It’s here! Finally, an envelope containing the little blue book that I thought I’d never receive. Today, my passport arrived!
If you have a passport it might not be a big deal to you, or maybe it is? For me, receiving my passport is HUGE.
Later this month I will board a plane for my first ever overseas trip, we are ‘up, up and away’ to Bali and will be returning back home to Adelaide on my 45th birthday.
Forty five years and I’m doing my first overseas trip, call me a late bloomer.
I’ve never had a hankering for overseas travel. As a kid I was raised in an army family and we moved every two years, so we I got to see a bit of this great country Australia. By the time I married at 23 I was ready to settle down.
And settle down we did. By twenty six I was Mum to two children and we purchased our first house a few days after I turned twenty seven. I was content.
Having moved from Queensland to Adelaide when our first son was just a newborn I was also content discovering a new state.
Holidays have been few and far between, we got busy raising kids instead. I was privileged to be a stay at home mum which is bloody brilliant but it means sacrificing in the budget department.
Sure, I worked on and off over the years but kids are expensive critters right?! We always said ‘one day’ we would head overseas together, the mister was hoping we would travel there as a family but wouldn’t you know it, kids grow up fast!
Then three years ago I was diagnosed with cancer, when I thought I was dying one of the regrets I had was that I hadn’t travelled.
Fast forward to Christmas just gone when our twenty year old son gave us the gift of travel. Oh yeah, that kid I raised turned out to be a bloody good egg, he paid for our trip as a present. I know, dab your eyes ladies, I bloody cried too.
So, no excuses. We booked our holiday (planning is fun) and then I sent away for my passport. I felt like a fully fledged adult, and I also felt alive. Sooo alive!
Sending off for that passport was like telling the universe that I wasn’t done yet, I have more to do…more memories to make and more living to do.
Of course the application wasn’t without hiccups, phone calls in relation to my birth name, why did my birth father now have a different name? Why wasn’t my childhood name registered? Holy heck, more forms filled in and finger crossing while I waited for it all to go through. Geez, if my parents screwed this up because…well it would be another thing to add to the list of things they screwed up in their lifetimes.
Today the postman pulled his bike into my driveway and gunned it straight to the front door, I knew he had it. I knew today was the day.
This little blue book has wings, it’s filled with dreams and hope and holds the key to memories yet to be made.
I wonder where I’ll go after Bali?
Where has been your favourite overseas destination you’ve travelled to? How old were you when you first got your passport?
Til ill next time,
Jen X
You beat me by a couple of years lol! Like you, I only got my passport last year (at the ripe old age of 47) and OUR first trip was Bali! It seems a great ‘starter’ overseas destination 😉 – and we didn’t travel sooner for exactly the same reasons…kids are expensive little critters!
Next up is a cruise, undecided where, but that’s what the hubster and I want to do for our 50th (he’s six months older than me) and then my DREAM holiday is Canada. In fact I’m going to start planning that one out and putting everything on my vision board this year.
oh my goodness Jane, we have identical itineraries :-):-)
Congratulations, how wonderful!!
You’re a few years ahead of me – 48 this month and still no passport.
I put it on a vision board Annette, might work for you too 🙂
A new passport is always exciting! I could not get to the post office quick enough when I found the collection card in my letterbox! And my parents’ have just returned from their first overseas holiday, Like you, it was a gift from my brother and I (and my husband!) For their combined 70th birthdays and 45th wedding anniversary. They loved it! Really loved it! So much so they are planning their next trip! It was fantastic to see them enjoy overseas travel like my brother and I have over the past 20 years. It has been a pretty big month for our family & travel. Husband & I went to Fiji, my folks to NZ & my brother going to Bali & Vietnam. Enjoy your trip Jenni, you will love it! And I bet you will planning your second trip overseas before you finish your first!!
how lovely for your parents Michelle 🙂 45 years married is bloody good going too. xx
Congratulations. Its so exciting to travel. I went on my first overseas trip about 5yrs ago to vegas. Had never been on a plane either! That place will blow your mind.
The huz went to Vegas about 5 years ago for work 🙂 America sounds supersized!
I got my passport about 4 years ago and since then I have managed to go to Bali 3 times! Im going for my 30th later this year too, I adore that place, so many things to see and do. So excited for you, I try to do a mix of dirty street Bali and Upper class Seminyak to get a mix of it all!
