Australia
Pursuing Travel Dreams
Apr 3rd
Just yesterday, Kim Krol blogged about her adventure zip lining in Hawaii, and last week Fran Gallagher wrote about his plans to visit the D-Day beaches at Normandy when he travels to France this week. It got me to thinking about some of the places I still want to visit — some of them as much for certain ubiquitous activities which are associated with those locations as for the places themselves. Both Kim’s and Fran’s experiences are ones I’d like to duplicate, but there are lots more.
For instance, I’d love to visit the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, but somehow just floating over it in a glass-bottomed boat wouldn’t suffice. I’d want to dive into those blue waters and be surrounded by all the beautiful coral and sealife. That would require me to first learn to snorkel or scuba, of course, but if I got as far as Australia, you can bet I’d acquire the skills to enjoy the full experience under the water.
Closer to home, I must admit that I have yet to visit the Grand Canyon (but it’s on my list!). While I look forward to someday standing on the rim and drinking in the views of that great natural wonder, I’d really love the chance to take part in a rafting trip on the Colorado River through it. My sister Robbe actually took such a trip several years ago and had a fantastic time. And really quite close to home is the Pacific Crest Trail, running along the crest of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountains continuously from Mexico to Canada. Although I doubt I’ll ever hike the entire length of it, I nevertheless would like to get out on some stretch of it for a week or two and enjoy the beauty and peace. I wouldn’t mind a similar trek on the Appalacian Trail, either.
Some others? Sailing through the Panama Canal (or the Suez). Riding a camel across the deserts of Egypt. Going on safari (photography) in Africa. Hiking across a glacier in Alaska. Riding the bullet train in Japan. Attending a fashion show in Paris. The list goes on and on. Adding to it makes for pleasant daydreams, and pursuing crossing items off gives me travel goals I can look forward to.
How about you? What are some things you’d like to do in this wide world, near or far from home? And what have you already done that you heartily recommend others do?
– Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader
Spring Break for Everyone
Mar 11th
According to The New York Times travel section, Spring Break is not just for college students anymore. Student travel agencies, such as STA Travel, StudentUniverse and StudentCity, may not openly target older travelers, but they do not discriminate when it comes to age. This has been a long-kept secret for years, but now certain agencies, such as STA Travel, have started actively promoting their “flights for everyone” campaign, featuring round-trip flights from New York to Sydney for as low as $798. In addition to low airfare, some of the best deals can be found in the form of package or group tours.
This is something only the budget traveler should keep in mind, as booking a package trip might place you right in the heart of the college Spring Break action. For cheaper airfare, however, it might be worth checking out.
– Courtney Centeno, account executive
Sharing the World
May 17th
Today, during the first leg of my trip to Europe, I witnessed several instances of one of the things I love about travel. No, it wasn’t an amazing new vista or historical site (though I did have several gorgeous views of Cascade mountain peaks as I flew north from Medford, Ore., to Seattle). It wasn’t a charming street scene or a meeting of two diverse cultures (though I love those, too). Instead, I saw strangers with nothing more apparently in common than that both were travelers, sharing stories of their journeys and experiences with each other.
I was one of those individuals, in an exchange in the Portland International Airport between flights. I had just fielded a call from my sister Julie, and my side of the conversation included references to London and Venice. When the call ended, a pleasant young woman seated across from me asked if I was going to Venice. Her face lit up when I said I was, and she eagerly shared what a beautiful, strange, wonderful place it is. She told me of a lovely small church near Piazza San Marco where Vivaldi had worked and his music performed. She raved about the fantastic acoustics and the concert she had attended there. (A little research revealed the name of the church, Santa Maria della Visitazone, known generally as La Pieta.) We shared a few stories about London, and then went on our separate ways, wishing each other a good journey. It was just the sort of personal tidbit I’ve been keeping an ear out for since I knew this trip was in the works — another traveler’s enthusiastic recommendation based on a positive experience in a new place.
Later, at SeaTac Airport, I overheard a conversation between two women who began sharing their separate experiences in Australia. I saw how both became animated as they recalled highlights of obviously happy and exciting trips. Still later in the evening, as I sat at a restaurant, I observed two sets of diners at adjoining tables bridge the gap between them as they swapped stories of their just-completed Alaska cruises.
In all of these cases, I saw again how those who love to travel also love to share their experiences with others. Surely part of that willingness is a chance to relive these vibrant events, but I also sense a generosity and camaraderie. They are eager to offer helpful information and steer their fellow globe trotters towards the best the world has to offer. It reminds me how much is wonderful and good out there to be enjoyed and shared with others who love to see what’s just beyond the horizon.
 Happy travels!
–Patty Vanikiotis, proofreaderÂÂ
Summer in the City
Apr 28th
It’s here. No warning, no heads up. The heat has arrived in New York City. It’s really remarkable — it’s as if everyone has forgotten that, just a few days ago, they were donning turtlenecks and winter coats. Now, it’s bikinis in Central Park and no signs of spring — just summer.
One reason I like living in the Northeast is the fact we have four solid seasons, and usually the transition into each season is often the most enjoyable part. However, this year spring has sprung right over us. Summer is not my favorite season in NYC, mostly due to the humidity, but I have to admit it is nice to see the sun and people enjoying the outdoors.
In my travels, I’ve seen many different types of climates. In Southeast Asia, for example, the climate ranges from hot to hotter. Even locals I know in Singapore and Malaysia claim to never get used to the heat. On the extreme opposite, friends in Stockholm always seem shocked when the first snowfall hits. In fact, one year when I was visiting, the subways had technical issues due to the cold during the first snow. It was as if it was the first time they’ve seen cold in the region. Maybe they forgot about their history of long winters!
Bottom line, of the four different seasons, I’ve learned I’m a winter girl through and through. I try to avoid the heat. However, I wouldn’t mind spending some time in the sun if, say, I was in the Maldives or perhaps Bali for a few days. Where would you enjoy finding time in the sun?
-Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher
