As we anticipate the eventual reopening of our borders for international travel, the question on many Singaporeans’ minds is probably: “Where should I fly to first?”
With the holiday season just around the corner and a tough year of battling a pandemic still on our minds, it is likely that more of us are in an introspective mood that might just influence the choice of destination for our first vacation in ages – whenever that may be. For some wanderlust inspiration, CNA Luxury asked five travel bugs to share memories of their most meaningful holidays and how those experiences have shaped their lives.
“Botswana is my favourite destination and a country I feel a close affinity for because of its relatively untouched natural environment and diverse landscape which comprises the Okavango Delta, Kalahari Desert and the salt pans,” says Alwyn Chong, Managing Director of Luxasia and Escentials and partner at Foreign Policy Design Group.
“Being there brings me back to basics and allows me time to reset and contemplate. What keeps drawing me back is my love for nature, being out there in the wild and a human need for exploration. I have canoed deep into the Okavango Delta with Roger Dugmore, a safari operator, and roughed it out by traversing the Makgadikgadi Saltpans on quad bikes. Ruth, my then-fiancee (now wife), came along on the saltpan trip and she was a trooper who did everything with no complaints, from digging our own loo to sleeping in an open pan with just sleeping bags while lions roared in the distance. The freedom of being in the wild is indescribable and has changed my outlook on life.
To document our journeys and to showcase the natural beauty of the country to a wider audience, I have since published two books featuring photographs I have taken. I hope to eventually do a trilogy featuring the three distinct landscapes of Botswana. To give back to the locals, I plan to do a medical mission in the delta with my mother, who is an eye surgeon, to help improve the lives of the children there.”
“The freedom of being in the wild is indescribable and has changed my outlook on life.”
For the complete article: http://cnaluxury.channelnewsasia.com/people/travel-stories-japan-botswana-south-africa-galapagos-switzerland-13621314