You are travelling at a crackin speed Caitlyn, your 30th will be awesome 🙂 Thanks for the tip hun xx
Well i went overseas when i was 18 and came back 10 years later. Lived in India, worked in India, Pakistan and Afganistan. Met my husband in atcthe Tibetan opera in Delhi. The rest is history. Travelling gave me a family and a wonderful husband.
travel was very, very good to you Jen 🙂
Yay you!!!! A Passport does have wings, may yours soar gorgeous!!!! xx
Thanks Shan, bring it on:-)
I was 19 or 20,a girlfriend and I went to Hawaii……..we shopped up a storm! but did see the island too.I’ve been lucky enough to have gone back there twice……it’d have to be my fave overseas destination.Still have a few islands to see though???
Sounds brilliant Sam, 🙂
How exciting for you. In one month & one day we are going to Hawaii. My partner is 58 and it is his 1st overseas travel. He wanted to negotiate for a passport that will last one year. He thinks he will never use it again. Keep saying he will get the bug.
I haven’t been overseas since 1997, feel like it’s my first time because of the excitement from my man.
Have a fantastic holiday with many more to come.
I bet he does get the bug 🙂 Enjoy your trip x
Thank you
So happy for you Jen! Far more important to have raised such an amazing son than to have visited some far off land. I was lucky enough to travel abit before i got married at 23 (divorced @ 30 – oops). A place I would love to visit again would be Greece, just a lovely part of the world. I hope to travel with my hubby & son before he has left home. This year we are going to Hawaii for our 10th anniversary…can’t wait!!This
our time is now and I’m good with that 🙂 Have a fabulous anniversary holiday in Hawaii.
Lovely lady. Up up and away. My goodness you’ll love to travel. I’ve been doing trips since 17. Lucky I know. Bali is great. Spain was amazing. France in the countryside is bliss. USA is the best cos my grandson is there…but too far away for my heart….Greek Islands are a must do …..so much to see…plan a trip every year. It’s good for the soul to have an adventure to look forward to.
I’ve got sooo many places I would love to visit Linda, I’ll be kept busy x
Totally agree!!
Oh yay! Go you! I hope I raise my boys as well as you have yours!
Nicest compliment ever. 🙂
Enjoy Bali, it’s a beautiful place with beautiful people. Hopefully you will get the bug and cross more destination s off
your list. Your time is NOW! Travel is great at any age, you always get something out of it. But the good thing about travelling when you’re older is that you really appreciate it and take it all in, rather than partying etc. Have an amazing time! And keep that passport safe! It’s a pain if you lose or misplace it!
Thanks so much, this will be the start of something great x
What an amazing gift your son has given you. I was 18 when I got my first passport, I travelled to Greece with my brother and dad. My dad hadn’t been back for 27 years and was a very emotional and fun trip. I have been to USA, Canada, Singapore, Europe, Hawaii and Cuba. One day I would like to go back to Canada and experience a white Christmas (but I freaking hate the cold). Hawaii is another place, it has been more than 20 years. You will be flicking through those travel brochures more often now. Can’t wait to read about your trip. 🙂
I want to go EVERYWHERE ??
I remember getting my first passport (I was 22 – turned 23 in Amsterdam) and being so excited, kept flipping through it and handing it over at immigration all excitedly and the thrill of having it stamped! I am super excited for you and dying to use mine again soon. My mum flew out to Vietnam today and I’m dying of the jells!
I can’t wait to get it inked Beth! Hope your mum has a brilliantly trip xx
I have butterflies in my tummy for you Jen! And that boy of yours.., oh my!
Get ready to bitten by that bug. No matter where you travel, I can guarantee you’ll be a different person when you land on home soil again. I couldn’t name a fave destination… They are all incredible, all for very different reasons. But South America would be top 3 for sure. Xx
Thanks Shannon, he’s a great young man ?
The world is now your oyster Jen! Once that travel bug gets ya you’ll always be broke from saving for the next trip but rich with wonderful memories and thirst for adventure!! Not long til Bali – how bloody exciting!!!!!
So true!!!
Saving already for the next trip, just need to decide where xx
How wonderful is your boy? Clearly gets it from his parents ?
Passports I’m on my 3rd I think. First was at 15 for a school trip to Noumea. I’ve since travelled all over but my favourite place was New York. I couldn’t believe I was really there!
Enjoy your Bali trip lovely!
Thanks Bec, it was a wonderful surprise from him. New York is on the list ??
What an incredible son you have raised!!!
Suppose we’re lucky in some respects living in UK as Europe is so near and cheap(at times) to visit? I’m fortunate to have travelled extensively worldwide but our fav.destination….OZ, because our wonderful son lives in Perth!!! Have a truly magical trip Jenny.xxxx
Thanks Deb, I would love to head to the UK and Europe, so many awesome spots to explore all so close!
I’m so happy for you Jenni ,you grab that passport and find your travelling wings and go to where you want to visit,much love Xx
Thanks lisa, we are pretty excited!
