So WOW! I started this morning to collect my thoughts on what travel locations I wanted to visit before I kick the bucket. Mind you this is only my dream travel list not my overall bucket list. As I was gathering pictorial documentation it became rather obvious that I have areas that pique my interest a little more than others so I will clump these spots together and mention the country but listing the cities. It has also become obvious that I owe my wanderlust to movies and TV shows.
I’ll start in our own continent as this destination is probably the first one I will travel to based on its proximity and cost. Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico. I’d never heard of this place I’ll admit until I watched the Shawshank Redemption. BTW the beach scene at the end was shot in the Virgin Islands not here, but the down-to-earth nature of the place still appeals to me. Mexico – laidback with a margarita in hand somewhere under a palm tree – yep just what the doctor ordered. While in Mexico I might as well take advantage and explore all I can. It’s been a long time since I’ve been there so I suspect this will be something like a spillover trip. This is my main destination, but if I can squeeze other highlights I’ll do it in a heartbeat. The key to good travel is to go with the flow. Too much planning and over planning can kill your travel buzz in a hurry. But I digress; this tome is about dreams not advice.
So across the pond I go to Europe. It looks like I’m going have to make several long trips over there. I will have to strategize a little so I can cover what I want to cover without killing myself in the process.
My first exotic spot is Marrakesh. The whole mystery of the place intrigues me. I can almost smell the spices as I look at this picture. I want to spend some days exploring, shopping, eating and lounging. If you’ve ever watched Absolutely Fabulous I basically want to do what they did – minus smoking hash the whole time.
Spain is my next stop. I have the usual list: Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia, Barcelona plus all places in-between. I want to check it all out. I want to stay up way late with my friends, eat tapas and discuss world politics – maybe we’ll solve a few world problems too. I want to eat churros with chocolate so thick you can float your churro on it. I want to eat paella and take in a Barcelona futbol game. I want to watch my friend Maria sing and dance flamenco and maybe if I’m lucky she’ll teach how to do it too (but I suspect it will be after I have a few shots of Jerez). Curiously enough the one thing I want to do the most is the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage. Yep this will take some time but I’m game.
While I’m in that neck of the woods I might as well take in Italy. I am going to have to spend a lot of time here. Heck I may have to spend two weeks in Italy alone so combining these two countries may not be a bright idea. Italy had the longest city list of all my picks. I want to go to Rome. I want to spend time looking at the masterpieces, sip a cup of cappuccino, go shopping lounge on the Spanish steps and basically do as Romans do. It is ALL about atmosphere and I can hardly wait.
The next three destinations I envision as day trips out of Rome (or maybe overnight trips). Note that these trips will be done in a small Italian convertible with my hair whipping in the wind while I wear big Dolce Gabbana sunglasses and a Pierro Tucci scarf.
The Amalfi coast draws me like a siren with her song. I don’t know why but I suspect that it has to do with all those great movies from the ’50’s and ‘60’s that show you this coastline. I want to have a great seafood dish here as only Italians can make with a lemoncello on the side.
Continuing with the Italian coastlines here’s an inland one. I want to go to Lake Como. No, not because George Clooney resides there (although I admit that would add more to the scenery). I’ve had my eye on this locale for a very long time. It’s so peaceful looking and breathtakingly beautiful period. And if I can ever find a honey I want to marry this would be my ideal honeymoon spot.
Tuscany is also on the slate. Again, it’s just beautiful. I don’t think you can throw a rock anywhere here and not hit beautiful. I see pictures like this and just want go for a picnic so I can lay back breathe the air and sip wine. While there I would love to catch the Palio di Sienna – the pageantry and medieval tradition of this seems spectacular to me.
My last locale in Italy is Venice. Masters, Gondola’s, masked parties, history, music, Venetian glass, and architecture. What is not to love? I just hope I can make it before it sinks.
Well before I move further east I might as well put in the U.K. I’ll admit it was a so-so destination on my list, but my opinion has changed within the last year thanks to my friend Coleen. I am particularly keen on visiting Scotland. And will probably make the pilgrimage just to do a little family history. Who knows I might pick up a kilt while there. Grandma Matheson would be proud.
O.K. eastward we go…hmmm the Orient Express…I hadn’t really thought about it but it might just be the ticket! I’ll really have to think about it as it makes a nice swipe on cities I would like to visit but aren’t on this list – I would kill more than two birds with one stone. Hmm..the more I think about it the more appealing it’s becoming…Paris, Budapest, Bucharest and Istanbul. Yes…most appealing.
Continuing eastward I want to go to India. I am in love with the colors, the food, the music, the culture, Bollywood. I am curious about this place – it’s so exotic. And my friend Lakshmi is always telling me about it and building up my curiosity even more. Plus yeah I ain’t proud I wanna ride an elephant.
The last three countries on my list are China, Thailand and Cambodia. I would like to spend more time in China as of the three I am most intrigued with its beauty. I can give Yimou Zhang all the credit for me wanting to go see his wonderful country. I am a major fan of his films and he has been nothing but a credit to the beauty of his homeland.
Thailand. I can thank James Bond movies for this one. In particular there was one movie that I loved as a kid – The Man with the Golden Gun. I always thought Scaramanga’s home and beach was the coolest place to live ever. So here is a shot of Phang Nga Bay, Phuket, Thailand.
Lastly I include Cambodia and in particular the temple at Angkor Wat. By the end of my journey I will want to thank the travel gods for my safe travels.
I’m sure this list is not an end all list in fact I suspect it will be dynamic throughout the rest of my life. But at this moment in time this is what is what I’m kicking around in my noggin.
Africa….South America…Australia?
