Reunion Trip To Bali

In recent years, my close friends from boarding school and university have tried to vacation together once a year. A couple of years ago we were in Kota Kinabalu, last year we returned to Adelaide where we first met, and a few weeks back we were in Bali.

 

Having been friends for more than 25 years, we have become accustomed to our various habits as well as idiosyncrasies and traveling as a group is pretty much a well-coordinated affair. Of course we now have 2 teenagers and 2 kids in the group too, which requires some compromise, but good friends will often make the necessary adjustments.

 

Spending a few days together on holiday always cements the friendships that we have nurtured over the years. It gives us the opportunity to talk and hangout without the distractions of work and our busy daily lives. It is also a testament to the strength of our relationships that individuals from Petaling Jaya, Penang and Hong Kong can commit to time off, converge in Kuala Lumpur and then head to Bali together. Here's to more holidays in the years to come.

 

 

After dinner at Bebek Bengil in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Chinese New Year Together

After having been friends for 27 years, it may come as a surprise that lunch on the 4th day of Chinese New Year this year was the first time all of us have spent the celebration together. This would not have been possible had Ken Lin and Sally not come down to KL from Penang. We then managed to convince our Hong Kong friend Elsie to fly in for the weekend from Kota Kinabalu where she was having a holiday.

 

As this was only decided in the week leading up to Chinese New Year, thanks also has to go to my friend Emily who secured us a table at Oriental Pavilion, Jaya 33. Suffice to say, the restaurant was extremely packed but that made the festive atmosphere even more enjoyable. Most importantly, it gave us all the opportunity to embark on the Year of the Goat together, carrying with us the aspirations that we hope to attain individually and as friends.

 

It is pretty rare for a friendship to have survived almost 3 decades. Much effort has been put in to nurture the relationships that we all share as a group, and while we may have gone our separate ways somewhat after completing our studies, the dedication and commitment to keep in touch have enabled us to remain good friends. And this one ought to appreciate.

 

 

Group shot at Oriental Pavilion, Jaya 33 in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Reunion Trip To KK

I've just returned from a reunion trip in Kota Kinabalu over the Merdeka holiday, with my good friends from university days. At the request of some of them, I am going to defer from saying how long we've known each other. You see, we are rather sensitive when it comes to age. Suffice to say, it's been quite a long time. I first met Ken Lin and Ken Bin when we were in boarding school at Immanuel College, Adelaide. We then got to know Cordelia, Yean Mun and Elsie when at The Flinders University Of South Australia a year later.

Though we are no longer as close as we used to be, we still make it a point to celebrate special occasions and milestones together. Birthdays, Chinese New Year, Christmas, weddings. In fact, I was best man at Ken Bin and Cordelia's wedding, and then again when Ken Lin married Sally, the latter now the seventh member of the clique. With Elsie in Hong Kong, Ken Lin and Sally in Penang, and the rest of us in the Klang Valley, it takes time and effort to get together. Whilst we have travelled together in groups of different configurations over the years, this was our first holiday together since our final year at uni. Back then we were just six uni students on a trip to Kangaroo Island. This time round, we were seven adults with three kids in tow, with another younger one back in Penang.

Short and compact the trip may have been, it was still much enjoyable. It gave us the opportunity to rekindle friendships, reminisce and spend quality time together. Bonds that we formed years ago remain till this day. We just need to work on keeping our friendships alive. Certainly an endeavour that will be worthwhile.

Elsie, Yean Mun, Cordelia, Bin, Lin and I at Mount Kinabalu National Park in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

Farewell For Now

The 2 years I spent in Switzerland in the early 1990s were some of the best times of my life. Having returned home, I maintained a close-knit group of friends who shared a common link to L'Institut Hotelier 'Cesar Ritz' where we studied - Danny, Phoebe, Patricia and Faizol.

Patricia has since moved to Brisbane with hubby Robert, and the latest ones to move will be Danny and Phoebe in a few days. Having done stints in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu at Shangri-La properties, Danny will be assuming the role of Director Of Sales & Marketing at Shangri-La Hotel, Dalian in China.

To wish them well and send them on their way, I hosted a farewell dinner over the weekend. Faizol and wife Sonya joined us, with Patricia 'phoning in' all the way from Brisbane. A silver lining - I've got a new place to visit soon. Meanwhile, there'll be an alumni gathering of Cesar Ritz graduates this Friday, so time to catch up with the others as well.

Photo of Danny, me, Faizol, Chloe, Sonya, Phoebe and Wesley.

