Epsom's Christmas concert, mid-performance (she is second from the left).
Drums and percussion joined in — an ensemble spanning several year groups.
Drums and percussion joined in — an ensemble spanning several year groups.
In Santa hats, for a suitably festive touch.
In Santa hats, for a suitably festive touch.

4. Year-end on Langkawi Island: a few days at the Ritz-Carlton

At the end of 2021, we left city life in Kuala Lumpur behind for Langkawi, an island in the north. A particular favorite was "The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi" — the refined lounges and restaurants, and the calm, green grounds, made for a memorable stay, right down to the staff's welcome-drink ceremony and other small, thoughtful touches.

With clear water and quiet beaches, the kids were completely absorbed in collecting shells and playing in the sand.

Playing on the beach in Langkawi
Playing on the beach in Langkawi

Unwinding in the hotel lounge was its own kind of luxury during this stay.

Relaxing in the hotel lounge
Relaxing in the hotel lounge

💡 Tip with kids: Langkawi is about an hour by air from Kuala Lumpur. It's also a duty-free island, so shopping for things like liquor and chocolate is part of the fun. Getting away from city life in KL for some unhurried family time made this a truly special break.

The infinity pool on the grounds.
The infinity pool on the grounds.
Walking the beach — quiet, with hardly anyone else around.
Walking the beach — quiet, with hardly anyone else around.
Looking out to sea from the pool.
Looking out to sea from the pool.
The marina at dusk.
The marina at dusk.
The villa's pool, lit up at night.
The villa's pool, lit up at night.
Jenga in the lobby — a slow, end-of-year kind of evening.
Jenga in the lobby — a slow, end-of-year kind of evening.
Colouring by candlelight.
Colouring by candlelight.
A quiet New Year evening.
A quiet New Year evening.
With the marina behind her, one moment from Langkawi.
With the marina behind her, one moment from Langkawi.
The two sisters swimming, faces just above the water.
The two sisters swimming, faces just above the water.
Into the infinity pool with a float on.
Into the infinity pool with a float on.
Swimming with the hills in the background.
Swimming with the hills in the background.
Held up by her father.
Held up by her father.
French toast at breakfast.
French toast at breakfast.
Lit up at night — father and daughter out for a walk.
Lit up at night — father and daughter out for a walk.
The whole family, walking round the lights on New Year's Eve.
The whole family, walking round the lights on New Year's Eve.

5. Looking back on year two

2020 was a year shaped by global upheaval, one where we made the most of "home time" with a backyard pool and BBQs. In 2021 we settled into our new base in Cyberjaya, our child started at Epsom College Malaysia, and we closed out the year as a family in Langkawi — two years that, despite all the restrictions, slowly brought back a rhythm to our life abroad.

Q. Was pandemic life abroad hard? A. With outings restricted, that backyard pool and BBQ routine really carried us. Being far from family back in Japan was unsettling at times, but having a home with a yard was a real saving grace.

Q. How did online classes go at the international school? A. Classes went online for a while, but once in-person school resumed, events like the Christmas concert went ahead as normal, and things gradually returned to a regular rhythm.

📌 Last updated: July 2026. School details, prices, and operations change. If you're considering relocating or enrolling, please reconfirm with official sources and current information.

By this point she was starting to look properly grown-up.
By this point she was starting to look properly grown-up.
Holding hands with her elder sister.
Holding hands with her elder sister.

6. You might also like

All photos in this article were taken by our family during our time in Malaysia in 2021. School, policy, and price information can change, so please reconfirm with official sources or on-site information if you're considering a similar move.

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