Married, but travel TV host Denise Keller still game for adventure

Married life has done little to slow her down.

Local model and travel TV host Denise Keller, who tied the knot four months ago in a private beach wedding at the Banyan Tree Ungasan resort in Bali, is already raring to jet off.

Viewers know the 33-year-old as the face of cable channel TLC's travel series Passage, which saw her visiting China, Malaysia and the Middle East.

In the coming months, the German-Chinese beauty will embark on a four-month Silk Road journey.

While she keeps her private life under wraps, letting on little when probed, she spoke passionately about her job and adventures.

Tomorrow, the yoga enthusiast and teacher will be conducting an outdoor yoga session at the inaugural TLC Festival, held at The Meadow at Gardens By The Bay.

The free event also features appearances by TLC culinary personalities like Bob Blumer, Erwan Heussaff and Jock Zonfrillo.

Having taken up yoga since she was 14, following gymnastic-related injuries, Keller has taught in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

"Yoga is great for concentrating and learning about yourself," she told The New Paper.

"You get to get rid of your 'monkey mind'. It makes for good TV but sometimes you want it to calm down.

"Yoga does that for me and helps me be in touch with my inner wellness."

It also led her to Bali, which has always been her special go-to place for escape and a spot of relaxation.

So it was hardly a surprise that she chose it as the destination for her wedding ceremony which, according to a Her World Plus report, was attended by 70 of her closest friends and family members.

It was also reported that Keller and her groom, who was unnamed, ended their big day with "a romantic first dance and a magical fireworks".

Keller said: "I think we were in unison about it. We have many friends from all over the world and we wanted to give something special to them.

"It would be nice to have it in Singapore but that would be just like any other wedding."

The couple then headed to Turkey and Morocco for their honeymoon.

"Istanbul is one of the places that I told him I really wanted to go to," said Keller.

"I love Islamic culture. It was something I have always wanted to experience. It was gorgeous."

Of course, she could not resist lugging home some beautifully-crafted Moroccan lamps and a small, silver traditional fountain.

SHOPPING

Keller said: "If anyone tells you not to buy them, don't listen. Buy them all, don't care!

"I came home with too many, they became our home decoration. We went nuts and bought everything. The key is to not hesitate!"

Asked if she counts marriage as a big milestone for her this year, she deftly steered the discussion towards her professional life.

She said: "My greatest milestone in general is doing exactly what I'm doing now.

"I really have one of the best jobs in the world. I get the privilege of travelling, meeting new people, getting to know different cultures and being touched by the lives of so many people.

"I hope this never ends and really, I am just getting started."

But as much as she enjoys spreading her wings, home is still where her heart is.

For Keller, this year is memorable because she considers it her homecoming year.

According to her, she has never been in Singapore for more than six months at any one time in the last eight years.

She felt fortunate enough to be able to celebrate Singapore's Jubilee birthday and was happy to be with family and friends, some of whom joked that they thought she was "stuck in a cave somewhere or meditating in the mountains".

Keller admitted that she packs "pieces of home" when she has to go away for a long time.

Together with a silver luggage emblazoned with an image of a Merlion, she takes along unripe avocados, a compass with the coordinates of Singapore and her essential oils.

"These are the comfort things that remind me of home," she said.

"Avocados were not available in China so I brought along boxes of them. The compass is a special gift and when I look at it, I always know where home is."