MEET HELEN CLARKE

We noticed this silver haired, tanned, amicable, always smiling lady who never once used the lifts on board. She may walk with the aide of a cane, the cane-cum-chair kind, and her back may bend a little but she possesses every sign of an elderly person who is in complete control of her physique and faculties. Dora and I have this immediate inkling that we ought to meet her. We are certain we can, and will, learn something from her. The long and short is we introduced ourselves and asked for the pleasure of her company at lunch today. It was a real joy.

Helen is Irish and her work life was incredibly similar to what Dora and I did, from an allied health professional to sales and marketing in the healthcare industry ... in her case from being a Maternity Nursing Sister in Charge to a top pharmaceutical Sales Representative in the UK. Her life after retirement is all about leisure travels, notably on cruises. She is a walking dictionary of the top echelon cruise world like Silversea, Crystal or Seabourn ... she has been on them all, many times over globally. Known affectionately by the crew as Miss Clarke (not Ms God forbids) she is obviously a darling regular on board.

We asked her how she manages her almost hectic travel schedules her reply is a single word ... determination, the same resounding word that led her to stellar careers. Our 2-hour lunch was a lesson with multiple themes on careers, self reliance, personal well being, human interaction, grace, curiosity and of course the art of making things happen, making life worth living via determination.

Helen will visit Hong Kong in December, it will be our honor to see her again and to show our hospitality. Helen Clarke is such a joy to know, and even better, someone to emulate.