Travel Summary
MY TRAVELING REPORT CARD RATINGS!!!
SUMMARY-Besides being the only person from my family to ever get a college degree, I will always cherish my goal to travel around the world. I completed almost all of the journeys in the mid to late 1990s when I worked in the airline business. I received free and very cheap flight privileges, during the 10 years that I worked as an airline supervisor. The former airline American Trans Air (ATA) sponsored me as a pro/am tennis player, so my flight, tennis equipment, hotel, and ground transportation were all arranged at very low cost for myself. In return, ATA was a tourist/vacation oriented, so I usually traveled and played at locations that we had charter flights to during the off tourist seasons when business was down. Therefore, having me do these trips did not cost the airline and their ground/hotel associates much money. Secondly, by having me play in these resort tournaments wearing ATA tennis attire during my matches was good PR and advertising for everyone involved with the process. Although I was absolutely hated by my jealous airline co-workers for getting this time off, I if I did not have the vacation time already available I always turned around and worked on my days off when I returned to meet my hourly working quotas. (the phrase-mind your business- was used on a daily basis to my co workers) My tour amateur record was 68 wins-56 losses and my record against professional challenger series level players was 9 wins-21 losses. I was also a Christian Missionary Director for many years for the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, which is now called Grason Ministries. Therefore, I had a lot of connections with church pastors in several of these countries, who helped host me while I was delivering supplies. These humanitarian missionary trips meant more to me than with any sports event and I am considering do these again in the near future.
TRAVEL RATINGS….
***** (5 stars) Means that this was a trip of a lifetime, a classic journey
**** (4 stars) Means that I had an excellent time and would recommend others visiting here
*** (3 stars) Means that this was a good trip that I enjoyed very much
** (2 stars) Means that is was an alright trip, but could have been better
* (1 star) Means that the only good part was saying that I have been here, but the trip was a nightmare
ARGENTINA (1 visit) ***** Although I was only near the border town of Mendoza, I was very impressed with how scenic and massive the Andes Mountain Range is to visit. This city is well known for producing possibly the best wine in the world. The majority of their people look very European, unlike most of the Latin American countries.
ARUBA (1 visit) **** This tiny Dutch Island is absolutely beautiful in all areas and is the Windsurfing Capital of the world. Unfortunately, the Nataly Halloway case tarnished this islands image because this was a result of several youngsters all making bad decisions with no supervision. In reality, this is clearly the safest island to visit for tourist. The only set back is that it is extremely expensive to visit here, so bring a thick wallet when you come.
AUSTRIA (1 visit) **** This is yet another European gem to visit for its scenic beauty, despite having only been to the border town of Bregenz. The locals were very friendly here and this is a safe destination for tourist.
THE BAHAMA ISLANDS (2 visits) **** What I liked about this island is that you have a Caribbean setting without having to travel very far. The only danger is that if you are boating there are drug runners, and pirates that will attack your vessel, plus may make you walk the plank. This has been happening for decades and I can not believe that these incidents are just now being reported by the media. Stay away from street dealers as well!
Belize (3 visits) ****What intrigued me the most about this tiny country is the fact that is in middle of Latin America and the locals are Blacks/Creole that speak English. Everyone must take the bus trip from Belize City to Belmopan to Dandriga and back because this a trip of a lifetime. This country is known worldwide for it jungles, jaguars, caye islands, and snorkeling. The only downside is Belize City, which has a very high crime rate and you have to be very careful (pack the heat) if you are tourist. A single female should not come to this city alone!
BERMUDA (1 visit) *****What stands out the most about this tiny island is that the weather is very season here, unlike the hot, tropical, lower Caribbean Islands. Almost everyone travels around the island in scooters, the prices were much cheaper than with the other islands, and there are plenty of good places to see and visit as well. I had such a great time riding the island ferry and was even given the opportunity to drive the ship around the island for one entire route except for parking at the dock. I took an island cruise and had the time of my life! Many of the locals were Canadian, so I was able to see televised ice hockey games in the various local bars and cafes. (No Bermuda Triangle incidents)
CANADA (7 visits) *****Our 51st state to the north is always a good place to visit for vacationing. My favorite place to play tennis was in Toronto, which is a very beautiful, clean, fun city with friendly locals. Besides Russia, this is one area that I always have someone to talk hockey with and I never have problems getting a televised hockey game shown in the sport bars. However, my vote for the best city to visit in North America is Quebec City. I went there to visit during their world famous,Winter Carnival, toured this French city, went to the fort, and took a ferry ride up the frozen St. Lawrence Seaway. I would give this city a 5 star rating in every category, plus the locals appreciated that I tried to speak basic French to them. When I tell other Canadians about what a great time I had in Quebec they look shocked!
