Guangzhou Trip 2025: All the Firsts (A Working Trip, But Make It Fun)

My recent Guangzhou trip was meant to be work (think: hospital facilities tour, live medical treatment sessions, doctor interviews). And of course, all that happened.

But somewhere between Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Canton Tower, Guangzhou gave me a long list of 'firsts' that turn a work trip into something a little more memorable.

Here's everything that made this working trip fun!

First Time Flying China Southern Airlines

Just like my first time flying TransNusa to Jakarta, there's always something about boarding a new airline that makes even a routine flight feel a little special. This time, my flight experience with China Southern Airlines makes me momentarily forget I have work deliverables waiting for me on the other end.

First Time Visiting Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou

This one definitely deserves its own spotlight.

Walking into St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou, I expected "hospital energy", you know, that cold, clinical, intimidating vibe. But instead, I felt warmth. The people were kind, the environment was welcoming, and the level of care and technology was honestly eye-opening.

It was my first time touring a cancer hospital overseas. Seeing how seriously they take multidisciplinary treatment, how structured their processes were, and how genuinely involved their teams are… it made our work at We Care Asia feel even more purposeful.

If I ever needed a reminder of why we do what we do, I found it there.

First Time Trying Xinjiang Cuisine

Credit to my Muslim teammates, this was a culinary experience in Guangzhou I didn't know I needed. Lamb skewers, cumin, spices that wake you up and your ancestors hahaha... Xinjiang food (yes, we had Xinjiang cuisine in Guangzhou) is bold, hearty, and full of character!

First Time Walking Along Beijing Road

And then there was Beijing Road - my first time walking through its colourful chaos. The energy was loud, bright, and overstimulating (argghh the crowd!)

But what caught my eye the most? The rows and rows of tanghulu - glossy, jewel-like skewers of candied fruit lined up in every colour possible. If Guangzhou had a dessert mascot, it would definitely be tanghulu. They are just too impossible to ignore.

First Time Taking the Pearl River Cruise at Night

If you ever want to see Guangzhou glow, take the night cruise.

The skyline, the bridges, the neon lights reflecting on the water. It was peaceful and beautiful throughout the entire 1-hour ride.

First Time Seeing Canton Tower in Both Daylight and Night Glow

Seeing Canton Tower twice, once in daylight and once glowing at night, felt like meeting two different sides of Guangzhou. By day, it's sleek and striking. By night, it transforms into a rainbow-lit showpiece that steals the skyline.

And yes, it was breathtaking… but a small part of me felt proud knowing that back home, KL Tower stands just as tall in spirit - equally impressive, if not more, in its own Malaysian way.

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My Reflection After Visiting St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou

Cancer Diagnosis is Not a Death Sentence

I left Guangzhou with one big takeaway: a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. What I saw and learned during this trip reshaped the way I think about cancer care, especially how China approaches it. Their philosophy goes beyond simply "treating cancer" or "extending survival".

The focus is also on improving the patient's overall quality of life - physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

It was a reminder that hope still exists, even for patients who feel like they have run out of options.

Integrative Oncology and Minimally Invasive Cancer Treatments

At St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou, I witnessed first-hand through lectures and an actual live treatment session - how their integrative oncology approach works in real life.

Their system combines:

• Minimally invasive cancer treatments

• Western medical oncology, led by an MDT (multidisciplinary team)

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for strengthening immunity and supporting recovery

This combination gives patients more choices, especially those seeking a second or even third opinion after traditional treatments elsewhere have failed or become too exhausting.

Some of the techniques I saw include Transarterial Chemoembolisation (TACE) and Radioactive Particle (Seed) Implantation. There are also other minimally invasive procedures that reduce trauma yet deliver targeted results. These aren't just "advanced technologies". They offer doors where previously, many patients saw only walls.

Contact We Care Asia (Medical Concierge Service)

If you would like to understand more, feel free to reach out. I have direct access to We Care Asia (medical concierge service agency) who can guide you on how to seek cancer treatment at St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou.

