We travel, in part, to discover what’s unique in other areas of the world. These differences excite us, bring us to life, and cause us to keep traveling to find more. They’re also what cause people to journey from other parts of the world to our own, seeking the same.
The close proximity of a large number of vastly different landscapes and activities are what sets my region apart from others. In fact, this variety is the heartbeat of my part of the world. I can stand in my front yard, spin around and, whenever I grow dizzy enough to stop, find myself pointed in a direction where a short trip will take me somewhere exciting, enriching, beautiful and interesting. With major East Coast cities, the Atlantic Ocean’s crashing waves, small towns so quaint you can’t quite believe they’re real, the gentle pulse of the Long Island Sound, and large expanses of farmland perfect for miles of serene bike rides, I am never far from locations I love. My experience, so far, with the rest of the world has shown me that such an assortment doesn’t exist just anywhere you travel.
I cherish it because I craved it for so long. Growing up in a part of the world vacant and offering no choice but to be redundant in activity, talk of the weekends was always littered with sarcastic comments about the metropolis in which we lived and the huge array of things to do. Sarcastic because we lived deep in the country where there wasn’t a lot going on. I always knew more action existed elsewhere – real life with plenty of stimuli and no sarcasm necessary. So when I grew up, I got out. And I landed someplace a wide range of action happens, unlike so many other spots on earth. The variety that awaits me no matter where I turn, this is what is unique about my part of the world
What about your part of the world? If someone traveled to your home from any spot on earth, what quality or qualities would they find that sets it apart from all else they’ve seen? What would make them want to return?
Thumbnail unique photo by Sam Illic. Collage photo by Ekiben.
First theres me.
Second theres the Kruger National Park, with Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino and Leopard along with a thousand other creatures.
Third The Makhonjwa mountains which is where life on this planet started
Fourth A host of other magnificent sights like the pothole, the three rondawels, The multitude of waterfalls, the San art
and of course there is my wife.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 21:20
I will be going to Africa. I’d love to see all your continent holds.
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Guy McLaren Reply:
May 8th, 2010 at 05:11
When you come down south, let me know, we have a couch
Guy McLaren´s last blog ..My “Holiday” for charity
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My province is my playground. Within a day, you can ski the peaks of Whistler, get lost amongst the beautiful cedars in Vancouver’s Stanley Park and feast from a beach patio while watching the sunset in White Rock.
Nancy´s last blog ..Aussie-isms
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 21:20
I love that line – “my province is my playground.”
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Within an hour’s time, I can walk and visit mountains, jungle and beachs where I’m the only one there. Then, go home and shower and take a 10 minute walk to downtown and spend the rest of the day in a bar drinking iced-coffee.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 21:21
You always make your home sound so intriguing, Mike. I’d love to visit.
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In my home-home town of Brisbane, you’re at the gateway to Queensland – wonderful beaches, perfect weather and a relaxed (our southern neighbours would say ‘backward’) city lifestyle. My adopted home of Cusco is spitting distance from a dozen or so Inca Ruins, at the doorstep of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, and has a Plaza de Armas I could sit for hours in.
Camden Luxford´s last blog ..Do You Believe In Magic?
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 21:22
Oh, those are two really lovely locations where you’ve gotten to live. How nice!
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I live downtown in the province’s capital, yet I can see icebergs from my bedroom window.
Candice´s last blog ..Guest Post: Don’t Eat the Spacecakes in Amsterdam
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 21:23
I know. And I think that is so very cool. Particularly since I’ve never seen an iceberg.
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In the most isolated city in the world, Perth, Western Australia, I am only minutes away from beautiful beaches, the Swan River which is home to the infamous black swans and semi-permanent state of sunshine . A few hours drive takes you down to Margaret River to some of the best wineries in Australia (daresay the world…). Things are slower and more relaxed in Perth, the shops may not be open on a Sunday but that’s why the beaches always are!
Natasha´s last blog ..Beautiful Boracay – A photolog
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 21:25
Oh, that sounds lovely. I really like the idea of shops not being open on Sunday. Years ago they were closed on Sunday here too. For an isolated city, as you say, Perth seems to have a great deal to offer.
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Interesting topic, Sabina! I’m originally from Java Island, from a busy city called Surabaya. It’s not exactly tourism city, so I’ll talk about Bali that is not very far. People will go there for it’s famous beautiful beaches, for the rice fields, and for the traditional arts and culture. Some people might like to combine this natural and cultural beauty with their fancy hotels and spas for relaxing holiday. For some it’s entirely about surfing. Indonesian food are generally very tasty, that’s a drive too.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 8th, 2010 at 06:23
Now, Bali – I’d love to go there. And I didn’t know where you’re from. I’d like to know more about Surabaya. Since I’ve never heard of it’s bound to be interesting to me.
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