About

Hey! I’m Alfred. Welcome to a red-dot perspective!

I’m a Singaporean Traveler, exploring places beyond the little red dot.

A cold winter night in an empty train station travelling to Hakuba, Japan [2016]

If you have ever been to Singapore or at least heard about this city-state, you would have been familiar with its beautiful cityscape, eclectic culinary scene, and its uniquely diverse heritage that blends Malay, Chinese, Indian and English culture and religions.

However, beyond these generic touristy understanding of this little ‘red-dot’, have you ever been intrigued to learn more about the people who call this place home?

A red-dot perspective aims to take you on an insightful and thought evoking journey to uncover how Singaporeans, like myself, see the world around us. Join me as I explore places beyond the shores of sunny island Singapore and provide you with a refreshing Singaporean perspective on the topics I will be discussing here.

 

A Little About Myself:

I’m a Singaporean, born and raised. Currently, I’m a full-time college student at the University of Melbourne, pursuing a degree in commerce. I am excited about: travelling, photography, nature, adventure, food, fitness, and starry nights – something I don’t get often in Singapore.

 

My Travel Story:

My very first travel experience was a matter of “economic exchange” with my folks. The details of this “contract” revolved around the agreement that I do well for my PSLE – Primary School Leaving Exam, in exchange for a trip to destination unknown. Yeap, back then, wherever I’m travelling to didn’t matter. I just wanted to get my arse on a plane, simply because I adore the idea of flying! (Even till this day, a huge part of the satisfaction I get from travelling is still attributed to getting on a plane.)

And so, lo and behold, twelve years old me landed myself a deal, a trip to Japan along with my very first taste of flight. Little would I realise that years later, as I relish in the perplexing experience of eating a soft-serve in the winter months in Melbourne, would I be reminded of such nostalgic memories of the soft-serve I once had with my family at the foot of Mt. Fuji during our first family trip to Japan in the early winter months of 2003.

Perhaps, that’s where the magic lies in travelling. More often than not, as we travel and create new memories, we relive old ones that we hold close to heart.

 

Why I travel:

To me, travelling is perhaps the best way to simultaneously connect with the rest of the world and our inner self. To quote Pico Lyer ‘Travel spins us round in two ways at once: It shows us the sights and values and issues that we might ordinarily ignore; but it also, and more deeply, shows us all the parts of ourselves that might otherwise grow rusty.’

This statement resonates well with my belief that every travel experience offers the opportunity for one to gain new knowledge and engage in self-discovery. Travelling allows us to become better informed about the world around us while at the same time enrich the soul. That is why I choose to travel. As I continue to explore different parts of the world, I wish to gain new insights into the history, culture, and lives of the people, as well as a deeper appreciation of what it means to be a smart traveller.

 

Travel Assignment

Western Wall – Jerusalem, Israel
Photo credit: Shutterstock.com/ Robert Hoetink)

Israel, the “Promised Land“, entrance to the spiritual world, a land of sacred status with regard to prophecy and prayer, but also a Jewish homeland in a region torn apart by ethnic and religious strife.

Allow me to take you on an inquisitive journey to discover the spiritual charm of this “Holy Land” – holy to all Abrahamic religions, and learn more about the challenges that modern Israel struggles with. All from a Singaporean’s perspective.