Among all the souvenirs I brought back from ConnectLIVE Singapore, none are as special to me as a handful of picture postcards gifted by fellow Local Guides from different countries. They may look like simple postcards to others, but to a philatelist, traveller, and collector of memories, they represent something far greater—friendship across borders, shared passions, and stories from places I have never visited. Each card carries not just an image, but the warmth of the person who handed it to me.
To make them even more meaningful, I took some of these postcards to Chinatown in Singapore and had them cancelled with special souvenir postmarks. One i cancelled at Changi airport. The moment a postcard receives a postmark, it transforms from a simple keepsake into a philatelic treasure, preserving a specific place and moment in time forever.
The postcards themselves are wonderful windows into different cultures and destinations.
The Cambodia team shared two beautiful cards featuring the majestic South Gate of Angkor Thom and Hanuman from Kampong Speu Province, both reflecting the rich heritage of their country.
The Bangladesh team gifted a postcard showcasing the iconic National Parliament Building in Dhaka, a masterpiece of modern architecture.
From Indonesia came two lovely postcards depicting the scenic Wonosari Tea Plantation, a subject especially close to my heart as a tea taster.
A third from the team has nice adaptation of the Connect logo
One postcard, however, occupies a particularly special place in my collection. It came from Team Tempeh, Indonesia, and on the reverse side was a handwritten personal message. In an age dominated by instant messages and social media notifications, there is something incredibly touching about words written by hand. That small note transformed the postcard from a collectible into a cherished memory.
My heartfelt thanks to @SophatCHY and Team Cambodia, @PavelSarwar , @SumaiyaZafrin and Team Bangladesh, @doc_dells @inadwiana @Velvel @ns_septi and Team Indonesia for these thoughtful cards. Every time I look at these postcards, I am reminded that ConnectLIVE was not only about places, presentations, or activities—it was about people. Long after the event badges are stored away and the photographs are archived, these postcards will continue to tell the story of friendships formed across continents.
Years from now, when I open my albums and see these cards with their Singapore souvenir cancellations, I won’t just remember the monuments, tea plantations, or architectural landmarks they depict. I will remember the smiles, conversations, laughter, and kindness of the Local Guides who shared them. For a collector, postcards are pieces of paper; for a philatelist, they are history; but for me, these postcards have become something even more precious—lasting reminders that the best souvenirs from any journey are the people we meet along the way.
You are truly curating the memory, sir! 