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TOP TRAVEL EXPERIENCES

Taking a small plane out from Kantishna, far inside Denali National Park, Alaska, past the peaks of Mount McKinley (Denali).

Along the southern coast of Newfoundland, singing and dancing at a “kitchen party” in tiny Francois (no road access; population less than 100).

Horseback riding at a true Hawaiian cattle and horse ranch, and then hiking down to black sand beaches, near Hawi and Waimea, on the Big Island, Hawaii.

Spending time in the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans, where Hurricane Katrina's devastation was worst; while there, visiting the Lower 9th Museum, which honors the people of the neighbourhood and doubles as an after school center for local kids.

Eating many types of fresh cheese made from the milk of water buffalo, at the Laos Buffalo Dairy, near Luang Prabang.

Swinging on the giant swing atop the Teleferico cable car, high above Quito, Ecuador (on the slopes of the Pichincha Volcano).

Swimming at Big Rock Falls, and visiting a butterfly sanctuary, tucked into the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, in the Cayo District, Belize.

Staying at the fun 29 Palms Inn, in an authentic 1930’s Adobe Bungalow, and then rock climbing in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

Fishing for piranha in the Peruvian Amazon, using chunks of raw meat on paper clips for bait...and then eating piranha for dinner.

Eating Anegada lobsters in the British Virgin Islands with friends, after an exciting sailing day.

Taking a Jeep ride up to over 13,000 feet, through Imogene Pass, in the Red Mountains, outside of Ouray, Colorado.

Staying at the historic El Prado hotel in Barranquilla, Colombia: when it opened in 1930, it was the first luxury lodging in Colombia. Later, Narcotraficante interests acquired the property and made it an operations center, but it is getting refurbished to its previous grandeur!

Taking a cooking class - where the head chef didn’t speak a word of English - at Villa Le Barone, in Panzano, Tuscany, Italy.

Visiting the Grand Canyon via helicopter out of Las Vegas, and seeing the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead from the sky.

During a Vancouver reunion with two of my dearest friends: enjoying Lebanese manousheh, riding small ferry tugboats, and exploring Granville Island, Stanley Park, and Coal Harbour.

Jumping off the rocks to swim in the harbor of the island of Hydra, Greece, followed by fireworks at the annual Miaoulia Festival (named for one of Hydra's more colorful patriots, Admiral Andreas Miaoulis).

Hiking the long Bald Hills trail in Jasper National Park (Alberta, Canada), above Maligne Lake.

Soaking in the Poca da Dona Beija hot springs after a nice hike near the town of Furnas on Sao Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal.