I know, I know. It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog post. Six months, to be precise. Why this habit of mine broke is also a pretty interesting topic in itself – ‘accountability.’ I’ll probably write about it in one of my upcoming posts.
Even though I haven’t written anything in the past few months, I think subconsciously, my brain has prepared a few topics I’d like to talk about. The most important one I’ve been wanting to write about is the story of my 23rd birthday.
I don’t really have the exact outline in my mind though. I guess I’ll just start writing and see where the story takes us :)
Turning 23 was sad.
I mean, twenty-three? Chee. It’s old, isn’t it?
Back when I was a kid, [I still am, I’m just referring to a younger version of me], I always dreamed of turning 18, turning 21, getting a driving license, casting a vote, and becoming an ‘adult.’ But after that, there was nothing. I never dreamt of turning 23.
In fact, if you think about it,
- 18 is the age when you probably move out of high school and switch cities
- 21 is when you might start pursuing an internship or a job
- 22, well, there’s a cool Taylor Swift song, “I’m Feeling 22.”
But 23? There’s nothing…😞
Yep, This is what was going through my brain a few days before my 23rd birthday.
Apart from this, there was one more thing on my mind – attending the Eras Tour concert on my birthday.
To explain why this was significant, let me take you back to the 22-year-old me.
The Bucket List Pact
Ever since my 22nd birthday, I made a pact with myself: every year, on my birthday, I’d check off at least one more item from my bucket list.
It was my way of ensuring I kept pushing my boundaries and making the most of each year.
The Eras Tour Dream
One of the most anticipated moments of my 23rd year was centered around a big dream: attending Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert in Singapore on March 2nd.
For those who know me, Taylor Swift is someone I greatly admire, and the opportunity to see her perform live was more than just attending a concert. Music is one of the most powerful forms of art & her concerts go beyond mere melodies; they are about witnessing creativity unfold before my eyes.
Anyways, My quest for tickets began in earnest in June 2023, scouring shows across Singapore, Japan, Australia, London, and Amsterdam in hopes of securing a spot. Despite my efforts, luck didn’t favor me 🫠
Fast forward to December 2023, I had almost given up on this dream. Until one of my colleagues told me about this site, ‘StubHub’, it’s a ticket resale platform.
I decided to give it one last shot and there it was – a front-row ticket to the Eras Tour concert in Singapore 🤩✨ It was pricier than I had anticipated, but in that moment, I said, “F*ck it, let’s do it!” I managed to convince my parents about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and bought the ticket.
The excitement was palpable as March 2nd approached. I couldn’t wait to see Taylor Swift perform live, surrounded by fans who shared my admiration for her music. I started memorizing all the lyrics to every song in the setlist, imagining the thrill of singing along with thousands of others.
In my anticipation, I even ordered a few customized friendship bracelets, a small gesture to commemorate what I knew would be a memorable experience.
As I’m writing this, this is already sending shivers down my spine, lol.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans…
Just 2-3 weeks before the concert, the seller on StubHub unexpectedly backed out, leaving me devastated. All the plans, this bucketlist pact thingyyy, poof 💣
So, I ended up celebrating my birthday at home without any grand festivities. Of course, we went out for dinner, and it wasn’t a bad birthday by any means. But in my mind, I had hyped up that day so much, and in the end, it didn’t quite live up to the anticipation.
Three days after my birthday, one of my friends reached out to me and asked, “Bhai, kahi ghoomne chalna hai?” It was a moment of serendipity ✨ because just a few months earlier, we had discussed planning a trip.
His text felt like a signal from the universe, almost as if it knew I needed a pick-me-up after the disappointment of missing the concert.
I was still nursing a bit of sadness over how things had turned out with the concert, so without a second thought, I replied, “Let’s do it!” We quickly began brainstorming destinations, weighing our options for a spontaneous getaway.
I guess, in less than 24 hours, we ended up booking tickets for Thailand. It was one of the most impromptu trips I had ever planned, and perhaps exactly what I needed to lift my spirits.
This trip was different because, for the first time, I did not plan a proper itinerary of places to visit, etc.
Between wrapping up work and hastily packing my luggage just an hour before I sat in the cab, there was barely any time for planning or research. We found ourselves Googling places to visit in Thailand feverishly as we rushed to the airport in the cab.
