trip recommendations?

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jano

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Okay, I ask this pretty much everywhere I go, just looking for opinions and ideas. I'm looking to "get away" from it all, probably no more than 10 days.

I'd like to be able to veg (esp. modern conveniences) or be active (hiking, suring, etc), need scenery for photography, and would be nice to enjoy eye candy (hey, I'm mid twenties guy). Cost really isn't an issue, but, I'm not in much of a mindset to splurge, so would like to remain mid-range.

Some thoughts I had this year: iceland, costa rica, new zealand. Would like to hear opinions, or pm's emails about setting up a trip. My guitar teacher might come along as well (we sort of "travel buddies" -- her husband hates travelling, but both of us like it so we're tentativley planning something). Each of those, though, is a bit far. I'm in southern california.

I'd prefer someplace where -OH is not the driving factor (e.g. vegas, florida, hawaii, cozumel), as I neither drink nor like to "party." Yes, I'm a weird kid. 😛

EDIT.. ah, shoot, this was supposed to go in the off-topic forum... SORRY! Can someone please move it there?
 
if you ever hang out on dslrexchange, talk to chipmanp.. he's been to a few of those places and can give you great advice
 
Not sure how much help I'll be -- any of your ideas sound superb, but I've only been to the lava lands of Iceland and Hawaii. Pretty similar landscapes in parts if you ignore the degree. Both, and I suppose anywhere, are as rigorous or restful as you'd like them to be. For either, I'd recommend some serious backcountry excursions to get a sense of the islands' geology which is extravagant in either case -- volcanoes, lava fields, etc., etc., add glaciers and geysers for Iceland. Reykjavik is peaceful...and was completely empty when I visited in June. Surprising, bc a lot of guides rave about the cosmo atmosphere and nightlife. I must've missed all of that. Charming nonetheless. Re: Hawaii, have you been to the big island? Pretty varied terrain there to say the least and a bit easier to escape touristy areas than some of the other islands. I can only dream of going to NZ or Central America anytime soon....
 
Of the countries in central america, costa rica was my least favourite...guatemala or nicaragua are superior in my mind as they have yet to be as overrun as costa rica, plus guatemala has some stellar ruins. if you end up in central america, pm me, as my partner and i backpacked through the region for a few months...

other than that, i might reccomend east africa, se asia, or a country in s america (i liked ecuador)

hmm...it occours to me why i don't have a leica yet, all my money has gone to travel.
 
I highly recommend Brazil especially Sao Paulo. You can find plenty to do and go to Iguawasoo? falls for some spectacular photos. The streets of sao paulo are teaming with photo ops
 
My goal will be to visit as many places as possible throughout the rest of my life, just because I simply enjoy travel. Right now, though, I'm sorta stuck between wanting a vegging vacation or something to do active.

Prosty: I visited both Maui and the big island in 2003, on business, but took a couple days extra for fun. Maui was good for the surfing (great, inexpensive hobby, btw!!) and the scenery was great. It's boring, though, if you are alone. I did not feel welcome at all on the big island. I stuck out like a sore thumb as a mainlander, and I just felt this bad juju everywhere I went.

cp_ste-croix: thanks for the heads up! Furthest south I've been yet has been Merida at the yucatan. That was FUN 🙂 The other places you mentioned, of course on my list, but just trying to keep my options narrow right now. Same to byuphoto, brasil is sometime later.

What does everyone think of those "photographic expedition" thingies in the states? You pay upwards of $5k, get a week with other photographers. I'm figuring not too many people my age sign up for those. :\
 
I would still say 10 days in Guatemala with a few days in the north doing ruins/hiking arround, a visit to Antigua, and the remainder spent on the river or the coast...

though if you do go to costa rica, again, let me know and i'll give you some places i think are interesting...

whereever you go, if you travel without expectation, you are bound to enjoy your adventure.
 
Geez, and here I was trying to decide between central Ohio and Niagara Falls for my upcoming vacation. Gotta remember to stop spending money on cameras and save some for the travel part :bang:.

Seriously, all those options sound great to me. I really enjoyed my trip to the Florida Keys and it's not all partying there, so don't close that off as an option. Fabulous photographic opportunities no matter what you're into shooting.

The other trip I really enjoyed was one a couple of years back to Bucerias, Mexico. It's about 20 minutes outside of Puerto Vallarta and far enough away from the college party crowd that you can enjoy what Mexico really has to offer without all the "Wild On" obnoxious American crap and much lower prices (but close enough that you can indulge if you're of a mind to).
 
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What's OH? May I suggest Asia? Thailand and the Philippines are great. Lots of character, history, etc if you like to sightsee, have only been to Bangkok so I don't know much about the rural areas, but lots of cheap stuff for shopping. The Philippines have great nature stuff, Manila is a metropolis, everything you want from a big city--pollution, crime, great cheap shopping, night life, etc. Other places have gorgeous beaches and lots of nature activities, including diving, dolphin and whale watching, snorkeling, hiking, mountains, caves and waterfalls. Plus, most people in the Phils can understand and speak basic English, at least crude English from rural folks, and fluent English for many.

Laos and Cambodia sound very interesting, but I've never been to either, so can't say much about them.
 
go to transylvania. Check out the saxon region. Rent a car and go around there between the (partially) abandoned saxon villages with the huge fortified gothic churches from the 13th-15th century. Socialize with the old saxons still living there and the gipsy families that moved in. It's a great place for shooting if you like this kind of stuff; the nature is alos nice. Then go up to the mountains south from there, the southern carpathes. Pretty silent, adventurous, "uncivilized" world, and very very cheap. And bats are not dangerous, much less than baseball bats.

Just a suggesion.
 
I've travelled quite a lot, with a large emphasis on Asia. I was in Vietnam last year and recommend it highly. It's a beautiful country with stunning landscapes, great temples and vibrant cities. I found people very friendly, it was easy to get around, and very affordable. The food was fantastic, too.

Here are some of my images on flickr:
Vietnam images

I also really enjoyed travelling in Turkey. It has a wonderful history, and the ancient Greek and Roman ruins are some of the best in the world. The Islamic influence is fascinating, and there are spectacular landscapes - turquoise waters and inland rock formations. Again, very affordable and folks are friendly. More photos:
Turkey images

This year I'm off to Indonesia (in one week!). I'll be sure to post some pictures when I get back.

Have fun making your decision!

Ben
 
Do bear in mind that even from So Cal, NZ is ~ 17 hours flight 😱 (It's the longest over-water flight or something) Plus it's early spring time now, so the weather will be somewhat varied. Great place for photography though, and we're a nice bunch of people 😀

Still, you can really get away from it all if you want, although you would need your own transport. The Coromandel is nice, as is the central North Island (volcanoes, geysers, boiling mud, etc.), or the NW of the South Island or Central Otago area.

Paul
 
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