Retirement is a passport to freedom. No longer tied to office schedules, parenting duties,
or the daily commute, many of Singapore’s seniors are taking off — literally. With more
time, better health, and increasing access to digital tools, travel is becoming a central
joy of retirement.
But it’s more than sightseeing. For many older adults, travel becomes a way to rediscover
life, write new stories, and reflect on their own journeys — both outward and inward.
Through blogs, handwritten journals, and social media posts, retirees are capturing their
travels in ways that inspire others and preserve their legacy.
"I thought I was going to Japan to relax. I ended up rediscovering who I was before I
became a mother and wife. My journal became a mirror — one I hadn't looked into for
years."
Clara had always wanted to visit Kyoto but never had the time. After retiring from her
role as a school administrator, she booked a solo trip and brought along a leather-bound
notebook.
Her journal entries speak of:
Mornings watching steam rise from her matcha in Gion
Sketches of temple rooftops and winding paths
Reflections on aging, silence, and spiritual peace
Mr. Hassan Yusof, 72 — “The Great Malaysian Road Trip”
“My friends said we were too old to drive across Malaysia. I say we were too old not to.”
Together with two army buddies from his NS days, Hassan rented a car and hit the road from
Johor Bahru to Penang, Langkawi, and finally the highlands of Cameron.
His journal — now a photo book he printed for each of them — includes:
Handwritten pages of meals eaten (with sambal ratings)
Memories rekindled at army camps they passed
A comical list of hotel mishaps ("Langkawi: Forgot dentures in the sink")
Reflections on friendship that never fades, even after 50 years
Hassan's takeaway? The open road keeps you young — if you take your friends with you.
