My Top Ten Travel Experiences (So Far...)
Rene posted a comment wondering where my favorite place was that I have visited on my travels. While picking just one is impossible (Sorry, Rene!) I thought that as a substitute I would share my top ten list of travel experiences. Without further ado and in no particular order, here they are:
- Going on my first trip abroad to Paris and setting eyes on the Eiffel Tower for the first time
- Hiking along a 10km stretch of the Great Wall of China
- Taking an overnight car ride in the Philippines to reach the terraced rice fields of Banaue
- Exploring Australia's Red Centre and hiking around Ayers Rock
- Eating street food in Vietnam (Banh Mi, anyone?)
- Biking around the beautiful Dingle Peninsula in Ireland and barely making the bus to my friend's wedding
- Hiking the four day Inca Trail in Peru and watching the sunrise at Machu Picchu 
- Seeing elephants, giraffes, zebras and other African game in their natural habitat in Kruger National Park in South Africa
- Exploring the mountains and lakes of Hokkaido, Japan in the winter
- Taking a boat ride in Milford Sound and watching the blue penguins tumble ashore at dusk in Oamaru in New Zealand
I could keep going and going and if you asked me on a different day I may respond with a different set of ten favorites. What I do know for certain is that traveling has changed and enriched me and I feel blessed that I have had these opportunities to see some of this amazing world we live in.
So now that I have shared some of my favorites, where are your favorite travel experiences? I need some inspiration to figure out where to go next...
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 7:29AM | Posted by Lisa | 10 Comments | Share Article | Email Article | Print Article 
Reader Comments (10)
Russia was a great hit with my husband and I, especially after having grown up during the Cold war. Memorable experiences includie losing & finding our passports in Moscow's subway, having a complete stranger win us our money back, and seeing Russia as a fairytale wonderland. We are now besotted with anything Russian... I just finished "Crime & Punishment" yesterday, we both are enrolled to learn some Russian, watch sitcoms involving Russia, and drink Mead. It was quite an experience having been the 20th country we visited.
Munich Germany - just walking around the downtown and viewing the churches, residences, opera and architecture.
Dachau - not really my favorite but one of the places that's had the greatest impact on me.
Grand Canyon-can't beat it.
Hwy 1/Big Sur - California - one of the most beautiful drives I've ever taken.
Southeastern Tennesse - Beautiful...wish I could drive that stretch all the time.
Siesta Key, Florida - beautiful white sandy beaches (p.s. I haven't been to the Carribean yet)
as you said. ask me another day and I might tell you something different.
Favorite Places:
Moorea
Brisbane
St. John
Los Alamos, NM
Anna Maria Island, FL
Loving 2 and 3!! They are on my list as well! Thank you for changing my life Lisa!
Lisa,
You inspire me with all your worldly ways, experiences, and knowledge. I am not nearly as well-traveled as you but can say that my sentimental journey to Morocco (North Africa) will go down in history as my all-time-favorite vacation. I know this is solely because I was born there and had not gone back for 41 years. My brother was gracious enough to guide us on a 2,000-mile journey through this amazing spot of the world. I was lukcy enough to see the house I was raised in (which is the same house my brother's were born in); to walk through the bakery where my parents met (and may I say they are still going strong after 60 years of marriage); to visit locations where we spent family vacations; to see the hospital I was born in; and to walk the streets where I spent the first 4 years of my life. It was an amazing trip -- one representing oceans, desserts, valleys, and unique citizens. I am so proud to call it "home".
Wow! I love reading all the responses!
Ethylene- What a cool connection you have made with Russia! I love when you travel and find a bond with a different culture that enriches you. I also love how mishaps (like losing your passports in the subway) always end up being such memorable experiences.
Jen- I also love a lot of the places that you listed (especially Hwy 1 and Big Sur having lived in Northern California for 6 years). I feel the same way about Dachau. It was gut wrenching to see but very meaningful and had quite an impact on me.
Kathy F- What a diverse list! I would love to go to Moorea someday. It looks like paradise. I was also intrigued that you put Los Alamos on your list. I used to go to New Mexico for work a lot and have been up in that area for that.
Trisha- 2 & 3 definitely would not have been as memorable if you weren't there with me. I need to write up those stories at some point... We need to go somewhere soon!
Veronique- What a beautiful story and how meaningful! It sounds like you had an amazing experience in Morocco being able to tie in a beautiful place with your own personal history. I was in Tangier briefly (took a boat from Spain) but in the little time that I had in Morocco I was struck by the beautiful culture that had arisen from being in Africa but so close to Europe. I would love to go back and have more time to properly explore.
What a great post!! I feel so honored that you did this. Your answer yesterday was so sweet. Okay, so I have been thinking the past couple of days about my top 10 destinations. Here's my list (I am not as well traveled as you are, but I'm trying to get there):
1. Grand Teton Mountains - Hiking through the moose ponds I saw my first moose, a female, bathing in the pond. I was weak in the knees just watching her because she was so absolutely beautiful.
2. Bodiam Castle in southeastern England - I've been there 4 times now and it never gets old for me. I instantly feel at home once I walk inside the ruin walls. I wonder if I was a resident in a previous life *grin*
3. Husavik, Iceland - geology field work took me to this area. Sitting on a hill overlooking the Greenland Sea for a week was pretty darn amazing field work! Also, there was a peni$ museum in Husavik...only 2 of them in the world. Absolutely cracked me up!!
4. Arches National Park - hiking out to Delicate Arch in the early evening and watching the rocks turn colors as the sun set is one of my favorite memories.
5. Alaska - everything about it was magnificent. I am saving my pennies to go back!
6. The top of the Eiffel Tower - nothing like looking out over the city, knowing there are cart vendors below making crepes filled with nutella and bananas.
7. Edinburgh Castle, Scotland - so absolutely lovely. Having my picture taken with the guards was fun.
8. Haunama Bay, Hawaii - unbelievable snorkeling!
9. Honduras - zip-line through the jungles, screaming at the top of my lungs, and then feeling the adrenaline rush completely take over my body and beg me to do it all over again. I did...13 times!!
10. Althorp House - visiting the grave of Princess Diana. I don't think I've ever cried so much in my life. She was a true inspiration to me, and continues to remain so even though she is no longer here. I try to emulate the way I think she lived, being kind and gentle and caring about others.
My goodness...well, I hope that has added a few more to your list!!
Rene- Thank you for sharing! I completely agree that Haunama Bay has the best snorkeling and I love the Grand Tetons, too! Alaska is the only state in the US that I haven't been to yet and I am dying to go. Iceland is another place that I've heard wonderful things about and would love to see someday.
The first (and only) time I've seen the Eiffel tower, I kept thinking...OMG! I'm standing on the Eiffel tower!! It was a dream come true and I was so excited! LOL!
Meeting cousins and spending the night with them in Belfort, France, after we met on the internet...was awesome! Belfort is also famous for Le Lion. The Lion was built by Gustave Eiffel.
I also loved Mont St-Michel in Normady, France, Le Louvre, Neuschwanstein and Lichtenstein Castles in Bavaria, The Alps, London, and all of Italy! I was amazed by everything! The carvings, statues, architecture, landscape, paintings, people, food... EVERYTHING! The travel bug has bitten me and I can't wait to go again! LOL! I would love to see Machu Picchu!
Cindy- I had the same experience at the Eiffel Tower. It was the first place I went in Paris and kept pinching myself because I couldn't believe that I was there. How cool is it that you were able to find and meet up with some cousins! What an awesome experience. It sounds like you have had some wonderful adventures in Europe. Thank you for sharing!