News

The places to be (still to come)

Published July 31, 2007

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There it is! I said to myself as I spotted the summit of the great pyramid over the jungle treetops. It had been a long trip - almost a pilgrimage. I'd lost a day and experienced a 12-hour time change, but I'd finally arrived at Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple, outside Yogyakarta, central Java, Indonesia. - Robert L. Burroughs, Bradenton
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ADVERTISEMENT [istockphoto] We took a trip to Portknockie, Scotland, and stayed with a couple for 28 days. They put more than 3,000 miles on their car, showing us everything - from quaint fishing villages to the big cities of Aberdeen and Glasgow, and the Highlands. They took us to the beautiful Isle of Skye and to Loch Ness. - E. Dale Gunter, St. Petersburg Related stories: Take that dream trip and do it right The places to be (already been there) The places to be (still to come)

The question to you was simple. Your answers stretched beyond the horizon. - Now that you have reached the second half of your life, we suggested, you have more time, more knowledge - and presumably more money - to create your dream trip. Where in the world would you most like to go? we asked. - Dozens and dozens of you replied, telling of adventures you have only imagined, as well as journeys already taken that fashioned memories for your lifetime. - Your destinations ranged from the Arctic to the Antarctic, from Moscow to Mayberry, from Bok Tower to Yemen. - Romance, nostalgia, even forgiveness, your reasons for visiting are well beyond wanderlust. - We divided your letters into places already visited and trips still to come. Take a few minutes now to become an armchair traveler. 

Bob Jenkins, LifeTimes editor

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Ever since reading Thor Heyerdahl's Aku Aku, I have had a fixation to visit Easter Island . . . to see and touch the stone figures standing sentinel on the island.

Georgia Wildrick, Largo

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I'll go to Berlin to thank the Germans. They built a Holocaust Memorial, have laws forbidding hate speech and acknowledge their role in killing my in-law's family . . .

I'll confirm the remorse of people whose aging relatives engaged in genocide or stood silently by. I'll stay at a lovely bed and breakfast, tour many sites . . . And I'll say "It's okay now" to my late husband. "People and nations can learn peace."

Ann R. Haendel, St. Pete Beach

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My husband and I would take an occasional trip to visit Bok Tower at Lake Wales. It was a beautiful sanctuary for me: I found peace and comfort from grieving for my lost loved ones. The atmosphere was peaceful, quiet and tranquil - almost heavenly.

During the past years, I have lost eight loved family members, including my husband and son, and eight dear friends. I recently celebrated my 91st birthday. I so long to visit my comfort sanctuary once more.

Ida Schwerzel, Clearwater

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With my avid interest in miniatures, when I was 10 years old (in 1933), my Dad kept me out of school on a Monday morning. We drove from Binghamton, N.Y., to Syracuse, to be able to see actress Colleen Moore's Doll House.

(Editor's note: The movie star had Hollywood artisans spend years creating her "Fairy Castle," which measures 9 feet long by 10 feet wide by 14 feet high.)

As luck would have it, we followed the mayor as Colleen showed off all the highlights, birds that sing, lights that work, etc. My wish is to go to Chicago to see the Doll House again.

Dottie TerPenning, Clearwater

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My mom has often told me about her Norwegian heritage and the beautiful country that's behind it. She and my grandmother talk frequently about wanting to visit the country. I have always shrugged off the idea, wanting to travel to Italy or Germany instead. (But) I realize a dream trip is more than what you see, it's about who you go with, and I can't think of better company.

Kirstin Wright, St. Petersburg

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My dream trip would be Athens, Greece. I was there in 1972 with my father, visiting relatives, and had a great time for seven weeks.

I was 19 at the time, and almost stayed to go to college. Instead I ended up back home in Georgia, got married, had two great kids, got divorced, then moved to Florida in 1985.

My father, in the meantime, moved to Athens, married, had two children, who live in Athens. I haven't seen them in nearly 26 years.

Renee Cashon, Tarpon Springs

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I have been disabled for several years . . . pain is a constant, mobility a problem. But I am a fighter.

My husband and I have been married for 42 years. Recently we learned that he has cancer of both the liver and colon.

We had always hoped to travel once he retired, and our dream was to see the United States, from one end to the other. . . . We bought a motor home, but we learned we can't travel between chemotherapy treatments . . .

