First times!

The other day, while we groaned about an unexpected power cut on a summer evening, my neighbour's toddler came running in to our house to show us the glow in the dark owl on her new t-shirt! She was so excited about the power cut, to her it was a pleasant surprise. This got me thinking about perspectives, and being happy about small things along with first time experiences.

Much as I love my routine, I derive a huge rush from first time experiences. And there is nothing quite like taking a trip to a new exotic land to get myself these in abundance. Work took me to Nagara Brunei Darussalam (yes, my job has wonderful perks) and I then extended this trip to a weekend in Tioman Island , Malaysia. Short as it was, it is one of my favourite trips yet and given below are the many firsts that I experienced on this work trip/vacation

•  Getting my passport stamped for a country I never imagined I would go to. Nagara Brunei   Darussalam. I love saying it!

•  Having someone receive me at the airport with my name on a placard. I had this small surge of excitement when I saw the company driver standing at the airport exit. (Yeah, yeah! Small things make me happy)

 

• Being in a country where I saw no lack of anything. Everyone seemed to have enough to lead a comfortable life. Was quite a shock from living in India all my life.

• Being a part of the ex-pat experience in a country with prohibition. Guzzling beer at the yacht club in Bandar Seri Begawan, that we had to bring in our own coolers.
  

• Meeting two wonderful feisty Chinese women, who changed my entire perspective of the Chinese. Adventurous, gregarious, fearless and so spunky. Made some good friends for life. 

• Taking a two hour speed boat  ride alone, into a water village then on to a mangrove. Just the boatman, the boat, the proboscis monkeys and me. I struggled to let go of the fear nagging me at the pit of my stomach, I am sad I couldn't be spotlessly  happy, but I am so glad I didn't let fear stop me from doing it.
  

• Eating chicken bottom kebabs. Yes, that's right! Grilled chicken buttocks. Disgusting!

• White sands and brilliant blue water. Tioman Island, you are a beauty! SO much better than watching Travel and Living. 

 

 

• Scuba diving! It was a huge challenge for me to work against my instincts. Use my mouth to breathe instead of my nose. But once I took that reverse flip into the water, I was one with the ocean. Nothing like I have experienced before!

• Spotting a shark. I am told, this is not a very frequent sighting, and I was one of the lucky first timers.

• Having a secret once in a life time experience!

 Brunei wowed me with its man-made grandeur while the pristine natural beauty of Tioman stole my heart. It was a trip that made so many dreams of the child in me come true and it re-emphasised to the grown up me the importance of travel in my life!