End of October Reflection 2026 Newsletter
When Things Don’t Go Right, Turn Left: Our Mother-Daughter Trip Through Rome, Croatia & Singapore
When things don’t go right, turn left!
You just never know where life will take you!
When I was young, all I ever wanted to do was travel the world. I dreamed of seeing different countries, experiencing different cultures, and discovering what life had to offer beyond my own backyard. But then reality sets in. Before you know it, you're working, married, raising children, and caught up in the everyday business of life. Somehow, those dreams of travelling the world get put on the back burner.
For many years, travelling wasn't really on my agenda. That was until a friend suggested we take a trip to Bali. Without too much hesitation, off we went!
I have to say, those first seven days weren't exactly what I had imagined. The different culture, food, and intensity of life there were quite overwhelming for me. I was more than happy to return home and thought, well, that's that! Never again!
But, as life often does, it had other plans.
A couple of years later, I returned to Bali, and this time I experienced it very differently. I began to appreciate the Balinese people, their beautiful culture and their way of life. Over the years, I have learnt so much from my experiences there, and what was once somewhere I thought I would never return to became a place I grew to love.
And isn't that just like life? Sometimes we need to look at things differently before we can appreciate what is right in front of us.
These days, whenever time allows, I find myself travelling around the world. I've made a point of taking my children, one at a time, creating memories that can never be replaced. There is something very special about having that one-on-one time with each of them. Life gets busy, everyone has their own commitments, and these opportunities allow me to appreciate each child for the individual they are.
Last year it was Rome, Sicily and Singapore. This year, our adventure took us to Rome, Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb and, of course, Singapore.
And what an adventure it was!
Rome – Finding beauty in unexpected places
Rome is one of those places that never seems to lose its magic. We stayed close to the Trevi Fountain and spent our days wandering through the cobblestone streets, discovering little laneways, visiting the Colosseum and soaking up the atmosphere.
I always make a point of visiting a little church when I'm in Rome. Unfortunately, this time it was undergoing renovations. Although its beauty was somewhat hidden behind the work being carried out, there was still something special about sitting quietly inside and enjoying the peacefulness. Sometimes it's not what we see but what we feel that matters.
And then, of course, there is the gelato! Every flavour imaginable, on just about every corner. A daily treat and an absolute must at the end of each day!
But the highlight of Rome came on our last morning.
Instead of taking our usual route back towards the sights, we decided to wander in a different direction from our hotel. What we discovered was a beautiful park, scattered with ancient ruins. There was a violinist playing the most beautiful music, with the Colosseum sitting majestically in the background.
It was one of those unexpected discoveries that you could never have planned.
We sat there taking it all in, listening to the music and enjoying the surroundings. It was as though time had stood still for a little while. The atmosphere, the history, the music and the beauty of Rome all came together in that one moment.
It was, without doubt, one of the best moments of the entire holiday.
Sometimes the most memorable experiences happen when we take a different path.
Dubrovnik – Hidden treasures and spectacular sunsets
Dubrovnik was simply amazing!
We stayed right in the Old Town, which was the perfect place to explore. Every little alleyway and street seemed to lead somewhere different, and you never quite knew what you would discover around the next corner.
The food was quite different from Rome, but the gelato was just as good!
One of our adventures was walking the famous city walls that surround the Old Town. This is the place you may recognise from Game of Thrones. The walk takes around two hours and involves plenty of steps, up and down, but the views are spectacular. I was also amazed at how clean the whole city was.
Now, here's a little discovery worth sharing.
When we are on holiday, we often get into the habit of walking the same way every time we leave our accommodation. But one day, instead of following our usual route, I decided to head towards the end of our little lane. There, almost hidden in the wall, was what looked like a hole!
Now, most people would probably walk straight past it, but I was curious. Through the opening we went, down just a few steps, and there it was – a little bar right beside the water, with music playing and the most amazing views.
What a find!
My daughter and I also went on a little tour through the town and along the coastline in search of the perfect sunset. Our driver knew just the place to take us.
And what a sunset it was!
The colours seemed to melt into the clouds, with deep shades of orange and black surrounding the glowing sun as it slowly disappeared. It was breathtaking—one of those moments when you stop talking and take it all in.
Another interesting experience was discovering that a British documentary, The Portrait of a Lady, was being filmed at the place where we were staying, with plans for it to be shown on the ABC in the future. The cast and crew were dressed in beautiful old-fashioned clothing, looking quite out of place against the modern world around them. It was lovely to watch a little of the filming process and see what goes on behind the scenes.
There was certainly no shortage of things to discover in Dubrovnik, from its beautiful churches and historic buildings to the little streets that seemed to have a story of their own.
Split – An adventure into the extraordinary
Split was another interesting place, quite different from Dubrovnik. It was much busier, with people coming and going everywhere, but there was something very calming about sitting beside the marina, watching the ocean and enjoying the moment. And it could be busy with the market stalls along the street, all selling homemade wares and souvenirs
The highlight of our time here was undoubtedly our trip to the Blue Cave.
