We ticked off the places that we wanted to see some years ago, and, with each place named, wonderful images came to mind: “New Zealand …Venice and the Dolomite Mountains … Vietnam … Costa Rica … Arches National Park…” How did we choose our next destination from so many places? Money and time limited us, for sure. At some point we realized that we should move the more physically challenging trips to the top of the list and save the less active vacations for our later years. Only recently did we add another factor to our considerations: TIMELINESS.
We know poachers seriously endanger elephants and rhinoceros. Tourism is down in Africa now resulting in better opportunities for poachers. More tourists may reduce their opportunities. For anyone considering a safari, maybe the timing should be sooner, rather than later.
One of our most memorable and rewarding trips was a safari with friends in Tanzania.
Venice, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, floods about 100 days a year. Rising sea levels may threaten the city. We chose a dry month for our visit.
We visited Everglades National Park and were astounded with the ease of seeing so many birds and animals. It’s one of many national parks facing a crisis due to global warming and other environmental issues.
Worldwide, glaciers and snow caps are shrinking, and New Zealand is not exempt. (Photo: Glenorchy, South Island, New Zealand)
We lived to regret travel opportunities that passed us by, or rather, that we took a pass on. Friends generously offered us their home in the Caribbean, but we already had another trip in mind. “Thanks, but not now,” we said. What were we thinking?! Even after that, another friend suggested we stay at his cottage on the coast of England. We didn’t. Another blunder!
Over the years, we hope we’ve learned from our mistakes and experience. We still dream of places to go and still add to our list, but, when it comes time to choose, we now consider places to go that are threatened and may be a diminished experience in the years ahead. We’ll try to go with a light footprint.
We’ve planned a timely trip to the Galapagos Islands in 2016, another place to see endangered and threatened species. (Photo is not from the Galapagos, but is an African spurred tortoise we saw at the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo.)
July 2015
simpletravelourway 
The trouble is that there are so many wonderful places to visit and only a limited number of days in which to visit. I hanker for retirement, but in the meantime we continue to work to fund our travels. We can only fit in so much, but it’s better than doing nothing and I am so grateful for all that we are able to do.
I bet you’re having fun with those travel plans to Galapagos. Environmentally responsible fun, that is 8)
Also: we loved the city of Cuzco. I’m sure you’ve read how walkable it is. MacchuPicchu was wonderful, of course, but I would have loved more time in Cuzco.
Do you think 18 days in Cuzco will be enough? That’s our plan now.
Holy smoke. You’ll be residents by then. I think we stayed four (but we were much younger and less wise then).
Great post which we agree with. It is why we are busting our butts cycling around Cornwall right now, a few more years and we may not be capable of doing that (although I may not be capable of doing it tomorrow after falling off today). Don’t put off things until tomorrow, it may not arrive for you.
Thanks Cliff. Hope you didn’t hurt yourself falling off that bike. Get back in the saddle!
Great post as usual…I will especially live vicariously as usual when you go to Peru, as Macchu Picchu is the only place on my wish list I missed….as you say, waited too long. You climb it for me, ok? You are in one of my favorite places on earth right now…first trip there was with my grandparents, who raised me, and we stayed at The Empress. I was an 11 year old, having High Tea and listening to live chamber music—on a railroad retirement pass trip! Never forgot the gardens and the ocean and have been back at least 10 times.The museum is one of my all-time favorites also…I like to sit in the totem room listening to the music and meditating for long and lovely minutes….one of the places, like Uxmal in Mexico and Stonehenge where I think the Hindus may have the right idea about reincarnation! Enjoy! BerniceSent from Yahoo Ma
Thanks, Bernice. Our walks and Joe’s bike rides have been lovely, but we have yet to do High Tea and live chamber music. Great memories of Victoria that you have.
wonderful photos!
Thank you!
I remember seeing the Elephants in SA, so gorgeous
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