Most Inspiring Place You Have Ever Traveled To??


Reply
 
Topic Tools Search this Thread
Wondering_Nomad is offline Wondering_Nomad Post #81  April 14,2009, 6:25pm
Wondering_Nom…'s Avatar

University Assignment in - time for a short break me thinks.....

Quick Study

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 164

See profile



I have been to Zanzibar a few times and it never loses its magic.
 
  Reply With Quote
Alinawl is offline Alinawl Post #82  April 24,2009, 3:31pm

Newbie

Joined: Apr 2009

Canada/Poland

Posts: 3

See profile



Hard to pick uot one. The last my trip was amazing (Isay that after all my trips I ever made ) Ladakh in India/Kashmir & Jammu. Those temples, amazing atmosphere, amazing people, amazing surroundings, mountains ... beautiful and peaceful place.


I never counted numbers of coutries I visited. I think pretty much. What was the greatest as a place Amazon State in Venezuela, Iguazu Falls Brazil/Paraguay, Isalu/Madagascar, Thsucudu, Dragon Mountains/RSA, sand dunes in Sossusvlei/Namibia , Piramide di Segonzzano/Italy, Himalayas, Scotia, Norway, ... ,and I think much much more.


As a architecture or something made by manMt. Sant Michele, France, many places in Italy like San Gimignano, and very many small town in Italy, they heve medieval feeling, Taj Mahal/India,


As people Madagascar, Ladakh, Italy, Nepal, and to be onest - everywhere People are great all over the world.


But what I think, the most inspiring placeisthat/ are thouse I never saw before, and I have some places still I can dream to go there





 
  Reply With Quote
soniajesq is offline soniajesq Post #83  May 7,2009, 10:46pm
soniajesq's Avatar

Newbie

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 12

See profile



The most inspiring place I've ever been to is Peru. I was in Cuzco and absolutely loved it! The people are amazing, the food not so good, they don't use a lot of salt or ice, but it's absolutely beautiful. the cobblestone streets, the plaza, I am in love with Cuzco. I also went to Machu Picchu and was so in awe of it, I don't have words to describe. Peru is amazing, it has beautiful mountains, (I got a little altitude sickness), desert, jungle, if you want to travel and become immersed in history, culture and nature, then Peru is the place to go.
 
  Reply With Quote
mohawk79 is offline mohawk79 Post #84  May 9,2009, 9:33pm

is at home.

Newbie

Joined: May 2009

Orlando, FL

Posts: 2

See profile



Great topic. My most life changing place was my recent trip and trek around the country of Angola. A little back story for those unfamiliar with Angola. Up until 2002 Angola wasimmersedin a civil war that started in 1975 after a war for independence from Portugal. Two factions vied for power UNITA and the MPLA. This conflict was a war against communist expansion and was a front for the cold war thatsurprisinglyisn't very well known. The communist MPLA eventually won the conflict with support from the Soviet Union and Cuban military advisors. During the 27 year conflict an enormous portion of the population was displaced by fighting and the extensive and poorly marked and mapped use of landmines. The country is today working to rebuild and heal the deep scars that the war left on the people and infrastructure.
I was there forbusinessto assist a humanitarian demining company that is working to return the land to the populace. I had done a fair amount of research prior to my travel. The state department travel site lists Angola as a moderate threat location and advises travel there only ifnecessary. It included other fun tidbits like the police in uniform havecar-jackedpeople. Corruption is rampant and you should expect to be extorted coming into and out of the country by customs officials. One of my favorites is the warning about photography, simply it says do not take pictures of anything that my be government related as it will lead to your arrest. I picture menarrating my imprisonment on an episode of NationalGeographic's: Locked Up Abroad. I have to get a Yellow Fever Vaccine and have the card with me at the airport or face arrest. All of these rules and regulations and the list of horrible, debilitating diseases that ravage the country i get along with my Malaria prescription leave me mildly uneasy about my trip.


On the flight into Luanda, the capital city, my trepidation builds. I have $2000.00 dollars in cash on me because ATM's don't work forforeigncards and there is limited if any merchants that will accept credit cards. The envelope feels heavy as I picture some skilled pickpocket relieving me of my means of food, water, lodging and potential bribes. The view of the city isreassuringas I see what looks like a thriving metropolis full of tall buildings and billboards advertising who knows what. As we further descend over the city the ramshackle slums built of discarded everything and more come into focus. It becomes apparent that the skyscrapers I saw from higher up are in incredibly poor condition. One surrounded in a flood of slum running right up to its courtyard appears to have had a serious fire that burned up 6 or 7 stories of its facade leaving a blackened area like a bruise. Getting closer I see that the windows that the fire must have raged out of have clothes strung on lines drying in the breeze like most other windows. The realization that someone is living in there rings in my head as my eyes struggle to take in parts of the city as they come into view. On a hill overlooking the an islet that follows the contour of the shore for few miles lies the bone white blocks of an oldPortuguesefort. In the grounds behind the thick stone walls sits a Russian MiG fighter jet, years out from proper maintenance. As my eyes search the city beneath they linger on a grey stone tower rising out of the calm brown waters between the islet and the shore. It looks like art and its unique form outweighs any possible function I could fathom. We are almost down and I gather my book and breath deep trying to bolster my confidence for the customs experience that soon awaits.


