It’s been awhile since I did a {Travelling Tuesdays} post. Ironically, it’s because I’ve been traveling more. I’m hopping within destinations faster than my body can recover and it’s time to sit down, think and find time to pen down my thoughts. My life is moving too fast sometimes and it’s an adrenaline rush to my head but like all things in nature, there must be balance and I’m working at trying to restore that balance. I’m immensely thankful for all the unconditional love and support my friends and family shower me with. I would do the same for them in a heartbeat and this is one of my most precious possession in this life.
When I’m back in Singapore, work takes up quite a significant bulk of my time but friends and family are always more than willing to go out of their way to catch up with me.
I was rushing after completing a work project to pack up my bags within 2 hours and fly off to New Zealand . My dearest friends and my sister said that they would love to come and send me off. Patrick, Wendy, Sushi, Daryl and my two adorable godsons even came to my house to pick me up. Regina met us at the airport and JW drove all the way down from the west. It was almost like a reunion dinner of sorts. Totally heart-warming.
I arrived in Christchurch bright and early the next morning. After retrieving my rented car from the airport I was excited to head off to one of my favourite destination in the whole of New Zealand.
About 90 mins drive from the Christchurch airport, the beauty of South Island was evident throughout my journey. I couldn’t wait to reach Lake Tekapo.
It wasn’t too long when I finally saw the lake! My heart leapt with gladness.
There were lupins abound when I last came with Regina and JW but this time summer is over and most of the flowers were no longer in bloom. The lake, however, retained it’s serenity and tranquility.
A quick check-in to the guest house right in front of the lake and I was ready to go exploring!
Doesn’t the mirror lake look like a piece of art?
As I was taking these photos, my Esprit sunnies from Eye-Trendy fell into the lake. It wasn’t a entirely a bad thing cause it forced me to venture into the lake and the cold waters felt so good and refreshing!
The weather was splendid and I couldn’t bear to head indoors so I continued on walking around the Lake Tekapo area.
People have always asked me why I travel so much and how do I do it. The question, however, should be – How can I not choose to travel.
I used to think travelling was a lifestyle choice but now I’m not so sure. It almost feels more like an addiction rather than a choice. I rather spend less on bags, shoes and other materialistic wants and portion them out to my travel fund. Travel has changed me in more ways words can explain. My first trip out of Singapore was when I was 3 years old with my family to KL. I don’t remember much of the holiday except how excited I was when the pretty ladies of Singapore Airlines came to play with me and gave me lots of complimentary toys and chocolates. When I was 12 years old, I went on my first overseas school trip with my best friend and I never forgot how alive I felt. At 18, I took my first solo trip to the USA to visit family there and it sparked my curiosity to discover the world out there. Travelling simply became a way of life since then and I never looked back.
I’m just not the same person anymore. My eyes are opened and my soul is lost to discovering the world beyond my daily constrains. In a nutshell, I’m a much better version of who I used to be. Travelling just does that to people. It improves you and makes you reach for your maximum potential. It forces you to look beyond the routines of your daily life, beyond the glaring light of your computer screen. It makes you happier, more radiant, kinder, more patient and more ready to take on the world’s challenges. I’m not trying to be an elitist but it’s simply something I believe in and I hope to share that with everyone.
Travel forces you to move out of your comfort zone, to interact with the people you meet and the cultures you encounter. You learn to talk to strangers, to make light hearted conversations over anything, to be confident in your decisions and your choices, to plan well yet be adaptable to changes and to be smart and aware of your surroundings. You exude confidence because of the experiences you’ve gathered which increases your comfort level for adventure and new experiences. Travelling to beautiful places relieves your stress and in turn makes you happier, sexier and younger.
I go with the flow of life easier these days because travelling taught me that not everything is within my control yet I can still handle what life throws at me. I don’t crave for materialistic things anymore. I’m not a hermit or immune to pretty things. In fact, I still do a fair bit of shopping from time to time. Just that over the years, another bag, shoe or outfit became a nice-to-own instead of a must-own as it no longer makes me happier than what I already have.
I learnt to bask in the simplicity of living and to treasure the moments I have to enjoy nature and love; to explore the world and learn.
As I sat on that random bench, sharing my lunch with a passing duck, I knew then as I know now that I’m blessed to be able to enjoy the day amidst God’s beautiful creations.
There have been times I considered giving up whatever I have to roam the world. I even briefly considered on just living on white bread in order to pursue my dreams of an early retirement. The only lure that stops me from being an eternal nomad is the passionate pull of my friends and family in Singapore.
While I may not be able to turn a blind eye to the necessity of earning a living and being committed to my responsibilities in Singapore, I’ll never stop travelling or inspiring people around me to do so.
Sweater Top: Hollister
Jumper Dress: Liz Lisa
Bag: Hermes
Sunnies: Esprit (Sponsored by Eye-Trendy)
Shoes: Le Bunny Bleu (Sponsored)
If you’ll like to head down to Le Bunny Bleu to grab a pair or two, remember to quote “Renzze Blog” to get a 20% discount off regular priced items.
Le Bunny Bleu
Bugis+,
201 Victoria Street #02-54
Singapore 188067
Thanks for reading!
