Around the World in 100 Countries

Tourist attractions are endless in Costa Rica. Corcovado National Park is among the large number of possibilities. It is genuinely one of the best places in the world to explore and hike through a tropical rainforest. Small lodges are being built, allowing easier access to those who don’t like to trek through mud. Palo Verde National Park is another popular destination. It has been referred to as an “undiscovered jewel.” The bird population is relatively well known because it encompasses both native and migratory birds. Trails also run through the park, but if you are a water person, boat trips offer you the chance to explore some areas. The Barra Honda Caverns are the perfect place for a spelunker or someone who is interested in geology. Their interiors are naturally coated with limestone, which has been there for millennia. Travel back into history and see what some of the first explorers saw when they discovered these caverns.

Source: http://costa-rica-guide.com/top_ten.htm

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

We arrived in Roatan not knowing what to expect. This was the most accessible way to get there as well the most paradisiacal.

Roatan is a very lively and exciting place to visit in Honduras. Shops line the seashore of West End, and it has been said that you can’t visit without getting your hands on a Salva Vida (Honduran beer). If you want to sit back and relax, take a water taxi to West Bay or sit on a pier and watch the sunset. More engrossing activities are available as well, such as swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and sea kayaking. And of course, the restaurants are wonderful! San Pedro Sula is another must-see attraction. The Museum of Anthropology and History is located there, and you definitely don’t want to miss it. It is a two story museum that displays the history of the San Pedro Sula valley, including the Spaniards’ arrival, their conquest of the valley, and the blend that was created from the Spanish and indigenous cultures. The open-air market is also quite popular. Specifically, there is one area in the market in which about 100 women make home-made tortillas, just as they have been made for hundreds of years.

Source: http://sidewalkmystic.com/honduras_vacation_best_places_visit_travelogue.htm

A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.” – Moslih Eddin Saadi

12 Panama

We arrived in Panama City ready for an experience of a lifetime. This is a plus on your checklist of places to visit in the world. Panama City has a striking resemblance of Miami Beach. It even has Trump Towers. Apparently, you don’t pay taxes on your retirement income there, and since it is a short flight from the US, it has become a second home for many Americans looking for a good condominium on the beach.

We had to be bused to Gamboadredding division inside the Panama Canal. And we travel through the Gaylord cut, the most difficult and important part of the canal. We then moved to Mirafloreslake and Miraflores lock, the last one. You can see live the this passage at www.panamacanal.com. This trip was fantastic. Going through the Panama Canal was a rush like no other. This trip was lengthy but well worthy. The ferry that took us across the canal spoke in many languages and lunch was provided. The boat was well ventilated and even had room with air conditioning. As I mentioned before, the first impression that you have of Panama City is the resemblance of Miami Beach. An interesting fact though is that the causeways that connect to the beach were built with the rocks removed from the construction of the Panama Canal.



Must see Panama

If you travel to Panama, you cannot leave without visiting the Panama Canal. It connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and was one of the largest and most difficult projects ever built. A trip to the canal will allow you to travel back into history. It opened in 1914, almost 100 years ago! It continues to be successful and a passage for international shipping. You can even watch ships pass through the canal from balconies at the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks! Panama City is a thriving, exciting place. It is a cosmopolitan city in which you can observe Spanish colonial ruins, visit museums and parks, and enjoy the natural beauty that it is. The architecture, hotels, and restaurants are exceptionally great. Casco Viejo is a historic hub. French Park, a monument dedicated to the Frenchmen who initiated the building of the Panama Canal, and the French Embassy are located on its tip. Take a walk around the monument and get a wonderful view of the Amador Causeway and Bridge of the Americas and the Panama City’s skyscraper skyline. Museums are abundant, including the Canal Museum, which gives visitors the opportunity to learn about Panama’s history from before the arrival of the Spaniards to present day, and the Museum of National History. The old cathedral is also located in Casco Viejo.

Source: http://www.panama1.com/info.php
“When we get out of the glass bottle of our ego and when we escape like the squirrels in the cage of our personality and get into the forest again, we shall shiver with cold and fright. But things will happen to us so that we don’t know ourselves. Cool, unlying life will rush in.” – D. H. Lawrence

First of all, I would like to tell everyone that the country name is Colombia, not Columbia as I have seen in many places, including official US documents. Now that we established that, we arrived in a country with a mixed bag of feelings. Colombia has had a massive reputation for civil strife but very little has been said on the phenomenal progress and beauty and wonders of this country. We felt that Colombia is a well hidden treasure with two oceans, mountains, and lots of natural resources.