Anyways, around a week later, there we were, in Bangkok :)
Honestly, it was way better than I had expected. Perhaps it was the fact that I was unprepared and had no clue what to expect that kept things interesting. 😊
My friend and I decided to explore the city first, visiting the Grand Palace, Madame Tussauds, Sea World, and of course, a bunch of malls with lots of shopping.
In between all of this sightseeing and shopping though, I also got the chance to meet One Direction. Well, sort of. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to ask them about a future reunion. I tried my best to convince them, pleading my case with all the passion of a true fan. “Come on, guys, the world needs you back together!”
I joked, snapping photos with their silent but oh-so-lifelike faces. Let’s just say they were pretty unresponsive 😔😉
Being a vegetarian, I found it a little challenging to find suitable food options in Thailand. While I couldn’t indulge in all the delicacies of Thai cuisine, I did try the famous mango sticky rice! (I know this combination sounds weird!)
But oh my god, the mangoes there were just amazing! 🥭❤️ They were so juicy, gigantic and sweet; it was like a tropical paradise in every bite.
Eras Tour Party
"When you really desire something from the heart and soul, all the universe conspires you to achieve it"
~Paulo Coelho, the Alchemist
Remember how this entire blog started with me missing out on The Eras Tour? Well, on our last day in Bangkok, while I was randomly shopping at a mall, I stumbled upon an Eras Tour watch party 🙂
These folks were celebrating the release of Taylor’s Eras Tour movie on Disney+. I couldn’t believe my eyes – it felt like a little piece of my missed dream was being handed to me in a different form.
The enthusiasm and excitement of the Swifties gathered there were infectious ✨. I joined in, singing along to the songs and relishing the atmosphere. It was a magical moment 🥹
It felt like the universe had found a way to bring the Eras Tour to me, even if it wasn’t in the way I had initially planned :)
Pattaya & Phuket
After Bangkok, we roamed around the streets of Pattaya and Phuket and it was fun, the beach clubs in Pattaya were also very relaxing.
The day we arrived in Phuket, early in the morning, my friend and I also went for a small hike to Samet Nangshe. It was blissful ☀️
It was so scenic that for a moment I thought, If I was Apple, I’d seriously consider using this place for the next release of MacOS :) MacOS Nangshe ❤️
Illuzion
The night we were in Phuket, we happened to walk right past a club named ‘Illuzion.’ This wasn’t just any club – it’s one of the top 12 clubs in the world. Seeing it instantly took me back to when I was in 10th grade.
When I was in 10th grade, Snapchat was still fairly new. During the summer holidays, one of my classmates went on a trip to Phuket, Thailand. At that time, I had no clue that Phuket was even a place. I had heard about Thailand in one of my geography classes but had never heard of Phuket.
I vividly remember her sharing snaps from Illuzion club while she was there. This was almost eight years ago (yeah, damn, I guess I’m a bit old 🥲). The minimum age for clubs is 18, so I’m not even sure how she got in back then.
But those snaps left a lasting impression on me. I remember thinking, “I don’t think I’d ever be able to afford to go to this place which I’ve never even heard of.”
And here we were, years later,
right outside that same club whose pictures I had seen on Snapchat in 10th grade 🙂. It felt surreal, like coming full circle. I turned to my friend and said, “No matter what happens, we’re going here tonight. Period.”
Entering Illuzion was like stepping into a different world. It was one of the bestest clubbing experiences I’ve had so far. The club was electrifying, with pulsating lights, incredible music, and an atmosphere that was both exhilarating and overwhelming.
The DJ was on fire, and the crowd’s energy was infectious. We danced the night away, surrounded by people from all over the world, each one lost in the magic of the moment.
Don’t want to go into a full philosophical mode, but hey, it’s my blog, so who’s judging? :)
Standing there amidst the vibrant energy of Illuzion, I couldn’t help but reflect on how far I had come. From seeing those snaps in 10th grade to experiencing it firsthand, it felt like a significant milestone.
It was a reminder that life has a funny way of bringing us to places we once thought were out of reach.
Moving on, this brings me to my favourite part.
The Bucket List thing :)
Remember, the goal is: To check off at least one more item from my bucket list.
