When you’re young, camping might seem like something that only old people do. You might think that as soon as you’re old enough to have your own house and a car big enough to take on a road trip, you won’t need to rough it in the great outdoors anymore. The truth is, though, that there are plenty of reasons why camping is best when you’re still young. If you find yourself thinking that camping is just not for the young, then read on to learn why you should reconsider! It doesn’t matter if you are living in a city or in the country; everyone needs some time under the open sky every so often. 

So if you have already been to Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur to be precise) and have a stopover there again? PS this is mainly from an Indian point of view. Well it's a blessing in disguise! Firstly, KL is a beautiful and friendly city and you can never get bored of visiting it multiple times. Secondly, I am here to share an unexpected guide with you!

When we were booking our flights to Australia, we were planning for Air Asia flights. Tickets to Australia (Sydney/Melbourne from Delhi/Mumbai ) are really expensive and an economic way to travel is through Air Asia. Now every Air Asia flight has a stopover at Kuala Lumpur (the low budget airport terminal). But our connecting flight to Melbourne was quite late. So when we were brainstrorming options what to do in that transit period, we discovered an extremely fascinating fact. Malaysia offers free transit visa for upto 120 hours (that means 5 days) for passengers towards Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Korea (of course with the valid visas of those respective countries). However, the grant of that free transit visa is fully on the discretion of the KL Immigration Authority.

So we decided to take a chance, we booked a flight in which the stopover time was around 20 hours. That is, we were landing in Kuala Lumpur early in the morning and the connecting flight to Melbourne was at around 4 in the morning. I had been to Kuala Lumpur twice before, so there was no point in exploring the friendly city again. However KL's twin city, Putrajaya was unexplored. I had heard so much about that place and was just 25 kms from KL. So the plan was sealed. We were to explore Putrajaya in those 10 to 12 hours. Only a slight uncertainty: our transit visa was at the mercy of the Malaysian immigrant officials.

After we landed and proceeded towards the immigration, the officer looked at our tickets and passport for quite some time. He asked what we are going to do in these hours. We divulged our plan and there came the stamp of approval. Yay!

We took the metro to reach Putrajaya. It was already morning. We crossed numerous palm plantations and they all look so pretty. Then we deboarded at Putajaya station. Mind you, this was going to be an entire walking tour! I know, we are crazy!

For the starters, Putrajaya is the administrative capital of Malaysia. It has been developed as a garden city, during 1999, to decongest the highly populated capital city of Kuala Lumpur. As we started walking, we could see the Putra Bridge, our first stop. It was an architectural marvel and we took pictures and sat on the grass to catch our breath. We had not slept the whole night mind you :D

Our next stop was the main attraction of the city, the Putra Mosque or Masjid Putra; famously known as the Pink Mosque. However, the rest of the attractions which we tend to visit were on the way to the mosque.

We walked by (read encircled) the serene Putrajaya lake, one of the most beautiful lakes of the country. It's a huge artificial lake, to maintain the temperature of the city. At one side of the lake is a huge botanical garden. There are luxurious penthouses bordering the lake, each with a private pool. Those penthouses were so tempting that I felt like shifting there right now! The Pink mosque could be seen far from the lake. We gradually walked towards that magnificent structure.

What we did not do is visit the Prime Minister residence. It was beyond our scope of walking and would take time too. We wanted to pay a visit to the Petronas Twin Towers before boarding the flight to Melbourne.

This walking tour is one of the best utilization of time in our lives so far. The city of Putrajaya is extremely pretty as it's fully planned; with marvelous architecture and greenery all around. In all we walked around 15 kms that day, that too without any sleep, after a red eye flight, all prepped for another red eye to Melbourne. But it was so worth it!

We took the metro to the capital and bade goodbye to this pretty city, with our hearts full.

 So I have become a pro in procastination. But a job well started is half done, right? My first born's birthday falls in the first half of March, we celebrate usually during the last weekend (since the final exams fall during her actual birthday.) And the first week of July is over too. I earlier thought of documenting her birthday for the ocassion of Mother's Day, as it's her who made me one! But seems I missed that deadline too. So here we are, in the middle of July, trying to hurriedly document one of the most precious days of the year.

