To The Moon

From your favourite prata stall uncle’s nephew – Muthu Boy Chapter 1: Shop Closed, Heart Open Happy Deepavali ah brothers and sisters! Today my prata shop not opened one. Why? Because Deepavali mah, must go visit relatives, eat sweetmeats, wear new shirt, take photo with auntie until camera battery die. But one relative face very long… my uncle. Chapter 2: Uncle Got Scammed, Heart Pain Uncle sit there, eyes red, keep saying “Aiyo… my 30k USD gone already…” He wanted to retire on cruise ship, sell house, sell car, pay one time, forever live on boat, wake up every day different country, eat buffet, no need cook, no need wash plate. Dream very nice. Result? Ship company ran out of money, borrow money from passengers, then one fine morning tell everyone: “7 hours later you all must get down. Bye bye.” 203 people stranded in Cambodia. Uncle almost join them. Chapter 3: The Never-Ending Cruise That Ended Ship name: Villa Vie Odyssey Old small ship, bought by new American company, promised “affordable forever home on sea”. Marketing very sweet: Pay 30k–300k USD once, food, laundry, cleaning all included, sail the world until you die. People sold everything, moved in, made friends, became family, even do karaoke and birthday party on board. Then slowly: Destinations cancelled Gym class gone Laundry gone Food supplier not paid, crew go supermarket themselves Company ask passengers to lend money for fuel… again and again Finally in Cambodia: “Everybody out by 2pm today.” Dream over. Ship now with creditors. Restart chance almost zero. Chapter 4: Muthu Boy’s Deepavali Advice Listen carefully, don’t say uncle never warn you: If someone say “Pay once, live forever on ship”, ask yourself: Is this company big brand or new startup? If the ship sink (financially), your money sink together. Better take normal big cruise company, do one leg by one leg. Same money can sail many times, still have money left for prata and teh tarik. Don’t put all eggs in one floating basket. Chapter 5: Final Blessing Happy Deepavali everyone! May your oil lamp burn bright, your bank account stay full, and no one come borrow money from you for “fuel”. Uncle still sad, but we force him eat murukku and smile. Share this to your family group before someone else pay 30k for “forever cruise”. From Muthu Boy – prata stall closed today, but Heart always open for pretty ladies . Happy Deepavali! Stay safe, stay land-based.