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Statue of Jesus Christ on Mount
Iguazu Falls. Largest Water Fall in the on the border of the Argentina and Brazil.
Iguazu Falls. Largest Water Fall in the on the border of the Argentina and Brazil.
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Scenic Point in Peru
Australia and New Zealand
We had been looking forward to exploring a new country on a new continent. After much deliberation as a family, we decided to kill two birds with one stone. We started to plan a trip to Australia and New Zealand.
We flew out of the U.S. on January 22, 2003, for an 18-day journey to the land down under. Crocodile Dundee, and their excitement knew no bounds on this trip. Every country and region have its own distinct flora and fauna. However, Australia was a rather strange territory because we knew we would end up seeing things and witnessing creatures that seem unreal.
As excited as we were to see koalas and kangaroos for the first time, we were equally thrilled to witness the grandeur and inimitable beauty of the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, Uluru, and the Great Barrier Reef. We even visited the Pink Lake, which is a one-of-its-kind Salt Lake in Australia. We have been lucky enough to have visited it long before it was doing the rounds on social media.
Italy
If I have failed to make it evident, we were enraptured by Europe during our first holiday there. In fact, we decided to return to the continent and visit a different country this time around.
On July 10, 1998, we embarked upon a journey to Italy. Being the food lovers that we are, I, along with my wife and children, looked forward to the wonderful cuisine we would get to sample there. Italian food is a favorite at home. Suffice to say that none of us can get enough pasta.
Nine days were much too little to experience everything Italy is known for, but it was memorable nonetheless. We spent our time relaxing, eating, sunbathing, and walking the streets lined with quaint restaurants.
Of course, it goes without saying that no trip to Italy is complete without gelato. You would be right to assume that we tried a new flavor every chance we got. Our taste buds were singing throughout the trip.
Europe
London, Belgium, France and Switzerland
In May 1985, I headed to Europe with my family. We visited England, Germany, Belgium, France, and Switzerland.
There are few things that can be said about these places that haven’t been said already. Each country is an experience in itself, to the point that it feels unfair to reduce the trip just to say “we’ve visited Europe.”
Everyone knows how eclectic vacationing in Europe can be. Each city, let alone country, hosts a completely unique vibe. Even though we spent three wonderful weeks there, they were simply not enough to take in everything each place had to offer.
China
Our trip to China was planned for 18 days, and even then, we were worried we might not be able to cover everything that we hoped to. This trip had been a long time coming and so our excitement knew no bounds.
Forbidden City
Located in Beijing, the Forbidden City is a palace complex that has several beautiful temples and gardens all around. Construction began in 1406 and took 14 years to complete. It used to be the residence of the Chinese Emperor during the winter months. Given its political and cultural importance, it was officially declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.
Summer Palace
Also in Beijing, we visited the Summer Palace which made it to the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage List back in 1998. It is truly a sight to behold given its resplendent scenic views and verdant landscapes. Its beauty resonates in the halls, pavilions, and temples that come together in a beautiful composition.
The Great Wall
It is common knowledge that the Great Wall of China was built to serve as protection. The structure also played a role when it came to border control, trade, and immigration.
The Great Wall
It is common knowledge that the Great Wall of China was built to serve as protection. The structure also played a role when it came to border control, trade, and immigration. When we went there, we were in awe of the sheer expanse of it. None of us had it in us to traverse the entire length, but we certainly took in the sights and crossed a major item off our individual bucket lists.
The Great Wall of
The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China
Beijing and Shanghai
Beijing and Shanghai
We simply had to visit these two cities because the former houses the Forbidden City and the latter is the global financial hub. Shanghai is also China's greatest city, and that alone was attractive enough for the citydweller in me.
We simply had to visit these two cities because the former houses the Forbidden City and the latter is the global financial hub. Shanghai is also China’s greatest city, and that alone was attractive enough for the city-dweller in me.
