LANGKAWI, June 5 -- When I was 12 years old, my parents took me to Langkawi for the very first time.

It was a short trip, only three days, but it has stayed with me for the longest time because of two significant milestones, or as the kids like to call them, core memories.

I had my first beer (marvellous), and for the first time in my life, I enjoyed a plate of fish and chips on the beach, sitting under the hot tropical sun and gazing at the brilliant blue waters of the Andaman.

At the time, I thought it was the greatest fish and chips I'd ever had.

But if you asked me to recall any details about the dish, from the texture of the batter to the flavour of the fish, I couldn't tell you a single thing.

What I can tell you is the feeling...