I Want To Get Away, I Want To Fly Away…

travel

That’s how the song of Lenny Kravitz go. πŸ™‚ And this is what I sing when I want to travel.

I have been browsing through online deals (as what I used to do) to check for items on sale or travels at a good deal when I ran into a few. All-inclusive 3D/2N trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia. *Sigh* Given my present financial situation, I cannot really afford an international trip right now. Well, not yet anyway. But seeing that deal, I could only sigh. You see, I have been wanting to go to Cambodia (and even Vietnam) for the past two years now.

I would have gone there on my birthday last year had I not gotten pregnant. Not that I regret having my little boy. Na-uh, nope, I don’t regret that. It’s just that his medical journey for his first four months had really put a dent in my finances. And I mean, a big dent. Again, not that I regret it. If I have to go back and do it all over again, I would still prioritize little Z no matter what. But if I could go back in time, I’d probably have fixed and stabilized my finances before having my baby. But then who could have known that I will have little Z, right?Β Anyway, enough of that.

For as long as I can remember, I have always dreamed of going to places – travelling to other countries, visiting local destinations and all that. I was lucky enough to land a job that sends me off to different places when needed. In the past seven years with my current employer, I have already been to three countries (of course, not counting the lay overs in other countries. LOL) and two local tourist destinations within the country. And thanks to my employer, I was able to afford my own trip to another local destination last year.

2007 was a year full of travels. It was when I first left the large island of Luzon and then had my first international trip. Well, my first plane ride for that matter. Our company’s summer outing that year was held in Puerto Galera, Mindoro (an island south of Luzon). I was also sent to Singapore for a two-day cross-training in our Distribution CenterΒ in August. Then in November of that same year, I went to the US for a 3-week business trip.

Singapore was fun. Orchard Road was a road of malls. Malls are beside each other and across each other. All you have to do is find out where to cross for you to get to the other side. πŸ˜›

The Merlion at Singapore
The Merlion at Singapore
I forgot which mall this was... still in Singapore
I forgot which mall this was… still in Singapore

The US trip that I’ve had that year was a 3-week business trip. My itinerary mainly were business meetings, a 3-day conference and client visits. 4 days in Austin, TX; a week in Pittsburgh, PA; 2 days in Eden Prairie, MN; and the deadliest (well, that’s exaggerating, it was the most tiring part) last week was spent travelling from one state to another every single day. Albany, NY then took a train to New Jersey then a plane ride to Baton Rouge, LA then another plane ride to Memphis, TN then another plane ride to Dallas, TX. From there, we took a bus back to Austin for last minute shopping before coming back home.

waiting for a cab outside LAX
waiting for a cab outside LAX
selfie somewhere on the road to the office in Austin, TX
selfie somewhere on the road to the office in Austin, TX
Pittsburgh Airport Mall
Pittsburgh Airport Mall
Somewhere in downtown Pittsburgh
Somewhere in downtown Pittsburgh
downtown Pittsburgh at night
downtown Pittsburgh at night
Eden Prairie, MN
Eden Prairie, MN
Detroit Airport
Detroit Airport
San Marco Outlet Mall in Austin, TX
San Marco Outlet Mall in Austin, TX

The next year, 2008, was another summer outing / team building held in Boracay. It was a 3D/2N team building workshop that was spent mostly inside the hotel’s conference room. The second day had us running around the sea-side for a grueling day of physical and mental activities ala Amazing Race.

company team building in Boracay
company team building in Boracay
Parasailing in Boracay
Parasailing in Boracay

It has been a quiet few years after that trip. πŸ˜›

The next trip I had was 2012 when I went back to the US for almost two weeks. Business trip again, of course. A week in Round Rock, TX and three days in Dallas, TX for a client visit.

that's a half-ass burger... imagine what a big-ass burger would look like...
that’s a half-ass burger… imagine what a big-ass burger would look like…

Given that I have been working with North American clients for the past 7 years, I have never thought that I will have the opportunity to travel to Europe. As part of the project, I was sent to The Netherlands to learn from the folks there. The office was located in Ede which was an hour away from the airport. I spent the weekend at Amsterdam and did some shopping and sight-seeing.

outside Schiphol Airport
outside Schiphol Airport
panoramic view within the city center
panoramic view within the city center
the Red Light District
the Red Light District

Amsterdam was a very interesting place. Just watch any documentary show that features this place and everything they say about Amsterdam is true. It is a place with no pretensions. It is what it is.

And did I mention that I was already 4-months pregnant during this trip? Yep, I was already pregnant that time. Little Z’s first international trip in utero. LOL!

A month, after my long flight, I found myself at the domestic airport waiting for my flight to Palawan for a much needed vacation. I think I deserved that solo trip. Away from all the stresses of the big metro and away from work as well. Though that trip was too short if I could say so myself.

waiting for the boat going inside the underground river
waiting for the boat going inside the underground river
travel last food trip before going back to the big metro
last food trip before going back to the big metro

When I was pregnant, I was already planning road trips and international travels with my little warrior. I want him to experience the world at an early age.Β I knew even then that my little boy will eventually be my travel partner. Just the two of us.Β I was planning on bringing him to Disneyland in Hongkong or Universal Studio in Singapore for his first birthday. Oh well, that plan will have to be put on hold for now.

So, what’s the point in all of this? I am itching Β for a trip to anywhere. That’s it.

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17 Comments

  1. It’s nice to relive our memories of travel. Travelling with your little boy is indeed something to look forward to… be prepared to see the world in a whole new light πŸ™‚

    1. I think it will be a whole lot more interesting once my little boy starts travelling with me.. I can already imagine the chaos of packing and travelling with a toddler! LOL! πŸ˜€

  2. Oh you’ve traveled a lot! I’m more of a shopaholic than a travel bug so my leisure fund goes to shopping hehe. I’m sure you’d be able to visit more places in the near future, don’t worry!

    1. I’m not much into shopping but when I shop, I used to shop for my godkids, nephews, nieces and family… I almost always forget to buy something for myself. LOL! πŸ˜€

  3. Yeah, I agree…sometimes I also just want to get away πŸ™‚ Travelling is amazing! I’m excited for you for your next trip. I’m sure it’ll be fun and crazy with a toddler! :p

  4. Envy Much! Lucky you for being able to visit these wonderful place! You look like you’re having fun and I think its more fun when you tag along baby Z – I’ll be waiting for that interesting travel story then πŸ˜€

    1. I got lucky when I joined my current company.. No matter how stressful the work load gets, I see these travels as perks (even if I have to go there to work).. πŸ˜€ it’s going to be a whole lot different once I start travelling with a toddler, that’s for sure πŸ˜€

  5. You have been so many places! I miss travelling a lot because I used to visit different places before. Now, it is kind of hard to travel with a toddler. Although, we still travel sometimes. πŸ™‚

    1. I just got lucky with my job, I guess. πŸ˜€ I love travelling, too, and I don’t want to stop just because I became a Mom.. i think it would be a good opportunity for my son to see the world while he is still young… πŸ˜€

  6. wow! how i wish i could travel in places just like where you’ve been! but traveling outside didn’t really attract me.. i’d rather explore beaches and different places here in our country.. someday, when my little girl’s older na. πŸ˜‰

  7. WOW! I envy you for being on those places you have mentioned. I haven’t been to any country outside the Philippines (sigh). I wish to visit one Asian country soon.

    1. I never thought I would be able to go to those countries myself, thanks to my work πŸ™‚ there are a lot of cheap deals for Asian tours already. I haven’t tried it yet but I plan to once I have the budget… Let me know how it goes if ever you plan to check the deals out πŸ™‚

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