Uncle Andrew is living my dream of carving my name in the snow in Alaska! Photo Source: Uncle Andrew
- Sitting and talking to Uncle Andrew is like spending time with my grandfather, which I never had. I was so invested in his garden and world tales!
Who would have thought that our plan to interview Uncle Andrew would lead us to one of the most inspiring and unforgettable conversations at POKOK.ASIA?
And of course, we could not keep this incredible story to ourselves. We’ve got to share them with you!
Chin See Choo, affectionately known as Uncle Andrew, is an 80-year-old man living in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. We first stumbled upon his TikTok interview, where he shared stories about his incredible self-grown sidewalk garden. Intrigued by his passion and creativity, we decided to reach out for an interview to learn more about his gardening journey and the beautiful oasis he’s cultivated right outside his home.
But as we spent time talking with him, we realised that his story was about to be so much more than just gardening. Uncle Andrew’s life experiences are filled with lessons and insights that can inspire many of us, especially the younger generation. His journey is a reminder that there’s always more to someone than meets the eye, and we can all learn something valuable from his incredible life.
And here’s Uncle Andrew’s story.
Retirement Plan Oasis
Meet Uncle Andrew! The man behind the sidewalk garden. Photo Source: Pokok.Asia
As soon as we pulled up to Uncle Andrew’s place, the first thing that caught our eye was his garden bursting with pots of vibrant plants right outside the front gate. It looked like a mini jungle! I could just picture my grandmother green with envy at the sheer number of plants Uncle Andrew has.
The garden stretched from the gate into the front yard, creating a lush oasis that instantly brightened the whole area. Growing up in a big family where the women adored gardening, I recognised several plants, like coleus, Chinese evergreen (aglaonema), and even Araceae, which I think is called ‘bunga keladi’ in Bahasa Malaysia—please correct me if I’m wrong; I’m no plant expert. He also has some other plants, like Mexican mint and vibrant Japanese roses, that he introduced.
The 80-year-old has always had a love for gardening, but with his job as a teacher and all the travelling he did overseas to teach, he never really had the time to dig in. It wasn’t until he retired in the 2000s that he started his little garden. Bit by bit, he filled his front yard with pots of plants, turning that empty space into something special. All the time and care he poured into his garden definitely paid off, with beautiful, healthy flowers now brightening up his home.
Look at all the plants! I’m gonna visit him again and ask for a pot! Photo Source: Pokok.Asia
And that’s just his home garden! I haven’t even started on the sidewalk garden yet! The story behind the sidewalk garden is that he realised how the sidewalks were always filled with trash because of people who litter carelessly. As an environmentalist, he would pick up the rubbish while taking his walks.
At the same time, he was running out of space in his home garden for more plants. So when someone suggested using the empty sidewalks, he took the opportunity to fill them with beautiful plants. It has then become part of his gardening routine.
The sidewalk garden was started back in 2012, taking six years to transform the entire 75-metre stretch into a green haven. By 2018, his garden had fully blossomed, becoming a beautiful sight along both sides of the sidewalk. Ever since, he’s been dedicated to keeping it thriving, adding new plants and nurturing it with care.
His routine kicks off as early as 7:30 a.m., trimming back overgrown stems and keeping the grass neatly cut. He’ll usually work until about 10 a.m., when the sun gets too hot, then picks it back up again in the cooler evening hours. Along with keeping everything neat, he still picks up any litter around and replants stem cuttings to grow new plants.
It generally takes him about 5 to 7 days to maintain one side of the sidewalk and around two weeks to cover both sides. By the third week, he turns his attention to his home garden, then comes back to the sidewalk garden in the fourth week to start the cycle again.
The sights of the sidewalk garden. Photo Source: Pokok.Asia
The garden and sidewalk garden is packed with low-maintenance plants that can handle sun, rain, and pretty much anything else without needing much from him. Most of them grow easily from stem cuttings, so he doesn’t spend a lot to keep things green.
Many of his plants come with a story. Some were gifts, others he simply asked for from hotel lobbies or other people’s gardens if he saw something he liked. He even brought back a hibiscus from Rwanda when he was teaching there. For decoration, he would pick up stones off the roadside to lay around, adding a little personality to the place..
Pretty much everything from the plants, pots, and maintenance amounts to little more than pocket change. This proves that it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to do what you love. If you can find an alternative without spending a penny, why not go for it?