Best Times 2009

2009 is almost up! It's scary how time flies. I'll be having a quiet New Year's Eve, spending time with family at home after having gone for a massage earlier this morning and then a swim under the blazing hot sun at noon ... need to maintain 'em tan lines.

My across-the-miles shrink paid a whirlwind visit to KL the past few days and we had a tete-a-tete yesterday. The outcome? My new motto for the new year ... life is short, go for it! I also thought I'd share my 3 best moments in 2009 ... fave of all, spending time with friends leading up to and during Eileen and Richard's Bali wedding in August; 20-year partial reunion with uni friends in Kota Kinabalu, also in August; putting my new motto into action yesterday.

Happy New Year everyone!

Photo of Leticia, Debra, Tjun Hong, Eileen, Richard and I on the eve of Eileen and Richard's wedding, shot at Ku De Ta in Bali, Indonesia.

Orang Utan

I was watching the National Geographic Channel. To be perfectly honest, I don't normally watch this particular channel. The only reason for doing so earlier this evening was to catch 'Among The Great Apes With Michelle Yeoh'. There has been quite a lot of press about this documentary of late and I always try to watch when it involves Michelle Yeoh ...... something about the 'Malaysia Boleh' spirit; yes, yes, I've been presenting the news for too long on RTM Radio! Ha!Ha!

I've been to Kota Kinabalu quite a few times but always end up in the city, the beach at Tuaran, Kiulu, the outlying islands and Kinabalu National Park. Have never been to Sepilok despite there being the world-famous Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary. My good friends will tell you that I am not an animal-enthusiast but I did learn a thing or two from the documentary.

Firstly, one must have a true calling and passion to be a vet, ranger, research assistant and the like for a cause such as the orang utan sanctuary at Sepilok. Secondly, we often overlook how beautiful our country is in terms of landscapes, as evident in the breathtaking locations that were featured. Thirdly, we seldom get to hear about the good work carried out by those trying to make a difference. I definitely have a better appreciation now.

Photo taken from Sabah Tourism.

New Horizons

I was watching Marat Safin bring down the curtain on his career at the Paris Masters, via Astro that is. I've never been a great fan of the gifted but temperamental Russian tennis star. Nevertheless, I found myself intrigued by what he had to say when the tributes began flowing post match.

The tough situations he faced as a sportsman will be an ally when taking on new challenges in the future, he surmised. He went on to say that when one closes a door, another opens.

I am often inspired by such sentiments. They motivate me. There are always new horizons to conquer........

Photo shot at the waterfront in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

Venturing To Penang

A capsule collection of That Special Occasion wedding gowns is now available in Penang, either for rent or purchase at the spanking new Whizarts Wedding Photography Boutique Studio in Taman Permai. It is always a challenge delivering a service outside the Klang Valley where That Special Occasion is based, but with collaborative partners such as Ke Wynn and Alishia in Penang, we are confident that such a venture can be a success. We also take heart from the fact that we can draw from our experience in Kota Kinabalu where we have worked in a similar fashion with Louis Pang Studio for a number of years.

We have many good friends and industry colleagues in Penang and it was a pleasure to catch up with them at the official launch of Whizarts' new entrepreneurial endeavour yesterday. It is through their support that we hope to achieve some level of success there.

One thing is for sure, we will approach this venture with much gusto, putting our best foot forward as always.

Photo shot at Whizarts Wedding Photography Boutique Studio in Penang, Malaysia.

White Water Rafting

I had my first taste of white water rafting a couple of years ago when my friend Danny and I headed to Kiulu during one of my trips to Kota Kinabalu. This time round, I went down the same river again with another group of friends. We had initially planned to do either Padas or Liwagu but plans for both were thrown out the window because of time constraints.

Rain the evening before meant that water levels would be higher and we were in for an exhilarating time. Being terribly sunburnt from island hopping 2 days earlier, I also felt the cold water would do my skin some good! The thing about taking on a not-too-challenging river is that one gets to enjoy it more I reckon. There is less pressure, there are opportunities for silly antics during languid stretches, and we also get to appreciate the scenery more.

On a more serious note, white water rafting is one of those activities that reinforces one's belief that teamwork is paramount in many aspects of our daily lives. We rely on one another to keep us safe, we encourage each other to keep pushing forward, we ultimately achieve an aspiration together as one. Food for thought no?

Photo shot at Kiulu, Sabah.

