Interviewer: Ton Kek Hian Wee
Ton: Today, I’d like to talk about traveling. I understand that you are a very well-traveled person. So, do you prefer exploring nature or the built environment of cities?
Mende: Which one do you prefer?
Ton: As for me, I’m more of a city person because I love looking at structures. When I was young, I loved playing with Lego and was always building something. So, when I travel, I enjoy looking at buildings, and seeing the different designs. I guess that makes me more of a ‘city person.’ How about you, Mr. Mende? Are you a nature lover or a city explorer?
Mende: I like both, but I’m especially drawn to nature because it always inspires me. Nature is truly important to me. We, Japanese people, have a deep respect for nature, viewing things like the ocean, mountains, and even humans themselves as part of it.
Since I started aspiring to a career in design, I’ve had more opportunities to travel and visit cities around the world. I enjoy exploring different cities and observing local people’s lives and architectural designs. However, I still find I sometimes need to reconnect with nature from time to time in order to find balance.
I’ve been to Tanzania with my wife to see wild animals in their natural habitat. You might not know this, but I started scuba diving when I am 60 years old, and by the time I turned 70, I was scaling nearly 3000m-high mountain every year!
Ton: Wow, that’s amazing! As for me, it’s a bit more difficult because Singapore is an urban city, so I don’t have many opportunities to explore nature like you do.
Mende: Not just you, but almost all Singaporeans feel the same way.
Ton: Yes, so that’s why most Singaporeans love to travel -so they can see other parts of the world and explore nature.
Mende: Many of my friends in Singapore love to travel to Japan for skiing.
Ton: Yes, for a tropical country like Singapore, we don’t have four seasons, so we miss out on experiencing different types of scenery and enjoying various seasonal activities.
Mende: Haha, that’s very true.
Ton: Since you’ve been to so many places, do you prefer visiting places you know well or exploring new terrain?
Mende: Actually, I enjoy exploring places that are unfamiliar to me. There are many famous spots that everybody knows, but I prefer visiting interesting villages and small towns that are not as popular, where I can experience the daily life of the locals. Even in cities like Shanghai or Beijing, I prefer to visit the alleys and outskirts than the main attractions. I am curious about these places, not for their beautiful architecture or scenery, but to experience their way of life.
Ton: I agree with you. Sometimes when we travel, it’s not just about seeing beautiful things, but also understanding the local culture. Do you have a favorite destination you’ve visited and would like to go back to?
Mende: Yes, as my wife and I get older, we enjoy going to the same place every year. We really love a small town in Andalusia, southern Spain. It’s a beautiful place with historic sites like the Alhambra Palace. We also visit a small town called Ronda, a lovely place where we can enjoy delicious food at bars. We also go to Maryland, on the east coast of the United States; you can still find a typical American way of life there.
So, do you have a favorite destination?
Ton: For me, I love Japan! I’ve been to a few cities there, but if possible, I would love to travel to lesser-known towns to experience the local culture. That’s the beauty of travelling -exploring things you don’t often see on the TV or read about on the internet.
I believe travelling isn’t just about visiting beautiful landscape or architecture; it’s about feeling, observing and embracing the local culture.
Mende: I’m really interested in how people live in different places, too.
Ton: Yes, I believe traveling helps to broaden our knowledge and expand our perception, which ultimately makes us better designers.
Mende: Some people love India, while others don’t. I love India. Have you been there?
Ton: I’ve been to New Delhi and Mumbai for work before, but not as a tourist. However, I feel that India is very rich in culture, with a bit of oxymoron. In one corner, you might see high-rise buildings, but in another, you could find slums. Sometimes, I feel this has become a common sight in many parts of India.
Recently, I attended a Lighting Survey presentation about Chandigarh. It was truly an eye-opener for many of us. Even with Le Corbusier’s vision, if it doesn’t integrate with the unique local culture and context, the result may not work as well as planned.
Mende: When you travel, do you enjoy the local food? My interest isn’t just in visiting different places but also in tasting different types of food. For example, I couldn’t stand the smell and taste of durian at first, but after seeing others enjoy it so much, I decided to try it a second and third time. And now, I’m hooked on its deliciousness.
Ton: Wow, that’s very adventurous of you.
Mende: Simply follow my curiosity. That’s my philosophy when I travel. It is all about exploring new places and experiencing the local culture.
Ton: I see you really enjoy travelling. Thank you, Mr Mende, I hope I can be as enthusiastic as you are.
