"Ten things I've done worth mentioning...." by kenmerk

This list would probably be a little different depending on when I sat down and thought about it, but here are some of the more memorable travel experiences I've had over the years: (in no particular order.....)

(1) Inside the Great Pyramids (Egypt): Though you have to fight thru the maddening tourist schlock to get to do this, it is a pretty surreal experience to descend the tunnel into these ancient tombs...

(2) Dive Chuuk Lagoon (FSM): Japanese fleet at the bottom of the lagoon, probably the best wreck diving locale in the world....

(3) Imelda's Shoes (Philippines): Can't do this no more, but back in the early '90's, Malacang Palace was open to visitors in Manila. (back when Cory Aquino was President....) Back then, they had all of Imeldas shoes, and most of her other wardrobe items on display... (Presumably to embarass the Marco's) You also got a look at their Royal bathroom suite with solid gold water basin and commode... (it's good to be King!!!) Unfortunately the palace is now sealed off again, and the shoes are probably in storage somewhere.....

(4)Franz Josef Glacier Hiking (NZ): Squeezing through the narrow cracks in the ice falls....

(5) Snorkel Jellyfish Lake (Palau): Swim thru clouds of jelly fish that are so thick you cant barely see each other.... Feels like you enter another world...

(6) Hike in the Shan State (Burma): I actually had one of those Columbus moments in northern Burma once. (First caucasian to visit one of the mountain villages there....) Fortunately, the natives were friendly and well stocked in moonshine....

(7) Juggling Fire (Florida): ell, I used to be in the carney, or something like that... (I'll never tell) ;o))))

(8) Hike on the Great Wall (China): I'd like to, hope to, plan to, see more of this....

(9)Pohnpei Pig Party (FSM): Slaughter a pig, and swill cup after cup of Sakau with the locals.... (Your legs will fail to operate properly after a spell...)

(10) Dive the Galapagos (Ecuador): Schooling hammerheads and whalesharks... If big marine life at close proximity appeals to you, then this is the place for you....

(10+) Couple of others worth consideration: Two steps into North Korea at Panmunjom, Temples of Angkor Wat, Skiing in Hokkaido, cave diving in the Yucatan, Various places around India (Varanasi, Taj Mahal, Ellora/Anjanta), Most anywhere in Italy, Sailing around Bimini, Thresher Shark diving in Malapascua, Borneo Jungle Hiking at Kinabatangan, and Red Sea Diving...

(10++) Other strange travel trivia:

Passport Stamps: I have an entry stamp for Greece in my passport, but have never been to that country. Got two exit stamps for Italy, but have only been there once.... (this tidbit once required quite a bit of explaining at Fiumicino Airport: " No you cannot leave because our paper work shows you are already gone.....")

Fantasy Island: I was in Pohnpei, FSM scuba diving on 9/11/01, and ended up stuck there for an extra week. Kinda like being on Fantasy Island, when the plane stops coming.... "BOSS, NO PLANE, NO PLANE..." Worse yet, all cargo pretty much comes onto the island by air, so we came pretty darn close to drinking the island dry of beer waiting for cargo flights to resume... ;o))))

Volcano Problems: I was in Manila the day that Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991. (Not easy to explain to your boss whyo you cant come back to work... cause the airport is closed....) "See,,,, I need to take a few Volcano days....."