of red stuffed dogs, lethargic horses and cooking shows

1. We head out for an early morning childhood breakfast: half boiled eggs, toast and teh cham at the Kedai Kopi Ah Seng. It doesn't get any more old school than this.

2. I climb all the way up to the top of the lighthouse at Fort Cornwallis, battling common sense, acrophobia and trembling legs.

3. The engravings on the pillars at Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi must have seen some amazing things. It's an incredible feeling of connection, knowing that probably some 100 years ago, a twenty year old boy was here as well, touching these exact same carvings. It makes you aware of the time that's passed by, and of the tenacious spirit of people.

4. I touch base at the Cheah Kongsi, reading the history of my ancestors who were army generals employing tactics like "Grass and Tree Look Like Soldiers" and "The Sound of Wind Like Arrows and The Sound of Cranes Like Soldiers". I feel a sense of belonging and connection to the family tree.

5. We go crazy folding "kim" for ancestor prayers.