You run a travel blog—now that we’re all grounded, how have you adapted, and how has the experience been for you?
I’ve adapted surprisingly well. It felt kind of strange at first, as I usually go overseas at least once every two months. I have been grounded here for the past 16 months and I don’t yearn to travel as much as I did before, or at least I don’t desire to travel to the extent that I am willing to go through all the hoops that are in place now just to board a flight.
In my last appearance, you also asked me about one thing that many people don’t know about me and I said I enjoy lazing around. I’ve certainly had plenty of opportunities the past 16 months—though not in the circumstances I originally envisaged (laughs).
The next place in Singapore you’re planning to check out:
I haven’t been to the farmlands of the northwest, so I would like to check out places in Lim Chu Kang once I get the chance. I’ve never really explored the agricultural side of Singapore before.
What’s the first place you’d like to travel to once restrictions are lifted?
For leisure? I would like to go to Central Asia and the Caucasus region—places like Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkmenistan—these were the places I intended to visit just before the pandemic hit. I already had my visas and was almost ready to go.
Something that travel has taught you:
To be more open-minded and accepting of things. If this pandemic continues, I fear that people will eventually become more inward-looking since the overwhelming majority of people around the world can literally only live in their own little bubbles. I fear that would become of me as well.
What’s something you’ve been doing more now, as compared to the last time we met you?
Housekeeping (laughs). But seriously, I have been exercising more. Whether it be with cycling trips or a fitness class in the gym, I have to say I have more time now to focus on wellness. I have also been exploring some of Singapore’s neighbourhoods in greater depth. I have been based in Eastern Singapore for a while now but neighbourhoods such as Katong and Geylang are seen in a different light once you get down to checking out the details.
The last thing you watched that inspired you:
I take bits and pieces of inspiration from just about anything I see. Recently, I was struck by a video documenting the fast-disappearing trade of cobbling in Singapore. I was quite inspired by how these uncles hold on to their craft even though some of them only get one or two customers each day.
