School's over, well almost over. I have 1 last event, a combined cultural groups concert, this Sat and then Im going to have a good long break for 2 weeks. A well deserved trip. I have been fortunate in this lifetime to be able to earn enough money to allow me to travel. I remembered when I was much younger, I never had the opportunity to travel around and I used to look at my friends who were able to travel with gerat envy. I remembered when I was 16, I told myself that I was going to work hard and be able to travel around and see the world. And I have managed to do that. My first time on a plane was when I was 23, and the first place I went to was Perth, Australia. And I loved it. And from then onwards, I never stopped. Every year, I take trips out. It used to be a once a year affair, a big trip at the end of the year usually. Then from once a year, it became twice a year ( a short trip  mid year, and a long one year end). Then I dont know what happened, from there, it went to 2 big trips a year.

When I was in Australia, I spent half the time travelling around Australia and the other half studying. It was the best. Of course, financially, it was draining. But hey, that's the perk of being a single lady. :) You get to travel as and when you want to as you dont have any commitments. Actually, having said that, it's not about whether you are a single lady or not. It's about whether you want to do it or not. And even when I had a bf, I still travelled like crazy. It's like my ultimate passion. Now, my mom doesnt even ask if Im going off anywhere during the school break. She just asks, So where are you going this holidays? LOL!

Travelling gives me the biggest high ever. From choosing the place to go, to buying your plane tickets, to booking your accommodation, to planning your trip, to packing your bags, and to finally being there, it's an adrenalin rush. I just love it. The experiences you get cannot be substituted with anything else in the world. I love going to new places, and meeting new people, and experiencing different culture, and food. I am able to just let go and not be restrained as in Singapore, working as an educator, I have to watch myself sometimes. But once Im in a foreign land, I become truly myself. Unihibited. :) And I can truly say that travelling so much has made me the person I am today. Fun loving, adventurous, risk taker, free spirited and independent and I live for the moment.

This Jun, Im going back to Perth to meet my dearest friends, Mark, Shari and Ryan and back to Melbourne to see my best friend Nad and her siblings as well as to see my darling Jay. :) At the end of the year, if all goes well, I will take a family trip to Korea and a personal trip to Spain. :) Cross fingers. Im going to be spending a hell of a lot of money.....thank God for high bonuses. YAY! :)

I have actually put up some pictures of my travels in the past 8 years, when I first started travelling. :) Enjoy them!

Bali Dec 2009. A trip with my kids. Best fun I had. Bali was a beautiful place. Culture, scenery, food and people. Fantastic.

Sydney 2008. I took a week trip to Sydney when I was studying, during my winter break. Sydney was very cosmopolitan. It's urban, with beautiful architecture. I managed to watch a show at the Sydney Opera House, something that I would always remember. :)

One of my favourite places in the world, Melbourne. My first trip there was in 2006, then I took 2 trips there when I was studying (one on my own and one with my family), and then I went back there twice last year. :) Melbourne is just great. It has great food, great city culture but at the same, has the mountains, and scenery for you. Long drives in Melbourne during autumn and winter is just stunning. And of course, the fact that Nad and Jay are there is a bonus. :)

Egypt, Dec 2005. I have always been fascinated by Egypt. Im a History buff, especially ancient History. And growing up watching Indiana Jones and the Mummy series has made Egypt one of the 'must see places to go to before I die'. And it did not disappoint. Mind blowing. I remembered my hotel in Cairo faced the Great Giza Pyramids. I was in awe.

One of the few Asian countries I really wanted to visit, Cambodia. Dec 2007. I took this trip with a group of students, as one of them was Cambodian and he took us all around. Cambodia was a beautiful but unkept place. I was really sad cos I saw so many poor people, especially children. Broke my heart, but made me appreciate my life more. The architecture of the Angkor Watt.....Did not disappoint. :)

My favourite place in Asia, Bangkok. I have been there twice. Dec 2004 and June 2007. Bangkok is nothing but shopping, eating, shopping, eating, massages. Nothing else. I love it. It's so decadent!

Turkey, Dec 2004. My first trip out to Europe. And one of most favourite trip as I was with one of my most favourite people in the world. So many memories, so many stories, so many first experiences. People there were so friendly, kind, flattering. The scenery was mind blowing, I took my first hot air balloon there, and as the balloon flew over the sunset and snow capped mountains, it was the first time I truly appreciated my life. Something that remains etched in my memory until today. :)

Italy, June 2005. I have always wanted to go to Italy and I spent 2 whole weeks in Italy, visiting Rome, Sienna, Florence, Assisi and Venice. I got to see a lot of monuments, Trevi Fountain, the Roman colosseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa, St Marks Square.......Beautiful country with beautiful people.

Perth, a place close to my heart. It's like 2nd home to me. My first trip out of Singapore was to Perth, Dec 2003. And then I studied here for a whole year in 2008. Went back twice in 2009(once for my graduation in March and another time last Dec to see friends). Perth is beautiful. Quiet, simple, with beautiful beaches, winery, rivers, natural scenery. I love it here. :) 

Greece, June 2009. Probably the most beautiful and stunning country I have ever visited. I have always wanted to go to Greece but was saving it for my honeymoon. Until I decided, screw that, and packed my bags and went. And my God. Greece is is just stunning. I dont even know how to describe it. It has these gorgeous clear sparkling seas, against the white backdrop of the pristine white buildings and blue domes... Then when you drive away from the islands and go into the different cities in Greece, you get to see some ancient architectural wonders, and when I say ancient, Im talking about ancient myths and mythologies. It's just mind blowing. And the people there are so gracious, and nice, and wonderful :) I love Greece. And I definitely want to go back there again. Just stunning.

I have been fortunate tobe able to go to such beautiful and far flung countries. And I look forward to more trips, and discover new places, get new experiences, and meet new people. :)