Woohoo, what a positive parenting affirmation from your son.
I am one of the lucky ones as I first went to Bali in 1978 and have an addiction to it. I love it all, the modern and the traditional but most of all those gentle and fun people. It gets under your skin in a positive way. We are heading back in May and I cannot wait. Have an amazing time, I know you will x
You would have seen some massive changes in Bali then Jan ? Enjoy your trip in May. Xx
Wow go you!
If I told you all the places I’d been you’d either think I was crazy or be green with envy. It’s been a lifelong passion of mine.. 1st passport at 19 for a trip to Hawaii/The States, (I’m 45) and Favourite destinations so far: India, Italy, make that all of Europe.. Vietnam, New York and Tahiti.. I’ve filled three passports.. I’ve got Spain and Morocco booked for December.. There was about an 8 year hiatus when kids were younger although their first passports were at 4 and 6. My now 18 year old has caught the family travel bug and is planning a trip to Vietnam in her Uni break. Never stop ?
Felicity I think that’s awesome!!
I am SO excited for you Jenni. I have been fortunate to have a passport since the age of 7 when I travelled to England with my Mum and sister. Dad stayed home to look after the business but ended up missing us so much that he surprised us by getting on a plane and knocking on the door to our apartment in London. Neither Mum nor us children knew he was coming and I can still remember the shock.
Every destination I have been lucky to visit has been an adventure, but our last trip where we visited Italy is the one that has me hankering to go back. We are already trying to decide where to go in Europe next year and the short list is currently Greece or visiting the South of Italy considering we did the North last year. Planning is half of the fun.
We do have plans to go to New York in 2019 as my girlfriend and I want to go there for our 50th’s. It has been on the list for about 6 years and we are edging closer!
I can’t wait to hear all about your lovely Bali holiday and if you want any tips, please feel free to ask
xx Kate
Congratulations, I hope u have the time of your life…..God only knows you deserve it!!!!
Thankyou Kylie, not long now xx
I got my first pastport at 49 and went to the USA. My favourite place New York , amazing place and the shopping was heaven for a curvy girl.
New York is ‘on the list’ ?
Overseas travel is so good, so enlightening and so grounding. As I have a Kiwi husband we travel to NZ for family catchups every year or two years, but 6 years ago, for our 20th wedding anniversary and husband’s 50th b/d (& whilst our eldest son was at the age that we could still pay child fares) we decided to do our family trip of a lifetime. I loved planning it all and we did some really special things with the boys, that they will always remember.
We only had a month, but we went to Los Angeles (for Disneyland of course!), Ohio where my brother lives, London to see Phantom of the Opera 2 and the most amazing Harry Potter tour, Paris, Cairo, Dubai and Singapore.
Would love to travel more one day.
Hope you have the most wonderful time.
Wow Christina you’ve seen some fabulous places!
Congratulations! This post reminds me that I must apply for my blue passport! Once you start travelling overseas, I bet you won’t want to stop and Bali is beautiful! I was born in South Africa and my mum took me back to the UK when I was about one so I’ve had a passport for almost my whole life. I’ve had some amazing adventures but going to Disneyland as an adult was probably my childhood dream come true!
I love your Disneyland pics Sammie, and am looking forward to following your travels later this year X
Oh Jenni, I’m so excited for you! You’ll love every minute. There’s nothing like standing in the middle of a foreign market and just breathing in all the different smells and hearing all the different voices and marvelling at how exotic it all is. It can be emotional sometimes. I cried the first time I saw the Eiffel Tower!
I always love going to a local supermarket and looking at all the different packaged foods and cleaning products etc. they have. I don’t know why but I love it!
Your son is obviously a gorgeous boy. How proud you must be!
We’re super proud of him Lauren.
I’m soooo looking forward to ‘feeling the vibe’ from travel. Smells, noise, landscapes and the people, I can’t wait! Xx
I am soooo excited for you Jen. You are going to fall in love with Basli and quite possibly will never want to go anywhere else again xx
Everyone says we will go back again and again…I might need to get a job!
Oh Jen, I only found your blog/facebook pag last week while I was home sick from work. I have been enjoying reading and investigating clothing brands that you recommend. As for travel, I only received my first passport 2 years ago. My husband and I had our two children fairly young and were too busy raising them & certainly didn’t have the extra funds to travel overseas. The kids are both adults now and hubby & I now have the travel bug. We did a cruise 18 months ago and now off to Hawaii in October! I hope your passport takes you on many adventures.
Welcome Kellie!
We are in the same boat as you, kids young and not too many holidays. They’re now 18&21 so now it’s time for the huz and I to have some holiday fun.
Enjoy Hawaii, sounds amazing X