Inspired by travel

Cathay Pacific ambassadors Gaita Fores, Chris Tiu,  Liz Uy and Amina Aranaz lead a ‘Life Well Travelled.’

Using her signature embroidery and woven straw techniques, Amina Aranaz created a woven bag and trunk with iconic landmarks.

Google the word “travel” and you will get millions of results — half of which are probably quotes and answers to the question “Why do you travel?” You see all these memes on Instagram and Facebook, and literary greats have for centuries weighed in on this question as well:

“Travel brings power and love back into your life,” said Rumi.

“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move,” said Robert Louis Stevenson.

It was Chris Tiu’s visits to Europe that taught him to appreciate quality pastries, and pushed him and his friends to bring the finest ones to the Philippines through Eric Kayser.

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world,” said Gustave Flaubert.

And this, of course, from Mark Twain: “I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.”

Cathay Pacific is making people’s desire to travel possible and throws in a little inspiration because travel is as much about the journey as the destination. The premium carrier has been championing “A Life Well Travelled” for three years through the rich, wonderful stories of its passengers. The campaign centers on how traveling well transforms journeys into something more — more memorable, more meaningful, more rewarding. And now, even more personal, because of how traveling provides a wealth of experience and perspective that impact and inspire each of us differently.  

Liz Uy’s traveling looks have one thing in common: a standout piece. Travelling gives her endless opportunities to be inspired, especially by the locals of each city she visits.

Cathay Pacific takes a closer look into how people live a well-traveled life by discovering their own unique take on their journeys. Four passionate individuals share their points of view through their own distinct creations which show what it means to live a life well-traveled with Cathay Pacific and how it enriches people in different ways.

At a press event a few months ago, personalities created vignettes to show what they love about traveling, what and how it inspires them.

Chef Gaita Fores reinvented her iconic dish of water spinach ravioli, Negros cross-crab, calamansi cream, baby crab fat and leek hay with touches that showcased her travels. Even her table setting was a montage of old and new, and places she loves — with Murano stemware, plaid French country china, and silver cutlery on woven Filipino fabric.

Chef Gaita Fores’ table setting is a montage of old and new, and places she loves, with vintage Murano stemware, plaid French country china, and classic silver cutlery on woven Filipino fabric.

Bag designer Amina Aranaz used her signature embroidery and woven straw techniques to create a woven bag and trunk that allow you to take a stylish piece of home with you wherever you go. The distinct cultural symbols reference the many wonderful insights she has gained from various travels, while different world landmarks embroidered onto native materials show how inspiration from all over the globe can make something beautiful.

For entrepreneur Chris Tiu, it was his visits to Europe that taught him to appreciate quality pastries and pushed him and his friends to bring the finest ones to the Philippines through Eric Kayser. Through the French boulangerie’s extensive range of pastries and baked goods, flavors from across the world find their way to Filipino palates.

Stylist Liz Uy took cues from the street styles found across the globe for her display, which reflected a wardrobe inspired by everything she loves from the fashion capitals — whether it’s the underground appeal of New Yorkers or the Italians’ love for everything over the top. Switching up her style has never been easier, especially when anchored on a standout piece. 

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Visit the author’s travel blog at www.findingmyway.net. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @iamtanyalara.

Discover what a life well travelled means through lifewelltravelled.cathaypacific.com and the hashtag #LifeWellTravelled on social media.