Eight years ago, on our first backpacking trip together, we took the ferry back from Pulau Tioman to mainland Malaysia. It was the end of the beaches, on to Singapore, and then to China, before going home, seemingly for good.

I recall staring at the beach, reminding myself to take it all in. This may be the last time you ever see the South China Sea, or a beach in Southeast Asia, I told myself.

Funny how life works out.