My Dream Vacations

While I was with a friend of mine yesterday we discussed traveling and given I have traveled extensively all over the world he asked me what was left on my list of dream vacations. It really got me thinking about where I have yet to travel and would love to see. As I sat there a few places came to mind.

Those places are a mixture of destinations where the intended purpose of travel is mixed. Some leave me relaxed on the beach and others leave me appreciating fine art in a European museum. Below are my top dream vacations that I have yet to taken in no particular order.

1. Tahiti, French Polynesia: Specifically Bora Bora and the 81 overwater bungalows at the Le Meridien. These limited number of bungalow's offer rest and relaxation as well as superb views of Mt Otemanu while providing lagoon access at your door. It is the perfect place to do nothing or everything. You can relax in the spa or enjoy the Jet Ski's, feed the sharks or sting rays, watch the polynesian fire dancers, search for black pearls, or enjoy a day of snorkeling and kayaking.
2. Las Vegas, NV: Known to most as Sin City it was originally built by the Mob but today has become one of the biggest and best known cities to gamble. While I am not much of a gambler is close proximity to the Grand Canyon and its many shows are its biggest appeal.
• Grand Canyon: Running a staggering 277 miles the Grand Canyon at its deepest is about a mile to the rim and 18 miles across in some spots. One of the best places to see the Canyon is from the Skywalk. A glass bridge that is suspended 4,000 feet above the bottom of the canyon.
• Hoover Dam: Named one of the top 10 construction achievements of the 20th Century Hoover Dam stands 725ft above the Colorado River and houses 17 generators who produce 4 billion KW of electricity annually. It is named after the 31st president and was begun in 1930 and completed in less then 5 years. Visitors today can take the Dam and Powerplant Tour.
3. Italy: Home to the not forgotten Roman Empire Italy is littered with architectural delights and the many relics and monuments of the past still stand today. It is also home to the Catholic Church's Papacy in Vatican City from where the pope rules.  There are several cities I would like to visit. My top three are
• Rome/Vatican City: Rome is the modern capital of Italy. It is full of history and is home to many ancient monuments such as the Roman coliseum, medieval churches, beautiful fountains, museums, and Renaissance palaces. It is also home to Vatican city and the Sistine Chapel.
• Pisa: Best known for its leaning tower Pisa is also 1 of 4 of the great maritime republic in the middle ages and the tower and cathedral are enough to captivate any visitor.
• Venice: Being built on water in the middle of a lagoon Venice captivates its visitors as one of the most beautiful and romantic in the world. The heart of the city is the Piazza San Marco with is magnificent church.  Its elaborate canal system and gondola's make it a spectacle to see. In old days it was the bridge between the East and West.
• Florence: This Tuscan city is one of the most important Renaissance architectural and art centers. Its Duomo and Baptistery are magnificent but crowed and the large piazza is a gather place for many.  It is also home to many Medici palaces and gardens.
4. Cambodia: With the last and most well known capital of the Khmer empire Angkor Complex in present day Cambodia it is an treasure the Cambodian people cherish and a must do on any traveler's list of places to visit.
5. Australia: With Australia's Great Barrier Reef one of the 7 Natural Wonder's of the world it should come as no surprise that it is something I have always wanted to see. 
6. Iceland: Europe's Land of Fire, Ice, and Tourists is an island nation in the North Atlantic. Iceland gets its nickname because of the many active volcanoes many buried deep underneath the icy glaciers above them.
• Blue Lagoon: Geothermal spas offer the most relaxing natural bathing  in water that reached 37-39degrees C.  Located just a short distance from Reykjavik.
• Gullfoss: the most popular waterfall in Iceland. Located on the Golden Circle the water cascades down two steps falling a total of 33m into a canyon below.
• Strokkur: Famous for its geysers. Watch the geysers erupt from the underground springs and thermal pools.
• Skaftafell Ice Cave: located in the Vatnajokull National Park this is one of the top ten ice caves in the world.
• Aurora Borealis: If you are lucky enough to come during the dark months you might get to see the dazzling lights.
• Silfra: The only place on earth where you can snorkel or scuba dive in a crack between the North American and Eurasian continents.
7. Ireland: It's a Celtic mystery: how can a country as small as Ireland be packed with so much majestic history, natural beauty, vibrant culture, and, of course, fun? Castles overlook wild, empty beaches, excited theatergoers spill out into bustling Dublin pubs.  But the real Irish secret is the people: their unique blend of warmth, humor, and irreverence will ensure your trip to the Emerald Isle is a true adventure.
8. Germany: Filled with medieval towns and urban cities Germany offers tradition and modern opportunities.
• Berlin: The capital of German and the now gone Prussian empire, Weimar Republic and the Third Reich.
• Black Forest: With thousands of miles of hiking and cycling trails this pine and fir forest has many thermal baths.
• Heidleberg Castle: A now ruin example of a Renaissance / Gothic fortress.
• Kölner Dom: One of the most breathtaking gothic marvels which took 600 years to build and was the tallest structure in 1880
• Munich's Oktoberfest: for 15 days in September and October the largest beer festival in the world take place.
• Neuschwanstein Castle: Perched high in the mountains is a fairy tale castle built by King Ludwig II to hide from public life. Today more then 1.4 million people a year visit him home.
• Berlin Wall: a WW2 built wall designed to separate the east and west sides of Berlin. Partially torn down in 1989.
9. Greece: Birthplace of the Olympics and home of Homer, Aristotle, and Sophocles is an archaeological splendor with its towering monasteries and temples. It includes idyllic landscapes along the Aegean Sea of cypress groves, vineyards and olive trees.
10. Dubai:  Sitting along the golden sand coastline of the Arabian Gulf sits a fairy tale land of high-rises and man-made islands. Once a dusty trading post Dubai is now a cosmopolitan capital of the world.
• Dubai Creek and Abra: Without the creek, Dubai would not exist. This safe inlet is how it became a trading post.
• Burj Al-Arab: Hotel built on a man made island on the shores put Dubai on the map
• Burj Dubai: The worlds tallest building dominates the Dubai skyline.
11. Thailand: Imagine white sand beaches, lush mountain jungles with crystal clear blue waters dotted with peaceful temples. Thailand is home to many sites, smells and sounds not to be missed.
12. New Zealand: Filming location of the Lord of the Rings this uncrowded, green peaceful country is best known for the Maori or indigenous people.
13. Sweden: Homeland of my ancestors and frozen wastelands, cozy cottages, virgin forest, rocky islands, reindeer herders and Viking lore – Sweden has all that plus impeccable style and to die for dining.

