The Top Five Lists
Trip Start
Nov 05, 2006
1
181
182
Trip End
Jan 14, 2008
Sacramento,
California,
United States
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Paul's Top Five places to visit:
1. The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador - This place beat all my expectations and if I had the money, or if someone else was paying, I'd be there again tomorrow. I never got tired of the Iguanas and the islands themselves are pristine and magical.
2. Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Peru - Who knows what this place really was but there's no arguing that it is spiritual and sits in one of the most beautiful landscapes you can find.
3. The Serengeti and Masai Mara, Kenya & Tanzania - These are different ends of the same plains and totally worth seeing. Wild animals in their own environment beats any tame setting you can find.
4. The Grand Canyon, U.S.A. - Words or pictures cannot adequately describe this place. It's way beyond a big hole in the ground! If you go, you MUST stay in the bottom of the canyon overnight.
5. The Amazon Basin - Dense jungles, poison frogs, anacondas and vicious biting insects packaged with the most exotic orchids, beautiful butterflies and trees you'll ever see. There aren't too many places I've been where I felt like I'd have trouble making it out alone. That just adds to the excitement!
Paul's Top Five fun things to do:
1. Hike the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador - I'll say it again, this place rocks! Step back in time for a truly magical experience.
2. The Gibbon Experience, Laos - (see "the coolest thing ever" entry) Spend a couple of days living in the treetops and zip lining through the valleys of Northern Laos. If you go, spend the night in Baan Don Chai (I may be spelling that wrong) for a truly "family style" Laos experience.
3. Gorilla Trekking, D.R. Congo - Following a troupe of gorillas at close range with the babies playing while the silver back growls in the background. I don't think it really settled into my brain until a day or two after. Way cool!
4. Walk with the Lions, Zimbabwe - Of the eighteen people on our truck, only four of us did this and we unanimously agreed it was a highlight of the trip. Some say the project will never release a wild lion, but regardless laying your hands on a 190 pound lion who respects you only because you are holding a stick is pretty exhilarating.
5. Raft the Zambezi River, Zimbabwe/Zambia - Maybe all white water experiences are the same, but this was my first and along with the Lion walking, was a good reason to stay on the truck those last couple of weeks.
