There is a Chinese saying, "You should pick the flowers while they are blooming; don’t wait for the flowers to wilt to cut only the empty branches." I think this should be the mantra of seniors like myself — to travel and expand one’s horizons while they are still in view! That’s why this month saw ye reporter joining friends and 2,500 passengers on the Star Princess cruise to Iceland, Greenland and the British Isles.
Evangeline and Hampson Lum enjoyed exploring Leeds Castle and the white cliffs of Dover. Richard and Nicki Lim met former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani near a scenic bridge in Ireland. Gloria and Peter Hom, along with Tom and Carolyn Jow marveled over Iceland’s Blue Lagoon. Vancouver-ites David, Fern and Grace Yung marched up to Ireland’s Giant Causeway, which has rock formations standing upright like the pipes of an organ made by volcanic action thousands of years ago. Bonnie and Dennis Lowe, along with Dan and Alice Ku, enjoyed the musical production shows on the ship, as well as dancing to the music offered in multiple showrooms. Our maitre’d Rodel DeLeon serenaded Ed and Margaret Lee for their 47th anniversary and I even had a guitarist helping me celebrate my birthday at the dinner table. Ed Chan won the men’s medal for "closest to the pin" on the Cyber golf machine, and Mun Mar played daily Ping-Pong competitions on top deck. May Hong enjoyed visiting the village of Quqortoq, Greenland, which has about the same number of inhabitants as the passengers and crew on the Star Princess. These Captain Circle guests knew how to enjoy all that a cruise ship has to offer, and they signed up for newer destinations! Mun and Robyn Mar are taking their family on a Mexico cruise this Thanksgiving, and the Tom Jows and Ed Chan will be joining the Bill Toms Mexico-bound, as will Harvey and Chris Tom on the Dawn Princess this winter.
Back to this side of the world, Mary Ann and Ernie Wong traveled to the Laguna’s world-famous "Pageant of the Masters," a 70-year-old tradition that shows actors posing against famous painting backdrops with all proceeds going to Laguna’s art programs. Meeting with Westminster’s Dr. George Wong at the shopping mecca of South Coast Plaza, the Wongs stayed nearby at the Newport Fairmont Hotel. Former Silicon Valley resident Linda Beltran enjoys living at the Fairmont with its convenience to John Wayne Airport and the versatile menu at all hours in its lobby dining room.
Other strong-hearted seniors taken to the roads (and skies or seas) are the Frank Gees, Bert Whys, Tom Hubbs and Andrew Koos on a Mediterranean cruise on a Crystal ship. Myrna Chun-Hoon and family will be joining Sylvia Young back to Burma and Laos, while Bay Area golfers. Barney and Janet Fong, Steven and Toy-San Tom, Howard Seto and the Ed Wongs will experience courses hand picked by Great China Travel Agent Wesley Chang for his Shanghai golf tour.
As I said before, seniors’ time clocks tick better when enjoying travel around the world.
BACK TO THE REAL WORLD
Norman and Antonia Tu celebrated their anniversary in fine style at the Palo Altos Hills Country Club with Norman singing on bended knee to his bride. … Sandra Joe came home from a romp in the park with grandson Nicholas to find a cul-de-sac full of cars and her Cupertino home filled with friends eager to surprise her on a momentous birthday year. Husband Ken, sons Michael and Ryan Joe planned it all. … Saratoga’s Benson Kwan thought he was going to granddaughter’s one-year-old birthday party, only to have a curtain drawn open when he arrived with wife Helen to reveal many many friends wishing him a happy 70th. … In Sacramento, James Wong wasn’t surprised at his 80th birthday lunch, but he was very pleased that the families of wife Maylene and his own sons (some flying in from the East Coast) put this party together for him. …
When four-month-old Madeleine Bakken made her debut at a red egg party hostessed by grandparents Clarence and Virginia Bakken for over 200 guests, she welcomed cousin Dr. Dan and Janis Hoang and Cindy Luu from Houston, Texas, Anson and Sharon Wong from Arizona and Darius Wallace from Los Angeles, among many others.
CONGRATULATIONS
Honored at the Asian Pacific American Democratic Club 10th anniversary dinner were Legislator of the Year John Chiang, Community Activist Young Nguyen, and Norman Mineta Lifetime Awardee Dr. Peter Chiu. Ed Lee and Rose Pak once again proved an indomitable team when they chaired the Chinese Hospital Golf Tournament to draw almost 300 players to raise $600,000.
OCA-San Mateo County’s 16th annual dinner awarded Asian American Achievement Awards to Kenson Ventures chairman Kenneth Fong, TV personality Ben Fong-Torres, and principal dancer of S.F. Ballet Yuan Yuan Tan.