We headed to Phi Phi Islands, and it hands down felt like the most magical place on the planet. ✨
I’m not hydrophobic, but I do have a healthy respect for the sea and ocean waters. The sheer scale, power, and magnitude of these water bodies can be quite intimidating.
So, the plan was to go scuba diving here. Yep, scuba diving for someone who doesn’t even know how to swim.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t that tricky, all thanks to my instructor, Sofia. She was incredibly helpful and considerate, and her excitement about it being our first dive was infectious. She ensured that everything was safe and went smoothly.
As soon as we went underwater,
it felt like entering a different world. The water was so clear, and everywhere I looked, there was an explosion of colors.
Schools of fish swam around us in bright blues, yellows, and oranges. The coral reefs were alive with vibrant colors and bustling with activity. It was like discovering a hidden paradise full of lively sea creatures ❤️
Seeing this underwater world was an amazing experience. Honestly, It’s hard to put into words how beautiful and colorful it was <3
I don’t think any pictures or videos can truly capture the breathtaking beauty of the world hidden beneath the ocean. I had no idea that aquatic life could be so colorful and lively.
Choosing which ones to share was tough because each one shows something special, but adding all of them might slow down your browser! :)
The moment after my dive felt oddly similar to a scene from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD). If you’ve seen the film, you know the feeling I’m talking about – that mix of exhilaration and serenity when you’ve just had a life-changing experience. It was my second ZNMD moment.
Snorkeling
Before I end, I want to share just one more incident.
The next day, we were on a speedboat, exploring various islands around Phi Phi. The boat stopped in the middle of nowhere, and the tour guide announced that we’d be stopping here for snorkelling.
Unfortunately, there was no instructor with us. My friend and I told the guide that we didn’t know how to swim, and she simply handed us life jackets, saying, “If you want to go, you can go. Just hold the ropes!”
That was not quite what I had in mind when I was told we’d be accompanied by a professional tour guide, lol 🥲
But I thought to myself, since I was this far from home, I didn’t want to miss out. Plus, the scuba diving experience from the day before had given me a big confidence boost. So, my friend and I put on the life jackets and snorkelling masks and decided to jump into the open water.
At first, I clung to the ropes with both hands, but after a few minutes, I looked down and was stunned.
I was floating 50-100 feet above the coral reef, and fish were swimming all around me, brushing against my feet, legs, and torso!!
The water was crystal clear 💎
The fish were brushing against my feet, legs, and body, which felt both strange and exciting 🙂. I was suspended in this amazing space between the ocean’s surface and the reef, and it was like being part of a magical underwater world 🐋
The view and the feeling of floating weightlessly made me feel a mix of wonder and joy.
After a few minutes, my body started to adapt to the new environment. Instinctively, I streamlined my body and let go of one of my hands, using my legs, feet, and hands to navigate. For the first time, I was able to move around freely in the x and y axes above the ocean on my own. It felt like a superpower! :)
One final tip,
If you’re ever in Phi Phi, do try out these delicious pancakes from this cute little cafe on the island. ✨
Conclusion ?
So, it turns out that what I initially labeled as a “sad birthday” wasn’t really that sad at all. 🙂
It’s funny how life surprises us, even when things don’t go according to plan. Sure, missing out on the Eras Tour concert was a bummer, and I had built up so much excitement around it. But, as it often happens, the universe had other plans for me 🙌🏻✨
The spontaneous trip to Thailand, the unexpected joy of scuba diving, and the sheer thrill of floating above a coral reef—these experiences turned out to be far more than I could have anticipated. They were vibrant, exhilarating, and absolutely unforgettable. It’s amazing how sometimes the things we don’t plan for or expect can turn out to be the best parts of our journey :)
Yeah, this is becoming too philosophical. But, chuck it. Let me add another oneeeee 🫠
Don’t you think? Life’s unscripted moments can bring their own kind of magic? Sometimes, it’s the unexpected detours that make our stories truly special 🥂
Who knew that a missed concert could lead to such a memorable birthday? Life is full of surprises, and this one turned out to be pretty awesome after all. 🙂✨
P.S. I’ve already started planning for my next birthday. If you have any crazy ideas? Do hit me up!!