The Heart Behind the Care

Beyond the medical side, what truly struck me was the heart behind the hospital’s service. They:

• treat every patient like family

• respect different cultures, beliefs, and nationalities

• offer emotional and psychological support

• stay connected with patients even after treatment ends

There is a real effort to remove fear, build trust, and support the patient as a whole person, not just a diagnosis. And you can feel that warmth everywhere, from the doctors to the nurses to the international service team.

Their philosophy is simple yet powerful:

Love without boundaries.

 

Seeing how consistently they live out this principle reminded me why compassionate healthcare matters just as much as medical innovation.

Returning Home with Renewed Hope

I came back to Malaysia with a renewed sense of hope, not just for patients, but for families who are walking through the uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis.

With the right people, the right care, and the right heart, patients can find strength even in the hardest journeys.

 

And sometimes, finding a new option or perspective, even thousands of kilometres away, can make all the difference.

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Lips Carpenter's Hydra Glow Colour-Changing Lip Balm FAQ

I could've written a standard beauty review, but let's be honest; you probably just want quick answers.

So here's my FAQ-style take on Lips Carpenter's Hydra Glow Colour-Changing Lip Balm, written with equal parts of curiosity, hormonal chaos, and an unexplainable attraction to anything that promises "glow."

Because when your body is in perimenopause and your patience is in early retirement, you may not have the mood for complicated beauty routines.

Q1: Why did I buy Lips Carpenter's Hydra Glow Colour-Changing Lip Balm?

When I saw an Instagram ad by Lips Carpenter for a locally-handcrafted, colour-changing, hydrating lip balm promising a natural glow called Hydra Glow Colour-Changing Lip Balm; I thought, yes, this might be the low-effort joy that balances out life's high-effort days.

Q2: Does the lip balm really change my lip's colour?

Yes, and quite beautifully. The balm starts off clear, then reacts with your lip's pH to reveal your personal shade of pink. Mine turned into a soft rose hue that somehow looked more alive than I felt that morning.

It's not magic, it's chemistry; but I'll take any kind of transformation that doesn't involve mood swings or hot flashes.

This pH-activated balm reacts to your lips and transforms them — from dry to dewy, in one effortless swipe.

Before Hydra Glow Colour-Changing Lip Balm

After Hydra Glow Colour-Changing Lip Balm

Q3: How does it feel on the lips?

It glides on smoothly, feels lightweight, and actually hydrates. There's a subtle sheen, not glossy, just healthy. If you've ever used lipsticks that made your lips feel like the Sahara halfway through the day, this one's a relief.

Q4: Is it perimenopause-friendly?

Absolutely. I'd even say it's perimenopause-approved. It's gentle, soothing, and doesn't trigger dryness or sensitivity. This is definitely a big win when your skin suddenly decides to become allergic to everything, including your own existence.

Q5: What’s in it, and why should I care?

Because your lips deserve better than mystery chemicals.

In fact, the ingredients list reads like a spa menu: coconut oil, olive oil, beeswax, shea butter, vitamin E, vitamin C, rose geranium oil, orange peel oil.

Clean, simple, and local.

As someone who's now reading ingredient labels more carefully than horoscopes, I appreciate that.

Q6: Is it worth the RM108 (with free name engraving)*?

For me, yes. I think it's somewhat affordable, performs well, and looks effortlessly natural.

I call it cost per compliment ratio: a solid 10/10, especially on no-makeup days when I just want to look "alive but not trying too hard."

Furthermore, Lips Carpenter is a Malaysian brand with a clean beauty philosophy; no parabens, no synthetic fragrances, and eco-conscious packaging.

*correct at the time of publishing this blog post

Q7: Would I buy it again?

Without hesitation. Because change is constant - in hormones, in mood, in everything - and this little balm reminds me that not all change is bad. Some, like this soft rose pink tint, are beautifully unexpected.

You can purchase this colour-changing lip and experience it for yourself from Lips Carpenter's website.

Note: This is NOT a sponsored post. I bought the lip balm and wrote this review entirely of my own volition.

Because in this phase of life, I only rave about products that "hydrate" - my lips or my soul.

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