After years of tween and teenage bickering, Baby Bear and Little Chick have become the best friends ever. This is mainly due to the fact that Little Chick moved over 100 miles away.

It is true what they say, Absence does make the heart grow fonder! Since Little Chick went to University, they have formed a bond that is stronger than ever before. But to me, they are still my babies.

So, it is with some trepidation that they are going off on their travels. Tickets have been booked, insurance organised and spending money looked into.

Now, most nearly 20 year olds think about spending their holidays in Magaluf, or Ayia Napa. But my girls are not your everyday kind of normal. And neither is their holiday destination!

South Korea is not the first place that you think of when you start planning your jollies. It is not really the land of sun, sea and cocktails. However, it is a country filled with fascinating history and beautiful sights.

Neither of which is something that my girls normally go for.

SO, why South Korea? In a poor impression of their beloved Uncle Paul, “Why Not?”

And it is exactly that reason they are going there. Uncle Paul is helping to monitor the thin red line between North and South Korea, as a member of the US Army.

The girls have always felt a great affinity with Uncle Paul, as I think he shares their sense of humour.  On our big family holiday last year, to St Lucia, they spent a lot of time with Paul and his lovely wife Dawn, and got to know them on an adult level. They had a great time doing so, and have stayed in regular contact since.

Hence the offer of a visit to the Far East. This is of course an amazing opportunity, and a country they were not very likely to visit in the great scheme of things. So, why not make the most of the offer and go and see something new.

In two months time, they will be jetting off on a 10 hr flight to Seoul, where they will stay with Uncle and Aunt for 2 weeks. And they are going on their own.

This is where Mum becomes a whittler. And I don’t mean with a sharp knife and a bit of wood.

It’s a long old flight, it’s a long old way away. And I am not there to keep things ticking over, all organised.  But, at nearly 20 I have to be prepared for them to be travelling the big wide World.

Let’s face it, this is the time that your offspring should be doing exactly that. Before settling down, having children, bills, mortgages and everything that comes with being a proper grown up.

Travelling the World is something that I would love to do more of, so to do it whilst young, fit, healthy and unencumbered with responsibilities is a wonderful opportunity.

I have already put in my request for a dodgy plastic fridge magnet, plus any pretty Kawaii things that they think I may like. I can’t think of anything else that South Korea may have that I would covet, but I have 2 months to come up with stuff!

In the meantime, they are starting to think of the things they need to do, and to get. What the weather will be like, and the clothes they intend on taking. It is quite an adventure and certainly they have never untaken anything like it.

The further they have been on their own, is a 40 minute flight back from France, where they were escorted on and off the plane, as they were 15. This time, it will be all down to them.

Now, being the kind of Mother I am, it is very tempting to get involved, nag them about injections, help organise their currency, and try and micromanage everything for them.

However, this time I am not getting involved. At All!

They are nearly 20 years old, and technically are adults. This is THEIR adventure, and one they need to be in charge of. It’s not that I don’t care, and I will worry the whole time they are away.

But it is for them to organise, to get the excitement of planning their itinerary, to decide what they want to do and see. This is all part and parcel of having a foreign holiday, an adventure.

It builds up the anticipation, and the delight of the countdown as the days pass on the run up to the holiday. They have already got a holiday countdown app going on their phones.

As for me, I will be here, equal parts happiness at their experiences, and worry until they are safe back with me.

But life is for the living, and the adventures are there to be had, and I hope it’s only the first of many that they experience!

Are there are any places that you would love to see? Where is your fantasy holiday destination? I’d love to hear where you want to go…

Till Then,

Tx