Where to Go?

[ktmrider]

OK, I know I will get dozens of different suggestions but I thought I would throw this out anyway.

During the past year, I have traveled to Istanbul, Iceland, Great Britain, Nepal, Thailand and Cambodia for tourism. I worked for the US government for 32 years as a pilot and have seen even more of Asia, Central America and even a bit of Africa. I am looking for a destination to combine photography and travel (I know everyone has favorite places).

I am looking to travel in October and November. I may combine my trip with motorcycle rental to really tour or I may just ride from the US/Mexican border to Panama and back.

So where to go and what to do? By the way, I am retired and my time is my own. Thanks, Rich

 

[dexdog]

a few of my favorites include Chile, Botswana, New Zealand and Ecuador.

 

[andredossantos]

Mexico near the border is a war zone right now. Plan your route carefully if you go ahead with that, especially if your going through the eastern part of Mexico.

How about Brazil? Chile? Argentina? Those are the three places I want to go next.

 

[nikon_sam]

Are you a fan of Cuba...???
That's one place I'd love to see...

 

[ktmrider]

Mexico Travel

Mexico Travel

I know all about the wars going on in Mexico. I was a Customs pilot for 22 years catching drug smugglers. I live five miles from Juarez. And worked at the US Embassy in Mexico City for a year back in 2002/3.

However, with a few precautions I think travel in Mexico is still ok. I remember when the German government advised their citizens not to travel to Florida because of attacks on tourists.

Of all the areas I have seen, I think Asia is my favorite and have not done much in Europe so perhaps mainland Europe for something new or back to Asia for its fascination.

 

[Steve M.]

Well, you're nearly in Mexico now, so a change in scenery might be good. Cuba sounds like a photographic paradise, but could be difficult to get in and out of w/ your bike. Maybe you could rent one there? They would love the dollar down there, but I have no idea of the legalities of that sort of thing.

Having traveled in the Caribbean, if you shoot color that might be great. If you shoot B&W, less so, but still doable.

We recently moved from your neck of the woods (Las Cruces, NM) to Florida, and wow, what a difference photographically! The Southwest was much better for a photographer because of the incredible light, but it's warm here, and there's a beach, so I can live w/ lesser photo opportunities.

Do you like cities? San Francisco is VERY photo graphical, both the color vistas and the gritty B&W street shooting. Bring LOTS of money with you though. I recommend The Spaulding Hotel. Cheap, quiet, and right in the heart of things. Just don't expect any extras, and if the elevator is working it will be a miracle.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Malta.

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/pst malta.html

Cheers,

R.

 

[t.s.k.]

New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, and Nepal.
Can you tell that I'm a city boy that wants to get away from it all?

 

[Roger Hicks]

Mexico near the border is a war zone right now.

Not according to my brother in law, who lives there.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Of course, for motorcycling, India is unbeatable:

http://www.semiadventuroustraveler.com/semi india1.html

and for the Bullet

http://www.semiadventuroustraveler.com/semi mctie bullet.html

and

http://www.royalenfield.com/

Cheers,

R.

 

[ktmrider]

Thanks for the Input, Keep It Coming

Thanks for the Input, Keep It Coming

Thanks for all the input. India is very interesting as I spent a month in Nepal in November and was thinking about going back. In fact, a friend and I are talking about riding from Kathmandu to Tibet. Roads, or the lack of, and accidents are kind of scary in Nepal having witnessed buses passing each other on ascending blind curves in the mountains.

I will be doing some more research on India. Am also thinking of renting a motorcycle to explore Vietnam and perhaps Laos. I really enjoyed my first visit to Cambodia in December. And looking to explore Peru and Machu Pichu on a bike as well.

By the way, my travel kit varies but a Fuji X100 and M2 with 21/90 makes a great combo.

 

[Bingley]

If I had time in October and November, I would make a beeline to Venice.

Actually, those months would be perfect times to see much of Europe. I'd go back to Vienna, Prague, other sites in central Europe.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

South Island of New Zealand - unbeatable for low traffic and high scenery.

 

[jippiejee]

I'm looking at Hoi An in Vietnam for my May holidays, seems a pleasant pedestrian-friendly place.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam/central-vietnam/hoi-an

 

[Out to Lunch]

Vietnam is my favorite travel/photography destination. But not just traveling along Highway I from North to South or the other way around. Instead, research spending time in a particular region such as in the Mekong Delta and on the Islands off the Southern coast. You could follow the same approach around Da Lat and, further North in and around Hue and Da Nang. In the South, Oct and Nov is still rainy season but nothing to worry about and the good thing is that you'd be outside the tourist high-season.

 

[jarski]

India is incredible! there's so much to explore in one country, that I'd worry only about having enough time.

Bullet is great bike, and sold cheap (compared to similar size Western bikes) in every bigger city. traffic rules are often not obeyed, and rule of the jungle (bigger goes first) prevails, but guess OP knows this already. I've met few here, that bought the bike, drove it around for their holiday, and shipped back home. though customs/officials with their regulations (noise, emissions, safety...) for bike imports might be surprise when it arrives.

 

[jippiejee]

Vietnam is my favorite travel/photography destination. But not just traveling along Highway I from North to South or the other way around. Instead, research spending time in a particular region such as in the Mekong Delta and on the Islands off the Southern coast. You could follow the same approach around Da Lat and, further North in and around Hue and Da Nang. In the South, Oct and Nov is still rainy season but nothing to worry about and the good thing is that you'd be outside the tourist high-season.

Thanks for all the great tips. Just booked my ticket to Ho Chi Minh City for April 29th 🙂 Now going to do all the reading I can find to fill the ten days with some great photo ops .