On 14th June 2026, our journey began in a way that felt more meaningful than just travel.
It was not just about a destination, but about people coming together from different places, united for a shared experience.

Some of us boarded from Kuala Lumpur, others from Kota Kinabalu. Different cities, different starting points, yet all on the same path, drawn together for this special journey that would eventually lead us from Shanghai into the vast open seas, heading towards South Korea on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

There is something powerful about travelling together. It breaks routine, opens hearts, and creates room for deeper conversations and unexpected joy. Each photo tells a story of togetherness, anticipation, and the simple beauty of shared moments.

This trip was more than just a getaway. It was a reminder that sometimes God brings people together from different places, aligning paths for something meaningful beyond what we can see at the start.

✨ Day 1 in Shanghai: Walking, Wondering & Simple Joys

Our first morning in Shanghai began not with rushing, but with walking.

We spent more than an hour simply walking through the streets, taking in the rhythm of the city as it slowly came alive. There was something refreshing about starting the day this way, no agenda, no hurry… just presence. Every step felt like we were easing into the journey, not just physically, but in our hearts.

After the walk, we stopped for a traditional local breakfast.

The table quickly filled with simple yet comforting dishes. Warm, silky bowls of tofu pudding topped with spring onions and tiny dried shrimp, freshly xiao long pao, and crispy sesame pancakes. Each bite carried a taste of the local culture, humble yet full of flavour. It was a beautiful reminder that sometimes the simplest meals bring the greatest satisfaction.

Each dish carried the heart of the culture. Simple, authentic, and deeply satisfying.

And then… we ended with coffee at Peet’s.

Sitting together, holding warm cups, enjoying both conversation and quiet moments. The sign read, “No Weak Coffee”, but what stood out more was the strength of connection around the table.

It reminded me that the beauty of travel is not just in where we go, but in how we slow down enough to truly experience it.

Sometimes, what fills us most is not the destination, but the moments shared along the way.

Day 2 on the cruise…

My heart feels light, like the gentle waves carrying us forward. Between laughter, quiet moments, and little pockets of joy, I’m reminded how beautiful it is to simply slow down and be present. Sitting side by side, sharing smiles, dancing with strangers who somehow feel like friends, and resting without rush… these are the moments that truly matter.

Grateful for this time, where the world pauses just enough for me to breathe, to connect, and to treasure the people God has placed in my life. A soft, sweet reminder that joy doesn’t have to be rushed… it can be savoured, one beautiful moment at a time 🤍

Day 3 – South Korea

Walking through Gyeongbokgung Palace, I’m reminded that true leadership leaves more than structures. It leaves legacy.

This palace once held power, decisions, and authority, yet it was also burned, abandoned, and rebuilt over time. Still, it stands today not because it was never broken, but because it was restored with intention and honour.

It speaks to me that what we build in life and leadership will face seasons of testing. But what is rooted in purpose, aligned with truth, and carried through with perseverance can be rebuilt stronger, wiser, and more meaningful.

Like the palace, our lives are not defined by moments of destruction, but by the courage to restore, realign, and rise again.

From there, we wandered into the streets of Bukchon Hanok Village. The atmosphere softened. Narrow alleys, traditional homes, and the gentle rhythm of life made everything feel almost poetic. It felt like stepping into a living memory, where history was not confined to a place, but breathed through the everyday lives of people.

Then the pace shifted as we entered Myeongdong. Bright, energetic, full of life. We found ourselves lingering in Olive Young, drawn into the simple joy of exploring, discovering, and just being present in the moment. Time seemed to slip away so easily there, and without realising it, we had spent most of our afternoon immersed in the vibrancy of it all.

By 4pm, we made our way back to the cruise, carrying with us not just shopping bags, but memories layered with meaning.

As I reflect on today, I realise how beautifully it all connects. From the grandeur of the palace to the quiet charm of Bukchon, and then to the lively streets of Myeongdong, it mirrors the journey of life itself. There are moments of stillness, seasons of simplicity, and times of energy and movement.

And yet, just like Gyeongbokgung Palace, what truly matters is not that everything remains untouched, but that what is built with purpose can be restored, renewed, and carried forward with grace.

Today reminded me that legacy is not something distant. It is something we build quietly, step by step, in every place we walk and every moment we choose to be fully present.

Day 4 on the cruise…

Sailing back from Korea, with Shanghai just ahead, I can feel this beautiful journey slowly drawing to a close. Twelve of us on board, each moving in our own rhythm some exploring, some resting, some quietly soaking in the moments.

We didn’t always do everything together, and that was okay. But almost every night, we found our way back to the same table. Dinner became our constant, our gentle rhythm in the midst of everything else.

Around that table, with glasses raised and stories shared, the day came alive again. Laughter lingered, conversations flowed, and in those unhurried moments, our hearts found each other once more.

I’m reminded that togetherness isn’t about being side by side all the time, but about always coming back to one another.

Grateful for these nights, these simple yet precious moments, and this journey that has been as much about love and connection as it is about the places we’ve seen

Day 5… our last night before leaving Shanghai

We walked and walked, hoping to take in just a little more of the city before saying goodbye, but the rain had its own plans for us. The streets felt heavier, and each step became slower, especially for mum and godma.

Still, in between the raindrops and the pauses, we had some beautiful conversations with a few of us… quiet, unhurried moments that felt so real and meaningful. And in the end, we gently made our way back to the hotel, choosing rest over pushing on.

Sometimes, it’s not about seeing more, but about being present in what we have. That night, it was the conversations, the care for one another, and the quiet togetherness that stayed with me.

I also dropped by my usual Pandora, like a quiet little ritual I always find comfort in whenever I travel. There’s something so familiar about stepping into the store, even in a different city, yet feeling connected to all the moments I’ve collected before. Each piece, each charm, holds a story… a little memory waiting to be added to the journey.

I found myself lingering a little longer, choosing not just something beautiful, but something meaningful to mark this trip. In the midst of busy streets, family time, and this bittersweet ending, that small pause felt special… a gentle way of carrying a piece of this journey home with me.

Grateful for these simple, tender moments… for both the adventure and the quiet pauses that made this trip so full and so precious

That’s our Royal Caribbean Cruise experience for 2026

Looking back, it feels like more than just a trip… it was a journey woven with laughter, little pauses, unexpected moments, and beautiful memories shared. Travelling as a group of 12 wasn’t always easy, each of us moving at different rhythms, doing our own things, yet somehow always finding our way back to one another.

We may never do something like this again as a full group of 12, and perhaps that’s what makes it even more precious. Not every moment is meant to be repeated, but it is meant to be treasured. This is one of those chapters I know I will revisit in my heart again and again.

From the sea breeze to our dinners together, from quiet conversations to caring for one another in the little things, every part of this journey has left something meaningful within me.

Truly grateful for every moment, every person, and every step we took together. Thank you Lord for Your protection, Your grace, and the joy of being able to share this time as a family.

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” – Psalm 126:3