A top ten ranking of my favourite travel destinations after wandering around for a few years.

1] Similan Islands, Southern Thailand

Turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, hammocks, and palm trees but thats just on land.  Dolphins and flying fish accompany the journey out from the mainland.  Once in the water you realize this isn’t one of those dead, grey, over visited reefs.  Trailing lazily a foot behind a sea turtle through the reef felt like I was given the royal tour.  Less friendly was the fearless clownfish (nemo), at 3 inches long I was repeatedly charged by the bossy fellow who then quickly retreated to the safety of his anemone.  Sea snakes and every countless types of colourful fish rounded out the underwater experience.

2] Machu Picchu, Inca City Peru

If you’ve seen pictures of Machu Picchu, the spire shaped mountain that towers over it is Wayna Picchu.  Climb the dangerously steep inca steps to have an unparalleled view of the Incan ruins and misty mountains surrounding.  A great historical human accomplishment set amongst breathless natural beauty makes this the 2nd most beautiful place I’ve been in my life.

3] Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil Border

Spanning over 2km, higher than Niagra and set in the South American jungle Iguazu falls is a powerful sight.  This isn’t your commercialized Niagra falls.

4] Tallinn Old Town, Estonia

I’ll admit i’m not much of a city guy, or a fan of the cold for that matter so you know this is something.  Visited in January, Tallinn Old Town is what i’d call a frozen medieval winter wonderland.  Set on the gulf of Finland, the snow covered medieval walls and cobbled streets dotted with cafes and taverns kinda feels like going back in time.  There is one Mcdonalds within the walls which may bring you back to reality, but sometimes a break from the unknown suits me just fine.

5] Rocky Mountains, BC/Alberta Border Canada

If you’ve driven from Vancouver to Calgary you know.  If you haven’t, then you should.  I sure do love a drive through beautiful scenery, cause I’m lazy and don’t always like to walk.

6] Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

I can’t do justice to the beauty of the city with words.  I can say that the dangers present in Rio make you appreciate it more if you’re smart.  When you walk to the beach past modern military patrols on street corners it makes you a little concerned.  This isn’t Africa, or Bolivia, it just doesn’t look right.  Don’t be stupid, don’t flash money or ipods  and you may not be one of the countless mugging victims.  Then again you might.  This is one of a few places where flying out intact and without being robbed felt like an accomplishment.

7] Rome, Italy

Again, I don’t really like cities but Easter Mass in the Vatican is worth a visit.  Wandering the Roman Forum and imagining back to when this was the center of the mighty Roman Empire is pretty humbling.  Geny moment…I didn’t go in the Coliseum, or the Sistine Chapel because I didn’t want to wait in line.

8] Salar de Uyuni, Salt flats Bolivia

There is a lot of salt here, as far as the eye can see.  So much salt that the hotel we stayed in was made of salt bricks, as were the tables and the bed.  Ok this doesn’t sound very nice at all now that I write it.  The salt flats lead onto a high plateau with many geysers and lakes (lagunas).   These lagunas 12000ft up are home to pink flamingos. What? I thought they lived in jungles in Africa or something.  Wake up at 600am at an altitude of 12000ft in the Bolivian highlands and I guarantee you the most amazing view of the stars you’ve ever seen.  Look quick though cause its painfully cold and the jeep is leaving.

9] Grand Canyon, Arizona USA

So overdone and touristy I expected this to be a huge disappointment, it was not.  It was incredible.  Easily worth renting a car and making a long day trip from Vegas.  Don’t worry you can gamble until 6am when you get back, and you probably will cause there are no windows.  Which is why I’m giving some savvy app designer a brilliant idea.  Ipad “window app” for casinos.  ”oh its getting dark, I better stop gambling”. Take that Vegas and your trickery!

10] Sahara Desert, Morocco

If you are bussing from Casablanca you should try not to cross the High Atlas Mountains in the middle of the night both times, I’ll bet they are pretty nice.  Ride a camel out, have some sugary mint tea and Moroccan food amongst the sand dunes.  Camels are not comfortable, neither are elephants for that matter, but I’ve never seen them on the sand dunes so your probable safe.

Feel free to contact me with any questions, I’ll have more details up soon!