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.

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.