Waiting do disembark I look out upon the runway as it shimmers with the alreadyoppressiveheat. It is only 6:30 in the morning and the heat coming in through the open door of the plane seems heavy, like it could keep all but the most powerful of the planes scattered about the airport from rising from the sun baked earth. I step out onto the ladder to board the bus to the terminal and I am sweating already. My shirt sticks to my back as I remove my arm from one of the straps of my backpack. The bus is full of Portuguese men and women here on what looks like vacation and they sit or stand crushed together as more passengers pack the already overcrowded coach. Most of the faces wear looks of bored detachment like they have suffered the heat and press of bodies for decades. The smell of sweat is strong and I feel a hint of claustrophobia as I urge the bus driver to drive to the terminal. As my agitation grows the bus lurches forward and I lean towards the window to my leftdesperatefor a breath of untainted air and then we are at the terminal. The passengers quickly descend into chaos and a herd mentality as military or police officials point people into one of four lines. I try todiscern the criteria that determines what line I need to be in when from behind a stone column an incredibly short man with a look of barely restrained hatred hands me a half sheet of copy paper. I ask for a pen but I'm shoved out of the way as a surge of people rush to fill the cramped space in front of the malicious paper giver. I get a pen from my bag and fill out the info as well as I can. Its in Portuguese and I struggle with a couple lines filling them in but wondering if the info I'm scrawling in barely legible letters is even close to what is required. Then I find my way into one line only to be physically moved into another line by a uniformed man missing most of his front teeth and the firearm that's absent from the cracked leather holster on the Sam Brown belt clinging to his massive paunch. I try to estimate how long I'll be standing here sweat pouring down my forehead and spreading across my shirt like oil bubbling up from the ground. Behind one of the doors to my left is a water closet that I can only guess the condition of as the cloying smell assaults my nose. I would kill for a bottle of water or to stop the sweating, obviously unwashed body of the man sharing the back of the line from brushing his sweat soaked shirt against my skin. At the front of the line are counters with brand new Dell computers behind which sit uniformed customs officials engaged in the various tasks of fighting the heat by fanning themselves with the individual's passport who stand before them like criminals in front of a judge moments before sentencing. There are a few passengers in line who speak English and I catch threats to the individuals keeping them like a herd of cows trapped in this line. I laugh as I fight down the urge to push my way through and out into baggage claim. I make my way to the counter and the customs official at last and hand him my passport and my Yellow Fever vaccination paperwork. He takes my passport and slides it through the scanner. Over the next five minutes I'm left to wonder whether something is wrong as my passport refuses to scan. Eventually the customs official becomes bored and punches in a series of keys and with a flourish of ritual movement my passport is stamped and handed back to me. I breath a sigh of relief. I made it through without being extorted or arrested. Things are looking up. I turn the corner and walk into a scene of madness. It seems at least half of the individuals who made it through customs with me and are turning the corner with looks of alarm and shock much like the expression I wear on my own face are from another flight and the room is barely large enough to hold the passengers from my flight. A seething, sweat drenched sea of people crash like waves against anything in their way in a quest for theirpossessions being belched out onto the two conveyors. Luggage, people, a chair, the poles with interconnect ropes that block off a rectangle in between the to conveyors, nothing is safe from the clumsy, crashing crowd. I throw my self into the seething wave with fists clenched expecting the almost tangible spark of violence crackling through the crowd like an electric current. I'm struck by how different this place was from any other. I imagine this is how things feel just before a riot. Yet somehow this is what I expected Africa to be like. It has a frontier feel like it still has something to be discovered. Its stillprimitiveand dark. I'm sure thats how the American West felt to those who first explored it. I fight an arm through the wall of flesh in front of me and search for a tag to find out if this is my flights or the others cargo. Its the wrong flight and the people have packed in impossibly tighter. Toying with the idea ofabandoningmy bag I fight to the belt in search of my bag... MORE TO COME GOT TO SLEEP.
 
