I just got back from Turkey a couple of weeks ago and people are already asking me where I’m going to next. It’s a hard question for me to answer since I’m happy going anywhere. I usually answer the question with a blank expression on my face, shrug of the shoulders, or a grunt…sometimes all three together.
I find the more I travel, the more comfortable I am with being outside my comfort zone. [However, in spite of the fact that I used to use them all the time in Japan when I was a kid, I’m not crazy about going to a country where I have to exclusively use squat toilets.] I’m also a lot more concerned about where I can take some breathtaking/amazing/interesting/texture-filled photos. But most importantly, I want to go where can I get some really good grub.
In no particular order, these are the places I’d like to visit soon:
- Japan: I promised my cousins I’d be back in 2012. Well, actually I said 2011, but time got away from me. I don’t really consider this a vacation since it’s visiting family but since I’ve got to take a plane there, I thought I’d add this to my list of “vacation destinations”.
- St Petersburg, Russia: I’ve heard from a few friends that St Petersburg is a beautiful city and needs to be visited. I wouldn’t mind downing a few vodkas while I’m there, either.
- Ireland: All right, I’m not going to lie. Guinness. I love Guinness. I also like to knit and there’s some amazing yarn out there.
- Bhutan: I like the fact that it’s not a typical vacation destination. I’m intrigued about this country where there’s a flat “happy tax” to travel within this country that pays for the land travel & hotel costs.
- Thailand: Food. All food. Maybe some photos, too. But mostly the food.
- Vietnam: I specifically want to go to Vietnam with White On Rice Couple. Just going through Little Saigon in Los Angeles with them is a culinary experience. I can’t even begin to imagine what it’d be like to go to Vietnam with them.
- Buenos Aires: Food, drink, dancing…I want to absorb this city.
- New Zealand: This is going to sound crazy. I want to go Zorbing. Or maybe I just want to see someone go zorbing. I’m not sure. Plus I want to drink wine. Lots of it.
- Petra, Jordan: Really…do I have to tell you why I want to go to Petra?? I want to see this wonderfully intact sight that dates from around the 6th century BC. All the photos I’ve seen of this place have been stunning. I want to take some of my own [or at least try to].
- Maasai Mara, Kenya: I’d love to have the chance to see the Great Migration, sleep in those awesome luxury tents under the big blue sky. I want to see some gangly Giraffes walking across the wide open plain.
Have you ever been to any of these places? Any good recommendations on which of these places you’d vote for? Or what places I’m missing from my list?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
The Guinness in Ireland really does taste different from that you get elsewhere. I’m not a stout fan but I really enjoyed my pint of Guinness when we went to Dublin. Would love to see Thailand for exactly the same reason as you – to eat, eat, eat! 🙂
Julia
I feel the same way about Thailand! Food, food & food!
On your list, I have only been to Ireland but I highly recommend it. We went on a press trip/escorted tour with Brendan Vacations which might not be to your liking, but we loved it. We got to see a great deal of the country and stayed in wonderful, 5-star hotels including Dromoland Castle, our favorite place. You will have to visit the Guinness factory in Dublin where you can get free samples, learn how to correctly draw a Guinness and get the best view of Dublin from the glassed-in bar on the top of the building. The thing I found the most interesting about Ireland was that it reminded me so much of Lexington, Kentucky where we live. I think it was all the stone fences!
I’ve been wondering about the Dromoland Castle! it seems so lovely!!! Lexington is another place I’d love to visit – i’ve heard so much about that town. I’d love to bug my friends at Nanz & Kraft, too…
I’ve only been to Thailand on your list, but lived there for 2 years. It was amazing! Kenya is also on my bucket list.
Wow – Just reading your list makes me realize how much of the world I have yet to see! How about Australia & Antarctica? Those are still on my bucket list . . .
We’re heading to Thailand later this month and it’s all about the foooood! Thailand has other cool stuff, I’m sure, but omg the food! The delicious, fresh, straight-from-the-streets food!!
YES! i feel justified in my desire to go to thailand to eat! 🙂 thanks for validating me!
You summed up Thailand nicely! There are many things to do…but they’re all trumped by the food! Glad to see Maasai Mara on the list – also the Kenyan coast and Tanzania are beautiful countries.
Jen, let me know if you plan to visit Auckland,NZ next year or anytime 🙂 I live in the city and it would be nice to meet you 🙂 xo
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absolutely!! uh…would you be willing to go zorbing with/for me?? 🙂
Hi Jen,
As Technosyncratic mentioned above, the food (namely, street food) in Thailand is fantastic. There’s a huge variety, from rice, noodles, chicken, sushi, spring rolls and even fried insects. Plus, you can’t beat fresh $1 tropical smoothies (mango, passion fruit, dragon fruit, to name a few).
Oh, and there’s also temples, beaches, turquoise waters too 😉
– Lily
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$1 smoothies?? oh man…i will have to be ROLLED back on the plane!! 🙂
nice list! Bhutan! its brilliant! what a beautiful country! amazing people!! its a must visit once in everyones life. I traveled there for 2 weeks last September. Wish i could live there 🙂