Outside the US

Have you done that in your life? Even for a vacation? Many have not gone beyond their state lines, let alone another country. Being born and raised in Canada I had visited the US multiple times growing up but didn’t move there until I was married in 1996. Even then it was Hawaii which has to be the most unique state in the US. Yes Hawaii is a state, often a misconception of many Americans, thinking that it isn’t, you need a passport to travel there from the mainland and even the occasional question of can I drive there. Yup I have been asked if you can actually drive to Hawaii. But I have been beyond those tropical islands and I know how lucky I have been.

My mother was born and raised in Australia and moved to Canada where she met my father and stayed, leaving her mother, brothers and sisters behind. But we still were able to visit them and travel Australia with some stops along the way. I had the privelege of going there three times growing up, the age of 2, age of 7 and the age of 12. Was able to climb Ayer’s Rock before it was given back to the people and its original name of Uluru; visited a station or two; went to an Opera at the Sydney Opera house; visited to Taronga Zoo; swam up the coast and back again and did other things as well. My favorite memory is a toss up though but I would have to say seeing The Man From Snowy River, it is a classic and way better to view on a big screen or in the theater. One time we went to Fiji for 7 days and that was incredible, I was 7 years old and still can remember several things like they happened yesterday. Went to Hawaii another time on the way back when I was 12, that was interesting and the hotel is still there or at least it was several years ago. In Canada I went to the Calgary Stampede and twice went to Nova Scotia, once to Prince Edward Island and saw Anne of Green Gables.

With the Navy sometimes you can get a chance of a lifetime and that is orders overseas, we were lucky and got it, Singapore for 2 years. A small country in South East Asia that is absolutely incredible. The people, the food, the lifestyle, the technology, the way of life. Singapore is a country that as I called it a liberal dictatorship. It is hard run with good old fashioned rules but yet they are a country that accepts all religions, low crime, harsh punishment if you do a crime, so a safe country. We celebrated Ramadan, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, and many others. It was incredible to see Christmas celebrated there, big signs in windows that stated “For Unto Us a Child is Born”, here it is in a country more of Buddhists and Muslims but yet still allow the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Which can’t happen that way in the US or in Canada. Sometimes we would laugh because it reminded us of Hawaii, everyone called Aunty or Uncle, respecting the elders, good transportation system and incredible mixture of food. No pointing with the finger, instead you use your thumb. Delivery of McDonald’s to your door, the list could continue on forever.

We also had the chance to do some more traveling while there. I went up to Japan and was able to see Tokyo one weekend but it wasn’t enough and I would love to go back. Spent a few days with some girlfriends in Phuket, Thailand that was so relaxing and beautiful. Went to just over the bridge to Malaysia and did some quick shopping. Then managed a weekend in Bintan, Indonesia with family friends. But the biggest trip was taking the kids to Australia, we stopped in Perth on the the way to Sydney and then on to Brisbane back to Perth before heading back to Singapore. Perth we spent a day and visiting lots of attractions, walking around town and driving. We actually even saw a memorial for those who were lost in the wars over the years, one part was a Torpedo from the US Submarine Veteran’s Association which surprised us but yet didn’t. Not sure if it was fortunate or not fortunate but in Sydney it was the time of the Youth Group meetings of the world with a visit from the Pope and it was freezing cold while we were there. Got to take the kids to see the Opera House, go to Bondi beach, see the jail in the middle of the Harbor as well as the Bridge, took them to Taronga Zoo, walked around all over downtown Sydney and met up with some family I hadn’t seen in over 26 years, it was wonderful. The kids got to meet cousins as well which was wonderful. After a busy time in Sydney it was off to Brisbane we went and saw some more family. But we ended up leaving the hustle and bustle and going out to North Stradbroke Island and staying in a trailer for several days. It was so relaxing and calming, the picture you see of what looks like a sunset was actually there in the middle of the day. While it was winter it was beautiful weather until the day we left. We saw dolphins, swam in the ocean, went fishing and chilled out. Then we went back to Perth where we spent 2 days with a friend before heading back to Singapore.

Living in another country is one step beyond visiting. When you live there you take the lifestyle from hustle and bustle to relaxing and chilling out. It depends on where you are and what you want to do as well. It is something that you need to do, to experience other cultures and food but to also understand how lucky you can be but yet how behind you can be as well. All those things are memories of the past but still memories and luckily things I can remember. Those can be better in the end than all the presents or toys or electronic things you get. Because they are something that can never go away and always make you smile.