Around the world in three days

Ever since I saw the classic work of French fictionist Jules Verne – Around the World in 80 Days – I have been very intrigued whether one can really globetrot across nations in less than three months. Just recently I found the answer. I may not be Phileas Fogg, an Englishman and the central character in Verne’s work, but I surely did discover the world in three days, and circuited it more than 80 times. Like Fogg, I did not use an airplane or any form of high-speed travel to discover the world. Unlike him, however, I traveled across continents without being distracted by troubles and delays brought about by storms at sea, unfinished railroad tracks and not even by an Indian attack in the American West. Why would there be derails when I was simply traveling by foot? Yes, by foot… at the recently concluded Travel Tour Expo 2006 at SM Megamall’s Megatrade Hall in Mandaluyong City with no less than our dynamic Secretary of Tourism Ace Durano.

The TTE is by far the largest trade and consumer event of the travel industry. Every year, for the last 13 years, the exposition gathers local and international travel agencies, tour operators, airline and cruise operators, hotels, theme parks, travel product suppliers and tourism promotion organizations.

Upon the invitation of my good friend Vernon Prieto of El Camino Travel and Events, I discovered quaint and awesome places around the world at this exposition that comprised of 300 booths that offered practically anything a traveler desires – from information and discounts on tickets, cruises and other packages to various domestic and foreign destinations. With the theme "Travel Lifestyle: Experience the Difference," the expo was organized by the Philippine Travel Agencies as part of its 25th anniversary, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism.

On the domestic tourism side, participating firms showcased Boracay’s white sands and nightlife, Cebu’s captivating charm, Tagaytay City’s beautiful finds, Laoag’s and Vigan’s unspoiled natural attractions and arts and culture (these two places were also packaged to foreigners as the most accessible destinations to tourists coming from China), Southern Tagalog’s springs and mountains, Palawan’s and Puerto Galera’s diving sites, among other hideaways in the Philippines.

Here are the highlights of what I discovered on this enchanting sojourn.

The magic of Cambodia, as one of the four kingdoms in the Indochina Peninsula (the three others are Thailand, Laos and Vietnam), was unlocked and led me to the discovery of Siem Reap which is home to the world-renowned temples of Angkor. More than 100 ancient temples have been discovered in an area of approximately only 600 square kilometers. Built between the 9th and 13th centuries, the temples tell tales about state and religion during ancient times. The temple of Angkor Wat is one of the must-sees because it is perhaps the largest religious monument ever built.

With Vernon by my side at his Indonesia booth, I traveled to Bali and was welcomed by a graceful female Hindu dancer while sipping margarita by the Bay of Jimbaran. Just when I was enjoying the sights and sounds of the Jakarta metropolis, I was brought instantaneously to East Java where I chanced upon the magical mountains of Mt. Bromo, Mt. Batok and Mt. Semeru. In the middle of witnessing the phantom-like smoke coming from the crater of Mt. Bromo, I was led to the fascinating land of Jogjakarta. Other places I "discovered" in Indonesia Galore included Sumatra, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan, Maluku and Papua.

After visiting Istanbul, great wonders also awaited at Cappadocia, the region in Turkey known as the setting for some of nature’s most bizarre formations. A journey into the Cappadocian region revealed that Mother Nature painstakingly worked miracles that defied the imagination and where the living elements of history, culture, art and society are fused. The rock formations here take the form of mushrooms, a sight to behold in a place that, millions of years ago, was dominated by three active volcanoes.

Next thing I knew, I was already floating happily in the waters of the Dead Sea in Jordan. From the healing waters and minerals of the Dead Sea to the thermal waterfalls and pools of Hammamat Ma’in and Afra, Jordan offers the health-conscious a variety of opportunities. The lowest spot on earth, the Dead Sea falls short of accommodating any life due to the extremely high content of salts and minerals. These natural elements, however, give the waters their curative powers. Because Jordan is also known as the Sunrise of the New Millennium, expect to see many a castle in Petra, a more than 2,000-year-old city carved into rose-colored stone and hidden from view by the mountains. The site of this magnificent city was lost to the world for over 1,000 years and was rediscovered in 1812 AD. In Aqaba, Jordan’s only outlet to the sea, one will enjoy a spectacular Red Sea setting of purple-colored mountains and sandy beaches.

