Being cocooned in a blanket of silence offered me that much-needed respite. It was during that time in the transient sanctury of my hotel room that I made up my mind about a few things. It was a defining moment of more changes that will take place.

In retrospect, a renewed sense of purpose and a passion for having a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.

I enjoyed a long walk with a fellow colleague along the river, right up to the statue of the mermaid in the fable that gave it its significance. Glorious weather, cool breeze, the gentle sunshine and of course, the endless expanse of clear blue skies. There was a surreal quality of being in a totally foreign place, in a different timezone. I savoured the tranquility of it all and I was happy.