MY OVERSEAS TRIPS

Some people’s destiny see them with many properties, wives, children, professional success etc. My destiny took me to many countries when I was a student and on govt. service. As a student, one summer holiday, while Malaysian students (scholarship holders) were sponsored going home for a holiday, my father didn’t allow me to come home but travel the world to expose and educate myself. So I joined 3 university mates, traveled in their van and covered 14 European countries in 2 months. We purposely avoided super highways and opt for the original trunk roads to get a better feel of the country.

We took our own sweet time, stopped wherever we like but ended late at formal camp sites (they lock the main gate at 10:30pm), we ended stopping by petrol stations, sleeping in the modified van and having breakfast there. We were to “conquer” Scandinavian countties but the radiator struck a leak in Switzerland and as it is very difficult to find a workshop open during the Summer holidays, we felt it wiser to limit the Northern route to Holland. The rest were mainly govt. sponsored trips, meetings and educational courses.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could have visited so many counties. (Our definition of having visit a county is beyond the fence of a port of call.) Many things learnt here one never find in school book because it involves real life experience. One of us was very well read so every country visited, he would talk about the socio-economic, cultural and historical background as well as the hard realities behind the scene that were rarely published so the trip was very educational. I would say this is in contrast to the average tourist who just wants to snap photos for momentos, see the glamorous and exciting side of a city/country then go window-shopping.

My favourite were Latin countries because they hold much history, have lovely landscapes, beautiful buildings and the locals are generally friendly. Still, when I compare notes, the most delicious food, without prejudice, can be found in Malaysia, the melting pot of South East Asia.

However, all these trips made me reached a point in the Law of Diminishing Returns where going to another doesn’t turn me on any more.