The year of International Woman of Mystery is drawing to a close, so I thought I would write a few departing thoughts. Most people will ask with fascination, as they have done so far, where was your favourite place? It is quite an impossible question to answer a) as there have been so many for different reasons and b) because sometimes factors affect your experience at a certain place to make it memorable, for example, you could be standing outside the Taj Mahal and someone could throw their sticky drink over you before you are attacked by a swarm of bees, or you could be sitting in Hyde Park like you do every week, and you could see a rare moon eclipse, making it more of a memorable place – you get the picture! I will try to summarise my highlights as best I can:
Asia – having travelled extensively to this wonderful continent, both personally and many times in a professional capacity, it did not have the quite the same level of intrigue for me as perhaps the unknown Central America, however, being a real ‘Asiaphile’ it is always a pleasure to go, and it is one of those places where you always see something different and mind opening. Laos still has the rare quality of genuinely smiling local people with a complete lack of greed that you cannot see in rapidly commercialized countries such as Vietnam. It is also beautifully rugged, simplistic and relatively unspoiled – go now! Borneo was just amazing in terms of diving, the people we met, jungle activities and of course, that delicious Malaysian food. In terms of amazing sights, the Great Wall of China was absolutely breathtaking and walking along its towering & deserted length at 7am on a cold Beijing morning with the mist rising over the mountains will be something I never forget.
Australia and New Zealand – Hiring a camper van in both of these countries made the experience exceptionally fun. Having the freedom to go wherever you want & also to cook for yourself under the stars each night is very special. In Australia, the vast beauty of the outback was spectacular, and in NZ, well the scenery was mind blowing – the advantage of having the van being that we could stop at any point and walk in it, rather than stare longingly from a stuffy bus window. Fishing for six metre jumping, man-eating Salties has to be one of the most adrenaline pumping memories which contrasts nicely to the more civilized affair of first time sampling of some of the finest wines in the continent in the Hunter and Marlborough regions.
USA – Hawaii was most memorable for surfing in ‘small’ summer waves and swimming with the giant turtles that seemed to follow you gracefully around. The highlight of California was of course my mummy coming to visit for a wonderful 10 day trip. I will also never forget turning 27 in Vegas – it will be a hard act to follow!
Central America – Mexico has one of the richest and most individual cultures I have ever seen. I loved everything about the country – food, dancing, friendliness, difference in landscape and most of all, my correction of image about Mexico City – it is clean, green, safe & very civilised. Seeing hot molten lava flow down a volcano in Guatemala was absolutely incredible and certainly unlike anything I have ever been privileged enough to witness. Costa Rica was like a holiday within our travels – fun activities, amazing wildlife, interesting people and of course, our lovely anniversary in the romantic Tortuguero Lodge. The San Blas Islands in Panama were the most idyllic & unspoilt of the trip.
South America – Chile stands as my favourite country, with the decision being highly influenced by a week staying on the farm in Pucon, Northern Patagonia. With the most idyllic and rugged setting, dogs on the porch, the fire burning, the steak grilling, the Malbec breathing, the boyfriend laughing and the knowledge that you are off for a two day horse trek into the Andes the following day, it is hard to imagine a more perfect situation, or place. JG
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