gailatlarge.com

Cuba was everything I expected, and THEN SOME.

Some of my Cuba stories, videoclips, and photographs are available here:

http://gailatlarge.com/blog/category/travel/cuba/

My Cuba photo album (thus far):

http://flickr.com/photos/gailontheweb/sets/72157594456167482/

By the time I reached Thailand, in January/February 1993, I’d been travelling for more than a year and was feeling road-weary.

I had some rather bizarre experiences in Bangkok, too.

I’ll never forget my fourth-class rail journey through Thailand:

http://gailatlarge.com/blog/2005/10/21/2228

I visited Mexico in 1998, the Puerto Vallarta area, specifically. I loved the food, but I think I ate at too many street vendors, as I was laid up with “Montezuma’s Revenge” for a few days.

Oh, and I’ve also been to Tijuana when I visited San Diego, but I don’t think that really counts…

The next time I go to Mexico, I’d like to visit the Yucatan Peninsula.

I’ve been to NL four times, the first just before Christmas 1997, then January 1999, April 2003, and the last time was March (2006).

All four times I was Amsterdam, usually with friends from neighbouring countries, but in March I travelled to Rotterdam and didn’t spend any time in Amsterdam. Stayed in some small towns such as Hillegom, and a bit of time in Utrecht and Maastricht on previous trips to visit people.

I love cheese, so I was eating it for every meal :)

I first visited Belgium in spring 2003, just a short time in Brussels. I was last in Belgium very briefly this past March (2006), visiting a monastery - Achelse Kluis - while staying with friends in Soerendonk.

I’d like to return to Belgium sometime and spend time touring the country.

I was born here, in the south—Zamboanga del Sur, Mindanao. It’s a Muslim province, not recommended for tourists due to frequent kidnappings.

I’ve been back only once, in 1984, and stayed in the north where my father’s family is from, Baguio City. Cooler temperatures, in the mountainous region. Famous for the rice terraces, one of the wonders of the world.

My mother’s family is from the Visayas, the lowlands, with extremely hot and humid temperatures.

The Philippines has the largest Christian population in Southeast Asia. Because of its 400-year history of colonisation by Spain, I liken the culture more to that of a country like Mexico rather than an Asian country.

Many people speak English fluently, but it is not a popular tourist destination due to its political instability and the notoriety of Muslim insurgencies in the south. Not to mention the abject poverty and crime in the largest cities, particularly Manila, which is unfortunately where tourists will form their first impressions. The country does not have a tourist-friendly infrastructure when compared to Thailand, for instance.

That should not discourage people to visit; rather, in some respects it’s more reason to see the country for yourself—just stay away from the south and get out of the cities for a safer and fuller experience. You’ll need to do a fair amount of research, but that also holds true for places like India. If you’re an informed traveller, you will be fine.

I was in the north of Italy in spring 2003, camping with some friends from Germany and Switzerland and some friends from England came, too.

The campsites require passports, so bear that in mind. But the facilities - once you’ve gotten past the checkpoints! - are very well kept.

We camped not far from Lake Garda (at another lake, the name of which slips my mind at the moment), which is a beautiful area with warm temperatures, even in the spring. (mid-20s Celsius)

And the FOOD! Oh my…

One word of caution, though: if you are driving, get an express card for the tolls, of which there are many.

I’ve been to Germany several times, the first in December 1994 and the last time was in March (2006).

The areas I’ve spent the most time in is around Cologne, Dusseldorf, Aachen, Hamburg, and Dannenberg to the east. For my next trip, I’d like to visit Munich, to the south.

When I’ve been to Germany, since most of that time was to visit friends and do some sightseeing, my experience does not include hotels or guesthouses. The advantages are many, and I’ll be the first to admit I am a spoiled tourist in Germany re: the challenges posed to the average tourist, eg. language and transportation and restaurants, etc.

If you remain in the cities English is widely spoken, but if you end up in the countryside, be prepared to point things out on maps and such.

I visited Switzerland twice, the first time in 2002 and also in 2003. I have friends in the French and German regions, so I was able to see two cultures of this compact country from a local’s point of view, but I also visited the canton of Ticino on both trips to gain a bit of perspective on Swiss-Italian living.

Switzerland is an intriguing country, nestled between very large, dominant EU countries (I’m speaking of France and Germany, less so Austria) but is able to retain cultural distinctions - and their own currency - nevertheless. It is unique in many ways, not merely from an economic and sociopolitical standpoint, but with its geographical features (mountains and lakes) the Swiss people have managed to maintain a very “Swissness” that sets them apart from their neighbours. This may be seen as both a positive and a negative, depending on your perspective and what you enjoy when you visit a country, but I would definitely return in a heartbeat.

The Principality of Leichtenstein is also worth visiting if you have time, but it’s tiny so more like a day trip.

Something you’ll notice right away about Switzerland is that it is PRISTINE and very orderly. I drove more than 2,600 kms in one trip, and everywhere was like a postcard!

I truly loved Spain: amazing architecture, rich in history, diverse landscapes, tasty regional cuisine, oh I could go on.

I travelled along the eastern coast of Spain, starting from Barcelona and making my way south to Malaga via Valencia and a side trip to Granada to visit the Alhambra.