Sunday February 26, 2012

Last chance to see the world?

By CHRISTINA CHIN
sgchris@thestar.com.my

Malaysians are travelling like never before, but ask them if it's got something to do with the Mayan prediction and most will laugh it off.

REGARDLESS of whether they believe the Mayan prediction, which is said to prophesy that the world would end through a series of cataclysmic events on Dec 21, 2012, Malaysians seem to be taking American Idol Kris Allen's advice to Live Like We're Dying if only in their travelling.

Avid travellers are taking it up a notch by going to more expensive destinations more frequently, and those who used to see it as a luxury are now busy booking their travel packages before another volcano, earthquake or tsunami wreaks havoc.

Coco Abdullah rolls her eyes when asked if her plan to go for more diving holidays in the coming months has anything to do with the world coming to an end in 2012.

“Who needs an excuse to travel more?” asks the 30-something media consultant.

Site of the prophecies : Doomsday predictions have drawn many to explore the ruins of ancient Mayan cities like those in the Mexican state of Yucatan. — EPA

“I've spent RM10,000 on a previous trip and if the world doesn't end, I'm heading to Europe next year. I've started my RM30,000 kitty fund for that already.”

Legal officer Darren Yuen hopes the Mayans are wrong. “I still have loads of places to visit. I'm planning to travel more, and no, it's got nothing to do with the end of the world,” he asserts.

Yuen, 34, is saving up for trips to Greece, Italy, Nepal, Tibet, India, Switzerland, China, Korea and Japan.

Travelling an average of seven times a year, Yuen goes for at least three vacations abroad. He's been to various parts of Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines.

C. Minachee says she does “not really” buy into the Mayan prediction but is making it a point to hit Egypt, Japan or Greece this year.

“If I believed the Mayan prediction, I'd have resigned last June and started spending my money by 21-12-2012,” says the 28-year-old who goes on an average of two holidays a year.

Apocalypse or not, it is important to remember that death is inevitable, says Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) deputy vice-chancellor (Industry and Community Network) Prof Datuk Dr Susie See Ching Mey.

“We need to make the best of life so that at the end of it, we can say that we've celebrated, faced challenges, found solutions and made a difference in the lives of people,” she says.

Writer Bryan Lai, 30, wants to take his mother on more trips this year.

The Johorean, who has been to Vietnam, Cambodia, Taiwan, China and Europe, is taking his ailing mother to Tokyo in June for her birthday.

“In 2011, I backpacked through Paris, Austria, Venice, Switzerland and Prague, so it's going to be hard to top that. But end of the world or not, I'll be taking my mum on more holidays this year. She is not in the best of health, so I want to show her as much of the world as I can.

“Whether or not the Mayans are right, people should travel more because the experiences and memories are priceless,” he shares.

Lai says those in good health should make it a point to go on more holidays while they can still walk and explore.

“Once you are old, it is difficult. I've seen old folks on holiday in their wheelchairs and it breaks my heart. When my mother was young, she never went anywhere so this year will be her time.”

Personal assistant Amy Ong, 34, is also planning to splurge on travel this year.

Ong travels an average of five times a year to local and foreign destinations.

“It's either to Australia, New Zealand, the US or Canada. I'm still mulling over the destination but I'm definitely going on an expensive holiday,” says the Penangite who is based in Shah Alam.

“Travelling is part and parcel of modern living. The older generation may see it as a luxury but then again, they didn't lead such stressful lives.”

Life is short

Avid traveller Candy Quah, 35, agrees. Recalling a former colleague's untimely death, Quah relates how he passed away without having seen the world.

“He was a healthy guy in his 40s. Every time I returned from a trip, he would joke about how lucky I was to be jet-setting every other month. He said he was looking forward to retirement when he could finally go on a holiday abroad as he would have finished paying off his housing loan and daughter's education.

“But he never did make it. He passed away from a sudden illness.”

Quah, a Christian, believes that the end of the world is imminent and laments that limited funding is the only reason she is not travelling more.

“I believe that the world will end but we do not know when. So, it is quite possible for Armageddon to coincide with the Mayan prediction,” she says.

Like Quah, C.I. Ambee is not ruling out the Mayan prediction although, as a frequent traveller, her desire to go on more holidays this year is based more on her budget. “I'm trying this year to cover places I've never been to, such as New Zealand, Brussels, South Africa and the US,” she says.

“If my piggy bank doesn't permit, I'll settle for revisits to Vietnam, the Philippines and Bangkok,” says the insurance executive.

To date, Ambee has holidayed in London, Scotland, Italy, the French Riviera, Egypt, Amsterdam, Vienna, Austria, Budapest, Spain and Portugal, Japan, Australia, Shanghai, Indonesia “just to name a few” destinations.

For Ambee, there's a huge world out there and she intends to conquer it. And she definitely hopes to circle the globe before the world ends!

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Sunday February 26, 2012

Last chance to see the world?

By CHRISTINA CHIN sgchris@thestar.com.my

By CHRISTINA CHIN
sgchris@thestar.com.my