For hassle-free holidays to exciting destinations, all at great value, Trafalgar Tours takes you to Italy, which boasts gastronomic excellence and sublime works of Renaissance art entwined in a history of power struggles and discovery. Carefully designed itineraries lead you to changing Italian landscapes – from Sicilian Mafia stories in Palermo to the charming villas of Tuscany, from the romantic waterways of Venice to the Apennine mountains. You can even learn the secrets of making authentic Italian cuisine with a local chef in the Flavours of Italy and Essence of Italy holiday packages.

The call of the wild ensued so I found myself in the many game reserves in Kenya. From Nairobi, we trekked to Masai Mara, which is home to the best national reserve in Kenya. The Mara Serena Lodge, the first game drive in this world-famous reserve that is home to over 37 different species of wildlife including the Big Five (buffalo, rhino, leopard, lion and elephant), is a heavenly sight. My experience of Kenya brought back beautiful memories of my visit to Mala Mala Game Reserve in Mpumulanga, South Africa for almost a month in early 2000.

From the wild, I was transported to the land of the softly whistling waves of Maldives where the sun, sea, sand and sky paint to a perfect picture of relaxation in this island paradise. Here, the exquisite Kuramathi Cottages and Spa is the premier place to be. Upon arrival, you are taken by a minibus to a heavily vegetated and secluded resort, perfumed by the aroma of frangipani, hibiscus and other blooms indigenous to Maldives archipelago. This resort in the middle of Kuramathi island is a health-oriented holiday destination that truly spells seclusion and serenity.

What started as a three-day travel sojourn at the Expo culminated with a ship inspection and delightful lunch aboard the luxurious m/s Statendam, one of the spacious ships at sea of the Holland America fleet that docked right here at Manila Bay, together with the gracious Mayor Lito Atienza and Cookie del Rosario of Travelwide Associated Sales. Grandly proportioned and appointed in timeless splendor, the m/s Statendam is a masterpiece of the shipbuilder’s art with world-class amenities, the largest staterooms of any premium cruise line, elegant suites with private verandahs, more exquisite dining choices and full luxury resort spas. Every voyage aboard Holland America’s ships is filled with sweet pleasures like fresh flowers, fine art, sculptures and antiques from all over the world. This famous cruising line is returning to Asia and the Pacific in 2007 with cruises highlighting cultural capitals and burgeoning tourist attractions like China, Japan, Korea, Eastern Russia, the South Pacific and Alaska on five sailings.

Phileas Fogg would certainly agree with St. Augustine who said, "Those who do not travel read but one page." Certainly, one of life’s most gratifying pleasures is traveling with curiosity, respect and an abundant sense of humor. To all wanderlusts out there, do travel more and travel safely as you read more of the greater, richer book that is the world.

For more information about Indonesia Galore packages, call El Camino Travel and Events at 521-1588, e-mail at elcaminotravel@yahoo.es. For Indochina Heritage Tours, call G&S Travel and Tours at 633-2407 or 636-0895, e-mail at gnstrav@guevent.com. For Trafalgar’s European Tours, call Pan Pacific Travel at 523-1990 or 536-1265/67, e-mail at pptctraftour@nwave.net. For Jordan, call Royal Jordanian at 8458-5898, e-mail at pancuromkt@skynet.net. For Turkey & the Mediterranean, call Meteor Tours & Travel at 728-5106, e-mail at meteorph@edsamail.com.ph. For the Maldives, call Malaysia Airlines at 867-8763 to 65, e-mail at Malaysia@skyinet.net. For Travel Warehouse at 687-2490 to 92, e-mail at tware@pldtdsl.net. For Kenya, call Kenya Airways at 848-0978 to 79, e-mail at paneuromkt@skynet.net. For Holland America Line, call Travel Wide Associated Sales at 897-0683 or 890-5464, e-mail at kdr@twasp.com.

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E-mail the author at miladay_star@yahoo.com.