Nathan's Insights

Highlights: Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Tijuana, Circus Circus, Vegas, Beaches in Hawaii, Pearl Harbour Remembrance.

As a twelve-year-old, I went on my first overseas trip between 27 November and 9 December 1986 for a 13-day adventure.

This was a great adventure that got me out of primary school and made my friends very jealous 😀 My entire family travelled together: my parents (Helen and Barry), sisters (Kara and Lana), and brother (Reagan).  We visited Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, Tijuana and Honolulu.  This was to be our first and only overseas trip, with every family member, given that my father died in 1990.  While I don’t recall everything, I do remember enough.  I remember playing the arcade games in the hotel for 25 cents, losing quarter after quarter late into the night.

I loved Disneyland, but for me, Knott’s Berry Farm was the best, especially the roller coaster rides. I remember how crossing into Mexico to visit Tijuana was really easy, but getting back was much, much harder.  Las Vegas was so colourful. Circus Circus was a lot of fun for a 12-year-old. My brother, who was 18, didn’t have as much fun, given he couldn’t gamble.

The last stop was in Hawaii at Honolulu.  By accident, we were there for the Pearl Harbour Remembrance Day.  Lots of veteran marches and USA Flags everywhere.  While the beaches I remember as good, it was the extremely oversized ice creams purchased in Honolulu that have stuck with me; I mean, they were bigger than my head!!

This was one true moment together as a family.  Yes, we had a few fights and temper tantrums amongst the kids, but it was just before my brother Reagan joined the workforce the next year.  In many ways, it was the last true family moment, when we were all children, with the world full of amazement, our parents the word of authority, and the world a happy place full of joy. The problems of the next six years weren’t here yet.  Everyone was alive, including my grandparents.  Happy times.

How lucky was I to have such an experience?  I guess it started my love affair with seeing the world, which has taken me to every continent on the planet and 52 countries and counting. I was blessed at this time in my life, and I am currently blessed.  The pain I went through between these moments makes these blessed experiences even greater. Thank you, Mum and Dad, for your sacrifices.