With winter just ahead, once again I am coming to the same conclusion. I hate
the cold. I hate watching as the days grow shorter. Maybe I am just becoming
a grumpy old man who enjoys wearing shorts everyday. Florida mobile home, here
I come!
While constructing the following list, it occurred to me that
the only cold weather location chosen, would have to entice me with nudity
and various illicit activities to get me to even think about landing on its
soil.
The other 10 locations on my most wanted to explore list would most
likely have me returning home looking like a lobster.
Just imagine
if I were one of the original world explorers. My first mate would run
up pleading "Captain, we need to go north or we will stray off course". My comment
would most likely be "no way in hell, I just applied this Bain de’ Soleil
SPF#4 Enhancer, and I don’t want to waste the 8 bucks"
So anyways,
here is the list of places that I will hopefully be working on exploring over
the next few years. Each has its own appeal and most have a primitive bar within
walking distance on some crowdless beach.
1. St.
Eustatius - More commonly known as Statia, there is only 2,900 residents on this
somewhat forgotten Caribbean Island which is governed by the Dutch. I daydream
about this place more than any other. This would be the island to escape so nobody
would ever you find you. Peace & solitude in a place that none of your friends
have ever been.
2. Fernando De Noronha - "By invitation
only" from the country of Brazil gets my interest peaking. The human numbers
are limited to keep this tropical dream looking pristine.
3.
Tonga - I have always loved the name. So tribal sounding. Tonga, tonga,
tonga... O.K., so you get my point. Located in the South Pacific, their government
recently got scammed to the tune of $26 million by a court jester from San
Francisco. Either they are completely naive, or just one very trusting group
of people. I need to find out.
4. Vieques - I have
never been fond of Puerto Rico although I have never really given it much of
a chance. This island is located only a $2 ferry ride from the east coast of P.R.
An impressive looking eco-resort called the Hix Island House makes it a must
do.
5. St. Vincent - At the lower end of the Caribbean
chain, all the pictures I have seen make it out to be a true vacation paradise
void of commercialism. An eco resort I came across on the Net , named Petit
Beyhaut, left a very lasting impression.
6. New
Zealand - Everyone I have ever met from this country have typically been nice,
funny people who like to drink more than I do. Sounds good to me. I also like
the idea of traveling the countryside in a mini- motorhome which seems to be
the current rage.
7. Bora Bora - Overran by the rich,
this South Pacific scenic tropical island still has "over the water bungalow
charm".
8. Seychelles - Located on the eastern
side of Africa, this island appears to be the secret playground for the Euros
& Asians who are looking for an exotic escape. Modernistic resorts cater to my
taste, but sadly not to my budget.
9. Belize - This country
would have ranked higher, but lo and behold the secret is out
on this amazingly stable nation located just a ferry ride away from the Yucatan
Peninsula. Currently, all the travel magazines are trying to out do each other
with the hippest story , usually accompanied by a photo of some twentysomething
couple in their casual looking expensive pajamas.
10. (Tie)
Easter Island - The statues are the obvious draw on this island which is ruled
by the Chile government. Only three flights a week service this Pacific spec of
land.
Amsterdam - The place I could escape to be a real bad boy in
more ways than one. From the artsy red light district to the coffee houses loaded
with more than just coffee, the party would never stop. All you would need
was an aftershave kit full of Viagra, Vela-Mints and Visine.
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