If nothing else, we would like to see Alaska, would love to see the grizzlies. We love nature, the woods, animals, etc. We would like to see Mount McKinley, the eagles, and all of the things our friends and family have told us about.

Larry and Jerry Ann Haynam, Land O'Lakes

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Since I was quite young I have dreamed of traveling to Yemen, a land loved by (explorer William) Thesiger, who wrote Arabian Sands . . . I can picture myself walking in the bazaars, experiencing exotic places like the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shibam.

Now I am retired, still dreaming of a journey to the land of the Queen of Sheba.

Jill Athey, St. Petersburg

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1963 - Class project: Japan. A book sent from the Japanese Consulate has beautiful photos and a very pleasant odor.

1964 - New York World's Fair, Japanese Pavilion. Even today, the distinctive smell of tea roses brings back that day.

1969 - Best friend in high school was from Tokyo. The aroma of exotic foods in her home.

2007 - Finally going to take the trip of my dreams. I will be studying Japanese contemporary culture at a Tokyo university. Second part of the trip, a visit to Kyoto.

Doreen F. Smith, Tampa

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After my husband died, I thought about something I had always wanted to do since my teens - see Europe!

How could I afford such a trip? On the back burner again.

May 19 went to N.J. to my son's home and my 70th birthday party. My last gift was an envelope of lira, pounds and euros.

My best girlfriend of 25 years is going to Europe with me. We will be in London for two days and then get on the Sea Princess and sail to nine ports in three weeks . . .

That wonderful dream trip I started thinking about when I was 16 is becoming a reality!

Barbara C. Blewitt, Oldsmar

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A fantasy of mine is to travel to Russia. A trip to see Moscow, the Winter Palace (now the Hermitage Museum), the Ural Mountains, the villages in Siberia, to take a trip on the River Volga, to see St Petersburg.

Along the Volga is a memorial to Russia's war dead. It is open always, with background music softly playing. Having seen this once in a documentary many years ago, I have been haunted by this memorial, and to see it is my dream trip.

Gladys Young, Clearwater

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I grew up in a tiny borough in Pittsburgh. Now, as my Kennywood (amusement park) roller coaster life races toward the platform, I yearn to return once more to that house on Wainbell.

I want to awaken to Mother's call, "Don-na, time to get u-up." And watch my father's shaving rituals at our only bathroom's beveled mirror. I crave to hear the squeaks of the front porch glider and the "slap, flap" of Grandma's bread dough in the turquoise kitchen.

I long to sit in my space at the dining room table, whiff the back-gate lilacs and hike with my sisters "down Dormont."

Donna E. Glausser, Tampa

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For years I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel, but my dream is to experience the Orient Express. It has a mysterious allure and I envision total luxury with the feeling of being back in time . . . dressy evenings with charming company talking about the sights of the day.

Betty Shamas, St. Petersburg

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After my husband and I married, we traveled in all 50 states and in Europe. But there are so many more destinations to see and experience: the Marquesas Islands, Tahiti, New Zealand, China, Croatia . . .

Our 50th wedding anniversary will be luxuriating during a 115-day cruise visiting those and 20 more countries, 40 ports and six continents filling our twilight-year memories with that last great trip!

Paula Kelly, Dunedin

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My dream vacation? HAWAII! Since I was a little girl I have wanted to go to Hawaii.

My husband and I will be married 50 years on Sept. 28 (and) if we could go to Hawaii, it would be our 50th state on our 50th anniversary.

It certainly would be better than going to Gatlinburg.

Kay Martin, Beverly Hills

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For over 50 years, my dream trip has been to visit Kyoto, Japan. I am now "80 years young" and began this great obsession in my 20s. I then started my collection of Japanese art objects and home decor.

I am intrigued by the fact that Kyoto has remained virtually unchanged for centuries. Even if I never make this trip, I am thankful it has been preserved.

Shirley J. Moran, Clearwater

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My dream trip would be to go to Disney World with my beautiful son. I am the single mother of a 14-year-old son who has ADHD and bipolar problems, so money is scarce.

Recently I had to quit my job to take care of my father, who was diagnosed with cancer. It would just be really nice to spend some quality time as mother and son. We live each day with a smile and positive attitude.

Mary E. Wesolowski, Seminole

[Last modified July 30, 2007, 11:47:10]

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