8 countries I’ve been to and 8 countries I’d like to go to…right now!

There are only seven eight countries I’ve been to in my short but very adventurous lifetime. In no particular order, these are the United States, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Germany, and Thailand. I don’t know if this is fair or above-average by the middle class Filipino’s standards but I am certainly lucky not to have spent for any of these travels. It simply went with the profession although I must note here that I had to twist an arm and a leg just to go to Europe (my close friends should know by now how I sailed the seven seas, so to speak, and became a croupier in the continent)

Right now, I am fascinated with Asia; hence, the preponderance of Asian countries in my wishlist below. E, my well-travelled buddy who’s married to a pilot, has advised me to embark on a trip to at least one Asian country a year… a goal which is realistic enough, if you ask me.I simply want to absorb the culture and taste the food! Plus, travel to Asia is something I can afford and it wouldn’t hurt if I spend on my first real travel soon, haha. All right, here’s the roll call of my dream countries:

Japan – My New York-based blog friend, Jon, went to Japan last week and has a slew of exciting stories to show for it – all the more arousing my curiosity of The Land of the Rising Sun . I want to visit the museums, wander through Tokyo Disneyland , ride the shinkansen, sample a big bowl of ramen, see the cherry blossoms in bloom, and windowshop till I windowdrop in Seibu, Muji and Kinokuniya. I also want to have a feel of Tokyo’s street scene just like how it was in Lost in Translation, take a peek at the love motels, the vendo machines selling used underwear, and ogle at the city’s youth in particular with their eclectic taste in fashion and music. The gossip going around is that it’s harder for Filipinos to get a Japanese visa than a US visa but I do believe everything is possible, yes possible (*wink, wink,* hehe)

Hong Kong – my darkest secret is that I haven’t been to Hong Kong which is quite a shame for somebody who’s already been to the US and Europe. And the last airport I’ve been to in HK was the old one, not the new one which my friends say has those rows of swanky duty-free shops you could literally get lost shopping ( or just looking). But really, the main reason why I want to go to HK in the near future is Disneyland. I simply want to take my kids here.

China – Aside from climbing the Great Wall and partaking of its legendary cheap shopping, I want to see what the hullabaloo is behind China’s image as an emerging superpower, taste the food which I absolutely love and “feel” the China I only get to know about in those books and movies.

The Caribbean Islands – One of my best girl friends, K, has a standing invitation for me to visit her in the cruise ship where she works – all-expense paid, of course. Now if only I could have my US visa renewed, I’d love to take a dip in Atlantis Resort, sip a martini in Jamaica and get a suntan in St. Lucia. Way to go!

Indonesia – Boracay is still the best but I’d still like to experience Bali. I am simply in love with Balinese furniture and would love to have the massage at Four Seasons that Xtine is raving about. Would love to take my first sip of Sex on the Beach in Bali and have my first Sex on the Beach in Bali. Yowza…. you heard it right!

Laos – Vietnam is overrated. I simply want to go to Luang Prabang for the simple reason that it’s off the beaten path and not filled with tourists yet. Laotian food was recently raved about in an article in the New York Times and Luang Prabang has been described as the prettiest city in Southeast Asia. Hmm, maybe a side trip to Cambodia to see the Angkor Wat wouldn’t hurt either.

Australia – Sydney. Melbourne. Gold Coast. The Opera House. Abundant fruits and seafood. Everybody wants to go to Australia, I guess. So count me in!

What’s your travel profile? Here’s mine:

	Your travel type: Travel Yup The Travel Yup likes exotic and adventurous travel, but prefers big cities with fast paced life. He has a keen interest in other cultures and always brings home a few souvenirs. Shopping in Bangkok, getting a tailor made suite in Kuala Lumpur, that’s the kind of thing the Travel Yup is into. Even though he likes to get away, he prefers his travels to be comfortable.
	top destinations: New York Beirut Hong Kong	stay away from: Alaska Ciudad Perdida Darien Gap

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