Let’s be real: interstate family reunions are magical but the journey to get there? Not so much.
Cheryl and I alternate Chinese New Year reunion dinners with our parents. This year, we’re heading to hers in Penang, which means I’ll be one of the 2.6 million vehicular nomads crawling across the highways. My brilliant plan? A 3 am departure that would make most people question my sanity. The kids will start the journey blissfully unconscious in their pajamas, while I’ll be a twitching, caffeine-fuelled fiend.
My pre-journey ritual involves a carefully curated survival kit. A freshly brewed flask of coffee? Check. Two Red Bulls chilling like they’re on vacation? Absolutely. And my trusty Tong Garden broad beans—because I prefer crunchy snacks that won’t stink up the car. (I’ve learned the hard way that consuming dried cuttlefish in the car is a resale value killer.)
Rest stops during this season are absolute chaos. I’ve seen queues stretching a kilometer long, filled with tired travellers who’ve reached a special level of desperation. Pro tip: Those roadside bushes near Ipoh might look tempting, especially if you’ve been holding it in since Tanjong Malim, but trust me—there’s no privacy when you’re surrounded by a sea of slowly moving vehicles.
Throughout the journey, I’ll be mentally manifesting my arrival in Penang by 8 am to savor some legendary food. While everyone else snoozes in the car, I’m mentally devouring Curry Mee, Hokkien Mee, and Char Koay Teow. It’s the culinary equivalent of a marathon runner visualizing the finish line.
Thank goodness for mobile internet—a road trip lifesaver. I have a Spotify playlist aptly named “Long Roadtrips.” It’s a chaotic mix of songs so upbeat they borderline on irritating, guaranteed to keep my caffeine-fueled brain engaged. Once the kids wake up, it’s a digital free-for-all of TikTok and YouTube on their personal devices.
Sometimes, when the monotony hits, I’ll even throw on Netflix and catch some stand-up comedy from Ronnie Cheng and Dave Chapelle. Because nothing says “wholesome family road trip” like streaming profanity-laced, unwoke comedy while cruising down the highway.
Is it glamorous? Absolutely not. Is it an adventure? Definitely. Just another Chinese New Year journey survived—one flask of coffee, two Red Bulls, and a couple of Netflix comedy specials at a time.