"Why think about that when all the golden land's ahead of you and all kinds of unforeseen events wait lurking to surprise you and make you glad you're alive to see?" - Jack Kerouac
These are the experiences that we hope to have along the trip, the moments and images, sights and sounds that we will take with us forever.
Djemaa el Fna - A world famous "spectacle" of humanity, this souk (marketplace square) has been around for ages as an important center of trade.
Mt. Kilimanjaro - The highest point on the African continent, just three degrees south of the equator yet with an iconic snow-capped peak that is soon to be melted away. We will climb to its highest point, Uhuru, with a team of porters, guides, and cooks up the Machame Route, taking about 6 days and reaching the summit at dawn.
Stone Town, Zanzibar - Breathtaking beaches, the center of the East African slave trade, a blend of African, Arab, Indian and colonial cultures, and the birthplace of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, Stone Town will offer a microcosm of all the historical wealth and shame that has defined Africa through time.
Pyramids at Giza, Valley of the Kings - One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Great Pyramid at Giza remains one of the most intriguing archeological feats ever. Situated near the Sphynx, Giza is stooped in so much history and wonder. Likewise is the Valley of the Kings, the home of King Tut and the resting of place of so many other mummies. New sites are continually being excavated and discovered.
Aqaba/St. Catherine's Monastery/Mount Sinai/Dahab - From the oldest Christian monastery in the world founded at the sight of Moses' burning bush at the foot of Mt. Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments to some of the greatest diving in the world along the Red Sea, this area in the Sinai Peninsula is sure to please both of our interests!
Petra - Dating back to the 6th Century BC, Petra was an ancient city carved into the sides of cliffs in the middle of the Jordanian desert.
Wadi Rum - One of the world's most amazing desert landscapes, Wadi Rum offers an incredible opportuntiy to camp with Bedouins in the desert and take part in their simple, nomadic lifestyle that has enabled them to thrive for thousands of years.
Jerusalem - What can really be said about the holiest land for so many religions and people throughout time? We will visit all the must-see places like the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, Temple Mount and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and also walk the Via Dolorosa behind a progression of Christian monks as they retrace the pathway Jesus took on the way to his crucifixion.
Istanbul - The consummate center of East meets West, Istanbul is many things all at one time. It is European, yet Asian, modern yet from antiquity. For me, it is the gyro capital of the world. For Kaitlyn, a shopping mecca featuring the Grand Bazaar, the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. With such sights as the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque and the infamous Bosphorus Strait to cruise upon, Istanbul should live up to all the hype.
Cappadocia - This otherwodly, lunar landscape dubbed the "fairy chimneys" is where its one-time dwellers established networks of both underground and cave cities to escape religious persecution. Taking a hot air balloon ride through the area is listed as one of the things to do before you die and we will stay inside one of these historic "cave hotels."
Kathmandu - One of the infamous destinations along the hippie trail, Kathmandu conjures up images of the exotic, with yogis and sadhus (Hindu mystics) roaming the streets as the imposing peaks of the Himalayas loom in the background.
Varanasi - One of the oldest continunally inhabited places on earth and the holiest city for Hindus, Varanasi is sure to leave an impact on us. Situated along the holy Ganges River, a series of ghats (steps) lead down to the banks of the river where swaths of humanity do everything from wash their clothes, bathe, perform religious ceremonies, and burn their dead. This is India, hard-core and raw, of which the images, sounds and smells we will always remember.
Agra - Quite simply, the Taj Mahal. Beauty. Perfect symmetry. The ultimate symbol of eternal love.
Amritsar - The holiest city for Sikhs, Amritsar's Golden Temple complex is a place of beauty and sublime serenity. In addition, we will head to the India/Pakistan border and witness the elaborate ceremony known as the "lowering of the flags" between these two hostile nations.
Rajasthan - This Indian desert state features the cities of Jaipur (the Pink City), Jodhpur (the Blue City), Udaipur (the City of Lakes) and Jaisalmer (the Desert Fortress). With numerous palaces and remnants of the Maharaja, this is the India of romance and fantasy.
Angkor Wat - Only "rediscovered" about 150 years ago thanks to its location deep in the jungles of Cambodia and covered by brush, this ancient capital of the Khmer kingdom is an exotic temple complex located outside Siem Reap. It is the symbol of Cambodia and one of the most important archaeological sites in all of Asia.
Chiang Mai - Taking a trek into the hillside of Thailand to visit some of the hill tribes was something I didn't get to on my first visit to the country. This time around, we will hop on the back of an elephant and venture into the countryside outside the historic capital of Thailand.
Phuket/Ko Phi Phi - Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world set amongst limestone cliffs jutting out from the crystal clear, aqua water.
Brobudur/Yogyakarta - Indonesia's most visited tourist attraction, is a 9th Century Buddhist monument uncovered from the jungles in the 1850s. Yogyakarta is one of the oldest cities in the country and the heart of Javanese culture.
Bali - The last bastion of Hinduism in all of Indonesia, Bali offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the world along with a jungle interior. It is known as an island paradise and is the cultural heart of traditional Indonesia.
Borneo (Kalimantan) - One of the last remaining truly "wild" destinations on the planet, Borneo has many areas that are still virtually untouched by man. This is the home of orangutans and several other species of animals. We will spend some time getting in touch with nature and exploring this pristine jungle.