CAYMAN ISLANDS (2 visits) *****This island is another must see location because it is very close to the US and has some of the best beaches in the world. This beautiful British Island is also known for its sea turtles and snorkeling locations. The only setback is that you also need to bring a thick wallet to visit here, but it is worth the journey and the locals are extremely friendly!
CHILE (1 visit) *****My visit to the popular coastal resort town of Vina Del Mar will always be cherished. This is the Beverly Hills location of South America because many of South Americas rich live in luxury here. Santiago was also a very fun city and had many enjoyable locations to visit as well. What really amazed me was how much Chile reminded me of California, however, the landscape was completely reversed. Although you still had numerous vineyards in the mainlands, and a mountain range on the eastern border, the forest and lakes region was on the southern portion and the hot desert area to the northern areas. The only setback that I overlooked when giving this final grade was there were a lot of Anti-American attitudes and comments made against myself. This was completely uncalled for because I was very well mannered and spoke perfect spanish to them, but they all had no problems taking the American dollar. There are always good and bad people in anywhere that you go!
COSTA RICA (1 visit) *****This country is truly a heaven on earth location and is a must see place to visit in your lifetime. I flew into this northern, small airport town of Liberia, which is an important trucking, agricultural and livestock area for the nations infrastructure. I stayed at this coastal surfer village town called Playa Del Coca, which was a visit of a lifetime. This town was full of youth, scenic beauty, jungle/ natural trails, good for mountain climbing, and even had an awesome nightclub. Everything was very cheap, the locals are friendly towards tourist, and I had no bad experiences whatsoever. The only bad report is that many of their local residents are upset with Americans buying up their land and moving there in huge numbers. Many Americans have had their homes burned and/or vandalized, been robbed, beaten up and even murdered on several occasions. You do not see this in the media coverage because this would hurt their tourism industry, but if you are just visiting there are no worries.
ENGLAND (1 visit) ****This country is definitely worth visiting, although I only visited the entire city of London. The only major problem is it is an extremely expensive place to visit for Americans and I can not imagine the cost now with the deflated dollar exchange rates. I was able to visit all of the traditional tour packages and went to see Wimbledon, since I am a former tennis player that always wanted to play here. Locals tell me that every tourist is completely shocked to how small the actual Wimbledon facility to see in person because on TV the place looks massive. What really intrigued me was noticing how many Australians have moved to London and they even have their own large, suburbs with plastic kangaroos hanging from their light post. Many Londoners tell me that they will tolerate Americans, but they do not like Aussies at all. It was amazing going into the various London Brew Pubs and on one side you had the Locals, who were very well dressed, well mannered. Then on the very other side of the same pub, you had Aussie transplants dressed very casual/rustic, getting crazy, and often wearing a leather cowboy style hats, which is a major etiquette infraction for being inside of a social building here.
FRANCE (1 visit) ****Although the French are often stereotyped for being rude, arrogant and obnoxious, I was treated very well here. I was very well mannered with them and if you try to speak basic French to them, it definitely changes the complexion of everything. It is hard to believe the difference between comparing Paris to areas in southern France, which is like night and day. There is a lot of culture, scenic beauty, and history here and a place that everyone should come if they are in the mood for love and romance.
