As we wander, we wonder
Sometimes we forget how accustomed we’ve become to the curated polish of the contemporary dining scene, and how a simple coffee, cake, and eggs at a Persian mom-and-pop bakery can feel like a warm, loving hug. A quiet return to something soulful and real, from long before life stretched itself into endless online visual posturing. […]
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‘Be true to yourself’ and ‘stay true to who you are’ are platitudes of social media’s self-appointed sages and celebrity role models. But for those who derive from a culture where speaking plainly has been stifled, there comes a point where you are no longer sure of what is your truth and authenticity. It has […]
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We had a brief but memorable interlude in Innsbruck last autumn and it left a sweet impression. Despite my personal preference for summer heat, and earthy terrains of a mediterranean colour, I could see the appeal of a white mountainous alpine town for brief retreats. There is a certain type of silence up in these […]
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For most of us living in Malaysia, Thailand is like a vibrant younger cousin whose house is always fun to visit. Lots of diversity, different price points, and you can go super low-key boutique with Tik Tok friendly gimmicks, or dazzling six star opulence, or all the thousand nuances in between. Recently, we were invited […]
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We are well versed on the multiple stages of grief when we lose someone through whatever way- heartbreak or death or mental illness. But a rather strange new world opens up at the loss of something that you never had – perhaps an unrequited love who married someone else, a missed opportunity at a job […]
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It’s almost impossible to find a French city that is not chic and charming and Strasbourg was not an exception. Days of walking around the old town led us through adorable patisseries, fromage houses, pastel bicycles over the River Rhone, colourful Colmar homes, vibrant florists, and the beautiful Notre Dame. A quick 500 metre distance […]
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Deggendorf is not necessarily on most people’s travel itinerary but we found ourselves here in the autumn for some family commitments. It’s located north of Munich, and takes about two hours and two train rides from Munich Central Train Station. At the end of our week there, and after trying to have a sense of […]
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Around this time last year, I anticipated taking time off work in 2024 and the existential crisis that could follow as a result of being untethered to an occupation (reflected on here). Today, almost eight months into the yawning abyss of unemployment, my resolution to stay in this new chapter still remains. I was searching […]
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The Home Hotel was a visual feast. It recently opened in August, and is located in Sihilcity Nord which appears to be a newly gentrified and upcoming neighbourhood in Zurich. The hotel’s aesthetic philosophy was supposed to be from the dada art movement but we found it to give out a more psychedelic 70s vibe. […]
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We were in Strasbourg for five days over the fall and enjoyed the city’s beautiful architecture and history. Strasbourg sits at the border of France and Germany and was a German posession between 1871 till 1945 which is relatively recently. Strassbourg is also where the Council of Europe sits and is considered to be one […]
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We are always chasing tomorrow, re-considering the past. Pending our satisfaction on a moment in the future, when we finally get to a place, or position, or be with a person we believe could somehow elevate us. Wondering of steps taken in the past, worrying about our condition in the years to come. My present […]
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Throughout the years, and because of one of my best friend’s origin, my many trips to Germany have mainly oriented around the northern parts of the country but I never set foot into Bavarian territory. We finally managed to do so this past autumn and I can quite confidently say this is my favourite parts […]
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Life took us to Strasbourg this autumn and we enjoyed dinner at this cute little fromagerie on 64 Grand Rue and in the company of a beloved friend whom we hadn’t seen for awhile. The restaurant is set in two properties facing each other across the small street. On one side the premise stored all […]
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As we move our way deeper and longer into this world, we start to see a pattern of what remains and what is released from our lives. I have always attached merit to longevity – it is often easier to (prematurely) verbally declare eternal friendship, love and spiritual belief, but in fact only time can […]
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The regal bearing of the cat family never fails to disarm and magnetise us. Like children, they have such incredibly strong and inherent personality traits almost from birth which is fascinating to observe throughout the years. Maternal and domineering, humble and passive, timid but hopeful, curious and innocent. After spending a few weeks at my […]
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After spending two weeks in Koh Lanta this July, these are some of our tried and tested recommendations. To eat Yawee – For classic Thai food in an ordinary restaurant sans bells and whistles, we loved this Halal certified establishment. It was close to Long Beach, set off the main road that runs through the […]
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When we consider the atrocities committed around the world, and when our job thrusts us in examining the face of persecution, honouring our own personal struggles can become a complicated process. There is an unshakeable guilt in absorbing our individual pain and losses, compounded sometimes between the righteous sermons of comrades who either deride the […]
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It’s not easy to enjoy beaches during the monsoon season but we stole whatever moment of sunshine we had with multiple beach outings. Koh Lanta had some rocky and unswimable beaches but it also had picturesque coves and bays speckled throughout the island. We were based off on Khlong Kong beach which was the rocky […]
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We wanted to spend two weeks in a non-party Thai beach town this July and planned to do a road trip from KL, so it couldn’t be too far up north of Thailand. After a few googling searches we landed on Koh Lanta during low season. It was a 12 hour drive with one overnight […]
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Recently a stray cat we semi adopted fell sick and one of the signs of which we detected this was by his behavioural change- he hid away from us and avoided meals despite being usually very sociable and affectionate. I read more about this feline response to illness, and learnt that it is about hiding […]
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My affection for Peranakan aesthetics is partly related to the vibrance of its spirit. A recent National Geographic write-up about this special community sums up my entire enchantment with her visual offerings. ‘“Peranakans love beautiful things,” Kong says. “With the creativity of the early days, they started to hybridize a lot of things into culture […]
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We took a spontaneous road trip to Singapore a few weekends ago for a four day three night trip just to get a bit of change of scenery. Singapore is as we all know completely safe and sanitised and no one adores Singapore as much as Singaporeans do 😅 Anyhow, these are some highlights of […]
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There are multiple aftermaths to our human condition once we have committed ourselves to a bond of love. This can include the anxiety at the potential of loss, and the grief of loss. As I get older I realise that so much that affects my life quality relates to love- of managing the fear of […]
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The Vagabond Club is a Tribute Portfolio Marriot Bonvoy hotel located in the middle of the uber-gentrified Little India neighburhood of Singapore. Within 1 km from Kampong Glam and Chinatown, it is an ideal base to stay for a short stay in the city if what you are looking for is the city’s interpretation of […]
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As the world slowly turns away from mass produced global brands with dubious human rights records, hunting for artisan and locally made products are the shopping styles of today. Recently we had a chance to explore the gentrified Joo Chiat neighbourhood which we found so appealing in its aesthetics, dining efforts and for me especially […]
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Managing the parameters between our individual selves, and the space we let others inhabit in our lives is a recurring theme of friction for many of us. Whether parent and child, intimate partnerships, close friendships, professional relationships – a quandary that often crops up relates to whether our boundary has been compromised and how do […]
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September 2019 feels like a decade ago, and to be fair it is coming up to half a decade since the world experienced life before 2020 and all the baggage that came a long with it. Pula was beautifully hot we were in a high and adventurous spirit after days of dolphin safaris, sailboats and […]
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Looking for The Higher Self 