krissyM's VirtualTourist Home Page

I have been very fortunate in my life to have had the opporotunity to travel. I grew up in Canada and prior to High School I had really only been to a few resorts in Mexico with my family. But in High School that all changed.

My father got a job in Dhaharan, Saudi Arabia and the company my father was working for only had schooling up to Grade 9. So I had the opporotunity to attend a boarding school in Switzerland. During my 10th, 11th and 12th grade years I travelled all over Europe spending weekends at the Christmas markets in Germany, camping in the south of France, and band trips to Sarteano, Italy. My Christmas, Easter and summer vacations were spent living on a compound in Saudi Arabia. What a culture shock!

Once I returned to Canada to go to college once a summer I would spend three weeks a year travelling to some new destination with anybody willing to go with me. I have continued that once a year vacation now that I am "grown up" and working. I hoard all my vaction time so that once a year I can go to some far off place that I have never seen before.

My current goal is to travel to 50 countries. Once I hit that goal I want to travel to 100 countries. I think technically I'm at 29. But I really think it is 31. I was in Hong Kong prior to it being handed back to China and I've been to Scotland. Don't tell the Scottish they aren't their own coutry - they take exception!

My most recent trip was to Greece and Turkey in April 09. It was a great 27 day vacation. I found that the Greeks smoked a lot, but the country was beautiful. The Turkish were wonderful people and I loved Istanbul! My next international trip is in September. I am traveling to Curacao for a one week all-inclusive SCUBA dive vacation!!!! I am super excited. Fun and Sun!

Here's is my list of "must see" countries which I would like to travel to sooner rather then later. If anyone has any suggestions on places I just cannont miss either on the list or not send me an email. I am always adding to the list below!

Here they are in no particular order:

1. Morocco
2. China
3. Russia
4. South Africa
5. Kenya
6. India
7. Japan
8. Equador and the Galapogos
9. Brazil
10. Jordan and Petra

Here are some of the most memorable travel experiences I have had.

1. Watching the sun set behind the Moai on Easter Island, Chile.
2. Swimming at the base of Angel Falls, the worlds tallest waterfall in Venezuela.
3. Drinking Sangria under the shadow of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain.
4. Walking through a riot (because our cab driver refused to drive through it) in Arequipa, Peru.
5. Scuba Diving in Bali, Indonesia
6. Seeing the pyramids of Giza for the first time. The only time in my life my jaw has dropped in wonder.
7. Watching the sun rise at Borobudur in Indonesia.
8. Trying to get the tuk-tuk drivers in Bangkok to take us to the Palace only to have them drop us off at jewelry stores.
9. Starting to speak with an Irish accent after spending a week in Ireland (I assimilate well).
10. Going to an all night electronic concert in Istanbul.