We ventured out by boat to experience this extraordinary natural wonder, and it certainly didn't disappoint!
First, we travelled on a fast boat before transferring into a smaller dinghy for the final part of the journey. As we approached the cave entrance, we were told to bend forward as much as possible to get inside. It was quite an adventure getting through that little opening!
But once inside, WOW!
The colour of the water was an incredible blue; unlike anything I had ever seen. It was so clear and luminous that you felt like jumping straight in. Photographs simply don't do it justice.
Apparently, when the cave was first discovered, the entrance was too small for boats to get through, so it was enlarged to allow access. Today, you can only visit when the sea conditions are calm enough.
Afterwards, we continued exploring other beautiful spots, enjoyed a swim, and eventually made our way to Hvar for lunch.
It was a long day, but certainly one to remember.
We also explored the old palace in Split, wandering through the ancient streets and markets. There were even opportunities to have your photograph taken with gladiators!
As you walk along those old stone pathways, you can't help but wonder who has walked there before you, hundreds and hundreds of years ago. So many lives, so many stories, all leaving their mark on the very ground beneath your feet.
History has a way of making you stop and think about just how much has happened before our time.
Zagreb – A little like Perth, but with a lot more history!
Our next stop was Zagreb, and I have to say, it reminded me a little of Perth. The main difference was the age of the buildings and the beautiful parks scattered throughout the city.
It was a busy place, with trams moving in every direction and people constantly coming and going. Once again, we had chosen the perfect location to stay, right in the centre of everything.
There were a few highlights here, including the Tesla Museum and the history of the fire department.
At the museum, they demonstrated an experiment involving electricity between two poles. Well, I can tell you, the noise was incredible! It was absolutely deafening. Quite an experience and certainly not something you come across every day.
We also visited the Chocolate Museum, where naturally we had to sample some of the goodies. One must always make time for a little chocolate!
But one of my favourite discoveries was completely accidental.
We had been walking around the city for a while when we decided to venture a little further than we had on previous days. On the opposite side of the railway station, we came across some escalators. If you weren't actually looking for them, you could easily miss them.
Down we went, and what a surprise! There was an enormous underground shopping centre, full of interesting shops and some amazing bargains. Well, you can imagine how that went! LOL.
Zagreb has so many interesting little shops, cafes and places to explore. We spent our time wandering, sitting in the parks, watching the world go by and enjoying a leisurely lunch, usually a roll of some description.
Sometimes it's the simplest things that make a holiday enjoyable.
Singapore – A little more time before home
Our final stop was Singapore, where we spent a few days acclimatising before making our way home.
I just love Singapore! The hustle and bustle, the energy of the city, and the incredible variety of things it offers. It has changed so much since my first visit there some 30 years ago.
We enjoyed a lovely high tea with a Toy Story theme, complete with the most delightful little treats, while overlooking the city from what I think was the 70th floor. What a view!
We also ventured down to the marina to watch the water, lights, and music show. It is quite amazing to see how much this area has changed over the years. Once that was finished, we made our way across the long bridge to the Botanical Gardens to see the trees all lit up, with music playing throughout. There was something quite magical about the whole experience.
We also visited Little India so my daughter could experience the wonderful atmosphere, colours and energy of the area and the amazing food.
And, of course, no visit to Singapore would be complete without exploring the food halls and marketplaces. There is always something new to taste, see or discover.
Singapore certainly knows how to keep you entertained!
The greatest gift of all
As wonderful as all the places were, the real highlight of this holiday wasn't Rome, the Blue Cave, the beautiful sunsets or even the shopping bargains in Zagreb.
It was the time spent with my daughter.
As life gets busier and we all go about our own lives, it is so easy to take those special moments for granted. Having the opportunity to spend uninterrupted time together, sharing experiences, laughing, exploring, and making memories is truly a gift.
These are the moments I hope we will continue to share throughout our lives. Long after the suitcases have been unpacked and the photographs have been put away, the memories will remain.
And isn't that what life is really about?
Coming home to Perth and returning to the daily grind can sometimes be a little hard to bear after experiencing so much. Suddenly, it's back to routines, responsibilities, and the real world.
But I wouldn't change a thing.
I have come home with a heart full of memories, a camera full of photographs and a head full of ideas about where to go next!
And perhaps that is the lesson in all of this.
Life doesn't always take us where we thought we would go. Sometimes our plans change, sometimes we take the wrong turn, and sometimes the most wonderful things happen when we least expect them.
So, if things don't go quite as planned, don't be afraid to change direction. You might just discover something extraordinary waiting for you around the next corner.
After all, when things don't go right, turn left!
And who knows where that road might take you?
A little thought to leave you with:
"Don't spend your life waiting for the perfect time to do the things you've always dreamed of. Life is happening now. Take the opportunity, make the memories, explore the world, and enjoy the journey. The best adventures are often the ones we never planned."
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