Travelling around the World

04/11/2020 01:47 p.m.

I grew up watching the classic movie: Around the world in 80 days, which was what seems like an elusive dream. Travelling, by itself, was something unattainable back when I was young. Not because we could not afford it, but it was not a priority, neither was it a necessity. As I grew older, I had more and more opportunities to travel out of my abode. There was that packing my own luggage for the first time, there was that flying across the horizons for the first time, there was that being welcomed into new territory in a completely different language. But there was also that feeling as though whatever I am seeing was not real for the first time, there was that wanting to stay here forever for the first time, there was that dream to travel around the world in 80 days for the first time.

Travelling to me, became a dream, became something I want to do in the future. Amidst all the uncertainties in life, this became clearer and clearer to me that this was something I want to do certainly, for sure. 

I went to Phuket, Thailand once with my family in 2017 and again with my class in 2019. Let me just say that despite going to the same country, to the same province, but I had two completely different experiences. The trip in 2017 bonded my family, and we became closer together as we forged memories in a different land. The trip in 2019 completely blew my mind. That 5 days I had with my friends could safely be assumed to be the best 5 days I ever had in 2019. The sky, the ocean, the sand, the sun, the moon, the stars, the people, the life. IF I could hold it all in the palm of my hands all over again, I would take it all in, without a doubt. I enjoyed the unexpected peace among the passionate shoutings of hawkers in the night market. I enjoyed the serenity of the sound of waves crashing onto the white sandy beach. The rhythmic percussion of the waves hitting all so gently onto the barnacle-encrusted dead, bleached coral reefs. I enjoyed the salty kisses of the ocean as I sat near the edge of the boat while allowing the cool draught of air to comb my errant strands of hair behind, giving me an undisturbed full and wholesome view of the faraway, never-ending seamounts. Beyond all of that, I enjoyed swimming/scuba diving in the endless, watching the underwater parade and that was as far as Finding Nemo can be a reality to me. I had a whale of my time, or should I say a dolphin of my time, when the entire boat of us was blessed by the sightings of dolphins, not one, but four of them. 

These will be memories that I will hold on for a lifetime. 

Undoubtedly, this was that trip that really changed the way I think. To be able to travel is a blessing and I would deem it as a necessity because you can truly learn so much more by travelling, or if not staying for a period of time at a different country. Not everyone is able to do that, but if I can and have the opportunity to work outside my home ground, I would, a hundred per cent, take it on. 

I am not scared and I do not need to be. 

Be fearless, be bold.

Work hard, stay humble. 

Rookie for life, 

xoxo, Hui