  Reply With Quote
k374 is offline k374 Post #85  May 13,2009, 10:57pm
k374's Avatar

Quick Study

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 130

See profile

My favorite places so far -
Baden-Baden, Munich, Berlin, Venice
 
  Reply With Quote
mandybre is offline mandybre Post #86  May 21,2009, 6:35pm
mandybre's Avatar

Newbie

Joined: May 2009

Georgia, for now, but not long! :)

Posts: 2

See profile

I've been to several countries but Scotland and Spain are my favorites. The people in Edinburgh are so friendly and there is so much to explore...be prepared to wear good shoes if you are walking! Madrid was awesome...took a side trip to Barcelona. The outdoor cafes, the culture, the whole atmosphere was magical.
 
  Reply With Quote
Minador is offline Minador Post #87  June 4,2009, 12:26am
Minador's Avatar

is on top of the world!

Newbie

Joined: Sep 2008

Southern AZ

Posts: 15

See profile

I really like New Zealand (beautiful and nice lifestyle - great food) and I'm certain I'll make it to the South Island the next time I go.... But Egypt & Morocco were pretty neat too, but I like that barren desert stuff (though Morocco has it's beautiful green spots and winter get-aways). The DRC was pretty inspiring in a humanistic sense - the people don't let the depressing conditions get them down - they're very positive, hard working and take advantage of every little opportunity they have (opportunities we tend to waste/overlook).
 
  Reply With Quote
Minador is offline Minador Post #88  June 4,2009, 12:44am
Minador's Avatar

is on top of the world!

Newbie

Joined: Sep 2008

Southern AZ

Posts: 15

See profile

C'est l'Afrique (15 unforgettable weeks...) Take you melarone, use your net, and sleep peaceful.

[quote=mohawk79;600171]My most life changing place was my recent trip and trek around the country of Angola.

The passengers quickly descend into chaos and a herd mentality as military or police officials point people into one of four lines. .

Behind one of the doors to my left is a water closet that I can only guess the condition of as the cloying smell assaults my nose. I would kill for a bottle of water or to stop the sweating, obviously unwashed body of the man sharing the back of the line from brushing his sweat soaked shirt against my skin.

I imagine this is how things feel just before a riot. Yet somehow this is what I expected Africa to be like. It has a frontier feel like it still has something to be discovered. Its stillprimitiveand dark. quote]
 
  Reply With Quote
searchinginidaho is offline searchinginidaho Post #89  June 19,2009, 7:23am
searchinginid…'s Avatar

Newbie

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 4

See profile

Tahiti. What a glorious trip, more an adventure. I was able to visit 8 islands each with it's own beauty and "feel". Perhaps, I loved Bora Bora because of it's people. I was there on a Sunday and most were in church all wearing white and women in hats, I could hear the singing well before finding the church. Although it was hot, and very humid what a wonderful trip.
 
  Reply With Quote
Reply


« UK in the US | Travel | Canada anyone? »
Topic Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new topics
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off

Looking for a Great Relationship?

Get started now. Fill out this form and take the questionnaire to receive your matches.

First Name:

I'm a:
seeking

Postal Code:

Country:

Email:

Confirm Email:

Password:


How did you hear about us?


Latest on our Dating Advice Discussion Boards

“ Excellent, thank you. I think I will leave out the first part, I think it is unnecessary information to give him. I'm not interested in putting myself out there like that and it might be a little ... ” –  generallyyou

Join the “Ending a friendship” discussion

“Alfred Hitchcock - 18 Steven Spielberg - 62 *notice what?” –  dmi

Join the “War of the Directors” discussion

“ I would be "certain people" :P The issue isn't a deal-breaker, but a very strong factor preference-wise, for me.” –  ThePriestess

Join the “How much does race play in your dating someone?” discussion

“Love Texas Hold'em!.. I'm thinking of trying another tournament this summer...not sure yet though.. Never entered a tournament before, outside of online ones. Personally I prefer to play with ... ” –  Freezepop

Join the “Favorite Card Game” discussion

“Make that 3! I also had a crush on Donny Osmond. I think I still have a record or two of his. Suzie ” –  legend29

Join the “Robin Gibbs Dead at 62...How Deep is Your Love?” discussion

“Oh, my revised profile can be seen in the forum in the section where you can ask for a profile review. Suzanne” –  SuzanneScorpio

Join the “Photo Review” discussion

“Just remember, everything that you are feeling and/or are capable of he is as well. If he wanted to reach you, he could. Right now he knows that you are hurting, and that this is not what you ... ” –  lynntlb78

Join the “Can I wait and move on at the same time?” discussion

“ Yohio. And the shortened form (Anya) is nice too.” –  ThePriestess

Join the “Where is Becky?!?” discussion



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 8:16am.

Discussion Boards Archive

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0