“Sometimes we just have to do things not the way we want to but have to. But remembering that in the end the only things we regret are the chances we never take.”
We’re all home – together again!
Initially hesitant about embarking on this journey for various reasons, I’m incredibly grateful that I did. One concern weighing on my mind was leaving George and Lulu behind. However, it turns out, I needn’t have worried.
The thought of being away from Lulu for an extended period, especially given our relatively short time together – only seven months – filled me with apprehension. I feared she might feel abandoned. Yet, Lulu surprised me by settling in seamlessly with Ivy and Jet. What’s more, she even started playing with toys! I had often lamented that she didn’t know how to play, but Alison informed me that Lulu observed Ivy and Jet’s playful antics and decided to join in. Witnessing Lulu darting around with a toy in her mouth, a sight previously unheard of, made me realise that our toys are all as big as her – some even too big for George! Time to get her some cat toys, which happened to be the ones she was happily playing with.
As for George, he thrived during our time away! Becoming a bona fide beach bum alongside Daxie and Stella, he revelled in the affection, exhilarating beach runs, and having a garden all to himself. Showered with cuddles, treats, and walks, he might have shed a tear when I departed – for all of five seconds till he was bribed with a treat.
Though I contemplated cancelling the trip several times, as the journey unfolded and with each stop, I realised it was more than just about distances travelled or number of destinations. It was a journey back to the people who have been a constant presence throughout the years. I’ve always been the one seeking new horizons, but ultimately, it’s family and old friends that matter most. This served as a time of reflection and recalibration.”
Frankfurt : A transit/stopover to visit some cats and Beate
Beate and I go back to the 80’s when we were both working for Young & Rubicam. I was based in NYC while she was in Frankfurt Later, we found ourselves both living in Milan for a couple of years. Beate has always been a cat person and I was without pets. However, once I welcomed Darcy into my world, our friendship reached new depths. From then on, conversations about our beloved pets became a cornerstone of our connection. When Darcy fell ill, Beate was among the first friends I turned to, seeking support.
Colourful Miami: A 44-hour stopover
The Miami stopover was an explosion of colours. Sylvia organised a visit to the Britto Palace, Romero Britto’s workshop – and what a spectacle it was! A riot of colours enveloped us, immersing us in Britto’s kaleidoscopic world.
But the adventure didn’t stop there. Next stop – Wynwood Walls, Miami’s iconic museum of street art!
Sylvia and I met when we collaborated on the St. Regis Residences in Bal Harbour, Florida during my time with Starwood. Our professional relationship blossomed into a genuine friendship, particularly after I left the company.
Whenever I found myself in Miami, Sylvia and Jack graciously welcomed me into their home – where I met their Malteses, Quincy and Mimi. Back then, I didn’t have dogs of my own, and I found myself amused by the attention lavished upon them. LOL! However, on my subsequent visits, everything changed. With Darcy in my life, all I wanted was to spend time with Quincy and Mimi. Both Jack and Sylvia never fail to remind me of my pre-Darcy days.
Bali: A family wedding
A cherished family reunion. The occasion was my niece, Melissa’s wedding.
The last time my sisters and I were all together was at our father’s funeral in 2011. It had been too long since we shared such moments.
My older sister divides her time between Kuching, Sarawak, and Melbourne. Meanwhile, my younger sister resides in New Jersey. As for me, I call London home. Three continents apart, leading vastly different lives – this gathering was a much-needed opportunity to reconnect.
Melissa and her husband, Stephan, call Melbourne home. If you live in Melbourne and need flowers for an occasion, check Melissa’s floral venture www.thepetalier.com
Koh Samui: a no-agenda stopover
Both Skye and Sasha were enjoying their Easter break, and I planned to join them in the Maldives a week later.
But one of the things I had hoped to do while on Koh Samui was to meet Sybille and her dogs. Sybille who founded @my.disabled.hairy.friends. It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip.
Singapore : 36 hours of reminiscing
This stopover was an opportunity to savor the local cuisine and reconnect with old school friends, some of whom I’ve known since we were seven years old. Others, I hadn’t seen for over 45 years, since I left Malaysia for NYC. We had so much fun thinking back to our classroom days.
I couldn’t leave Singapore without a Singapore Sling at Raffles and I wanted to see the suspended pool at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
Maldives: a bucket-list destination
A long-standing entry on my bucket list, the Maldives proved to be even more enchanting when experienced alongside Sasha, Skye, and their parents.
An island country in the Indian Ocean, an archipelago consisting of approximately 1,190 coral islands grouped in a chain of 26 atolls spread across 298 km was just mind boggling beautiful.
There are over 100 resorts to choose from, cater to both romantic getaways and family adventures amidst the mesmerising sea life.
There was plenty of sunshine, rainbow after a storm, beautiful corals, sunsets, sunrise and just quiet contemplation.
18 days, 15 flights, 6 countries – thousands of memories. It was a journey marked by moments of reflection, reconnection, recalibration, and renewal. And no regrets.
And George and Lulu were happy to see me on our reunion. Phew!
P.S. The round-the-world ticket with Star Alliance allows you a total of 16 stops within three continents. (You can of course choose four continents). You have a year to complete the journey, but I needed to do it within the max amount of time I could afford to be away. I had two fixed dates in two destinations and I needed to make work, and there’s George and Lulu to come home to.
In the past I flew with One World which is a British Airways version. Star Alliance and One World pretty much work the same way. I am sure other groups must have the same programme.
One day I will do this RTW ticket in a more leisurely way and take one of my puppers with me. Of course, the logistics of getting the right aircraft that allow them on, and the destinations that require no quarantine. It’s a good challenge.
One Response
What a great trip. I’d like to that sometime. Thanks for sharing photos.