Good Times

Of late, I have been looking back at some of my travel photos of the past year and the many experiences that I have encountered during those travels. Re-living some of those memories often brings a smile to my face. It brings me back to moments when life was carefree, a point in time where one is in a happy disposition, appreciating all the good that life has to offer.

 

This is a photo of this past New Year's Eve dinner I shared with friends in Taipei. Though the food was good, it was the company that made the evening such a memorable one. It is often said that the people whom you travel with, make the journey. How very true. Common interests, differing views, camaraderie and banter, all add up to a holiday that enriches one's life and outlook.

 

As I continue to re-visit some of these photo albums, I look forward to flashbacks, memories that have made a mark, some exciting, others serene, some somewhat sentimental even. Good times indeed.

 

 

New Year's Eve dinner at Orange Shabu, Da-An, Taipei in Taiwan.

Uncle Nga's 80th Birthday

The first cele-bration of the year was indeed a milestone to be appre-ciative of, Uncle Nga's 80th birthday. Having only returned from New Year's in Taipei on the 2nd, I was honoured to be part of the guest list on the 3rd, a gathering of extended family and friends on a memorable evening.

 

I think I've known the Ngas all my life, and although not blood-related, we've come to consider them family. Indeed, we are bound to get together for extended family meals during festivals and birthdays, where good food and banter are perfect catalysts for cementing relationships.

Here's to many more birthdays Uncle Nga. Good health always!


The Ngas.

A Shared Enthusiasm



Having a common interest, a shared enthusiasm and a bit of compromise make travelling with friends a pleasure. Kay, Marcus, Han San and I decided to spend New Year's Eve exploring Yehliu Geopark and combing the narrow lanes of Jiufen prior to joining the rest of our friends for a grand dinner and countdown to welcome the New Year back in Taipei. Although I sometimes travel solo, more often than not, trips that I take are usually either with family or friends. Whilst the former allows some measure of independence, the latter on the other hand provides an opportunity to share experiences that one encounters during the journey.

 

Sampling a variety of food, posing for photos, exchanging thoughts on shopping, good-natured banter and most importantly enjoying each other's company are some of the pros of group travel. And when plans are made in advance and made well, a pleasant and memorable trip is more or less almost a guarantee.

 

Here's to more travels in 2015.

 

 

Kay, Han San, Marcus and I in Jiufen, Taiwan. Photo courtesy of Kay.

Cousin In Taipei

My cousin Lincoln, originally from Hong Kong, has been based in Taipei for a couple of years now, as he is a co-owner of Artista Perfetto, a café which I managed to visit when I was in Taipei for the recent year-end holidays. I often make it a point to catch up with friends and relatives, when they happen to be in a city which I am travelling to.

I am one who values family ties and when that is reciprocated, then I will make every effort to meet whenever possible. I surprised myself at the relative ease of locating Lincoln's café, considering that a sense of direction is not one of my strongest suits. And having decided to drop by impromptu, I was lucky that he was at the café, despite it being his day off.

After having taken the obligatory photographs documenting the visit to be sent to our extended family, we had a good chat, among others, on life in Taipei and its attributes that appealed to him, prompting the decision to set up shop in a city away from home. Though only a short visit, it definitely gave us an opportunity to share news on the latest happenings in our lives and those of our families.


With cousin Lincoln at his café Artista Perfetto in Taipei, Taiwan.

Year End Holidays

Year end holidays are always a time of enjoy-ment, especially when one is travelling with a group of good friends. Friends who share similar interests and yet who are comfortable enough to go our separate ways from time to time to explore on our own. Such flexibility and understanding make group travel a pleasure.

 

Spending the last few days of 2014 and ringing in the New Year in Taipei was indeed a memorable experience, where camaraderie and fellowship were the main ingredients that ensured a festive atmosphere. It is at times like this that one is reminded of the great value of friendship that we sometimes take for granted.

 

As I embark on a new year, I take with me a reminder to always make time for friends. When the opportunity arises, take it. Otherwise, create opportunities instead. A good motto to live by indeed.

 

 

New Year's Eve dinner at Orange Shabu in Daan, Taipei in Taiwan.

Catching Up In Taipei

One of the highlights of my year-end trip to Taipei last year was the oppor-tunity to catch up with my friend Felix. The last time we met was at his wedding in Guam in April 2013. Since then, he has become a father, and it was a pleasure to spend some time with his family.

 

I was travelling with a group of friends and decided to stay on in Taipei for the first few days of the trip while the others headed straight to Tainan upon arrival in Taiwan. Other than having the chance to meet with Felix and family, it also provided me with some time to explore the city on my own, having not visited since I was eleven.

 

Felix and I became friends while he was studying and I working, in the ski resort of Leysin in Switzerland many years ago. We used to cook up a storm and enjoyed many meals together that reminded us of home. At times we would invite our Swedish friends Johan and Tom to join us too, and the former is one who I have kept in touch with as well. As always, we had a good time reminiscing about the past and sharing our plans for the future. Most importantly, such meetings cement ties and strengthen friendships that have been nurtured over the years.

 

 

With Felix, Ting and baby Elena, enjoying Ting's birthday lunch in a village in Daxi, Taiwan.

Felix and Ting

When my good friend Felix whatsapp-ed from Taipei last month asking me if I would be available on 26 April, my immediate reaction was 'You are getting married!'. I was right. Despite the short notice, I was determined to attend. I first met Felix when we were both students in Switzerland years ago, I was working a winter season in Leysin and Felix was attending a hotel school there. We would often cook up a storm at my staff living quarters, both of us craving for some Asian food, he Hong Kong cuisine and me a taste of Malaysian dishes. We've kept in touch over the years, and would make it a point to catch up over a meal or two whenever he came to KL or when I was in Hong Kong.

 

I was happy to be invited to the wedding and I thought either Hong Kong or Taipei is just a short flight away. A few more messages later and I was advised that the wedding would be in Guam. I am always game to head to a new destination, but work commitments and flight schedules were a challenge, no matter how enticing the exotic images of Guam were. Once I told Felix that I would do my best to be there, I was determined to keep my word. With no direct flights from KL, I relied on the services of a travel agent who I must say was extremely patient with me. I kept demanding for various route options, trying to strike a three-way balance between work commitments, getting there on time as well as cost. It took a whole two weeks before we agreed on a route that would take me from KL to Singapore, then on to Tokyo before finally arriving in Guam. A trip that would be 22 hours to get there and 26 hours to get back.

 

The verdict? Totally worthwhile. To be present at a good friend's wedding, a milestone in his life, is an experience that we will both share for the rest of our lives. Spending time with the newlyweds and their immediate family for a couple of days will strengthen the bonds that we have already nurtured, and I hope that our friendship will continue to hold strong in the years to come. Once again, congratulations Felix and Ting and may you enjoy everlasting happiness. It was an honour and a pleasure being invited.

 

 

The newlyweds emerging from Aqua Stella Chapel at Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, Guam.