30 April 2007

Future Plans


A very dear friend of mine has not long returned from a wonderful overseas trip. Her family gave her the money for an around-the-world air ticket for her 50th birthday, so Jenny was away for four months. We were on the phone for an hour while she told me all about it.

She planned the whole thing herself over the internet, no travel agents involved. The ticket can be bought either on a kilometres travelled basis or continent to continent basis (I think that's what it was). Anyway, Jenny chose the latter which allowed for four internal flights between arriving and leaving Europe and six internal flights in North America. Some of the places she visited included Hong Kong and China, Helsinki and St Petersburg as well as the UK.

In the US, she was looking forward to seeing the Grand Canyon, which she thought was great, but she absolutely loved Las Vegas. I was surprised, but Jenny says it's such a lot of fun and a city of contrasts. In one hotel, the foyer had originals of Impressionist paintings (I think that's what they were), which gives the impression of culture, then, she said, you go on inside and of course, there are all the poker machines, gambling tables, etc. Nothing closes and the lit up buildings at night are amazing, apparently.

I asked her if she went to the Hermitage while she was in St Petersburg...oh yes, she certainly did and said that books, movies and TV just don't do it justice. Apparently it's the most amazing place. She said that the centre of St Petersburg is beautiful but further out, in the suburbs, it's not so pleasant.
So than I asked her if she went to any shows whilst she was in New York...that was also a definite yes. She had a wonderful time, on her own, travelling lightly and taking two memory sticks of photos.

Anyway, she gave me some really good tips and it's given me the idea of doing the same thing next year when I "officially" retire. I'm a bit of a whimp though, I would really like to go with someone else...this doing it alone doesn't really excite me. Apart from the company, it's nice to have someone to plan things with. Anyway, I'll see who I can bulldoze into coming with me.
There are a few places I really want to go to, the main one being Ireland, so I can (hopefully) do some research into my family tree. Then there's Provence, Tuscany, Greece to name some in Europe. In the US...well, the South for a start, and that's as far as I've got.
My cousin has been in South America these past few weeks and has been climbing mountains and all that stuff. She started at Terra del Fuego and worked her way north, visiting Machu Pichu on the way. But I'm not into anything that requires lots of climbing, so if I go to South America, it will be to experience Carnivale or something like that.

So, those are some of my future plans...I figure by writing them down, it just gives them a bit more reality and gives me the motivation to start planning properly. I think four months would be a bit long...I'd do it in two or three shorter stages...say, one trip a year. Jenny went in the northern winter, I'd definitely be going in the northern summer! You know I'm a total wuss when it comes to the cold.
Who knows, you may get an email from me cadging a bed for the night...heheh!

14 comments:

Peter said...

Great to have plans Robyn, wear Nikes and "just do it"

rel said...

Robyn,
You have my address right?
rel

Lee said...

Sounds like a great plan, Robyn...I hope you do it. :)

Don said...

I hope you do it, too, Robyn. You'll love most of the places you go, and you'll find out that most people everywhere are fun to be with. Do you best to get out around the locals, and not just in the tourist places.

If you make it to Houston, give me a shout, and you can use my spare bedroom.

Puss-in-Boots said...

Peter, Rel, Lee & Don

Thanks for your comments and I hope I do it too, Nikes or no Nikes.

As for addresses, all contributions greatly accepted, but I'll let you know when I'm ready to inflict my presence on the world...lol!

Take care, all of you;-)

Merle said...

Hi Robyn ~~ Wow, some great plans there and writing them down does make them seem more real. Good luck my friend, I hope yu can do it. Glad you had some rain too, it had to come.
The cricket was terrific - - I love Gilly and Glenn MeGraph. He will be missed. Excuse me if I am not as excited as you that Brisbane had a win. My team, Carlton gave them a good run for their money. Oh well !!
Take care, my friend, Love, Merle.

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great plan, Robyn!
Have a nice Tuesday
Hugs from Spain


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Meow (aka Connie) said...

What a wonderful plan, Robyn. You can travel the world, and visit Blogger friends ... whoo-hoo, what fun !! Hope you get to do it.
Take care, Meow

Anonymous said...

I love Las Vegas. A very fun town with tons to do EVEN if you don't gamble. Great place to visit.

I love travel but I hate air travel now a days....not worth the hassle!

Carole Burant said...

I think it's a fabulous idea...travel the world after you retire and still healthy:-) Hopefully one day your plans will include Canada...my door is always open! I promise I won't move if I hear you're comin'!!! LOL Sounds like your friend had a fabulous trip...don't think I would do it alone though!! xoxo

Oscar the Puppy Cat said...

I think your idea is a grand one! I was born with Wunderlust and love to travel! I hope to get to your side of the world one day! If you come to Arkansas, USA, you're more than welcome here!

Merle said...

Hi again Robyn ~~Thanks for your comments and also the e mail about the Do Not Call register, which I have done. Can't believe your weather is still so hot, not really
soup weather yet. Take care, Love, Merle.

Lisa said...

I hope you'll come and visit us here in the southern US. I live near Huntsville, AL. I was born in Mississippi. My dad calls me his southern ding-a-ling (instead of southern belle - LOL). Sounds like you have the makings of a wonderful trip.

Andree said...

Robyn, you are brave. So come to New England (in the summer!), to me and Northern Vermont. I'd love to have you here and show you around. I'd then be a part of your adventure!