We arrived in Colombia in Cartagena, our port of call. This port of call alone made pour trip worthy. Cartagena is a very rich and exciting town full of history. Our first visit was the church on a hill, San Pedro Claver, where we had magnificent views of the city. We then continued to San Felipe Fort and drove through town. I had a pleasure to see the house of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the Spanish writer of Latin America in my point-of-view. Strolling through downtown gives you a charming feeling of the old Spanish country. People are welcoming and quite charming. For those with a brave heart, I suggest the visit of the of the old inquisition churches. There you find all the toys the Catholic Church use to trial individual for heresy. One that really blew my mind was the weigh used to detect witches: if you are above a certain weight, you are certain accused of being a witch for you carry demons therefore your weight; if you were below a certain weight, you are certain a witch for witches are light and can fly.

On the brighter side, Colombia is emerald country. There you will find neighborhoods of entire emerald shops: all qualities and prices. It is a great gift for a loved one or souvenir for friends and families at home since they have emeralds for all budgets. Cartagena is a wonderful introduction to Colombia, it is on my list of countries to return and explore more. The feeling you have walking the streets of Cartagena are the same you get walking old San Juan or Sevilla, Spain. On the curious cultural note, here is the demographic composition of Cartagena:65% of the people of Cartagena are black, but they are mixed: mulatos(black and white), sambos (indians and blacks) and mestizos(Indians and whites). The color and variety of its people makes a melting pot of so many cultures and smiles. It is a true magnificent gift of nature. One can see and fell the inspiration for Gabriel Garcia Marques’ novels all over town.

“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” – Freya Stark

28 Dominican Republic

Samana is such a lovely place. You can stroll through the streets and visit the local shops, all of them very friendly and ready, willing, and able to bargain with you. The promenade along the beach is tempting to just lie down and relax or maybe dive into the ocean. This is also a perfect spot for whale watching. It is very tempting to also just sit back and relax on the local kiosks and have a local beer since it is dirt cheap. The people of Dominican republic are the friendliest and Samana is a perfect touristic spot. We discover a lot of Canadians that chose the DR as their 2^nd home. Samana is also a great spot for whale watching.

The Dominican Republic is a part of the Caribbean countries. This is a favorite tourist destination for families, friends, and newlyweds who are on their honeymoons. Malecon is a waterfront avenue where you can see lots of casinos and hotels. There are numerous shops to explore and wander around in. Plaza de la Cultura is the area where the National Theater is located. You can also see various museums, including the Museum of Modern Art. The Museum of Modern Art houses exhibits from famous local artists as well as artists from other countries like Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico. Eastern Santo Domingo is also called Three Eyes because it is a cavern with an underground lake and an open roof. You can visit Faro and see and explore the interior of a lighthouse! There is also a monument that was erected in memory of Christopher Columbus. This now serves as a museum as well as his burial site.

Source: http://amolife.com/great-places/10-places-you-can-explore-in-the-dominican-republic.html
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

29. Grenada & Deps. (Carriacou, Grenadines):

This was a fantastic place to visit with lots of extraneous exercise. Our first stop was and extinct volcano and latter a long walk through the mountains to reach a waterfall. We did swim in the waterfall which made up for the effort.

Grenada is the ‘Spice Isle’ of the Caribbean. Visitors can sink into the serenity of warm breezes and soft moonlight, feel history in centuries old forts, touch the floor of the rain forest, and swim among coral reefsThis land is full of spices, exotic flowers, and rare fruits. The Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station is one of the largest nutmeg processing factories on the island. Tours are available and it only costs $1.00. You can also visit the stencil room and get a local jute bag customized with words of your choice. La Sagesse Nature Center is a quiet estuary along the southwestern coast and is one of the best bird-watching locales on Grenada. La Sagesse includes three fine beaches edged with coconut trees and also has a very good coral reef for snorkeling. The Carriacou Museum in Paterson Street, managed by the Carriacou Historical Society, has Amerindian artifacts and exhibits that trace the early British and French occupation of the islands. It also has an African section. The museum is located in a restored cotton gin mill. How cool!

Source: http://www.intimateholidays.com/destinations/grenada/
“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard

33 Martinique

Another jewel in the Caribbean is Martinique. It is a rich French paradise within a few hours from the US. This is a paradise to be explored. We did both tours and walking visits of Fort-de-France. On our tour, we explore quite a good deal of the island by boat, and had the opportunity to visit the Volcanology museum. It gives you an in-depth view of how active this area is. We did visit the church and a gorgeous tropical garden. Just a reminder to US visitors: French is the official language and Euro is the official currency. Paris of the Caribbean," Martinique's former capital, is now the Pompeii of the Caribbean. A 1902 eruption of nearby Mount Pele killed all but one of the 20,000 residents of St. Pierre and obliterated the town. In St. Pierre, you can visit the shell of the town's once-grand theater, and modern structures were built atop the stone remnants of the old town. Rum is the agricultural lifeblood of Martinique, and there are a dozen operating rum distilleries operating on the island. Martinique is known for its agricultural rum made directly from cane rather than molasses. The Neisson is a tour that includes a botanical garden and art museum as well as a former distilling plant, aging rooms, and of course a rum tasting at the end. In Trois Ilets, you will find bars, casino action, golf, decent dining and water sports all in one location. The Hotel Bakoua and others resorts are located here, making it a great base for walking to the local shops or taking the cheap ferry across to Fort de France.

