MCO – a 3-letter word that stands for ‘Movement Control Order’, and mentioning it is enough to make most grown-ups worry as they think of how to cope with the alien prospect of having to remain indoors 24/7.
And it’s not just taking place on our own soil. We’re talking about a massive, worldwide lock-down that’s currently affecting most of the world’s population.
As governments scramble to contain and halt the rapid spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus, the safest and smartest thing to do would be to #STAYHOME!
You’d be forgiven for feeling more than just boredom, though. So, to help you get through this period a little smoother and a lot more enjoyable, we’ve curated a list of our favourite FREE things you can do. You can thank us later 😉
1) Watch some of the best Broadway classics
Do you fancy yourself a cultured individual, with a refined appreciation for art of any form? Well, we’ve got good news for you!
BroadwayHD, an on-demand digital streaming service that records and distributes live theatre performances, is offering people a 7-day free trial.
If you’re a fan of shows like ‘Cats’, ‘The King and I’, and ‘The Sound of Music’, you’re gonna wanna sign up for this.
Not only would you be able to access its pre-existing library of nearly 300 productions from the comfort of anywhere in your home, you’d also be able to watch ad-free from any device.
And if you simply can’t decide on what to watch, the company has curated 2 new playlists for anyone hoping for some help.
One of it is Admin’s favourite: A special tribute playlist celebrating theatre legend Stephen Sondheim’s 90th birthday and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 72nd, with titles such as ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ and ‘Phantom of The Opera’.
2) Virtually tour some of the world’s greatest museums
Have you heard of the famous ‘Mona Lisa’ painting by Leonardo da Vinci? That’s in the Louvre Museum (pictured above) in Paris, France.
How about Rembrandt’s most distinguished piece, ‘The Night Watch’ (yes, it’s the one below)? It can be found in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
Now, what do those 2 museums have in common, apart from being some of the most renowned in the world?
They, and 15 others in Europe, have decided to allow the public free unlimited virtual tours of the buildings and its grounds!
The virus may have led these grand historical and cultural institutions to close their doors, but they’re still very much accessible from the comforts of your own home.
Now’s the time for you to view some of the greatest masterpieces from bygone eras – minus the crowd.
3) Visit the wonders of the world in virtual reality
While we’re still on the topic of virtual tours, we’ve got yet another gem for you. If you’ve ever wanted to visit some of the most awe-inspiring historical monuments throughout the world, here’s the chance for you to do so (minus the threat of contracting COVID-19)!
- The Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt – the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it’s the defining symbol of Egypt.
- Stonehenge, United Kingdom – perhaps the world’s most famous prehistoric monument, its origins is dated back to roughly 5,000 years ago.
- Roman Colosseum, Italy – built by Emperor Vespasian in 70AD to boast of his glory, in order to amaze everyone with its beauty and magnitude.
- Palace of Versailles, France – as one of the finest French art achievements of the 17th century, it was originally a hunting lodge for the King but is now a national landmark.
- Great Wall of China, China – built to prevent invasion and protect the Silk Road trade, it winds for more than 5,500 miles across China.
- Taj Mahal, India – can you believe that this is actually a monument of love, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal?
4) Show off your daredevil side with these (virtual) adventures
Ever wanted to give your adventurous side it’s time to shine? Now’s your chance to do so, albeit with a little twist to reality: Doing so from the safety of your home!
We can all agree that some of the most memorable and immensely unique encounters in life come from the great outdoors, but with the MCO in effect, here are just some of the exclusive experiences that you can enjoy unparalleled access to:
Fun fact: Did you know that glow worms which emit the natural light aren’t actually "worms", but actually adult female beetles, or their larvae (maggots)?
With this video, picture yourself drifting silently along in a small boat, marvelling at the almost-ethereal, starry-like ‘hanging fairy lights’ from the cave’s ceiling. It also features simple explanations to describe what you’re gazing at.
Dolphins are the 2nd smartest creatures in the world… right after us humans! And now, you’re able to take a therapeutic swim with these chatty creatures thanks to VR.
In the Egyptian Red Sea, there’s a pod of more than 80 wild spinner and bottlenose dolphins, and it’s been shown that dolphin therapy could be just the healing touch needed for people battling mental health issues.
Sophia Pécout had always harboured dreams of becoming a classical dancer, but fate had other plans for her. She ended up becoming a triple world champion in skydiving!
Follow her as she freefalls from an altitude of 4,000m in this stunning video that starts off with her training regime, the basics of skydiving, and ultimately, the jump itself (keep a look out for the fun exercises she and her team perform while in the air).
5) Curated virtual tours on PropertyGuru Malaysia
Are you not entertained yet?! If your answer was a resounding “No”, there’s one more item on this list: virtually touring some of the beautifully designed homes in Malaysia!
From the picturesque shores of Batu Feringghi, Penang, to the bustling suburb of Bangsar, KL, you’ll be able to view every room and corner with just few taps on your smartphone.
Compared to mere photos and videos, using virtual technology offers you a more accurate and realistic experience, WITHOUT leaving the comfort of your chair.
There’s no need to look at boring 2D images anymore when it comes to getting interior design inspiration, you can now fully immerse yourself and be impressed.
6) Get into the habit of reading
If you’ve ever wanted to pick up a new hobby (apart from hanging out at the mamak), now’s your chance to learn to love reading!
And it doesn’t have to be limited to just adults, kids of all ages are encouraged to be a part of this enriching hobby as well.
Audible Stories, a product under Amazon (the world’s largest online retailer, and a prominent cloud services provider), has opened its virtual doors to the public for free!
They have a range of audiobook categories to choose from, such as Littlest Listeners, Tween, Teen, and Literary Classics.
No matter if you’re using a computer, tablet, or smartphone, you and/or your child would be able to access the wide range of books available in 6 languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese. No download of apps, no login required, no ads…. What’re you waiting for?
7) Take your world knowledge a few notches higher with Longreads
This online platform, founded in 2009, was created with the aim of allowing people to find and share the best storytelling pieces from around the world. In their own words:
"We feature in-depth investigative reporting, interviews and profiles, podcasts, essays, and criticism."
Thanks to them, hundreds of publishers are able to have their stories read and circulated by millions, thus allowing people like you to broaden your knowledge of what’s reallyyy going on in the world.
If you’re a fan of having something to read during your spare time (MCO will give you plenty of that), then look no further than their carefully curated "Best Of 2020" lists, which includes guest story picks for investigative journalism, science, sports, food, and more!
If you’ve got nothing planned for the weekend, this list here is the answer to break that tedious monotony of staying in all day, every day! We’ve also got 15 rewarding things to do when COVID-19 keeps you in. Hang in there Malaysians, #STAYHOME so you can STAY SAFE!
Disclaimer: The information is provided for general information only. PropertyGuru International (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd makes no representations or warranties in relation to the information, including but not limited to any representation or warranty as to the fitness for any particular purpose of the information to the fullest extent permitted by law. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided in this article is accurate, reliable, and complete as of the time of writing, the information provided in this article should not be relied upon to make any financial, investment, real estate or legal decisions. Additionally, the information should not substitute advice from a trained professional who can take into account your personal facts and circumstances, and we accept no liability if you use the information to form decisions.