They were talking about visiting other countries, the difference in visiting Asian countries and European countries....temples vs churches...etc..also about where they would prefer to go if they took their teenage son along, who's about my brother's age. What would suit him and them at the same time...
It got me thinking...I'm pretty blessed, fortunate or even lucky I've been able to visit a big part of Europe while I was studying in England and France. I'm glad I got to take my month long trip after graduating and visited 13 countries, England, France, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Vatican City, Greece, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium. I mean, seriously, it is a chance of a lifetime. It was cheap when I went, only 1,500 pounds for the whole trip...including, travel, accommodation, breakfasts and half dinners. Hey, dont get me wrong..i saved up heaps for this trip! And even worked to earn more shopping money! hahah!
But i had the time of my life!! Meeting people from all over the world (mostly Aussies, some Americans, Canadians, Kiwis, South Africans, I was the only Asian - which made it all the more special). I went on my own, coz none of my friends had the time to spare (a lil bit more than a month). They wanted to get on with their respective lives...further studies, work, etc.
The whole gang..in CORFU
Parasailing in Corfu and White Water Rafting in Tyrol, Austria
Apart from the Contiki tour, I also visited Italy (while living in France) with my ex for a few weeks and it was awesome, arriving in Rome, driving down south, stopping in Pompeii along the way, driving along the Amalfi Coast further south to Sardinia, stopping for gelati in a small village...too bad we missed the boat to Capri.
In my first year at Uni, a couple of us took a trip to Paris, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Brussels during the winter vacation. On a coach! i think it took us 14 hours from London to Paris...it was a LONGGG journey....ushered in the New Year under the Eiffel tower (had an unfortunate run in with some Parisian kids), hopped on the wrong train and ended up in a quaint lil French village, amazed by the Mercedez cabs and nearly winded in Amsterdam (no kidding, the winds were POWERFUL!), OMG the PINK ELEPHANT hahah! ok its called the CASA ROSA...ahem..need i say more?? Nah, didnt do any magic mushrooms or see no dragon or fairies...
Belgian fries...same as French fries? dun even start....(*psst...i couldnt tell the difference!)...oh had a blast shopping for FMBs and choosing yarmeeh chocs at Leonidas! Meeting other world travellers at the Y, where we were staying, got hit on by the barman (YUCK!), luckily there was this nice Jap guy who came to my rescue!
That was my life in Europe....
Since coming back to Malaysia...i have made mini trips to Bali and Bangkok...and Australia! I loved it so much i wanna go back again and again and again! And thank my lucky stars I won a 'contest' and had the opportunity to go as an Aussie Ambassador in May this year and won a following contest (from the AA) and will get to go again! This time, to Tassie! for 2 whole weeks!!
I live to travel....the world's too big, even when people say "its a small world", not everyone gets to see it all...we have so little time, resources, energy...that's y i live life to the fullest! See and DO all i can before i die (morbid but hey, its true! u never know!)
Ok besides traveling the world (or just part of it), I am blessed to have everything i ever needed. A family, 2 adorable doggies who are my everything, a man who loves me and friends who stick by me no matter what.
So you see? I lack nothing...I'm grateful and appreciate everything I've been blessed with.
