My earliest memory that I can recall was from when I was around two years old. I went to Disney World/ Sea World with my parents and my brother, who was then, around 10-months old. I don't remember much of anything about the trip to Disney World, but seeing Minnie Mouse. However, I can vaguely recall my experience at Sea World. I was sitting in the middle aisle with my family and I remember the smell of the sea. I remember having a gray sweater that said Sea World with a picture of a fish (later, I learned that it was a whale, not exactly a fish). I remember seeing the whale performing tricks and flips in the water with its trainer. I was very excited to see the whale perform tricks, and it splashed so much, that some water hit the audience.
I think this particular memory stayed with me, because when I was younger, I would always talk to my parents about the "fish", as I called it before, doing tricks in the water. Maybe from constant recollection, I was able to remember the event, and it was transferred into the long-term memory.
I can see that two year old child as me because, even now, 16 years later, I get so pumped up going on vacations with my family. I can recall, even vaguely, most of my family vacations back to about 12 years ago.
I find it interesting that you can remember something so long ago. The fact that you kept referring to the whale as "fish" and the "tricks" did indeed probably help in transferring that experience(which I imagine is a big deal for a two year old) into your long term memory. It's pretty cool that an experience early on like that got you to look forward and enjoy family vacations from then on.
I think you were able to remember this because it was something that was very important to you. The excitement cause by your vacation may have embedded the memory in your mind.
