2026: Day Two - Boating with Auntie Jehnny

Описание: I’ve never known Auntie Jehnny to be anything less than joyful and generous. She welcomes many people with her beautiful face and radiant smile, demonstrating a phenomenal level of hospitality and warmth, with an ever effervescent spirit. With her travels, I don’t see her every trip to Asia, and I haven’t seen her since we were both in Phuket for Karisa’s wedding. One of my favourite memories was the trip before the pandi struck the world, hanging out on her back porch eating Beluga, followed by a round of Durian. Needless to say, I was excited to join her and Uncle Frankle for an afternoon on their boat.

It was also an opportunity to hang a bit with Josh and Jovana, who I haven’t seen for several years. Opportunities to gather have been rarer, especially since they now live in Auckland. At one point they were trying to emigrate to Canada, and I relished the idea of having them in my backyard, but as Joshua told me, “the week we were finally approved for New Zealand, we also received our acceptance to Canada.”

Jovana, ever willowy and elegant, looked particularly radiant. “It’s the humidity,” she joked. She always wears beautiful clothes beautifully. Back in the day, I remember she confessed, “I knew you’d be there taking photos, so I thought I should dress up.”

I’m also glad Katiana chose to join because I know she doesn’t love boating. “You’re much more of a PJ girl than an M/Y girl.” I joked. But what’s great about having her around is that the girl knows how to have a good time, and really that’s just the best sort of friend to have in these situations.

At one point, Auntie Jehnny handed me her iPad. “This is a list of the wines we have on board. Please pick any bottle you’d like,” she said.

“Are you sure?!” I asked.

“Yes!”

After glancing through the list, I said, “the only wine I really recognize is the Chateau Margaux 2018. But I feel to pie say (embarrassed) to ask for it.”

She brushed away my concerns and within minutes one of the staff retrieved it from the cellar. Auntie Jehnny poured it herself. And as we were pulling into shore, she agreed to open a Chateau d’Yquem 2006.

“You have good taste in wine,” she said with a smile.