Travel Bug ~ Tuesday 4

Hello!  It's time for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 hosted by Annie at Cottage by the Sea.

Annie says that finding reasons to blog and stay in touch with others, or to meet new bloggers is very important and I would agree with her.  Blogging also  provides you with a record of your thoughts and ideas to leave for your family.   It's a journal of sorts really that you share with others.

Summer is June 21st and people usually take advantage of the warm weather to take a trip or vacation or day trips to visit, shop or for recreation.

So let's talk about travel.

1.  What are the most memorable destinations you've visited, and what made them stand out? (this could include places like museums, art galleries, etc. not only a vacation site.)

Oh my!  I've had so many memorable travel destinations and places that I've visited that have stood out for various reasons.

Australia  - Everything was novel to me, the side of the road for drivers, the scenery, the accents, the sayings like 'good on ya mate' and of course the weather. I was enamoured of the fine white sand along the Gold Coast at Surfer's Paradise but the entire eastern coast of Australia was spectacular. I travelled with my brother on the first and second trip and he drove from the Far North Queensland, Port Douglas all the way south to Sydney in New South Wales. Oh and I can't forget about the Great Barrier Reef. We spent an entire day out on Green Island to explore the reef. and had several opportunities on the drive down the coast to experience Aboriginal culture.

New Zealand (North Island) - I loved the scenery and the quiet countryside. We saw more sheep than I've ever seen at any one time before or after. A fantastic time time was had in the hot springs of Rotoru (Te Puia) and in the Maori's Marae listening to the cultural teachings, songs and dances of the Maori people.

Honolulu, Hawaii - I've been here briefly a few times and though I'm not a huge fan of the heat, I absolutely love the scenery. On 2 separate trips I've taken the 2.5 hours bus tour around the island to experience the Halona Blow Hole and the fantastic scenery. I did a recent google search and found that these days the tours seem to last all day. Personally I prefer a shorter tour. The ones I took were run by the original Hawaiians who gave a little insight into their history and lifestyle.

Kenya, East Africa - On my first visit to Kenya, I went on an unforgettable safari  to the world renowned Maasai Mara National Park. Part of the experience was seeing the Maasai men perform their traditional jumping dance and also visiting a traditional Maasai village. The Maasai people, like many tribes in the isolated areas of the country, still live in their traditional houses and compounds.

Paris, France - I had a dream for many years to travel to Paris with my youngest nephew. We talked about it a lot when he was quite young.  When he grew up I never thought he'd be interested but we did it! We travelled to Paris in 2019 and thoroughly enjoyed our short trip.  Just being in Paris was a thrill though we also saw several of the usual tourist things. My personal favourite was a visit to the Sacre Couer Cathedral in Montmarte. 

2.  Which hidden gem locations have you explored that you'd recommend to others?

These days it's pretty hard to say you've found or explored a 'hidden gem'. Most places that are worth seeing have pretty much been overrun with tourists.  There are many beautiful places in the world but I have to say that Canada is blessed with spectacular scenery.  British Columbia, the province where I live is no exception especially if you love mountains, valleys, & lots of waterways (lakes, rivers and oceans). If there are any hidden gems I'd have to say if you travel the province by car and explore some country roads you will find all manner of beautiful spots and many secluded areas near lakes where you can camp or rent a cabin. Virtually every where you go in British Columbia, there is a beautiful, gem and it's a 'hidden one' if it isn't on someone's 'must see' list. 

3.  What’s the most unique cultural experience you’ve had while traveling ?

Travelling in New Zealand where we experienced the marae (communal and sacred space which serves as a hub for community gatherings).  My brother and other men were invited to participate in a Haka Dance with the local Maori men and it was so much fun to watch them.  We also visited a cultural geyser site where foods were being cooked in the traditional way among the rocks and the hot steam.

In Cairns, Australia, my mother and I joined a tour where we were taken around to various sites where the Aborigines of the area showed us how they used to hunt, make things and forage for herbs and foods.  We also had an opportunity to see the Tjapukai Aboriginal Dance Troupe at the Daintree Rain Forest.

In Kenya, I got to see the men of the Maasai tribe do their traditional dancing and went to many places where the culture was evident and on display.  For example, visiting orphans raised by a widow woman, they broke out in traditional song to welcome me and also to say goodbye.  This happened wherever I travelled and it made my trip so enjoyable and also memorable.

4.What mode of transportation is your favorite for a long trip? How about a short trip?

For a long trip I prefer to take the plane. For a short trip I prefer to go by car. A train may have more room but it is very slow in Canada and I don't like to take forever to get somewhere. For many tourists who come to Canada, they opt to take the train and see the spectacular mountains between British Columbia and Alberta, the world famous Rocky Mountains.  

I've been on the trains in Germany but not as a tourist. I found it quite stressful dealing with connections between I was largely alone and struggling with heavy luggage on stairs .  I wasn't on holiday and the people organizing my travel left no room for flexibility. If I missed a connection it would have been a nightmare. It was also in the days before smart phones and Google so I couldn't do much advanced research.

Today, if I were to take a multi-holiday trip to Europe, I would probably travel by train so I could see the countryside.  I also think it's an economical and comfortable mode of travel especially if you are not so fixed on the time and connections. I would also use the bullet train if I ever travel to Japan though I don't relish the idea of being crammed in the train like a sardine (I've seen it on television).

Note:  A post such as this is better enjoyed with personal photos. Since most of my memorable experiences were had before smart phones, I don't have any photos readily available to upload. But I will look for a few and scan and upload any that might be appropriate. As for the Kenyan & Paris photos, I have so many but again I'll have to search for the 'right' ones.  In the meantime, I've added links in this post, to all the major sites.  Please do check them out.

Thank you for stopping by!