Travelling As A Way Of Learning

I am writing this Love Note on SQ 256, after a business trip to Gold Coast, Australia. After 34 years of travelling, I have not lost; to borrow the words of an airline slogan, ‘the romance of travel.’

I hope I never will.

When I was 19 years old, I took my first trip on a plane to Hong Kong. Young people today are so fortunate because they get to travel overseas so much younger and cheaper with low cost carriers.

I went to Hong Kong on a social mission. To fund my trip, my friends pooled their money and made up the difference by collecting and selling old newspapers.

Since then, I have always considered it a privilege to be able to travel.

Many people; including those I was not aware of, made it possible for me to visit these countries. They included everybody from my customers, taxi drivers, employees of the travel industry, to the workers who cleaned the airport toilets whom I would never ever get to meet.

After the Hong Kong trip, I was bitten by the travel bug. Whenever possible, I like to pack my luggage and take off to another country – even if it is to visit our neighbor next door, Malaysia.

I will never ever get sick of visiting any country no matter how many times I’ve been there.

Travelling is one of the best ways of learning. It opens my mind to new places, experiences and lessons.

Along the way, I get to enjoy new dimensions of fun, excitement and fulfillment.

I made it a point to learn about every country before, during and after the trip. I liked to know about its history, government, people, culture, economy, lifestyle, businesses and, of course, real estate.

Even during our honeymoon, my wife and I visited real estate agencies. We wanted to take every opportunity even on overseas holidays to learn more about how to manage a real estate business and investments.

Work, like travelling, was fun. Put together, I could have more fun.

I wanted to squeeze in as much time as possible to see every country I visited.

When I go on a business trip, business was never strictly business. I made it a point to turn the people I met into my ‘freehold’ friends.

I tried to absorb as much things as possible during the trip. I also took time outside of work to see different parts of the country.

I wish I can share with you some of these exciting experiences such as sitting on a horse in total darkness to see the most beautiful sunrise and an amazing view of a volcano crater, and standing on snow-capped mountains, looking at magical sceneries.

I also remembered fondly snorkeling in crystal clear water surrounded by colourful fishes; trekking for hours in a tropical jungle to see a stunning waterfall; enjoying a home-cooked meal besides a fire place and amongst friends…

There are too many wonderful memories to share with you in the short space of this Love Note.

I am happy to share that I have many friends all over the world. There are many homes that are opened to me and I can feel comfortable in any place.

I am still fascinated by strange culture, customs and practices. I am still curious about everything in the places I visit.

I believe there are so much more out there in the world waiting for me.

I want to visit every country in my lifetime.

I want to be a global citizen and to enjoy the best sight, sound, smell, taste and feeling on Planet Earth (and in this universe when space travel becomes a reality).

I want to be the best real estate salesperson so that my dream to travel around the world will come true.