PLACES I WISH TO VISIT IN THE FUTURE


When we see a commercial on television or an ad in a magazine promoting a desirable vacation spot, we always think to ourselves “I wish I could go there.” I myself have my own special list of destinations I do hope to visit sometime in my life and experience the exciting attractions that these places have to offer.

One place on my list is Japan, I would love to visit Tokyo, the futuristic city of tomorrow, the city is a metropolis, heavily populated and filled with sight seeing and tourism. But I have heard that the city is known to be one of the most expensive in the world with food and drinks costing as much 40$ Canadian. Other than Tokyo, I would love to visit the Fuji Mountains and head to the crater to view the spectacular ocean that stretches into the blue sky. I would like to see the Hiroshima Memorial and see the ruins of the buildings that were destroyed in World War II and learn about the atomic bomb and how they affect the world today. I feel that Japan would be an enriching, cultural, and historically significant experience that I hopefully will one day visit.

The next place on my list is Spain, I would love to visit Barcelona, go to the seaside and relax on the Sant Marti beach and swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea and attend a few games of the Spanish Soccer League at the main stadium in downtown Barcelona. As I am an avid history fan, I would love to see some pre-roman sites and visit the various coliseums, palaces and museums of roman architecture. I would definitely visit Sagrada Famiilia, the most spectacular and amazingly built churches with a distinct formation and learn the various historical and interesting facts about the construction of some of the buildings in Spain. I feel that Spain would be a cultural enriching experience that I would not soon forget

Waiting for South Africa

WAITING FOR SOUTH AFRICA

In just 18 days, I leave for South Africa to attend the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It is a trip me and my dad have been planning for almost 2 years. We’re avid soccer fans and my dad has been in attendance of 3 previous World Cups (Germany in 2006, United States in 1994, and Mexico in 1986). I am completely ecstatic about this trip and find myself wishing I could just skip some days or put a rocket on the earth to make it turn faster. We will be attending 6 games with teams: Germany, Brazil, France, England, Argentina, and maybe Spain. I leave on June 21^st where after a flight to Ottawa, than to London, England, than to Nairobi, Kenya, I finally land in Johannesburg. During our breaks between games we will do a fair amount of sight-seeing including a beautiful safari in the plains outside Johannesburg and Durban as well as visiting a SPECTACULAR resort called Sun City which is known as a “mini Vegas” near the border of South Africa and Mozambique. We will also be visiting “The Cradle of Mankind”, a historic site that is home to a beautiful wild life reserve as well as supposedly being the place where the first humans evolved (2-3 million year old ape-man fossils were discovered here). We are also planning to fly down to Cape Town during the last two days to visit the beautiful wildlife reserves and safari attractions. With only 18 days to go, it’s hard not to feel EXCITED beyond belief. This is will truly be one of the best trips I will ever experience.

The superb music video of 'Wave Your Flag' the official theme of the 2010 World Cup sung by K'naan and David Bisbal

Miami, Florida

MIAMI, FLORIDA

South Beach

Of all the beaches in the world, South Beach, MIAMI is hands down the beach party capital of the world. Every second, every minute, every hour, every DAY this beach is ecstatic with music, dancing, surfing, beach volleyball, and much more, sun bathers have the opportunity to work on their tan with the help of tanning butlers while later cooling down in the turquoise ocean water and perhaps participating in the daily surfing competitions or the various beach sports (soccer, volleyball, frisbee)

South Beach is also surrounded by an assortment of restaurants, shops, bars and much more, brand names such as GUESS, Quiksilver, Marciano can be found along the strip as well an assortment of restaurants that can be very expensive (eg. 25$ for a pina colada).

The night life however is the greatest feature of this destination, as soon as the sun goes down, the spectacular night clubs open and the strip really comes alive with music and dancing. If you travel to Miami, South Beach is a prime attraction, for club goers, sun bathers, jocks and shoppers.

The Everglades

Far from the beaches, on the other side of Miami lie tropical swampy rivers known as The Everglades, these beautiful marshes are covered with alligators, lizards, certain tropical birds and other exotic creatures. The main attraction is a 45 minute boat ride around the river, where you will spot alligators, iguanas and other creatures as well as learn

interesting facts about the Everglades and view interesting flora that grow in it’s waters. A secondary attraction is a show about alligators where volunteers from the audience even get the chance to get up close in a cage as well as help feed the alligators. The Everglades are magnificent array of wetlands that are truly a sight to see, I suggest visiting this attraction in the morning as this is when most of the animals are out and another tip is to bring earplugs, the noisy rudder of the boat is no match for the tiny pieces of cotton you are given there to block you’re ears.

Jamaica

JAMAICA

Most islands in the Caribbean are known for their white sandy beaches and clear blue waters. Jamaica's got that and whole lot more, this magnificent island is covered by lush greenery and spectacular rocky cliffs. Tourists have the chance to indulge into the rich and diverse culture and history as well as recreational activities such as snorkeling, swimming, boating, hiking or even relaxing by the beach. Whether it's any of them, Jamaica is an amazing tourist destination that should be on top of your list if you are traveling to the Caribbean

Dunns River Falls

Located in the Saint Ann Parish, near Ocho Rios, these famous waterfalls are perhaps one of the most beautiful and distinctive in the entire Caribbean. With a height of almost 900 feet, tourists, hikers have the chance to climb these falls as they are shaped as large steps. The falls are surrounded by a giant forest which provides shade to hikers, as well as being characterized by being one of the few waterfalls that empty directly into the ocean, swimmers have the chance of slipping through the clear blue water as well as sliding down some of the flat formations near the waterfall staircase.

These falls are not intended for people under the age of 8-9 years old, many of the rock formations and steps can be dangerous for young children and for parents it is often hard to climb while carrying a child. If you are traveling on a cruise ship, the main port is Montego Bay at around a one and a half hour drive from the falls. It is likely that this may be the only tourist destination you may accomplish if you are traveling on a cruise. However if this is your first time to Jamaica, this is truly an attraction worth seeing and experiencing.

Doctor’s Cave Beach

Located in the Saint James Parish, in Montego Bay, this crystal white beach is well known as the most famous in Jamaica. Surrounded by clear blue water that is among the warmest ocean water you may ever experience. The beach is also the site of a magnificent club as well as a array of beautiful caves and natural pools of starfish, oysters, crabs etc. The beach is also a part of the Montego Bay Marine Park which is a prime attraction for snorkeling and panoramic ocean views.

Doctor’s Cave Beach is a prime attraction for sun bathers, swimmers and cave explorers as well as perhaps one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.

a spectacular close up of the exciting things to experience at the Dunn's River Falls