Eco-Tourism Convert

Most of my friends would know that lazing by the beach doing nothing is my kind of holiday. And they would also know that I am not one who fancies trekking in the forest, camping or anything that is devoid of creature comforts that much. About the only adventure-type activity that I enjoy is white-water rafting, probably because I have an affinity to water. Well, my friends and I are heading off to Kiulu tomorrow for a bout of rafting and it's something that I have been looking forward to this whole trip.

I surprised myself somewhat today by thoroughly enjoying the treks we did at Mount Kinabalu National Park. Some of the lookout points were great photo opportunities and we had a good time preening and posing for the cameras, totally in touristic fashion. Surprising was the fact that I took interest in the flora and fauna, listening to the rangers where normally I would just wander off rather than paying attention to the knowledge being imparted. I have some beautiful photos as evidence!

I suppose one gets inspired and fascinated when surrounded by such beauty. My previous trips to Sabah have always been centred around Kota Kinabalu and its many beach resorts. Today was a departure from the norm. I tagged along, as 'majority wins' when traveling in a group. I have my friends to thank for perhaps initiating the eco-tourism convert in me.

Photo of Ken Lin, Elsie, Yean Mun and I shot at Mount Kinabalu National Park, Sabah.

Back Together On Holiday

You know a friendship is strong when after not having been on holiday together for more than 10 years, you still hit it off and do not get on each other's nerves. I'm on holiday with 3 of my friends from my undergraduate days at The Flinders University Of South Australia. We are in fact in Kota Kinabalu and the trip is to commemorate our friendship that has spanned 2 decades. We were supposed to be a clique of 6 but only 4 of us are making this celebratory trip. Still, it is rather quite an accomplishment considering that we have barely been in regular touch for the past few years.

So far, we have island-hopped to Sapi and Manukan and got sunburnt in the process, pink as lobsters we are. We have trekked at Mount Kinabalu National Park and marveled at nature's bounty, luckily for us including the Rafflesia, not only 1 but 2. We have witnessed sunsets that only Kota Kinabalu can accord. We have feasted on the freshest of seafood and sampled much of the local fare. But what really makes this holiday meaningful is just spending time together with those whom we came-of-age with. The transitional years from teenager to adult are etched in my mind and these friends of mine - Ken Lin from Penang, Yean Mun from Petaling Jaya and Elsie from Hong Kong (I know that Ken Bin and Cordelia would have joined us too if they could have) - form most of my memories of that chapter in my life. And whilst we may not be as close as we were before, they will always remain part of who I am.

Holidays always pass too quickly. We are midway through ours. We have had a wonderful time up to now, but realisation will soon set in that we will be parting ways again in 2 days. We will of course say how much we enjoyed our time together, which is true, wish each other well and promise to keep in touch more often. I will try to keep my end of the bargain and I hope my friends will too. Friendships like these do not come by easily and they certainly ought to be cherished.

Photo shot at the jetty on Pulau Sapi, Sabah.

Comfort Zone

I rarely venture out of my comfort zone on my off-days, which means I usually hang around in the vicinity of PJ and the Lake Club. Yesterday was a little different. 2 reasons. The 1st - I had to go get a 'house gift' for a friend whom I will be putting up with in Kota Kinabalu this weekend. Another friend of mine, Kay, had introduced me to this chic homefurnishing/interior design store called Peter Hoe, which is located on the 2nd floor of Lee Rubber Building in Petaling Street. Kay has an eye for designer-wares and he is a good reference point when one is looking for something stylish. The 2nd reason - a long overdue lunch date with Yoke Choo, a friend and colleague of mine during my days up in Genting. Yoke Choo works in Maybank, not too far from Petaling Street. So voila, I decided to 'kill 2 birds with 1 stone' so to speak.

I probably haven't ventured into Petaling Street in years, even a decade perhaps. The variety of food and drink, the hustle and bustle of street vendors plying their goods, the throngs of tourists, the sights and sounds really, all these were a feast for the senses. A little over an hour is not sufficient to fully appreciate the allure, complexity and charm of Petaling Street. As I told my friend Yoke Choo after a lunch of 'char kway teow' and 'air mata kucing', I will make it a point to come back for a more thorough experience.

What all this boils down to is the fact that when we venture out of our comfort zone, we sometimes get to savour new experiences, or at least get re-acquainted with experiences of the past that have somewhat been altered by contemporary influences. Whatever the case may be, these are the encounters that keep life interesting, reminding us not to stop dead in our tracks, but rather to embrace what the world has to offer, no matter how trivial, no matter how significant.

Photo depicting the long queue at the renowned Air Mata Kucing stall, Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur.