If I had my way, I’d give this book to all my “wandering” friends this Christmas. But for now, the honor goes to my editor Art, a real kewl guy who is one of the easiest persons to deal with on the planet. What better gift to give to someone who hauled me off to Japan and who hauls himself to HK/other countries every so often that you’d think these were provinces of the Philippines?
At the risk of salivating, I only browsed through several pages in the book – mainly to see if some of the places I’ve been to made it and what places in the Philippines were included in the list. Of the latter, the author Patricia Schultz recommended only three: Banaue Rice Terraces, Taal Volcano and Amanpulo. Which is quite a shame since Thailand and even Vietnam had quite a dozen or so to their name. And who, but the creme de la creme, goes to Amanpulo anyway? Ordinary mortals like you and me die without setting foot on any of those super-exclusive, pricey Aman resorts which are liberally mentioned in the book. And of course, I was aghast to find that I’ve only been to 15 o so places out of the 1000 mentioned which means…I need to expand my horizons and travel more, hehe. Geez, I haven’t even been to Banaue Rice Terraces though I’ve been fortunate enough to go to some of the must-see’s in the book such as Delft, “the 17th century Dutch town;” the York Minster, “largest medieval cathedral in Great Britain,” Amsterdam’s red light district (the one with scantily-clad women by the windows, the window closes when a customer comes in); Bruges, Belgium ( site of the Church of our Lady which houses Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child); London; New York; Philly and its food; Ayutthaya and Chatuchak Weekend Market in Thailand, among a few others.
Issa did rave about Saint-Petersburg and Anna Lyn’s Norway has several entries devoted to it such as the Northern Lights, Viking Ship Museum, the North Pole, and the breathtaking fjords. Hmmm, despite reading about Timbuktu, Sweden’s Ice Hotel and Count Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania, Romania, I am still in an “Asia mode.” Visiting Singapore, Vietnam, Penang and Laos seems more realistic now with these budget airlines around.
Overall, the book is well-researched and eye-opening lesson in world geography. It should be consulted by every avid traveller before embarking on that all-important journey. However, it would be foolish to go “by the book” because as I’ve found out from gallivanting all these years, what’s more important are the friends you meet/friends you are reunited with and the personal discoveries you make along the way.
Hei ju,
I have not seen a copy of this book in Norway yet.
It is a shame that there were only 3 recommended places to visit in the Philippines. I could name a lot (most of them are not even mentioned in any travel book – not even lonely planet).
It would be wonderful to be able to go to the places that we dream of. Too bad we are not from the planet Crypton, ‘no? (Nainggit daw kay Superman). If I could fly, the first place I would visit is Easter Island.
I agree with you by not going by the book. One would discover more by associating with the locals or with friends.
15 out of 1000? not bad i guess.
ill be glad if i can make 10 out of the list.
hello ajay!
ive updated my link. now i can visit you often. i saw this book before, been thinking of getting one for myself, but i know it’ll just make me feel so depressed, haven’t been to any interesting spot lately (namiseom is sooo boring! maganda pa ang corregidor natin!) di balewe are still you…may time pa di ba? btw,can you email me your mailing address? malapit na christmas and i’ve strated addressing my christmas cards…have a good week, friend! (email to anna31fog@hotmail.com)
PICO IYER – you should read him, ju. he used to run a column for slate.com called wanderlust. he’s written several books about traveling – not the must-see, check-out-these-hotspots, tips-for-the-weary-traveler type of books, but erudite, insightful ones. and clever (he’s mixed continental indian-english, i think may be even oxford educated, but definitely good looking). speaking of clever, read his essay “in praise of the humble comma.” and his books, just go to amazon.com and search.
