G'day! I'm Chris. I left my home in rural Australia back in 2007 to pursue a life less ordinary.
I specialize in ambitious travel - bucket list worthy journeys such as the Great US Road Trip, the ultimate African safari, and following the length of the Silk Road.
There’s been a lot of Egyptian content on Aussie on the Road lately, so when I was approached about accepting an article about somebody’s own experience on the Nile – I couldn’t really say no. Especially when this very river made an appearance on my recent 5 River Cruises to do Before You Die list.
Egypt seems to have an almost magical place in the hearts of most travellers. Hell, even those who aren’t predisposed to the travel bug seem to be affected by its allure. We’re ten days out from my epic US trip, and that means there’ll be a lot less guest posts on the site. Enjoy them while you can!
NB: I am aware that captions are not displaying correctly at this point. This is a documented issue with the new WordPress update and will be addressed later this week when Thesis is updated again. Sorry for the unsightliness!
A Voyage to the Heart of Egyptian Civilisation
A cruise down the Nile River is more than just your average adventure and cultural tour. Once you step inside one of the 240 riverboats that are said carry passengers along this famed waterway, you will be set adrift on a voyage into the heart of Egyptian civilization. The Nile is the longest river in the world, but most cruises operate only between Luxor and Aswan. While you may have dreamed of embarking on an odyssey to unearth the source of this mighty river, as there is still uncertainty as to whether it originates in Rwanda or Burundi, such an expedition is best left up to the ghost of Richard Francis Burton.
History books and tour guides will tell you that the Nile is the lifeblood of Egypt, but it’s one thing reading books and guides on the Nile as it’s a completely different experience when you see the Nile in reality. There are ports of call and ancient cities on the 125-mile stretch between Luxor and Aswan that are sure to keep any budding archaeologist happy. What you are able to see and do on your luxury tour depends on the length of your cruise. Considering that this might be a once in a lifetime journey, it is a good idea to book a lengthy holiday excursion to make the most out of everything.
There are numerous highlights on a Nile River cruise, but here are three stops that cannot be missed:
The Valley of the Kings
If you close your eyes and envision Egypt, then the Valley of the Kings probably comes to mind immediately after images of the pyramids have faded. It is the most world-renowned archaeological plot in the world, and in 1979 it became a World Heritage site. While only 11 tombs have been officially discovered, the area is supposed to be the final burial ground of dozens of Egyptian pharaohs. The most famous tomb in the Valley of the Kings belongs to King Tutankhamen, who is better known as King Tut.
A break-taking shot of the Valley of the Kings. Photo by National Geographic.
It’s not just the Valley of the Kings in the region. Luxor also boasts the Valley of the Queens, Valley of the Artisans, and several other temples worthy of exploration.
After snapping a roll of film, it is time to get back on the riverboat. You will glide past fertile farmland, water buffalo, palm trees and sand dunes. The landscape along the banks of the Nile changes from one spectacular scene to the next, until you anchor again at the next port.
The Temple of Karnak
The Temple of Karnak is one of the most visited attractions in Egypt. While the Great Temple of Amum is the undisputed highlight, the complex is filled with all types of ruins, chapels, obelisks and pylons. You are going to want to spend some time reading up on your Egyptian history before you even try to make sense of this labyrinthine temple complex.
The temple of Karnak is one of Egypt’s most visited spots and you can see why. So much history!
Lake Nasser
This massive artificial lake, created by the formation of the Aswan Dam, offers spectacular sunrise and sunset shots. It’s not a part of the Nile cruise, but a side cruise along the man-made lake’s 500km is a nice way to soak in the country at a more leisurely pace.
Abu Simbel
The temples in Abu Simbel are testaments to Ramesses the Great and Queen Nefertari. In the 13th century, these temples were painstakingly carved out of the mountainside. The temples are believed to celebrate the king’s victory at the Battle of Kadesh.
While it’s no longer possible to visit the original sites of the Abu Simbel temples (that spot lies somewhere underneath Lake Nasser), the complex has been painstakingly recreated at a new location and draws tens of thousands of tourists each year.
Cairo
The built up heart of Islamic Cairo
Sometimes called the City of 1000 Minarets, Cairo’s Islamic culture may not be what you picture when you imagine traditional Egyptian culture. But a visit to Egypt’s most famous city offers a window into the day to day lives of modern Egyptians. Sit back and enjoy a coffee or some flavored tobacco (sheesha), chat with a local, or take investigate some of the city’s countless museums and souvenir stops.
Finish your journey where the Nile does! A visit to the port city of Alexandria (one of many cities around the world named for the all-conquering Alexander the Great) offers a distinctly different view of Egyptian life to what you will experience in Cairo. The picturesque coastal city, tourism in Alexandria is a booming industry mixing Egypt’s old world charms with modern conveniences.
Mediterranean Alexandria is quite unlike the rest of Egypt
Its foundation as a Greek settlement in Egypt means you get to see the merger of two of history’s most fascinating cultures and there’s no shortage of Greek or Egyptian history to be explored.
The waterfront boasts no shortage of fantastic seafood restaurants or activities on the water, while further into the city you’ll find museums and guided tours aimed at providing you with a window into Egyptian life.
Your Say
Ever been on a Nile cruise of your own? What were your favorite stops?
This week’s guest post costs from Victor over at Travelzzle. I spent ten fantastic days in New Zealand myself back in 2010 and fell head over heels in love with the land of the long white cloud. My own adventures included climbing Franz Josef Glacier, blackwater rafting at Waitomo, riding the zorb in Rotorua, and being stunned by the beauty of Milford Sound.
Victor’s put together a collection of his favourite memories from the shaky isles and I’m pleased to see a different collection from my own. Looks like a repeat trip is in order…
My New Zealand Adventure
I was looking for a great vacation destination recently. I love to travel, as do many of my friends. I love to go hiking, exploring, wining and dining. I’m also a huge fan of the Lord of the Rings movies. Where could I go to indulge in all these things? The answer was clear: New Zealand! Looking around on Groupon, I was able to find a number of great travel coupons that helped make my dream trip to New Zealand a reality!
You know the saying about good things coming in small packages? In the case of New Zealand, the fun-sized island nation, it certainly proves the old adage correct. Seriously, New Zealand truly satisfies the desire for anyone wanting a lush, interesting and ultimately diversely beautiful vacation destination. In fact, there are so many interesting places to see and things to do, it can seem a little overwhelming. Here are are of the places I’d say are must-see destination when you vacation in New Zealand.
Picturesque Waiheke, New Zealand
If you like wine, then you owe it to yourself to visit the Cable Bay winery on Waiheke Island. Cable Bay is a breathtaking restaurant and local winery that was built on Waiheke Island over 20 years ago, in the Greater Auckland region. You’ll have two choices of transportation to take to get to the sub-tropical wine paradise. You can board a ferry across the Auckland Harbour for a 40 minute sightseeing tour. If you want to be more direct, you can hop on a helicopter and be there in 8 minutes. Personally, I decided to take the ferry and was rewarded with a peaceful journey amongst gentle waves.
Beautiful Cable Bay on Waiheke Island, New Zealand
No matter how you choose to get to Cable Bay, you’ll be delighted by the entire wine-growing area. The entire bay area practically buzzes with its enthusiasm for quality wine. The passion for exellence extends to the local food and the laid-back but passionate culture. You’ll find a refreshing microclimate, taste the salty ocean breeze in the air, meet lots of friendly people, and of course, you’ll be able to sample fantastic wine. I particularly enjoyed the Cable Bay Riesling 2008, which had notes of berry, a fragrant bouquet, and a crisp finish.
I mentioned that I’m a huge Lord of the Rings fan, right? And since New Zealand is where they Lord of The Rings movie was filmed that meant I could get an up close and personal with many of the locations seen in the films. Now, I could have gone and wandered around by myself, but I didn’t want to get lost. I couldn’t get Gandalf to guide me, so I went and got the next best thing – the guides at Southern Lakes Sightseeing. I opted to go with the “Trails of Middle Earth” tour, and it was an all-day blast.
‘Edoras’ from Lord of the Rings. Nerdgasm!
First off, I got a free collectible souvenir just for booking a spot on the tour, and everyone on the tour also got to look at, handle and pose with about $15,000 worth of props from the movies– swords, shields, armor, staffs. The tour took us through some truly breathtaking scenery. I’d say the most stunning location was the trek along the Kawarau river, which offered a wonderful view of the Remarkables mountain range. The guides also obviously had a passion for both the Lord of the Rings movies and books and were more than happy to discuss as many details as as I cared to ask about. I’d recommend that you make sure to book a spot as early as possible. Tours fill up fast because they keep the groups small for a more personalized experience.
While I sadly wasn’t able to find the golden One Ring, I did get to have another great adventure– I went panning for gold! There are lots of places all over the Queenstown environs where would-be prospectors can try thier luck at panning for gold. I had a fun time panning for gold along the Arrow River (which was the river that was richest with gold during the New Zealand Gold Rush). A great place to do some prospecting and panning while you explore the an educational site would be the Goldfields Mining Centre.
It’s pretty easy to get to– just follow SH 6 going in the direction of Queenstown to Cromwell. It’s about an hour’s drive from Queenstown, and will be visible from the right hand. You get to the mining centre by crossing over a footbridge spanning the Kawarau River. When you pass by the Roaring Meg Power Station on your right, you’ll be a mere 5 minutes away from the parking garage where the river footbridge starts. While my success is not a guarantee of your sucess, I did end up taking home some gold dust and a small nugget!
Your Say
What are your favourite spots in New Zealand? Got any recommendations you’d like to share?
Ever done a Lord of the Rings tour? I know Amanda from A Dangerous Business has! Check out her Lord of the Rings adventures.
Those who know me probably guess that I’m not a particularly good cook. Those who’ve dated me are certain of this fact.
But lately I’ve been taking steps to make myself into a more well rounded human being. I may never be perfectly suited to a 9 to 5 life and white picket fences, but that doesn’t mean I can spend the rest of my life existing on a diet of junk food and beer. However fun that existence may be…
In addition to making a glorious return to running of late. I ran my farthest distance since August 2010 on Friday night.
I’ve also started to take better care of my apartment* and to take a good, long look at what it is I put into my body.
*Taking better care of my apartment equates to hiring an elderly Chinese lady to clean it once a week
That doesn’t stop the occasional boozy McDonalds’ home delivery or late night on the turps, but it does mean considerably less microwave meals and care package binges. And with the urging of friends and readers back home, it’s about time I stopped living on take-out and started actually experimenting with Chinese food in my own home.
Over the next nine months or so, I’ll be introducing common Chinese dishes and trying to replicate them within my own home. But tonight, feeling just a little less ambitious, I’m going to do some experimentation and see if I can’t create a fairly standard Chinese style stir fry.
To that end, I’ve just come back from a 100RMB shop and now have the following motley collection of ingredients to work with.
Ingredients + effort = delicious?
Ingredients
What have I got to work with? Let’s see…
Peanuts
Tofu Noodles
Three cloves of garlic
Beans
Carrot
Peppers/Capsicum
An onion
500g of beef
Sesame Oil
Oyster Sauce
Soy Sauce
Black Vinegar
Chili Salt
Tabasco Sauce
Ginger
Some nameless black sauce with black beans in it. Slightly spicy.
Preparation
I’m flying blind here, but past experiences in cooking/observing cooking have shown me that it pays to be prepared first. I’m going to cut up all of my vegetables and put aside some of the onion and some of the peppers to use in tomorrow’s scrambled eggs.
I’ve gone with pre-cut beef as the meat, mostly because I’m terrified of under-cooking my chicken and poisoning myself.
Unable to find minced garlic or ginger, I’ve gone ahead and Googled how to mince garlic. Yes, it is a wonder I’ve survived this long on my own. Thank you for noticing!
The only kind of ‘mincing’ you’ll ever see me doing
My camera battery decided to die at this point, leaving me in the capable hands of my iPhone for the remainder of this particularly episode.
My apartment came with a single cleaver. This leads me to believe my predecessor was either a jerk who sold everything before he left, or a serial killer who was so proficient with the cleaver that he felt no need to clutter his kitchen with other implements of slicing and/or dicing.
Cutting carrots… LIKE A BOSSBean #1: Are you sure it’s safe here, babe? Bean #2: Oh, you’re worried about the infamous cleaver killer? He’s just an urban legend silly.
I mash garlic like a pro, peel onions without crying, and generally maim & massacre the remaining vegetables in my collection.
Bowl full of vegetables. Vegan porn.
Cooking
Step #1 – Realise that you have not used the wok in your apartment since arriving in China. Realise with frustration and terror that the previous occupant did not wash it after its last use. Spend 10-15 minutes scrubbing until it stops resembling a toilet bowl.
With wok clean and TNA Slammiversary playing in the background to keep me entertained, it’s time to actually cook this bad boy. Except, asshole that I am, I don’t have any oil.
Google isn’t much help either, suggesting an oil substitute. Time to get experimental and use some of that chicken broth in the fridge…
Add minced garlic to chicken broth.
Chicken broth: Not nearly as good as cooking oil
It’s at this point that I realise the chicken broth is evaporating far too quickly for the garlic to cook. Unless ‘cook’ means ‘burn’. But you know what? Sesame oil is a surprisingly good substitute for oil. Go figure.
1. Add minced garlic to chicken broth, 1 tbsp sesame oil, dash of soy sauce, and a dash of black vinegar.
How not to cook garlic
2. Add 500g beef to wok. Allow to cook.
3. Get over-confident, add more sesame oil.
4. Once beef is cooked, add in vegetables and stir fry until onion is brown.
Insert witty caption here
5. Sprinkle Szechwan Chili Salt to taste. This stuff is gold.
Szechwan Salt = My cocaine
6. Add 1 tbsp of nameless black bean thing and ginger. Stir thoroughly.
Not possum shit
7. Add in peanuts.
Peanuts make everything better. Except for people with peanut allergies. They get worse.
8. Add tofu noodles.
Not satisfied with inventing the regular noodle (spaghetti), the Chinese then decided to invent tofu noodles as well
9.Finally, add oyster sauce (about 1 tbsp) and stir through thoroughly.
10. Allow time for noodles to soak up some of the juice.
Voila! Ten easy steps to creating a stir fry that may or may not taste awesome. On the shopping list for next time would be cooking oil/spray and a larger spoon to stir with. I also wouldn’t mind having some chili peppers, water chestnuts, and spring onions to add to the mix.
Final Product
The final product
Looks edible.
Smells edible.
Let’s give it the CWB three step test.
Sets mouth on fire – CHECK
Tastes like food – CHECK
Does not cause explosive diarrhoea, stomach cramps, or leprosy – TBA…
Your Stir Fry Tips
So, this was my first experiment with making a stir-fry from scratch. In the past I’d just buy a stir fry mix and stir it all together.
What are your tips for making an absolutely killer stir-fry. What should I have included or taken out?
The Showdown is a new feature here on Aussie on the Road, but it’s one I’m quite excited about. Every so often I’m going to pick two countries or cities in similar areas and pit them against one another in a head to head battle for my love.
While it’s true that Egypt was perhaps my first travel day-dream, Turkey is not a country without its siren song. Ever since my friend started trying to lure me there to teach, Turkey has been growing in my estimation. The history of a place like Constantinople/Istanbul, the fantastic food, and the significance of the place to Australian history is a real draw for me.
I was recently challenged to compare the two and so it’s time for Turkey and Egypt to go to war. Which one will win out?
Troy, Ephesus, and The Hagia Sophia v The Pyramids, Karnak, and The Valley of the Kings
Let’s face it, both countries have incredible histories and there’s no shortage of historic sites and beautiful architecture to explore in either country.
Egypt obviously has a big edge in the form of the legendary pyramids and the enigmatic Sphinx, but you can’t completely discount Turkey’s own rich history. The site of ancient Troy and the ruins of ancient Greek settlements such as Ephesus are definitely something I’d be interested in seeing.
A hot air balloon ride over Luxor. Photo courtesy of Marcos Leal.The ancient beauty of Karnak really speaks to me. Photo courtesy of DJ McCrady
With both countries having been under the yoke of medieval imperialism at some point, they’ve also had a melting pot of cultures to provide a vast array of different styles and stories.
But while the Hagia Sofia’s beauty is legendary, it may not be able to measure up to the legend of temples such as Luxor and Karnak, nor does it quite have the history of the Valley of the Kings.
The Haga Sophia is arguably Turkey’s most iconic building. Photo courtesy of Sauvageone.
When it comes out to a battle over history and stunning architecture, it’s Egypt by a fair length in the end.
Egypt: 1 Turkey: 0
The Bosphorus v The Nile
In the battle of rivers, the Nile reigns supreme
Both Turkey and Egypt have rivers that could be considered the veins of a nation, and the Bosphorus is no less impressive or important to Turkish history than the lengthy Nile. And while Egypt’s only well known river is the Nile, Turkey also boasts rivers such as the Tiber to appeal to the water loving set.
Much like the Pyramids and the ancient temples of Egypt, the Nile just has a fantastic allure for me. The history of the tributary and its role in sustaining one of the world’s most fascinating cultures can’t be overlooked.
Neither river is lacking in options when it comes to river boat cruises, but I’m still enchanted by the idea of sailing down (and sleeping on) the Nile. It’s another one where Egypt’s rich history edges out Turkey’s.
Things are looking one sided in the Turkey or Egypt debate…
Egypt: 2 Turkey: 0
Istanbul v Cairo
Now, here is where Turkey starts to come into its own. While there is no denying Cairo is a city with no shortage of history – there’s something gripping about Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) and its role as one of the great crossroad cities in human history. The former seat of the East Roman Empire and a key city in the 4th Crusade, you just can’t look past Istanbul’s epic history and its role as one of the most prominent city’s in medieval Europe.
The built up slums of Cairo make for a unique cultural experienceBeautiful Istanbul – the jewel of Turkey
Modern day Istanbul and Cairo are bustling cities with rich cultures, delicious food, and no shortage of places to drink a coffee or smoke some sheesha, but it’s Istanbul’s role in European history that edges it ahead for me. In the battle of Turkey or Egypt; Turkey wins its first point.
Egypt: 2 Turkey: 1
Gallipoli v Western Desert
This one may seem a bit of a mismatch, but both areas were the sites of much bloodshed during the World Wars. The Western Desert saw plenty of action and is notable for being the graveyard of the Lady Be Good, while Gallipoli is often described as the place where Australian was truly born as a nation.
Gallipoli’s role in defining Australia’s cultural identity gives it the edge for me
The Western Desert is a runaway winner when it comes to scenery and the cultural experience on offer, but it’s hard for me as a patriotic Aussie to overlook the opportunity to commemorate ANZAC Day by attending the dawn service on the beach where so many Australian and New Zealand soldiers lost their lives.
If you’re not interested in Australian wartime history, your obvious choice would be the Western (Libyan) Desert, but for me, Gallipoli gets through on cultural significance.
Egypt: 2 Turkey: 2
Ras Mohammed National Park v Goreme National Park
Both Egypt and Turkey are places perhaps best known for desert, but there’s beauty of other kinds to be found in both countries.
I talked at length about the stunning Red Sea park that is Ras Mohammed in my recent 5 Different Things to do in Egypt post, but I’ll reiterate here. The mostly marine park offers crystal clear waters and stunning scuba diving, and that’s a big thing for me.
Ras Mohammed’s crystal clear waters are a real winner in my eyes
Goreme National Park in Cappadocia is a park of an entirely different kind. Recognisable for its ‘fairy chimney’ style rock formations, the dry and dusty park offers stunning sunset and sunrise views and no shortage of unique rock formations to photograph.
Goreme’s unusual rock formations make it a truly unique park
It’s a tough call, but the opportunity to scuba dive gives Egypt the edge for me. Turkey or Egypt? Egypt.
Egypt: 3 Turkey: 2
Battle of the Beaches
I wouldn’t be an Aussie if I didn’t take into account the quality of the beaches in a place I was going to visit. Hell, it’s been my own point of disappointment in China and South Korea.
The majestic surrounds of Butterfly Valley make it a truly remarkable beach destination in Turkey. Photo property of Turkish Travel Blog.com
I touched on Sharm el Sheikh’s beauty in my previous entry on Egypt. Its proximity to Ras Mohammed National Park is obviously a big selling point as well. But you can’t overlook some of the many stunning Turkish beaches including Ova Buku, Butterfly Valley, Kaputus, and Cirali. In fact, Turkey wins this solely on the fact that it has so many notable beaches. Some may be too crowded, but there’s an abundance of fantastic places to sunbathe, swim, or soak in the serenity.
Egypt: 3 Turkey: 3
Cost
Egypt is one of the world’s more popular tourist destinations, so it stands to reason that the locals are onto it and that costs are higher for the average tourist. Turkey, while not without its tourists, has yet to catch on to the ‘rob a foreigner blind’ mentality that seems inevitable wherever tourism is booming.
This holds more true to areas of Turkey outside of Istanbul, but Turkey still remains a generally cheaper option than Egypt.
Egypt: 3 Turkey: 4
Food
The geographical closeness the two nations share does lead to a fair amount of similarity when it comes to the foods and drinks of the two countries. Both, for example, are big drinkers of coffee and tea. Both have kebabs and both have dough based desert treats.
Egyptian food is perhaps preferable for those with a vegetarian diet – with much of the diet based around vegetables and legumes.
The Turkish Kebab is a staple in Australian post drinks culture
Turkish cuisine boasts a great deal more variety than Egyptian food largely because the former Ottoman Empire enveloped areas of Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Balkan regions of Europe. Turkish cuisine is perhaps more famous around the world than Egyptian cuisine. Hell, I’ve had Turkish food here in China but have yet to sample Egyptian fare anywhere.
A delicious Egyptian spread. Falafel makes my heart smile.
It’s going to hand Turkey the win, but I can’t go past the variety of food that constitutes Turkish cuisine. Having tried it already also helps.
Egypt: 3 Turkey: 5
The Verdict
While Turkey picks up a 5-3 win in this showdown, it’s worth noting that sentimentality when it comes to Gallipoli and my love of a good beach gives Turkey a somewhat unfair advantage. The battle of Turkey or Egypt is a hard one to call.
Truth be told, if you were to offer me a ticket to my choice of Turkey or Egypt tomorrow, I’d be touching down in Egypt a few days from now. From a strictly sight-seeing and historic standpoint, Egypt is a runaway winner. But when you factor in cost and food, Turkey does look a mighty tempting option.
Shit, I’d consider myself lucky to visit either. You can’t go wrong with either destination in my eyes.
Your Thoughts?
Ever been to Turkey and/or Egypt? What did you think of my analysis? Did I miss anything that might tip the scale?
And what should the next showdown be? I’d love your thoughts!
It wasn’t so long ago that I put together and shared the itinerary for my upcoming US trip. But part of what makes travel so damned addictive is that it throws you some curveballs and that there is always more out there that you want to see.
Since I decided to make the US my travel destination for 2012 (aside from, y’know, moving to China) – I had a few places that were must see. DisneyLand was one of them and many of you insisted that New York should be, but a big one for me was getting the chance to see Florida.
I don’t know if it was the lure of Orlando’s parks, the Latin culture that seems to pervade everything there, the beaches, or my fascination with Dexter – but Florida was my #1 priority outside of seeing friends and seeing a certain pretty girl I don’t doubt will soon grace the pages of this site.
So, I’ve reworked things and am happy to say Florida now gets a week of my five week tour. And as things are getting closer flights have been booked, accommodation has been found, and a few shiny press trips have been added on to things.
I’ve also purchased my travel insurance through the fab folks at World Nomads and lined up my US sim card thanks to the good people at travelgear.com.au.
So, here it comes…
Shanghai
Wrapping up work on a Friday morning at 10am (two weeks from now, holy crap), I’ll catch the bullet train across to Shanghai after lunch and spend my afternoon exploring some of Shanghai’s iconic spots. I’m thinking a leisurely walk around Fuxing Park, some time people watching at The Bund, and the People’s Square. Or I could immerse myself in China’s 5,000+ year history at the Shanghai Museum.
With my flight not until late Saturday, I’ve done some research and am pretty excited to explore China’s largest city. Then I’ll have a laid back Saturday breakfast and take the bullet out to Pudong Airport to get things well and truly rolling.
Potential Bucket List Items
#230 – Couchsurf
People’s Square in Shanghai
Maryland
“Why on earth are you going to Maryland?”
That’s generally the first thing people ask when I lead off my US tour itinerary with one of the lesser known States.
The simple answer is: a girl.
But I’m not just going there for romantic reasons. There’s a lot about Maryland that fascinates me. I can’t wait for my first time noshing on blue crab in Annapolis or Baltimore. I’m excited about the opportunity to explore King’s Dominion in neighbouring Virginia; spend some time sipping cold beers on the waterfront; and hopefully catching up with long time travel blogging man-crush, Ryan from Just Chuckin’ It.
While I certainly hope to check off a few more of my more risque bucket list items while in Maryland, a gentleman certainly doesn’t tell. Will Peach will be heart-broken to learn that no tawdry tales will be gracing the pages of TravelSexLife.
Potential Bucket List Items
#204 – Seduce a pretty girl from Maryland
#273 – Eat blue crab in Maryland
There’s a whole bunch of sexy or romantic ones, but I’m not going to put the wagon ahead of the horse. We’ll see how I play my cards.
Annapolis (and its waterfront) will be my base for three weeks. Photo from Wiki Travel
Philadelphia
Philadelphia was originally scheduled in for a visit on July 3rd so that we could sink our teeth into some Philly Cheese Steak and help me check off item #272 on my bucket list (Eat a Philly Cheese Steak in Philadelphia).
But with Florida having claimed seven days of my trip, it may be that my hankering for a heart-stopping steak will go unfulfilled. Sad face.
Potential Bucket List Items
#272 – Eat a Philly cheese steak in Philadelphia
New York
When I asked readers and friends where I should go on my trip, New York was amongst the most vocally supported places. But damned if the place isn’t expensive. It makes Sydney look like South-East Asia.
While I won’t be able to dedicate the time to NYC that the city undoubtedly deserves, I’m still hopefully we’ll be able to catch some of the more iconic sights in our one night-one day stay.
Our agenda includes visiting Times Square & Central Park, taking in the Brooklyn Bridge, taking a ride out to see the Statue of Liberty, and an all important romantic dinner before catching a show on Broadway.
AirBnB has been our best friend in planning our trip. It’s provided our accommodation in New York, Chicago, and all of the Florida leg of our trip. Love that site!
Potential Bucket List Items
#16 – Take a pretty girl out to dinner and a show on Broadway
Washington D.C
Maryland puts me ridiculously close to the nation’s capital and it would be remiss of me not to see what America’s political heart had to offer.
Day trips are a definite possibility and I’m pretty excited about the chance to rekindle my friendship with Heather from There’s No Place Like Oz and explore some of the city’s monuments and museums. There’ll be a Bite with a Blogger to come, for sure.
But my Maryland friend and I will also be spending some time there. I’m particularly excited about seeing the Lincoln Memorial, snapping some shots of the White House, and exploring the Smithsonian.
Florida
This may just be the leg of the trip that I am most excited about.
My friend and I fly down from Baltimore on the evening of July 3rd. We’re then spending two days (including Independence Day) in the beach and night life Mecca that is Miami. Me? I’m braced for two days of pulled pork sandwiches, unbearable humidity, attractive women in bikinis, beers, and fireworks on the beach.
Then it’s off on a mini road trip.
Our first stop will be Shark Valley in the Everglades for a bit of alligator spotting. It’s not quite the in depth exploration the park deserves, but it’s enough to qualify for my bucket list.
Later that day we’ll cruise into Fort Myer, which will act as our base of operations for two days of exploring Sanibel Island. White sandy beaches, seashells, and blissful quiet? Sounds good to me.
We wind down our joint portion of the trip with a day and night in the circus city of Sarasota. I dare say I’ll alternate my time between the beautiful beaches and the local attractions such as the Ringling Museum, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, the South Florida Museum, or just catch a show of the Circus Sarasota. Spoiled for choice!
My friend jets back to Baltimore after that, but I’ve still got two more days in Florida visiting a friend from Orlando. My time there is certain to include a little Disney World action and I’m tossing up between the Kennedy Space Center or checking out Busch Gardens. Or do I hit Universal Studios? What is the best theme park in Florida?
Potential Bucket List Items
#33 – Go crazy at a decadent beach party or boat party
#40 – Explore the Florida Everglades
#88 – Visit the 10 biggest theme parks in the world (Progress)
#114 – Attend a 4th of July BBQ on the water
#271 – Visit every one of the Disney theme parks (Progress)
Between Miami, Sarasota, and Sanibel we’re spoiled for beaches. But doesn’t Sanibel look spectacular?
California
The real road trip starts a week after Florida when we set off for two weeks on the west coast. We fly into Los Angeles on the Friday and we’ve got two days to soak in as much as possible from our base at the Surf City Hostel on Hermiosa Beach. Thanks to the duo at yTravel blog for the Hermiosa Beach recommendation. It looks like my kind of place.
One stop in L.A. will be DisneyLand, but we’re tossing up for our final day. Do we hit Universal Studios or California Adventure? Spend some time people watching at Venice Beach or Santa Monica? Go touristy and check out Hollywood?
What is your Los Angeles must see?
From there it’s off to Yosemite National Park for three nights of camping out in one of the world’s most beautiful parks. We had a bit of a nightmare tracking down affordable accommodation and even more trouble finding available camp sites, but really lucked out in finding one on short notice.
From roughing it in Yosemite, it’s off to Monterey via Big Sur. We’ll spend a night in the beautiful Monterey Hostel and do a little exploration before the final leg of our own California adventure – San Francisco.
I’m a little dismayed that we’ll only got a single day and night to experience San Fran, but I’m intent on making the most of it. I’ll be doing a review for HI’s San Francisco City Center hostel while there and hopefully taking a cruise with Blue & Gold cruises out of Pier 39. But I really am open to San Francisco recommendations. Hit me with your best!
Potential Bucket List Items
#88 – Visit the 10 biggest theme parks in the world (Progress)
#101 – Visit Yellowstone and Yosemite (Progress)
#159 – Spot a celebrity in Hollywood
#171 – Explore San Francisco
#271 – Visit every one of the Disney theme parks (Progress)
Big Sur is my companion’s favorite spot on the west coast. I can see why.
Portland
If you followed my previous adventures in the United States, you’ll know that I fell head over heels in love with Portland during my time there. Between the great food, good people, and utterly mind-blowing microbrew beer – I’d found my special place.
So when I decided to return to the US of A, Portland had to make an appearance.
We touch down in Portland late on the 28th of July and hopefully there’ll be some kind of shenanigans on tap for the evening. Sunday the 29th sees me amongst the press at the Oregon Brewfest where I’ll be sampling enough boutique beer to kill a rhino. All for the good of my readers, I assure you.
Monday takes me back to the Oregon coast. After visiting Astoria and Seaside in 2009, I figured it stood to reason we’d hit Cannon Beach. This not only completes the Goonies Tour I started back in ’09, but also looks like it will be a beautiful spot. My friends and I intend to camp for the night on the beach before we head for our next destination.
Potential Bucket List Items
None 🙁
Haystack Rock is the last stop on my Goonies Tour. Photo provided by Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Seattle
We drive across to Seattle where I’ll spend the night catching up with good friends from my time in South Korea and meeting their newborn bub. The very next day it’s time for a whale watch tour out to the San Juan Islands and that will be righteous.
That night we’ll hit up a Seattle Mariners game and drink copious amounts of beer, and that leaves me Thursday morning to recover before it’s time to catch one last flight to our last destination.
Potential Bucket List Items
#166 – Spend a day at the baseball
#184 – See Killer Whales in the wild
A stunning view of the San Juan Islands
Chicago
The last stop on our trip will be the Windy City. While we’re there for my friends’ wedding, that doesn’t mean we won’t be having a bit of fun. We’ll hit up the last of our AirBnB hosts for some tips, but I’m mostly excited about Chicago’s fantastic food scene.
With the wedding not until Saturday, we’ll have Thursday night for a bit of deep dish and Friday to do some exploring. Definitely need to check out the bean and then have a low key evening sipping martinis in a blues bar.
After the wedding festivities it’ll be teary goodbyes at the airport and a long flight back to ‘reality’. And really, when you work less than twenty hours a week and live in one of the most beautiful and fascinating countries in the world – reality ‘ain’t so bad.
What the hell is this thing?
Back in China…
After a ‘two day’ flight (thanks to time difference) it’ll be straight back to work, but there’s no rest for the wicked.
Not only is my good friend Anthony visiting from Australia, but my old comrade and drinking buddy Crystal from South Korea is coming across to visit me as well. While Nanjing isn’t short of things to show here, I might need to start trying to explore my options nearby too.
So, that’s my July. How are you spending yours? And how does my US itinerary stack up? Any glaring omissions?
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