The writer (first from left, squatting) says years may pass, but the bond of G8 endures, captured in a perfect moment during a holiday together. — OOI KOOI KEAT
Eight friends once shared an annual holiday ritual, marked by enthusiastic planning and deep camaraderie, a spirit exemplified by their first annual trip to Sabah.
However, as time passed and life's demands grew over the last 15 years, the commitment from some waned, creating a wistful atmosphere.
Now, as they plan an ambitious driving adventure to Tibet from Chengdu, there's a collective yearning for the group's original fire to be rekindled, a hopeful anticipation for the return of their shared spirit for the journey ahead.
This is my story. Those are all my friends. We named ourselves G8. The eight of us once had a pact.
It was less of a promise and more a desperate declaration against the inevitable drift of adult life: a week-long trip, every year, no matter what.
All Penangites, ex-schoolmates, classmates and collegemates, now living in different corners of the country and from different walks of life, will converge at a new destination each time.
Our annual tradition began in 2009 with our first trip to Kota Kinabalu, followed by many more over the years — a time when every suggestion was met with instant agreement and boundless enthusiasm.
The planning was as delightful as the journey itself, with endless group chats, destination ideas and carefully researched itineraries building anticipation.
Our last trip in 2022 took us to the sun-drenched shores of Langkawi — catamaran rides, rainforest hikes and sunsets over the Andaman Sea filling our days with laughter. Though the trip was a success, I sensed our once-spirited camaraderie beginning to fade.
Over the years, careers and families began tugging at the threads of our shared commitment. What was once a joyful ritual of planning soon met with delayed replies and, eventually, silence. Interest lingered, but the heavy lifting fell to fewer shoulders.
Our united group of eight shrank into a smaller core, and even we felt the shift. The annual holiday remained cherished, yet the effortless camaraderie waned. When talk turned to a daring road trip from Chengdu to Tibet, one question lingered — could we ever recapture the old magic?
There's a palpable hope within the group, a quiet yearning for the days when every member would enthusiastically contribute to the dream.
While new commitments and new challenges have reshaped our lives, the memories of Langkawi and the spirit of their early adventures remain vivid.
The Tibet trip is more than just a holiday; it's a chance to reconnect, to remind ourselves of the powerful bond we share, and to see if the original fire that ignited our journeys together still burns bright enough to light the path to the Roof of the World.
The group is, in its collective heart, hoping for a return to the shared spirit, for a journey not just across miles, but back to ourselves.The years had changed us, given us new responsibilities, and even new wrinkles. I truly hope G8 can return to our annual echo of laughter. Tibet, here we come!
