A New Journey

As I was about to sleep tonight, a thought came to start this blog... I've seen my daughter Lisa did a very nice blog site of her own. What is the purpose for me? Just to chronicle the next phase of life's journey. For who? Don't know & it does not matter, nobody cares anyway.. so it is more for myself.

I have retire from active business for the past 2 years.. did I really plan for it? Not really, just several fancy thoughts. My attitude in life has always been "if you come to a river, you'll find a bridge to cross it".

Of fears, hopes and desires:
Often hear people talk about financial freedom.. do I have it? A little.
How long would I live and what if major disease hits me? Will there be enough money for major operations? I can't worry too much about this.. take it as it comes. First priority is to keep mind and body healthy.

Freedom of time and to choose what I like to do? Love it. The opportunity to choose what I like to do is great. Thought of a semi-active role in business to keep me physically and mentally active with a source of income is appealing.

I always have fancy ideas what to do in retirement though ... one of which is live and operate a small resort somewhere by the mountain or the sea. So my search for a place went on, no hurry... choice areas: Cairns, Port Douglas along Queensland's coast; Thailand (Phuket, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Samui, Si-Racha, Ko Samet etc.)

Things took a different direction 7 months ago. I lunched with a classmate and his sister-in-law in Amphawa on eve of Chinese New Year. It is a charming place where age old lifestyle by the Klong (canal), a dream living in such tranquil & idyllic environment. I told them my idea to operate a small resort there. Her eyes didn't blink.. hmm, didn't sound great to her apparently. Further down the conversation, my classmate mentioned bird nest farms he saw in the Riau Islands. She commented, "That's worth considering." As a business woman, she certainly knew what she is saying and consumed bird nests much of life too.

Looking back then, I didn't even know the specie differences between the swallow, swift & swiftlet. But it was a moment that set me in a new direction.