A review of 2015

Here's a reflection on my 2015.

Travels

This year has been a slightly more different one for me. Much less travels, more work as compared to 2013 and 2014.

I don't feel like a happy person when I am not travelling.. And it has been this case this year. I was thinking a lot about it, and I came to the conclusion that travelling is what makes me feel alive.

Seeing the world, people, cultures; understanding my place in the world and being humbled by experiences is what I love about travels. It is not always a joyful experience, there are bad days too (mean people, being caught in bad situations, feeling lonely). But travelling is a dynamic journey.. things are never the same, situations keep changing and you may never know what comes up next for you. It's like taking a journey to be surprised/impressed by the world :)

Staying in Singapore makes me feel bit depressed. Maybe it is because i have not come to terms with being an "adult in Singapore". Knowing that I will be here for the next 4 years as a working adult with 21 days of annual leave each year, it makes me feel that I have to have adult responsibilities, having to settle/work towards a "stable" life. Which inevitably drives me to think a lot about settling down, having a house. Basically the drive to be independent and "freedom" while in Singapore. It doesnt help that many friends of my age are preparing to buy a house with their partners.

Sometimes, I feel a bit bipolar because I do feel that I am not ready to settle down yet. I want to travel, I want to see the world. I want to live my life. Then, I feel trapped, because I cannot achieve either of the two - I can't settle down because I do not have a partner in Singapore, I am not ready for marriage; nor can I travel because I have to serve my bond with the hospital.

What's keeping me going is the thoughts of life after my bond finishes.

Phuket, Thailand 2015
Welcoming 2015 with an unexpected situation, mandatory selfie has to be taken haha.

Phuket, Thailand
View of fireworks from the motorbike 

This year has been a slightly more different one for me. Less travels, more work as compared to 2013 and 2014. February and March were one of my favourite times, travelling to New Zealand. It ranks  high as one of my places in the world.

Near Auckland , North Island NZ
Attended my first non-asian wedding 

The beautiful bride and her groom

Matamata, North Island NZ
The land of Hobbiton

Rotorua,  North Island NZ 
The gorgeous town of Maori Culture, also famed for its thermal activity (Geysers, mud pools etc).. which also consistently smells like rotten eggs, thanks to its sulphur activities. The second place in the world that I have seen geysers, with the first being in Iceland

Rotorua, NZ
Maori cultural performance

Lake Pukati, South Island, NZ
Where the waters are blue as can be, thanks to the glacial flour

Taupo, North Island NZ
My very first skydiving experience from 15,000 ft above Lake Taupo (the lake is the size of Singapore)

Campervan-ing the South Island, NZ

Tongariro Crossing, North Island NZ
A 5am rise for a bus journey from Taupo to Mangetepopo Hut to start the 19km hike across the Tongairiro Crossing.
It was more physically demanding than I have imagined, so glad to have completed it despite thoughts of aborting the hike several times during it. This is a view of Mount Ngaruhoe, the slope leading up to the peak is at a 45 degrees :/

Lake Tekapo, South Island NZ
I can still remember that tranquility I felt, one of the most beautiful places I have been
Feel that no pictures can do this justice

Mount Aoraki, South Island, NZ
Photo taken during the walk along the Hooker Valley trek

Lake Waikatipu, Queenstown NZ
Possibly one of the most beautiful places in the world, I remember how difficult it was to take my eyes of the view

Coronet Peak, NZ
Very first hang gliding experience.. Which was awesome :) The take off was bit intimidating, but it was so much fun overall! The view from above is truly amazing.

Visited Sydney thrice this year.

Sydney, Australia
The coastal walk from Coogee Beach towards Bondi Beach
A snippet of the coastal views

Sydney, NSW AustraliaA walk towards the iconic Opera House

Sydney, NSW AustraliaA view of the Habour Bridge by dusk

Echo Point, Katoomba, NSW Australia
A view of the three sisters from the lookout

Tioman Island, Malaysia

Glasgow, Scotland
Back to my alma mater

Kilmarnock, Scotland
The first ever live footy game, with a killie pie, hot bovril drink and a killie Jamie

Scottish Highlands
A second camper van adventure on the little red Volkswagen

Isle of Skye, Scotland

Glenfinnan on a rainy day

New Lanark, Scotland

SingaporeHappy 50th birthday :)

Melaka, Malaysia

Melaka, Malaysia

Melaka, Malaysia
beautifully painted buildings 

Relationships

I am thankful for the constants in my life. My dearest friends, family.

 Relationship with my family hasn't been all smooth, with significant hiccups, Nevertheless, I am thankful to have an intact family, and I hope that our relationship gets better.

Work

Thankful to be part of a fab team, and thankful for fun-loving colleagues and friends!


In addition, I got myself new phone and new camera too.. Which (hopefully) means better pictures during future travels!

May 2016 be a better year. More positivity with a clearer focus on my directionality in life. Cheers to good health, joy and peace :)