Some memories stand out like a sore thumb, such as the time:
1. I decided to act as Housekeeper for the night
I was 5, and it was our first day in the US. I had a long nap in the afternoon as that was the time it was night in Asia, so my sister and I succumbed to the weight of our heavy eye-lids. By nightfall, we were wide awake. I decided to keep busy by tidying up the bathroom. Obviously there wasn't much cleaning up or tidying to do as we were in a hotel and it was just Night #1. I had nothing else to do after the tidying... Standing alone, at the threshold of light from the bathroom and the darkness of the room, I decided to join my sister -- in crying in the dark because we both could not sleep and had nothing to do... It was one of the longest and darkest night for the both of us!
LESSON:
- Fight the jet-lag by heading outdoors in the day, getting active and attempting to cheat the mind with some sun!
- Bring a book or the kiddo's favourite toy so that he/she won't feel bored and lonely in the darkest of nights.
2. I vowed to head back to Disneyland when I grew taller!
I remember being really envious that my sister was allowed on the thrilling 'Space Mountain' ride in the Magic Kingdom of Disney World, Florida, and I was left behind because I did not 'pass the mark' in height... It was upsetting for a kid who was in Disney World!! Come on..... Right?! So, as Arnold Schwarzenegger would say in the Terminator: "I will be back!", I vowed to return when I was taller. And I did! When I was older and (slightly) taller in 2008, I saved up and joined my friend who was based in Los Angeles, and together, we went somewhere much better ---- 6 Flags Magic Mountain!!! Woohoooo.... It's a WONDERLAND for thrill-seeking adults! I was satisfied, happy (and thankful I did not pee in my pants!)
LESSON: "I Will be Back"... And may I add -- 'With a BANG!' ;)
3. I got lost looking at Dolphins
According to mum, I was a restless kid who loved to release myself off peoples' grip, run towards things that attract my attention and immerse myself in the activity. I loved running about and was somewhat uncontrollable.
I was about three and in Perth when I saw a pool of dolphins which instantly grabbed my attention! Without thinking, I swung mummy's hand off and dashed towards the pool to be close to the dolphins. I marveled at the beautiful creatures, touched their slippery smooth skin and decided that I wanted to feed them! I turned around to look for my parents, intending to ask them for permission (and money) to buy some fishes for the dolphins...... But my parents were NO WHERE in sight! I walked frantically about the place looking for them, but still could not find them amidst the crowd. I gulped, trying hard not to panic or cry as I knew it was my fault. I started to panic. I was a three year old kiddo who had lost my family in a foreign land..... It was TERRIFYING! I didn't even know my own home address in Malaysia, neither could I remember what my parents were wearing if I had to describe them to a stranger..... I became worried and desperate that I decided to approach a stranger to try to comfort myself, and just as I was about to do so, my mum miraculously appeared! I ran to her with tears of relief, hugged her, and as soon as I was safe with my family, I was immediately reminded of the dolphins. Still hugging mummy, I looked up, teary-eyed, and asked: "Can I feed the dolphins?".
"NO" was her answer.
Such is life...
Later on in my adult life did I find out that my mum actually did that intentionally, to teach the restless wanderer in me a lesson. She definitely was successful. Good one, mum!
LESSON:
- Provide your child with an itinerary of the trip, address of accommodation and contact numbers
- Pocket money (only for emergency, not for candy)
- And if your kiddo's like me, do what my mum did =) Make sure you keep a watchful eye!
4. I hugged the wrong person
Till this day, I still have no idea how on earth that happened?!
It was the same day and place where the dolphin incident happened, in Perth. I had left my family very briefly just to dispose something in a bin, a couple of metres away. Like a happy child who's back in the safe embrace of her family, I skipped to the bin, threw the thrash in hand, turned, saw my mum amidst the crowd, ran towards her and HUGGED her tight, thankful I'd found her! Suddenly I hear giggles above and around me, I looked up and it was a Caucasian lady I was hugging! Surprise, shock, horror!! I could've sworn I saw my mum and that I actually ran towards her....
LESSON: Ermm... Only hug people who hold the sandwich board 'Free Hugs'? Heh..
5. We went to the African safari
The most interesting place for a kid who loves animals!
LESSON: Save up and go back there again! ;)
I'm not sure if these travel experiences actually contributed to my love for travel, as you can read and tell, my memories of these travels when I was young, are rather scattered and not so much destination based (apart from our trip to Africa which I went when I was 11, old enough to understand and remember). It's likely that the travel bug did not latch on any of these childhood travel experiences as I was too young to remember or appreciate our destination, till I was a little older. But it sure was fun recalling the random things I remember as a child :)
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