As we strolled along the sidewalks with Andrew, listening to him excitedly share his vision for the garden, I couldn’t help but admire the energy it takes to transform a public space into a beautiful walkway. At 80 years old, it must have been tiring for him, but his enthusiasm made me admire his dedication even more.
He ensures that gardening remains enjoyable by working at his own pace. There is no rush or urgency, no one pushing him, and he is fully in control of the process. This freedom allows him to savour each moment, turning what could be a chore into a cherished part of his day.
Plus, gardening offers him countless benefits. With over 20 years of retirement under his belt, he has plenty of time on his hands, and this hobby keeps him busy instead of idling around. All that movement and labour acts like exercise for him. Apart from some knee issues that come with age, he hasn’t been sick in 40 years.
Spending time in the garden also brings Uncle Andrew a great deal of joy and peace. He loves listening to the magpies and ‘merbuk’ (zebra dove) chirping in the mornings while he tends to his plants.
Sometimes, people passing by greet him with a smile, and a few even offer him ‘teh tarik’ or a bottle of water, which he politely declines, saying his house is just around the corner. It warms his heart when people compliment his garden. Those little nods of appreciation keep him going.
For him, gardening is like a personal project, almost like an IT or science project that others might find interesting too. It is something he does bit by bit, with patience, and the real joy comes when he sees the plants thriving and flowers blooming. It is much like watching a child grow up, with every little change bringing so much pride and joy.
In his own way, the garden has become a part of the neighbourhood. And for him, it is a wonderful way to keep doing what he loves without any pressure. Just steady, rewarding work, one plant at a time. In that garden, he is not just cultivating plants; he is cultivating a sense of community, connection, and love for the simple things in life.
Uncle Andrew’s Sojourn Endeavour
Floating on the Dead Sea in Jordan. Photo Source: Uncle Andrew
Gardening can bring a lot of happiness and fulfilment, but nothing makes a person prouder than sharing their journey with others.
As we spent time with Uncle Andrew, we discovered that he is not just a passionate gardener; he is also an avid traveller. His adventures around the world began long before he started his home garden.
During his time as an educator, he had the chance to teach abroad as a lecturer, taking him to places like Rwanda, Uganda, Brunei, and more. After retiring, he embraced his adventurous spirit and explored even more corners of the globe.
“From the time I retired in 2000 up until 2018, before the pandemic hit, I managed to visit 80 different countries,” he shared. When people ask how he juggled it all, he explains, “It was simple. When I went overseas to teach, I would go from February to May, then take a break during June and July for the summer holidays. I would pick back up from August to November, then rest again in December and January.”
Those two-month breaks during his teaching months were perfect for travel. He spent that time discovering new countries, often bringing along his retired friends for the adventure.
He shared that his friends are usually the ones in charge of planning their trips. “I just leave all the planning to them because I am terrible at it. I cannot even go on the internet. Technology and I do not get along,” he laughs. So, his friends take care of everything, from choosing the destination and activities to booking accommodations and making purchases.
“I just pay and show up. Sometimes, I do not even know where we are going. I just follow along,” he adds. It is a perfect example of his adventurous spirit, and honestly, I cannot blame him. Sometimes, it is nice to just go with the flow and let the world surprise you.
In a time when so many young people are fixated on planning every detail, striving to make every moment Instagram-perfect, there is something liberating in just letting go. There is this pressure to curate the perfect experience, but life does not always need a roadmap.
In fact, the best memories often come from spontaneous moments, the ones we did not anticipate or try to control. It is a reminder that maybe we do not always have to chase perfection. Sometimes, the magic lies in the unexpected turns along the way.
“Now, let me tell you where I have been. You would be surprised,” said the 80-year-old with a grin as he began listing off his incredible adventures.
He has been to the North Pole, Antarctica, and even North Korea. His travels have taken him to Jordan, Iran, and many other places across five of the seven continents. He has explored the game reserves in South Africa, trekked up Mount Kilimanjaro, and visited Zimbabwe, Harbin in China, and even Alaska.
“You name a place, I have probably been there,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
The North Korea trip. I was actually scared on his behalf! Photo Source: Uncle Andrew
While most people might travel for shopping or to visit the usual tourist spots, Uncle Andrew ventures out to truly experience different cultures and landscapes. He loves connecting with locals and other travellers, often choosing destinations that many would not even dream of visiting.