Source: http://gocaribbean.about.com/od/martinique/tp/Martiniqueattractions.htm

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” – Martin Buber

This was one of the more relaxing days of our cruise. We took a catamaran and had a spectacular view of the Pitons – Amazing. It reminded me of the Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro. We swam on the beach and later we visited a cacao plantation. This was a enlighten experience to my American family since they were not aware of how much work is involved in processing chocolate. After lunch we had the opportunity of visiting a volcano.

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharial Nehru

38. St. Vincent

We spend half a day in this island that had just recently being hit by a hurricane. The place is a plus for a walking tour and visit, though it is very hilly. It is not a rich Island, but the richness of nature make up for material shortfalls. There is a tunnel that connects you through the bay, taking you to both sides of the island. The best shopping was done at the port.

“Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.” – Paul Theroux

49. Bulgaria

We had a very interesting day in this country. We were docked in Sviston and drove through sunflower fields for nearly 1 hour. The landscape is spectacular and the vineyard fields made us feel right at home (In Maryland, we are surrounded by 5 vineyards). We had lunch at the Arbassani Hotel with spectacular views of the valleys. I could have overnighter there. We continued our journey into a very old church that on the outside looked like a farm but inside it was a byzantine church – The church of annunciation was from the 1500 and it is a real treasure for mediation, inspiration and history. Lunch was around the corner and we stopped for a local Hungarian chicken. VelikoTornotto is an old communist style with a heritage home. Our final stop was the fortress; from there you have spectacular view of the city. We then strolled through the market street which is filled with local merchants and small shops. We finished the day with a staff performance with local artists.

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” – Bill Bryson

51. Croatia

We visited Croatia twice, and twice this country overwhelmed us with it distant and recent past. On our first visit, we arrived in Dubrovnik, the capital. Now, here is your chance to stroll through a medieval fortress city with all the glory its past can bring. This is the same experience as visiting Rothenberg in Germany or Toledo in Spain. In a cool summer afternoon, strolling through the city, visit the local shops and enjoy a café was very soothing. Gene was bolder; he walked around the city on the wall that surrounds the city. It takes you about 1 h 30m. The views are breathtaking, the coast and the mountains.

The second time we visit Croatia, it was on a more somber tone. We arrived in a river cruise in Vukovar, a city that was heavily bombed by the Serbs. The signs of war are everywhere. A 10 minute walk will give you a vision of the intensity of the war for there are bullets holes everywhere. Again, the human spirittriumphs – the Serbs planned on taking over the place in 3 days but in fact took them 3 months. We headed then to Osijek, the 4^th largest city in Croatia. One of our first stop was a monastery, which was a refreshing and peaceful visit. We were constantly reminded about the atrocities of the Serbs against the Croats – including killing patients in a hospital. This city has a refreshing rebirth which left us with a smile on our faces.

Next stop was a visit to the park prirodekopačkirit, one of Europe’s most important wetlands. The visitor center was very informative and it was followed by a boat tour of the wetlands. We saw black storks and white eagles. We returned back to our river cruise through flatlands with sunflower fields. It was amazing.

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

54. Denmark:

Copenhagen will fascinate people of all ages. We have been there twice and the city is suitable for all types of tourists. An immaculate transportation system will connect you to anywhere you fancy going. We took a boat right outside the pier where we were docked, and we could hop on and off all day throughout the entire city for $12.50. Of course, we took a full advantage of it. The Tivoli Park is a must. This is a trip back down in time. You will feel like in are in a time tunnel and relieve your grandparents’ childhood. This is simply the oldest amusement park in the world. It is a mix of rides, theater and zoo that is a guarantee to entertain the entire family. We had the pleasure of visiting it during the day, but in my personal point-of-view, the lights of the park at night are certain to bring a special charm and a journey into the memory lane. The park is also a great choice for restaurants and has an array of show.

“Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by.” – Robert Frost

56. Estonia: We had surprising first visit to this country that proved to be quite charming, elegant, and quaint. On out tour, the first stop was a visit to the Olympic village where communist buildings held the regatta. We marched on to the old town. It is literally a 20-minute walk from the port. Don't miss as well ids a visit to an orthodox church, and if you are lucky, you may attend a service, a quite unique experience. We dropped our guided tour and found out on our own the most interesting part of the city – lower town. It is lively with shops, a farmers market, and small bistros that invite you for a coffee or an ice cream on a sunny day. Tallinn is a must if you are visiting the Baltic Sea – it has a unique charm, traces of the communist era, strong German architecture influence, and lovely people.

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Lao Tzu