Whalers Brewing Company

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Shooting Trap - First Time

Our resident range officer John decided we had done enough pistol shooting and thought we might like to try shooting trap. In trap shooting, the targets  clay discs are launched from a machine away from the shooter in random directions. It's then the moving target you must shoot.

John graciously allowed each of us to borrow one of his shotguns and for the 20$ range fee they provided the shotgun shells and the clay targets. There would be two rounds with 25 shots each round 5 at each position.

I was given a Mossberg International Silver Reserve Over Under 12-Guage shotgun. It was certainly a heavy gun. Genti used a Stevens and Genti used a Remington 870.

I started at position 1 and as the first clay pigeon launched I did as I was told and shot as quickly as I could once the target was in my sights. While I tried my best to connect with it I missed. After a five shots at position 1 we shifted to the right. Having only connected with one clay pigeon at positions 1 and 2  I asked John for some advice and he instructed me to keep the clay pigeon in my sight even after firing. Essentially don't stop the guy to shoot. Immediately I saw an improvement in my shooting and picked of the first 2 clay pigeons at position 3. At position 4 I connected with another 2 and at position 5 I picked off just one. I guess I got too excited and wasn't aiming as well as I should have.

We took a break after the first round of 25 shots to have a bit of John's homemade soup which was delicious. After the meal break we took our starting positions for round two. John reminded all of us to follow the target even after firing. I didn't do much better this round in positions 1,2 and 3 but by position 4 I had started to figure out what I needed to do. I was waiting too long to shoot and letting the clay pigeon get to far away from me. For the next two position I vowed to fire more quickly and it paid off I  picked off 3 out of 5 clay pigeons in position 4 and 4 our of 5 in position 5.

Having triumphed in beating the competition I should have won a free lunch but since I had won during the last competition shooting the SW Model 41 22 caliber I was excluded from taking the prize today. Fliden took second place and scored the free lunch. It was a great time and I am looking forward to trying it again with a different shotgun. The Mossberg Over/Under sure did get heavy by the end of the evening.