What's next after Europe for travel fanatics?
Nov 10th, 2003, 12:43 PM
#41
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Japan (outside of Tokyo) is breathtaking. I would return in a heartbeat. Thailand is also wonderful, as is Hong Kong, Singapor, China. I love the Orient very much. Next is Africa. Although, if you wish to take a safari, I would do it soon as the great heards are disappearing quickly.
Nov 10th, 2003, 01:39 PM
#42
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Several posts have suggested Japan, which I agree is a fascinating and exotic place to visit. However, I do think English is not as widely spoken there, especially outside the larger cities. And unlike a more familiar culture, the lack of a common language can be a major barrier. I can often figure out menu items or public signs, even in a language I do not speak, but not in Japanese!
Nov 10th, 2003, 01:49 PM
#43
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Ah, but Marilyn. Japan invented something wonderful. It's called "put plastic models of the food in the windows". It really works. We ventured out into neighborhoods in Tokyo where nobody spoke a word of English, and we nearly wore our fingers out pointing, but it worked and it was fun. No problems at all.
Nov 10th, 2003, 02:12 PM
#44
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LOL Patrick, but sometimes you still can't tell what the hell it is!
BTW one of these days I will put my Japan slides on a public access site. I was always photographing the food because the presentation was such a work of art. Our Japanese companions thought I was nuts.
BTW one of these days I will put my Japan slides on a public access site. I was always photographing the food because the presentation was such a work of art. Our Japanese companions thought I was nuts.
Nov 10th, 2003, 02:27 PM
#46
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I guess human beings find the exotic worthy of a kodak moment, and one person's Olive Garden is another person's crunchy-frog-on-a-stick. To be fair, we ate some exquisite (and extremely expensive) meals in Japan, courtesy of our hosts.
Nov 10th, 2003, 03:01 PM
#47
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After years of travel to Europe.. my husband and I took an African Safari last year... took my breath away! But I still had to stop in Amsterdam on the way back.. sooo Europe snuck in there anyway.
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Also Australia is spectacular.. and I have already booked for 2004 to Australia.. but after that... ASIA is calling to me.. I haven't yet been there ...YET~
... Also Australia is spectacular.. and I have already booked for 2004 to Australia.. but after that... ASIA is calling to me.. I haven't yet been there ...YET~
Nov 11th, 2003, 03:25 AM
#49
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I just want to share a thought for you to consider when planning where your next travels might take you: My husband and I cancelled a trip to France last May and decided instead to toured some USA western states. It was a trip that exceeded all expectations; just an incredible trip filled with breathtaking scenery, fascinating history, tremendous relaxation paired with moments of great excitement (Yellowstone!). We flew into Colorado, and drove into Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana. Yellowstone is the closest to heaven I think I'd ever been to. Mount Rushmore, Bear Country, some portions of the Lewis & Clark and the Oregon Trails....WOW!
While we love Europe and find tremendous joy in exploring that beautiful continent, it is also true that one should also find the place and time to explore this wonderful country and take in the things that makes this a great place to be a part of.
While we love Europe and find tremendous joy in exploring that beautiful continent, it is also true that one should also find the place and time to explore this wonderful country and take in the things that makes this a great place to be a part of.
Nov 11th, 2003, 04:09 AM
#50
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Thank you for supporting what I say over and over, Maira. Those of you who know me, know that I spend two to five months traveling Europe every summer. In 2001 we surprised all our friends by not going to Europe at all. Instead we spent five months, traveling by car from Florida to Alaska, by way of New York, Maine, Toronto, Minneapolois, North Dakota, across Canada. We returned via California and back across the center of the country. Most of this we had seen before (except Alaska) but it was a firm reminder that Europe (though still my favorite) isn't the only beautiful place in the world worth exploring.
Nov 11th, 2003, 10:31 AM
#51
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Maira and Patrick, I agree that the US has some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Also great museums, restaurants, shopping, etc.
But Jenson, the original poster, was looking to explore different cultures. I think everyone on this forum would agree (and that's an amazing phrase!) that being in a different country and a different culture is an experience unlike any other.
I can still remember my first trip outside the US (which happened to be to Europe). I remember looking at the doorknobs, the house plants, the way people's faces looked, not to mention the way things worked and the way people behaved -- everything was off kilter and strange and fascinating. You cannot get that in your own culture.
But Jenson, the original poster, was looking to explore different cultures. I think everyone on this forum would agree (and that's an amazing phrase!) that being in a different country and a different culture is an experience unlike any other.
I can still remember my first trip outside the US (which happened to be to Europe). I remember looking at the doorknobs, the house plants, the way people's faces looked, not to mention the way things worked and the way people behaved -- everything was off kilter and strange and fascinating. You cannot get that in your own culture.
Nov 14th, 2003, 01:09 PM
#54
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Marilyn,
I enjoy your eloquent and humorous posts and completely relate. I take so much delight in noticing the teeny, everyday details of the places I go and want to know everything about everything and why and will probably take a pictue of it so I can remember later. I had forgotten about the frog on the stick comment until I just re-read and it generated a much needed smile. You are so right. I only eat my corn on the cob with mayo, parm cheese, and chili powder thanks to my Mexican friends (sounds icky, but don't knock it til you try it and they sell it on the street in Mexico as a snack). Thank you ! You don't necessarily need to travel far away to see interesting and different cultures....
I enjoy your eloquent and humorous posts and completely relate. I take so much delight in noticing the teeny, everyday details of the places I go and want to know everything about everything and why and will probably take a pictue of it so I can remember later. I had forgotten about the frog on the stick comment until I just re-read and it generated a much needed smile. You are so right. I only eat my corn on the cob with mayo, parm cheese, and chili powder thanks to my Mexican friends (sounds icky, but don't knock it til you try it and they sell it on the street in Mexico as a snack). Thank you ! You don't necessarily need to travel far away to see interesting and different cultures....
Nov 14th, 2003, 01:32 PM
#56
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You are most welcome...I think my behavior is hereditary...My mom will take 436 pictures of mold gowing on a tree and when I asked her to collect a few rocks and stones for me last year, I got a huge box I can't lift with a hundred rocks all in plastic bags labeled with where they came from. My dad got her a digital camera finally so she didn't have to develop 150+ rolls of film after each year's journey. I wouldn't change it for anything though, I love to look at and touch all these neat tresures....Happy Traveling !
Nov 14th, 2003, 01:41 PM
#57
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I have to say, Asia does offer a lot. English is not too much of an issue in Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong. And some parts of Japan. I don't know that China is too good with English, but I haven't been back for 20 years (too busy exploring Europe!).
I'm already Asian, though, so travelling to Asia is not so exotic for me.
I'm already Asian, though, so travelling to Asia is not so exotic for me.
Nov 14th, 2003, 02:28 PM
#58
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Hi Jenson: I'd like to go into space (seriously) but that's not a likely option. So, I'd like to go to Africa and Asia with a native to help me with the exotica of really unusual languages and cultures. Also would like to see Australia and New Zealand the same way, preferably a heterosexual male native of the 40-50 age group (sorry - the Australian male has a reputation that sings to me!)
And Sir Galahad - I've been to the desert outside of Las Vegas and was stunned by the utter beauty. The city, of course, is pitiful but it does very well what it is intended to do.
And Sir Galahad - I've been to the desert outside of Las Vegas and was stunned by the utter beauty. The city, of course, is pitiful but it does very well what it is intended to do.
