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Diana Ser has a June holiday treat in mind for her three children aged 15, 13 and 10 - although it may not be what they expect.
The television presenter is hoping to take them to Johor Baru for a two-night jaunt as they have never been there. And by train too, which would be a first for everyone.
On the agenda are lots of local food, massages and maybe a durian plantation visit.
Their last family vacation was to Italy in December 2019, and they cancelled a ski trip to Tokyo in March 2020.
"I hope the kids won't think, 'What? After two years without an overseas trip, we get JB?'" says Ser, 50.
"But it gives them something small to look forward to. After all, if the Covid-19 situation changes again due to a new variant, it should be less complicated to cancel."
She adds: "We've always told the kids the destination matters less than the company. If you are with people you love, magic will happen. So, yes, I am pretty sure they will enjoy it."
She is prepared to take along empty luggage as she suspects they will shop a lot to make up for the last two years. She says: "I think if all of us had caught Covid-19 already, I would have been more adventurous with my travel plans."
Ser has been to Johor Baru thrice before to report on stories for her job, such as one on durians.
She says: "I loved dining along the roadside and in restaurants, but it was always so rushed because we were on tight schedules.
"So, going to JB now would be revenge tourism in more ways than one. It was also something I was planning before Covid-19 hit, so it's time to get back to it."
It is also a sentimental destination for Ser and her husband, former actor James Lye, 53, who is managing director of Citibank's offshore wealth management business.
She recalls: "We used to drive to JB to eat and shop when we were dating in the late 1990s. There was this herbal chicken restaurant we patronised every time.
"James was doing a lot of TV work back then, and it wasn't long before he realised JB residents also watched Singapore TV.
"He started being recognised, so it took away some of the fun. But we still drove up whenever we could, sometimes at the very last minute. The allure of JB - so far yet so near."
However, Ser misses her work trips the most, such as when she went to Yangon, Phnom Penh and Bangladesh to film a documentary on child labour.
"The moments at dusk, sunset and under the night skies along rivers and in fields are unforgettable - even though at times the bugs flew into our mouths when we tried to talk."
She and her family have started to renew their passports and are hoping to travel to Europe at the end of the year.
She says: "I am still trying to wrap my head around all the recent announcements about the easing of travel restrictions. But there comes a point when people just say, I am tired of staying put. I am going to take that risk and travel."
The television presenter is hoping to take them to Johor Baru for a two-night jaunt as they have never been there. And by train too, which would be a first for everyone.
On the agenda are lots of local food, massages and maybe a durian plantation visit.
Their last family vacation was to Italy in December 2019, and they cancelled a ski trip to Tokyo in March 2020.
"I hope the kids won't think, 'What? After two years without an overseas trip, we get JB?'" says Ser, 50.
"But it gives them something small to look forward to. After all, if the Covid-19 situation changes again due to a new variant, it should be less complicated to cancel."
She adds: "We've always told the kids the destination matters less than the company. If you are with people you love, magic will happen. So, yes, I am pretty sure they will enjoy it."
She is prepared to take along empty luggage as she suspects they will shop a lot to make up for the last two years. She says: "I think if all of us had caught Covid-19 already, I would have been more adventurous with my travel plans."
Ser has been to Johor Baru thrice before to report on stories for her job, such as one on durians.
She says: "I loved dining along the roadside and in restaurants, but it was always so rushed because we were on tight schedules.
"So, going to JB now would be revenge tourism in more ways than one. It was also something I was planning before Covid-19 hit, so it's time to get back to it."
It is also a sentimental destination for Ser and her husband, former actor James Lye, 53, who is managing director of Citibank's offshore wealth management business.
She recalls: "We used to drive to JB to eat and shop when we were dating in the late 1990s. There was this herbal chicken restaurant we patronised every time.
"James was doing a lot of TV work back then, and it wasn't long before he realised JB residents also watched Singapore TV.
"He started being recognised, so it took away some of the fun. But we still drove up whenever we could, sometimes at the very last minute. The allure of JB - so far yet so near."
However, Ser misses her work trips the most, such as when she went to Yangon, Phnom Penh and Bangladesh to film a documentary on child labour.
"The moments at dusk, sunset and under the night skies along rivers and in fields are unforgettable - even though at times the bugs flew into our mouths when we tried to talk."
She and her family have started to renew their passports and are hoping to travel to Europe at the end of the year.
She says: "I am still trying to wrap my head around all the recent announcements about the easing of travel restrictions. But there comes a point when people just say, I am tired of staying put. I am going to take that risk and travel."