1000? Wow, 9,997 to go. That is if the places I’ve visited are in the list. Otherwise, 1000 pa rin. Waaah
Oh I have this book as well! One of my goals is to visit at least one of each in every country but that will be quite difficult. So I do it by continent now. I’m such a wanderer!
ahhh
but i think there are far more beautiful beaches here than Amanapulo 🙂
hi
where did you have the massage? i spent 3 years in Los Angeles and just returned home. I’m currently looking for a qualified male therapist.
your response will be greatly appreciated.
best regards,
matthew cruz
Anna Lyn, share naman your “best places in the Philippines.” Baka di ko pa nadadalaw ang mga ‘yan. And what’s in Easter Island?
15 out of 1000 means I still have a long way to go Owen, hehe:)
Hi Anna, I’ve also updated my link using your new address. Thanks in advance for the Xmas card, friendster!
Lei, thanks for the tip. I’ve checked Pico Iyer in Wikepedia and also read excerpts of his works. Seems really good. Sige, I’ll check amazon and while you’re at it, how about a handsome Pico Iyer book for my birthday?? hehe
Haha, you need not limit yourself to the places in the book, Tito Rolly. Ako nga, gusto kong iuntog ang ulo ko sa pader for not visiting some of the places while I was staying in Europe, waah
Hi Duke! Thanks for dropping by and good luck to all that wandering 🙂
You’re right, Mec.. I believe RP has more beautiful beaches than Amanpulo (although I don’t have a basis of comparison here)…and less expensive.
Hi Matthew. I believe you’re referring to my blog post one eyar ago about being…err..massaged by a male therapist 🙂 My email reply is on its way. Regards
ju, anna lyn’s husband, john, traveled across siberia on motorbike when he was a bachelor. i wouldn’t be surprised if decides one day to build his own kon tiki in his backyard and takes his family to easter island;-)
oh, and i’d send you a book for a bday presy except i don’t know when your bday is and i don’t have your current home address. hehe. how about more recommendations. fiction: elizabeth kostova’s the historian; jeffrey eugenides’s middlesex. nonfiction: malcolm gladwell’s the tipping point (i have an extra copy i you want it); levitt and dubner’s freakonomics (haven’t read this one but their work frequently appear on slate.com and i love them)…more later…
hi anna lyn!
quick FYI lang, i am now in this domain:
http://www.jovefrancisco.com
more power!
hi Lei. whew! those books, am sure, will get me started reading again. wala ka ng lusot, i’ve already emailed you with my addy, hehe.
Jove, congrats on your new domain name. Will await more of your blog posts:)
i’ve been seeing this book in powerbooks. i like browsing through it! you’ve been to 15 out of 1000? that’s already great, ajay. 🙂
Hi Ajay,
and you ought to include Greece on your priority list, to see especially the bucolic villages at the foot of Mt. Olympus by the Aegean sea 🙂 also, Santorini Island, Mykonos and Crete.
nga pala miss sexy, did your kids like the furikake (shredded dried veggies and nori and salmon flakes)I gave you? If they/you want more papadalhan kita thru Sachi. I’ll send you some rice crackers too; sana pumayag si madam Sachi hehehe.. di naman masyado mabigat eh. Ciao!
Thanks Toni. Buti ka pa, browsing lang. I am tempted to buy two more copies of the book which will not do my wallet any good 🙂
You’re lucky to have been in Greece, Atinna… when are you climbing Mt. Olympus again? Sent you the email.
seen the book but i have my own wishes and list
yes santorini is a must
contract ends this week off to greece soon will blog but i was happy to withdraw for a while i lost weight
Hi AJAY! Whoa, new layout! I like it! I better buy this book so I can visit the 1,000 places while I’m still young and still has time. Thanks for the info, I like to read books that are really interesting like this. By the way thanks for the feature on Pinoy Teachers Network. We’re all glad that we are getting support from back home. Really appreciate it!
Hmm.. I’m Kano living in U.S. I wonder how many I’ve been to.. I’ve been to the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls. Surely they made the list. How about the Palace of Gold (West Virginia), Mesa Verde or Arches National Park? I married a gal from Negros and have visited some beautiful beaches in Negros Occidental.
Hi David. Negros Occidental? I’ve heard of Lakawon but I wasn’t able to go when I was there. Thanks for dropping by.:smile: