Places and Postcards

The next time someone asks me that question, I’ll probably still smile and say, “Of course.” But what I really mean is this: I’ll be sailing for the quiet moments, for the laughter, for the unexpected lessons, for the strength I didn’t know I had, and for a life that refuses to be ordinary. Because somewhere between the waves, the winds, and the wandering… I didn’t just find his world, I found a whole new version of mine.

We had exactly two days. Two. Which meant this was not going to be a “let’s conquer all tourist spots” kind of trip. No. This was going to be a “let’s pretend we are royalty” kind of trip. Torn between two iconic properties, Taj Theog Resort & Spa and Wildflower Hall, we did what any emotionally stable, financially questionable couple would do. We booked both.

And I realized something in that moment — something small, but deeply felt. I could’ve visited Singapore a hundred times, walked its streets, eaten in its restaurants. But I would never have seen it the way I saw it that night. From that quiet perch on a moving ship, removed from the noise and hurry, I saw it more clearly. Its shape. Its light. Its stillness. All the things we miss when we’re too close, too busy, too distracted.

Sometimes the best adventures start with panic, involve tiny boats, and end with Spanish-style architecture and cupcakes under $2. Next time you want to go to Europe, maybe… check Bataan first.

Passport in one hand and my bag in the other, I stepped out of Dublin International Airport, blinking into the unfamiliar light like a lost puppy. After fumbling my way to the nearest taxi stand - one of many options including rental cars and buses within the cozy airport, I finally slid into the leather seat of a high-end BMW taxi (yes, quite the norm here). The ride into the city was serene. Lush greenery lined the roads, and my silver-haired driver, polished and articulate