I’m taken by surprise how this year has gone so fast. Around this time last year, I was partying hard at the Cathedral Square in Christchurch to welcome the New Year then headed to sunny Nelson to kayak in the Abel Tasman National Park and bask at the Golden Bay. Now it’s time again to head to Christchurch for the New Year shindig though I’m taking a different post-party route this year: I’m flying straight to Brisbane after the night-long celebration at the Square.
This year is a mix of ebullience and madness in terms of geopolitics, finance, travel and interpersonal relations. We’ve felt the brunt of global financial crisis and witnessed the havoc of the Canterbury quake, to name a few, but at the same time we are also on a rediscovery of sheer pleasure of circulating throughout the globe with sophistication and the resurgence of new age travel. On a personal note, I’ve seen myself on bold attempts to find intellectual fulfillment, balance and sense of self.
I’d love to curb my hedonist cravings for the coming year. But with the Air New Zealand Business Class Lounge as my first stop on the first day of 2011 (where there’s free-flowing drinks and food), I prefer not to lay down any resolution for myself. I’ll eat and drink to my heart’s content as long as I’ll be conscious of the ethical considerations when eating foie gras, indulging in chocolates or drinking coffee.
Next year, the emerging trend is experimental travel which simply means visiting an unfamiliar destination. While I have my personal favourites which I constantly visit (like Sydney), I’ll try to be as imaginative as I dare to be in my future travels. At this stage I’ve shortlisted Zagreb, Montpellier and Langkawi – places I wish to visit while bearing in mind three lessons learned from previous travels: never fly with British Airways, never estimate your baggage weight, and never drink too much wine inflight.
Five years in New Zealand and counting, I’m happy to finally call this country my home. To those who will be traveling like me, have a safe journey and to those who will be staying home, have a great time with your loved ones. Happy New Year to all!
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