Passion Never Die in 57 years old Man

Written by - Tan Yann Fang

SHAH ALAM: 57 years old man still having his passion in photography and hiking for over 10 years which become the driving force in his life.

A person made out of positive mindset.

About Robert Tan

The reason Tan started photography was when he discover interesting photos by browsing magazines and internet randomly.

 “Once you learn photography, you will be more aware of the surrounding and notice something before you know” said Tan.

Tan traveled around the country nearby especially third world country like Nepal, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and so on.

By experiencing different culture from there, and you will be more grateful on what you ha here today, said Tan.

Tan’s first hike

Mount Ophir, the first mountain Tan hiked in his life and find it very challenging as he carried 1kg of water with him while hiking as an amateur.

          After that he learnt the skill and technique of hiking from an old stranger who looked physically stronger than him while hiking.

        Since then, it ignites the fire in his heart and he started to challenge the same mountain 3 times continuously each week.

            From there, it started the passion and journey of hiking no matter he is alone or with a bunch of friends.

            “Life is just like hiking. It’s hard and exhausting when you climbing up but the sense of achievement you reach the peak is extremely satisfying”, said Tan. 

            Tan also shared one can only say they completed the hike of a mountain if one climb up and down themselves, not the ones that rode a vehicle during the journey down.

Tan had joined hiking group and went hiking at least once a week and from there he met hiking pals and conquered mountains together.

There are a few times Tan has lost in the woods with his friends but he find this situation is very interesting and fun instead of fear.

“There won’t be any story to tell if you completed a hike smoothly”, laughed Tan.

Tried something else

Tan also did join marathon also for a period and the longest distance of marathon he had joined was 21km in Penang Bridge International Marathon 2014.

However, Tan still find hiking is more suitable for him as the sceneries along the marathons are boring and the running will hurt his knees as well. 

As a father

A workaholic man and hence get his name from “robot” by his coworkers.

            Tan works hard because he wish to let his three children have a chance to study aboard as he did not has the chance back then.

Tan’s elder son, PC who now working in Japan said Tan is a very kind father who fully support him to work and study overseas to pursue his dream.

PC also shared that he has been influenced by Tan and started to love photography and hiking.

“After listening to his story, I wanted travel and see the world like him”, said PC.

“His camera is his wife”, said PC’s friend.

          PC has been a lot of places like Singapore, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mount Kinabalu and so on together with his friends and of course his wife – camera, which he always carries along with him.

Tan’s soul stays young

While Tan is busying with his work to raise a family of 5, he didn’t put his dream behind.

Tan has bought a Bonneville last year, planned to travel to ASEAN countries with his wife, Lee by his Bonneville. 

It was his dream since the age around 15 to own a Bonneville and hence he completed his dream.

Tan took the driver license for motorbike last year and claimed that he was the only old citizen among those who took the test.

Now, Tan is half retired and started to spend more time with his wife by hiking and visiting places with his Bonneville together. 

Tan had hiked Everest Base Camp before about five years ago.
After experiencing the challenges, he wanted to go there again.
“I want to go to Everest again if possible”, said Tan while worrying about his health condition during old ages.      

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