In times of controversy, we focus on what's important

What better time than right now, with all the controversy going around the entire social and traditional media world about vegetable prices, for me to talk about one of my favourite topics?

That's right, folks! After months of not writing about this subject matter, I am now going to touch on it once again. The topic is none other than the most important thing in my life - my daughter.

I like to believe that I am a world traveller. I love traveling to places around the world like I love my two thumbs. At the age of 35, I have been to a total of 32 countries. And I ain't stopping!

I honestly believe that by seeing different countries, different societies, different cultures and different people, one will become a more wholesome human being.

With all the different experiences that traveling can offer, one will be more open-minded, more accepting, more understanding, more empathic and more cultured.

So, when my daughter, Athena Azlee, was born, I promised her (and myself) that I would show her the world. And I've been trying very hard to keep that promise to her and not break it.

She is now two and a half years old (she will be turning three this year) and she has been to a total of five countries. And I'm going to make sure she ain't stopping!

Some people have told me that I'm wasting my time bringing Athena to all these places at such a young age. They say that she's too young to remember or appreciate anything right now.

But I strongly disagree. Although, once she gets older,she might not remember the details of a lot of the travels that she has been on at this early age, it will definitely leave a mark on her.

She may not remember the exact layout of the ancient Borobudur temple complex in Jogjakarta, or remember the exact open space at Sydney's beautiful Hyde Park where she rolled around in the grass.

But, she will have developed a sense of appreciation for new environments and for absorbing different things around her. She would grow up with a unique perspective of things all around her.

I also strongly believe that she will develop an inquisitive habit and realise the world is huge. Hopefully, she will develop a sense of adventure and the desire to experience unfamiliar things.

I believe this because my parents did the same with me. Half of the list of countries that I've travelled to have been with my parents and brothers during the time I was growing up.

My parents instilled in me the passion to see and experience things myself and how fulfilling it is to realise that the world is so much more than just where we come come from and where we live.

They are in their sixties now but hey are never home most of the time. As I am writing this article right now, they are both out of the country on some adventure somewhere. They said they would be back next week.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to boast a jet-setting life where my family and I fly first class from one fabulous city to another living in luxurious 5 star hotels and being chauffeurred around in limousines.

What I have learned throughout all my travels is that you can enjoy traveling as expensively or as cheaply as you want. It all depends on what kind of experience you are looking for.

You can choose to stay in a hotel room that can cost up to RM1000 a night or stay in a simple boarding house that cost RM10 a night. It really is all up to you. It really isn't that difficult.

But back to Athena.

As soon as she was a month old, we already took her for weekend trips around Malaysia. Before she was one year old, we had already started taking her on trips out of the country.

Two days ago, I was driving with her in the car on the way to the National Zoo for a visit when we passed by a billboard along the highway which consisted of a picture of two Buddha stupas of Borobudur.

Athena starting bouncing in her car seat, smiled the widest smile I had ever seen on her face and excitedly pointed at it and called out to me, "Pops! Look at that! I've been there!"

So now tell me. Is there really a minimum age for a child to start appreciating the wonders of traveling the world?