26thNovember

2008 Intercontinental Strategic Travel Planning

Ok, I have listed all of the places we may go to in 2008. Not all of the places will fly given my limited holiday, but we will try to hit as many as we can. The biggest trip I want to make in 2008/2009 is a trip to Africa. Yes, the Africa that may give a teacher 40 lashes, 6 months in jail, a fine, and a bowl of dog feces rubbed on her head for calling a teddy bear Muhammed. WTF. And yes, the same Africa that theatened the life of my uncle once.

The story, told many a times over some fine Taiwanese beer at family get-togethers, goes something like this: Large Taiwanese tour bus full of wealthy Taiwanese businessmen touring through Africa were pulled over by the police as they were leaving South Africa. The policemen came onboard the bus, shot rounds into the air with their AKs and told everybody to give them everything they got. They then proceeded to take all luggage on board. After they took everything, they rubbed goat feces on everybody’s face and then used a bare hand to remove the throbbing heart of a man while exclaiming “KA-LEEE-MAAAAA”. It’s all true. Oh, and they had chilled monkey brains for dinner.

2008 Travel Destinations

Europe
Paris (kind of a given, but figure I would put it here anyway)
Prague
Italy
Pisa, Tuscany, Cinque Terre
Sicily
Florence, Rome, Venice
Greece
Istanbul
Munich
Madrid [Updated: removed due to popular demand]
Sevilla, Valencia
Palermo
Croatia coast
Bordeaux, Marseille, nice (lower priority)
Amsterdam
palma

UK
Edinburgh
Lake District
Scottish highlands
Cambridge
Windsor Castle
Belfast
Cork
Wales
Brighton

Work related:
Berlin
Bern

New Adventures [Updated Nov 28 per Expat Em]
South Africa
Morrocco

These are exciting because there is a 3% chance of loss-of-life.

So what does that mean?
If you are planning on visiting the Secret Den of the Ninja, let me know if you’re interested in joining one of those trips. If you’re not visiting, I’ll take you along with me via this blog (sans the defining moments where I pass out on the street). If you think I should ex-nay a city or I should hit another, please leave it in the comments. I will read it and let you know whether I will entertain it, or just rub camel fecal matter on your face.

6 Comments


6 Comment(s)

Expat Em says 27th November @ 19:01

Yeah, you should totally go to Pisa. For lunch. On your way from one more interesting bit of Tuscany to another more interesting bit of Tuscany. Or you might find it’s conveniently on the route out of Tuscany toward Cinque Terre.

Paul Kohli says 27th November @ 21:06

it’s funny how all of your planned trips seem to coincide perfectly with Britney’s new concert tour…hmmm.

also, did you see this news today:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/britain_announcer_dc;_ylt=AgakKkqhPKn_NLyXEN4pxVnDr7sF

T Haynes says 28th November @ 0:11

Cique Tirre is a must for you two. You might conceive there.
Nix Madrid. Too dang big. Stick with Sevilla and Valencia. If you want more small town authentic Spain, hit up Salamanca or Toledo. Another must is Switzerland. My favorite city of all of Europe was Interlaken. Lucerne is also great and it can be hit up during Interlaken. Morocco is fantastic without the alcohol. Santorini in Greece is the spot. Dawg, you got my juices going.

Charito says 28th November @ 17:33

Hey Mark,
You guys should definitely go to Cinque Terre, Italy and spend at least 2-3 days there. I know you’ve been there for the hike on the trail, but the beaches and small town restaurants are great! It’s about an hour from Pisa, which really, an afternoon is plenty of time. Madrid…nothing much to do unless you really want to see the museums and national buildings. You’re list really makes me want to start planning for my next vacation in the summer!

workmonkey says 28th November @ 20:13

Nice. Why don’t you just go to Euro Disney and Berlin and everywhere else that 97% of the world has already been. Look at your comments. Even all of your readers have already been where you want to go. Blaze a new trail. Hit a new note. Put down your camera and let’s climb Mt. Kilimanjaro next year. I’ll take St. P in December as your ante.

LondonNinja says 29th November @ 1:48

@Expat Em: thanks for that. Tuscany+Pisa+CT…sounds like a plan.
@Paul Kohli: Dude, “It’s Britney, bitch”
@T Haynes: Sevilla, Valencia, Morroco should be rad. You gotta tell me more about Morrocco. I’m scared of it, but I’m ready to destroy it.
@Charito: Rad. Pisa+CT sounds like a good plan in the summer. Holla if you headin out.
@workmonkey: F U, Chubi. U not ready 4 Kilimanjaro, son. The only mountain u climbin is Space Mountain.

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