"NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST" NiciJ's Profile

Dad & I, White Crags Cairn, Bishops Hill 10/05/07

Travel is Education

The quote of my Homepage Title is provided by JRR Tolkien.

My Dad always maintains that the best thing you can give a child is a good education. He certainly gave my brother and I the best education he and my Mum could!

My Mum left her own country of birth at the tender age of 17 and never lived there again, so she is obviously born to travel! Dad also travelled quite far as a relative youngster when he left school as he joined the British Merchant Navy. Despite his later enjoyment in sailing (he & Mum won many cups from sailing whilst living in sunnier climes!) the life on the high seas was not for him and after taking advice from the more experienced hands he went back to land to serve his time as an engineer, which he then worked hard and excelled at for the rest of his working career.

This career led us to live in faraway lands; my brother was born in Ireland, closer to home ("home" being Scotland!) and I was born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). We also lived in South Africa and later Sandakan, Borneo.

I totally believe that my early exposure to "foreign" lands was to instill in me a desire to travel and I do as often as possible. My parents, once settled back into working life in Scotland always maintained their desire to travel extensively once they had retired, and have had some amazing trips since, including adventures in Australia and Alaska and cruising round South America.

I really believe that travel, as long as one keeps their ears and eyes open, is the best education one can get. I have met and (alas!) forgotten more people than I can remember on my travels, but without a doubt each and every one of them has taught me something, whether they or I knew it at the time!

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” - Mark Twain

Intro Updated Nov 17, 2009
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Beausoleil Aug 7, 2011 at 11:28 AM

Nicola, I loved your post about packing for a purpose. I hope you work it out and can take some things for the kids. I've worked in Haiti and although the DR isn't as needy, there are certainly many children who would love the school supplies. Good luck.
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leics Jul 25, 2010 at 12:14 PM

And thank you too! I really, really will get round to the Roman bit soon....honest. :-) J
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nomad7890 Sep 3, 2008 at 9:15 AM

Hello Nicola, thank you for the comments! Hope you enjoy your trip! Regards, Martha
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mar1956tin Nov 12, 2005 at 9:30 AM

Hi Nicola Jane, thanks for your comments on my Edinburgh and Fethiye pages, I'm glad you enjoyed the Sottish humour, regards Martin
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Sharon Apr 26, 2005 at 9:58 AM

Thanks for your Lovely note on my Israel page and for your mail (will reply soon) Glad to know it brought you such good memories... But i dont see Israel on your travel Map here ... Would love to read and see about your times in Neve Yam.
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Etoile2B Apr 20, 2005 at 4:11 PM

Happy Birthday from sunny California!
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peerapa Apr 20, 2005 at 10:14 AM

Welcome to VT & Happy Birthday to youl!! Wish you have a nice day all year & forever happy...Best Wishes from Bangkok, Thailand