It was in a hot summer holiday which I visited Qingdao, port city in Shandong Province. My favourite sport is swimming, so I decide to go swimming in the sea one afternoon with my friend, Wang Fei and Li Lei.

It was the first time that I had swum in the sea, with waves come one after another to the shore and making great noises. Facing the rough sea, I felt a bit worrying and nearly gave up at first. And when I saw many people enjoying myself in the water, my fear was reduced. At last I joined in the swimmers. Now I still remember how happy I swam in the sea.

   There are many advantages to travel around the world. Here are a few to think about:

You will enjoy the adventure (冒险).

The reason why many people travel is that they love an adventure. There are several different types of adventures to choose from when you travel. 【小题1】 Some people enjoy diving while others prefer surfing. Wherever you go, you will make the memories of your adventure last a lifetime. You can look back on the enjoyment again and again.

You will get to know different people and places.

The world contains lots of countries and not all people are the same. When travelling, you get the opportunity to meet different people from different places. 【小题2】 Travelling and talking with different people can help build or improve social skills with very little effort.

【小题3】

Different cultures are everywhere. Some places have modern cultures while others have traditional customs. Experiencing different cultures can also be educational; many travellers look for places to visit whose cultures are different from their own. 【小题4】 It teaches us respect.

You will feel relaxed after travelling.

Stress is a natural part of life. But when we have too much stress in our lives, it can be dangerous to our health. 【小题5】 It can be one of the best ways to reduce stress.

   It's said that you don't know a man until you walk a mile in his shoes. And you also don't know what it's like for old people to travel until you accompany（陪伴）one on a trip.

After flying with my elderly father from Washington, D.C.to L.A.in July, I began to realize that a companion has important tasks that can make a journey easier for old people. I booked nonstop tickets on JetBlue to avoid tiring, confusing connections, and we flew directly into Long Beach Airport. Even though my father could walk, I arranged with the airline for wheelchair assistance, which meant we got on board first.

When I took him back to the airport for his return flight to Washington, I got permission from JetBlue to wait with him at the gate instead of saying goodbye at the security checkpoint. I wished he'd had a first-class seat and access to a comfortable airline club. Better yet, I wished I had flown with him on both ways. As I watched the attendant wheel him to the lift that would take him from the tarmac（停机坪）to the plane, I felt like an anxious mom sending her child to school for the first time.

Things can go awry on a plane trip. And then there is a horrifying story about Joe and Margie. When they landed at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, a wheelchair attendant met them to help with a connection. But somehow Margie, who had Alzheimer's disease, disappeared.

I didn't need to worry about my father's wandering away；at 82, his mind was sharper than mine. But his hearing was poor, so I worried about what would happen if he missed an important announcement.

Fortunately, everything went just fine. A good arrangement（安排）made the trip successful.

Next time I travel with a senior, I'll know better. I hope there will be a next time.

   An increasing number of old U.S. citizens are traveling abroad. The U.S. Department of State wants you to be prepared so that you can enjoy your trip. Please consider the following tips as you plan your travel.

Travel Documents.

【小题1】Some countries require that passports be valid for six months after your trip ends and some foreign countries require that U.S. travelers obtain a visa.

【小题2】

A secure way to maintain your emergency contact information is to enroll （登记）with our Smart Traveler Enrolment Program. Your information is stored securely and enables the American Embassy to contact you，your family，or your friends in an emergency according to your wishes.

Health Information.

Health care tops the list of concerns for many old U.S. citizens who are thinking about traveling abroad. Consult with your physician prior to your travel overseas to identify your health care needs at your destination. Research the environmental conditions at your overseas destination that may contribute to your specific health concerns. 【小题3】

Medical Insurance Beyond Medicare.

Medicare，the U.S. government health plan for people aged 65 years and older，does NOT cover health care overseas. 【小题4】 Many companies offer short-term health and emergency assistance policies to cover health care expenses incurred overseas，including emergency services such as medical evacuations（撤离）.

Smart Travel.

【小题5】Be aware that sudden changes in diet and climate can have serious health consequences for the unprepared traveler，no matter your age. At the same time，if you aren't sure about anything，turn to the Internet.