Overseas vacations are supposedly to be relaxing, especially when you go free and easy, unlike going on most package tours where they herd you around like little lambs till you are confused.
For me, this is only half true. Sure, it unwinds my mind since I do not really think about work while on holiday (okay, 99% true). If my manager ever asks why I do not check my email or on my handphone while on holiday, I can always answer back,
‘Sir, I was at Maputo. The only net they have there is fishing net. My handphone is as useful for picking my nose as it was for calling since reception is non-existent. The only way you can reach me is by Dove Express. That is, if the dove does not get shoot down and roasted en route.’
It will work, given that I do not usually divulge my holiday destination to him until I return. He cannot complain unless he gives me a satellite phone every time I go on holiday.
Now, the untrue part for me is that almost every overseas vacation I went on, it will be by default a physically taxing one. That is because I will explore a lot. Major tourist spots, up the hills, down the tunnels, markets, small alleys, nooks and crannies save the sewage system and female toilets. Some places I will go twice, once in the day and again at night just to feel the changes in the atmosphere and take in the night scene. More often than not, exploration is by the environmentally (and of course pocket) friendly Bus 11 i.e. pure leg power.
When I went to Vietnam, I came back with souvenirs that hurt – four big blisters on my feet. I had to walk on my heels and sides of feet for days. This time, I came back from Macau with stiff knees, strained calves and sore Achilles’ heels. It is not too bad, given that I was only there for three days.
Of course, by exhausting out physically during holidays means that I will inevitably flout the Rule-of-Those-Who-just-Came-Back-from-Vacation. It is an unspoken rule that those who just return from vacations are well rested. Hence, they are able to shoulder more tasks to cut some slack from those colleagues who slogged hard (supposedly) while they are away.
Naturally, given that I am always only mentally well rested, the day I return to work I usually glue my butt to the seat rather than walk the floors, unless some sadist colleagues poke me with a prodding stick.
To buck the trend and really give my body a rest, I have already decided my next short trip will be to some remote island with absolutely nothing to do except to get myself red and roasted for the local cannibals.
My first choice would have been Jurong Island, if not for the fact that there are no cannibals on it and the police would have prevented me from going in anyway. Thus, now begins the search for the perfect Eden and my getaway partner(s). Target, May.
For me, this is only half true. Sure, it unwinds my mind since I do not really think about work while on holiday (okay, 99% true). If my manager ever asks why I do not check my email or on my handphone while on holiday, I can always answer back,
‘Sir, I was at Maputo. The only net they have there is fishing net. My handphone is as useful for picking my nose as it was for calling since reception is non-existent. The only way you can reach me is by Dove Express. That is, if the dove does not get shoot down and roasted en route.’
It will work, given that I do not usually divulge my holiday destination to him until I return. He cannot complain unless he gives me a satellite phone every time I go on holiday.
Now, the untrue part for me is that almost every overseas vacation I went on, it will be by default a physically taxing one. That is because I will explore a lot. Major tourist spots, up the hills, down the tunnels, markets, small alleys, nooks and crannies save the sewage system and female toilets. Some places I will go twice, once in the day and again at night just to feel the changes in the atmosphere and take in the night scene. More often than not, exploration is by the environmentally (and of course pocket) friendly Bus 11 i.e. pure leg power.
When I went to Vietnam, I came back with souvenirs that hurt – four big blisters on my feet. I had to walk on my heels and sides of feet for days. This time, I came back from Macau with stiff knees, strained calves and sore Achilles’ heels. It is not too bad, given that I was only there for three days.
Of course, by exhausting out physically during holidays means that I will inevitably flout the Rule-of-Those-Who-just-Came-Back-from-Vacation. It is an unspoken rule that those who just return from vacations are well rested. Hence, they are able to shoulder more tasks to cut some slack from those colleagues who slogged hard (supposedly) while they are away.
Naturally, given that I am always only mentally well rested, the day I return to work I usually glue my butt to the seat rather than walk the floors, unless some sadist colleagues poke me with a prodding stick.
To buck the trend and really give my body a rest, I have already decided my next short trip will be to some remote island with absolutely nothing to do except to get myself red and roasted for the local cannibals.
My first choice would have been Jurong Island, if not for the fact that there are no cannibals on it and the police would have prevented me from going in anyway. Thus, now begins the search for the perfect Eden and my getaway partner(s). Target, May.
posted by Cylee at
9:49 pm I