So this post is a continuation of what I wrote in January, regarding the third birthday of my little one; that 'The child is the father of the man'. 

Relationship lessons from my three year old

If you are a parent, or even have nieces and nephews, you very well can understand what I mean here. Children teach us something all the freaking time and we should always keep our eyes and ears open and try and imbibe these unprovoked, genuine lessons. Ever since I became a mom in 2014, my daughter has been teaching me something or the other. So are the 8 most valuable lessons that she has taught me over these 8 years.

1. Being non judgmental: I feel that this is the foremost quality which we adults need to imbibe. We all judge. If you are an SATC fan, then this would ring with you more (Stanley to Carrie). However kids are absolutely non judgmental. They just don't care whether the bed is made or not, the dress is flashy or not, gift is expensive or not or the person talking to you is haughty and vain! 

Scrolling all the time makes me judge (just a little bit) but I have really been trying to become 100% non judgmental like my daughter.

2. Keen observer: Well when you are a medico, you need to be a keen observer. That's one basic pre requisite for this profession. The moment a patient walks into your chamber, you should be able the diagnose the ailment. While I am a pretty good observer myself, my first born is on another level!

Her tendency to note minute details often throws me off but also is a good reminder that I need to be more present, in order to be a better professional.

3. Forever Forgiving: This is kind of an extension of the first virtue because when you are non judgmental, you won't commit. Being forgiving is damn important; not for the other person but for the sake of your own self. Over the years I have held grudge for a few people in my life but my daughter is a forever reminder that I need to let it go. 

No matter how rudely I behave with her (I know, I am ashamed of myself but kids sometimes need scolding and yelling for discipline and studies), she is loving like before after a few minutes! She has never held a grudge against me all through these years. I should not take this for granted but again, we all should learn to forgive.

4. Full of energy: Kids are definitely an excellent example of endless energy. How come they never get exhausted? They can play in the park all the morning and then spend the entire evening dancing at a party. Even if she can transfer 1% of her bottomless energy, I can rule the world!

5. Innocence: A person who is purely non judgmental and fully forgiving, is the epitome of innocence. While we adults have sinned way too much to be innocent, we can at least free our minds and hearts of malice and wrath and grudges.

6. Eternal Optimism: Kids always have the best dreams and think about all things sweet because they have not seen the uglier side of this world. While their lives are fully protected inside this bubble (it's our responsibility to maintain that bubble), they view everything with a positive attitude.

While being practical is a necessity, this is often taken over by pessimism. There are bad people out there who can harm you, true, but we adults need to remind ourselves that the world is a beautiful place to live in nonetheless.

7. Gullibility: For us seasoned adults, this trait maybe looked upon as a negative, but believe me, it's good to be gullible. Of course I am not talking in a malicious world where you are surrounded by corrupt people because then, you are doomed. But when it's your own circle, it's nice to think and believe that what the others are saying it is for your good.

Kids can be convinced in the easiest manner because their hearts are pure and innocent. Otherwise how much tougher would our lives have been?

8. Generosity: Kids are known to keep their belonging to themselves, reluctant to share. However they are also generous. Basically it's the gullibility trait that makes them so. You say a few nice words, they are convinced and ready to listen to you and ready to part with their most precious possession. We adults, tend to evaluate the pros and cons in everything and that makes everything so complicated. 

How about we ditch all the complexities and try to lead a fuss free life, like that of a child? It would so relaxing on our souls, ain't it?

Also read : What seven years of motherhood taught me

The days are long but the years are short. We moms and Dads know this. But if you are thinking of becoming one, remember, no day is easy. However at the end of all those gruelling hours, you will be immensely proud and satisfied. Eight years passed in a jiffy. I have struggled from the beginning and trying everyday. But I am amazed looking at this 'not so tiny anymore' human everyday. A Frozen themed birthday party for my Elsa. I know I am usually very strict on you, but I love you from the bottom of my heart, my dear Mohi.