let's talk about travel

i am attempting to write something (that may or may not become a post) that is emotionally taxing. as such, there may be lots of lightness around here.

on a walk one day, i got to thinking about traveling. i decided that even though i love to travel, i love it here so much that i could (probably) be content to never travel again. well, as long as i could still go around oregon. or the entire pacific nw. or the pacific nw + bc. or the entire west coast.

at that point, i realized that i was equating traveling with flying so i could actually ban travel and still go to a lot of places, as long as i was willing to drive there.

i eventually decided that i really would be ok with never traveling again AS LONG AS i could have one final trip so that i could visit the galapagos islands. (if i hadn't been to machu picchu already, i would have needed two final trips.)

then, i made a list of places in priority order just in case i got more than one final trip.

1. galapagos islands
2. prague/budapest
3. morocco (this might actually be #2)
4. florence + tuscany
5. edinburgh + isle of skye (this might be #4, i keep changing my mind) 
6. egypt
7. african safari
8. bhutan

i have to say, it was fun to think about. as a bonus, it's nice to know my list of absolutely must and really must visit places. and it was also nice to be reminded how much i love italy and scotland since they are in the top 5 even though i have gotten to visit both of them.

so now i'm curious. what does your list look like? your top pick?

Comments

[Wayfaring Wanderer]

Philippines! I hope to make my first trip abroad there this year. My list has some of the same items as yours--except mine has over 50 destinations. Following your chain of thought here was a nice little ride. I'm glad you put your list out to the universe. You're definitely going places, my dear :D

[claire]

I'm ambivalent about travel. I enjoy new places but kind of hate flying (my ears are really sensitive to the pressure changes). Do love a good road trip though.

Egypt, Jordan, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Italy, Scotland, Wales

I like your list too!

Also, in the road trip vein, I recommend you venture to a national park or two in Utah if you can stand to be away from the ocean. The desert rock formations are beautiful.

[Bullwinkle]

/snicker Did you mean me?

Lately, I've been thinking about travel with Dude (as opposed to by myself). There's places I want to show him: Antarctica (upcoming!), Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, Bhutan, Mongolia ...

ahem, like I said: did you mean me?

Otoh, if I could not fly - aside from boats - I think I'd rather live in the PNW. That is something we are working on changing.

[kelly barton]

mmmmm....i am going to come up with a list.
the image is droolworthy.

[Holly]

Hmmm... it's so hard to choose! But, having my daughters, my top two places are S. Korea and Ethiopia; I aim to travel there (for Ethiopia it'll be a second trip but this time I WILL get to see the countryside including the rock hewn churches in the north and the coffee growing regions of the south) before I go anywhere else overseas. After that, I've always wanted to see Italy; Florence specifically. After that, somewhere that is warm, tropical, and yet not overcome by tourists.

[elizabeth @ retinal perspectives]

@holly: now you've got me interested in ethiopia too. :)

@kelly: have fun!

@bullwinkle: antarctica! what a fun plan. i am sure there will be something extra special about showing him those places. mongolia and antarctica (and iceland & new zealand) are also on my list, if i keep going past #8. i want to ride a camel in the gobi desert. :)

@claire: yeah, i don't love flying either. hence the reason i'm not opposed to stopping. i have been to almost all the parks in utah and they are indeed spectactular! i'd love to go again someday.

@ww: and i will be excited to see your photos!!

[elizabeth @ retinal perspectives]

@bullwinkle: also, yes, i definitely meant you! you are my travel idol! :)

[Helen]

you already know my list, the reason i am posting it is to see if i remember all the places and get them on a hard list:)
#1 australia, #2 greece, #3 italy, #4 ireland, #5 costa rica, #6 switzerland, #7 iceland (see? i knew i wasn't going to remember! i feel like i had at least 10 last time..hmm, i'm going to have to ponder)

[Helen]

aha! i just read one of your comments, and remembered mongolia! camel in the desert! that is at least #5, maybe #4.

[Bob Towery]

Bhutan is incredible according to some photogs I know, you might want to move that up the list!

Scotland is on my list. I'd like to go to some eastern european countries like Slovenia. Turkey would be nice. Also, Finland. Have been to all of scandanavia except finland.

Making a list is the start, good for you!

[jaime]

Oh I am so jealous....I have always wanted to see Machu Picchu!!!
But, I am not much of a traveller myself. Don't like flying, don't like all that crazy sensory input that is involved with going to new places, not to mention all the planning, and hotel booking..makes me sleepy just thinking about it. I got to see France two summers ago, but if I could go anywhere, I would go to England. The English countryside in spring. I would stay in cute little B&B's and take pictures of gorgeous gardens, and forests carpeted with bluebells.
Oh, I would love to do that. :)

[Julie M.]

I have no idea what my list would look like. I'll have to think about it! (On a side note, it was really fun googling images of your top 8!) :)