After a half day of teaching, I made my way to the airport alone. Although I’ve traveled abroad quite frequently in recent years, the feeling of solo travel now feels a bit unfamiliar—but also strangely comforting. By the time I landed in Singapore, settled into my accommodation, and got ready for bed, it was already 3 a.m., and I quickly fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, we headed to one of the local food courts. I love the way meals work here—you can pick from a wide variety of stalls all in one place, yet still enjoy a clean, comfortable seating area.
This trip, I was invited by Mr. Chin Wah to visit the Harmonica Aficionados Society in Chinatown to share some knowledge about harmonica maintenance and host a Laelaps harmonica testing session. I shared insights from years of repair work and introduced some basic DIY maintenance techniques. It was also a lovely chance to reconnect with old friends during the Laelaps session, exchanging ideas on harmonica customisation and stories from international events over the past few years.
Beyond harmonica events, this trip was also about spending time with family and experiencing everyday life in Singapore. We strolled through the streets, rode buses and the MRT, and visited iconic places like Marina Bay Sands and Sentosa. It reminded me of my very first visit to Singapore back in 2010.
Singapore’s diversity really stands out—places like Arab Street, Little India, and Holland Village each left a strong impression on me.
One evening, Chin Wah kindly drove us to the Hainan Association where we sat in on their ensemble rehearsal. What stood out was that every player had their own personal mic, which really enhanced the clarity and richness of the harmonies. Even in the short time we had, I shared some highlights from the Taiwan Harmonica Music Festival and invited everyone to visit Taiwan someday to make music and connect.
I’m truly grateful to Chin Wah for driving us around and to my family in Singapore for their care and hospitality. Thanks to them, this trip wasn’t just about work—it was also a much-needed chance to unwind and recharge before the next chapter.
From my journal, Nov 2024
