Favorite moment you've had while traveling.....
 

Just thought it would be interesting to see some responses to this. Mine was finding a basically deserted beach on the South shore of Maui and snorkeling with my then brand new husband. It was so peaceful to be the only two in the water as far as we could see (except for the turtles and fish of course!) Another was when I studied in London and was at a party with my work. I'm from the Midwest and being surrounded by so many colleagues from all over the world was just amazing. I just remember thinking how incredible that city was.

I had the opportunity to crew on a tall ship, the HMS Rose, on a transatlantic crossing from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean in 1996. Watching the sunrise and sunsets on the wide open ocean with only the sound of the wind on the sails was awe inspiring.

Being at the helm when we fired our cannons at a cruise ship was also pretty fun.

(In keeping with the water theme) being dropped off by seaplane to dive the Great Barrier Reef, and being out there well beyond any visible land, Pacific Ocean 360 degrees, and the amazing fish and reefs all around as far as you cared to swim, on a beautiful sunny spring day. Peaceful beyond words.

There are so many, it's hard to pick.

-Sitting at a sidewalk cafe in paris sipping a glass of wine and people watching.

-Standing at the rim of the Grand Canyon and watching the sunrise on a beautiful spring morning.

-Sitting around the campfire w/friends on a lake shore in the Adirondacks and listening to our neighbor's play the guitar, on a warm summer evening (and having people at surrounding campsites all help sing the songs if they knew the words).

Leisurely strolling through Frida Kahlo's neighborhood, house and garden. Seeing her finished and unfinished art and touching the cast she wore so brightly painted with designs as she passed the time which now sits on her wooden bed. For an artist it was an amazingly peaceful and inspiring afternoon. I have been back several times.

Not fair, Karen, you can have only one favorite.

Mine is listening to the laughter and squeals of delight coming from my daughter's snorkel in the lagoon off Moorea.

Did you hit it Ryan?

Favorite moment traveling THIS year:
Walking on the shore along Vancouver Island, Canada watching the clams spitting up water like a water show, admiring the purple starfish, oyster beds, catching itty bitty crabs then feeling my baby kick for the first time that evening.

Chilling at the oceanfront condo in Maui with the barbecue grill going, listening to the music, the ocean roaring and watching the gorgeous sunset. Of course this was during the winter month. I live in the midwest so it was nice to enjoy the sun, beach, grill in Maui, while it was snowy with below freezing temperatures back home.

Ahhh, the memories :-)

Unfortunately, international maritime law prohibits the firing of projectiles. Something about "safety."

As an aside, some of the small coastal schooners that cruise Maine have cannons on board. They have been known to load last night's leftovers or baked beans in the breach.

Flying down a ski hill on a sunny powder day.

ok beachbum if I can have only one..... I'll take the grand canyon moment.

and hope I have another one in alaska next june.

Meeting the soon-to-be President of the United States and have him hold my 4 yr. daughter for a picture.

Swimming with my husband at Bowman's Beach in Sanibel Island with dolphins flipping about 10 feet away from us.

Agree there's lots of them but I guess my "bliss" moment would be sitting in the grass watching the sunset on over the pond at Dromoland Castle in Ireland.

This is a toughie IMO. Every time we go on vacation, I always say it is the best ever! It is like comparing apples and oranges....each holiday is differant, unique, wonderful. I would need to list at least 20 faves ;-) Recent fave moments: Kayaking near Orca Inlet in Ketchikan, watching eagles nesting. Hiking the Cinque Terra, adoring the views of Cinque Terra. Grand Canyon sunsets & sunrises. Watching the magnificent bodies of the cast of Mystere, esp. the "hand-to-hand" segment...brought tears to my eyes...and the list goes on..... Judy :-)

Spending two weeks sailing the Abacos on a friends sailboat.

Taking my son to the ocean for the first time (4 yrs. old) and watching him chase the birds....

Taking a day trip from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon (western end) with a tour guide. This trip was our first to the southwest. No one else was on the tour, no one else was viewing the canyon from the Hulapai Reservation at that moment, except us. It was incredible. A thunderstorm was brewing in the distance, and we watched it moving toward us. The wind kicked up, and my husband turned to me ans said it was "spiritual." That was so unlike him. I had to agree with him. The storm followed us out of the canyon and I've never seen lightning like that.....

Standing with my husband in front of the relecting pools that are before the Taj Mahal. So lovely and such a heart wrenching story about how and why this monument to love was built.

In the US- watching my childrens faces as we climbed abord the airplane to travel first class to Hawaii for a "once in a lifetime" visit. They glowed every moment of that wonderful trip.

ttt-the responses are so nice to read, MORE MORE MORE

Most stirring moment (not quite my favorite, but...): Standing in front of Picasso's "Guernica" in the Casón del Buen Retiro gallery (Madrid), seeing it live, full-size.

Favorite moment: Toasting my True Love over an extravagant dinner (with good California wine) and saying "I love you" over dinner, wherever we're visiting. Last big jaunt was South Beach; to see that smile makes every trip perfect!!!