“I have been to the lowest point on Earth in Ethiopia. I stayed there for two days, and it was so hot I could only sleep in my underwear!” he laughed. Based on my research, I think he is referring to either the Afar Depression or the Danakil Depression.
One of the highlights of his Ethiopia trip was a nighttime trek up a volcano. “We started climbing at 10 PM and reached the top by midnight,” he recounted. “By 5 AM, we were heading back down to avoid the heat, making it back by 10 AM.”
While we were soaking in Uncle Andrew’s stories, we could not resist asking him for some pictures from his travels. I decided to visit him again about a week after our interview to pick up the photos. He was kind enough to give me a tour of his home, showing off the collection of souvenirs he had brought back from his trips. I was completely blown away by how many photo albums he had. There were probably thousands of pictures! I am pretty sure he has way more photos than all the selfies on my phone combined.
Souvenirs collections belong to Uncle Andrew. And the shelves of albums? He has tons more! Photo Source: Pokok.Asia
While visiting Uncle Andrew, I sat down with him to listen to more of his stories. He walked me through the tales behind each picture, sharing bits of his life along the way. Right now, he is retired and living alone, though he rents out rooms in his house to other people. He has four daughters, all of whom are working abroad, and I could sense his pride when he talked about their successful careers.
Yet, as we sat together, I could not help but wonder how lonely he must feel sometimes with all his children so far away. It struck me that he likely pours much of his time and energy into his garden to keep himself occupied. His garden seemed like both a sanctuary and a pastime, a way to stay active and busy, filling the hours with purpose.
When he spoke, there was a spark in his eyes, as if sharing these stories brought him a kind of joy he had not felt in a while. It made me think that perhaps recounting his past and journey excited him. He had someone to tell these amazing stories to, someone who was genuinely interested. I felt a sense of warmth knowing I was there to listen.
For me, there was a strange but comforting realisation that washed over me. “Is this what having a grandfather feels like?” I thought to myself. Hearing his voice, full of nostalgia and wisdom, felt like a gift, a reminder of how precious and fleeting time with loved ones can be. I felt genuinely glad to be there, a small part of his larger story.
When asked for advice for younger people hoping to travel the world, he shared, “It all depends on the person. I am adventurous by nature, so it is easier for me. But some people are not, and they will not have that same love for it.”
He explained that he chooses to travel because he does not hold onto all the money he makes from work and his pensions. “My kids are working, and they do not need me to provide for them anymore. So, I use what I earn to fund my travels.” Over the years, he estimated that his trips have cost him at least RM2 million, quite an investment in memories.
And he has no regrets. When I asked if there was anything he regretted not doing, he replied, “For anything you want to pursue, first make sure you have the ability for it. Do not yearn for something you cannot do. For me, I cannot go skydiving or swim, so I have never wished for those things. When you know your limits and do not yearn for what is out of reach, you will have no regrets and enjoy life more.”
He added, “Sometimes, even if someone has the ability, circumstances can hold them back. Some might have the money but be too busy. Others might not have the funds but have the time. I would not call it regret, though. It is more like a disappointment.”
Hearing this opened my eyes. Indeed, we often dream about things that feel just out of reach, and those dreams can sometimes remain just that, dreams. It is a reminder that while we should dream big, we also need to be realistic about our capabilities and circumstances.
Instead of letting those dreams stay locked away, we should focus on what we can actually achieve and enjoy the journey along the way. After all, life is too short to hold onto disappointments. It is better to embrace the opportunities that fit who we are and where we are in life.
And that is Uncle Andrew and his sojourn tales.
There is so much more to Uncle Andrew’s stories and wisdom that cannot quite be captured in words. You really have to sit down with him and listen to his tales firsthand. Each story holds a lesson, and there is a warmth in his words that makes you feel like you are sharing in his adventures. It is not just about the places he has visited. It is about the memories he has created and the life he has lived.
Last but not least, for anyone thinking about starting their own garden, Uncle Andrew has some great advice: “Getting your hands dirty is the best way to learn. Study while you are working, and do not be afraid to experiment with different methods. It is all about trial and error. If something does not work, just try again in a new way until you figure it out.”
Click here for a more interesting story like this!
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