GERMANY (1 visit) *This was one of the worst trips that anyone could have imagined-National Lapoons European Vacation 2! I helped host a German exchange student and his parents , who were local doctors, invited me to visit them over there. I had a just arrived at the house and the parents had me set my bags in one of the sons rooms, who was out of town. Although I was exhausted, I did not unpack because I was anxious to go for a walk and check out the area. When I returned, I saw my 2 suitcases and clothes scattered throughout the hallway and into the dining room. The son had returned a week early from his vacation and neither son wanted to share their enormous size bed rooms. Therefore, I ended up sleeping in the living room on the couch. The sons had wild parties all night, every night, until about 4 am. Then when I just got a chance to get to sleep the parents were early risers and woke me up at 5am because they insisted that I have breakfast with them. I was a complete mess of never getting any sleep at any time.The friends of these sons were complete a were @^%$&* and talked a lot anti american comments, which I responded in mutual agreement about them as well. Their parents were upset that I seemed too tired to site see much on a daily basis. Then I had traveling problems trying to get to my tennis tournament cite because my train was late, and I never got there until 2 hours before my scheduled match. (Near Stuttgart) Of course, I got a bad draw, played terrible and lost the match 0 6, 0 6! The next day I picked up the local German newspaper and in headlines I read that they trashed me out and called me An American Tennis Clown. I was so upset that I went to personally talk to their reporters and editor at the newspaper location. I told them of my travel problems and reminded them that I have won 2 out 3 matches against German opponents, which included upsetting their number 1 seed the week earlier in Switzerland. The entire newspaper was completely shocked of my visit and you could hear a pin drop when I walked out of there. It needs to be mentioned that 100% of the Germans that I have met abroad have been very impressive in all areas. I did enjoy camping in the Black Forest, which was the medicine that I needed at the time to get away from everything.
GUATEMALA (1 visit) **This was an elite visit where that I did not feel comfortable with doing much site seeing or socializing because I had bad gut instincts about traveling here alone. Unlike in nearby Honduras, I did not know any of the locals and I stood out as a non-local big time and was always watched by several groups of people everywhere that I went. Although this was a very scenic area, I changed my plans and did not go far into the country for security purposes. This is a very poor country and I am sure that I could adjust with some local connections.
HONDURAS (4 visits) ****Although this is a very poor country, the people are rich in heart and culture! Honduras is well noted for its fruit exports, there beaches are beautiful, and you can live like a king here with the exchange rates. I did my missions work an in important coastal shipping town of Puerto Cortez, which is about an hour drive north of San Pedro Sula. My greatest memorable moment was when I directed an emergency humanitarian relief trip, during the Hurricane Mitch aftermath. I went there on complete faith because I did not get any immunization shots whatseover and could not wait for these medical clearances to begin. I was in complete shock to notice the same beautiful town that I stayed in was completely devastated and my friends needed life saving help and supplies. I was so well respected there that during my next visit the San Pedro Sula airport officials met me at the plane and gave me VIP treatment to the cab line, by- passing the entire customs processing.
IRELAND (1 visit) ****Unfortunately, I was not even here for a full day, but did enjoy the Shannon area. I can see why there symbol is the green clover because there landscape is so green and beautiful. I was impressed with how friendly the locals seemed to be and to how clean this region is in all aspects.
MEXICO (16 visits) ****You will not see two Mexican cities that are completely different in comparison as Cancun and Guadalajara. Cancun is an awesome adventure and is more american than Miami, where Guadalajara represents cultural Mexico. I have done missions work here as well and enjoyed this place as a good vacation spot as well. Mexico is a fun place to visit and I understand their spanish better than with any of the other latin american countries. The only bad problem that I hated to endure was with traffic congestion and pollution, since their vehicles do not have emission standards. What really intrigued me was noticing all of these 4 and 5 road intersections that have no stop lights or signs and everyone drives in a circle until they get a chance to turn to there desired road. Lake Chapala was an interested area to visit as well!
SWITZERLAND (1 visit) *****I absolutely loved this country and once considered moving to Switzerland in the past. What impressed me the most was the Swiss hospitality, both in the country and abroad. Although I studied both German and French briefly before my visits to Europe, I still had a few slight problems getting around. Every time that I was in a bind a Swiss person would come up to me and say in English, can I help you with something! I was transferring trains at the Swiss border, across from Konstanz, Germany, and had just missed my train connection to Zurich. The Swiss immigration officials said do not argue with them when they told me to get in their car and I asked what was going on. Believe it or not, they caught up with the train, turned their sirens and flashers on and caused the train to stop so I could get on. They said that if anyone asked questions to tell the train operator that I was an American diplomat. This is what the customs officers stated for the reason for stopping the train, nor would they even take a tip for these efforts. This country is so beautiful you have to come here someday!
PERU (1 visit) *This was my other nightmare journey in almost every aspect. I had made arrangement to play in a tournament in Lima and then go to see Machu Pichu, Artez ruins! When I arrived at the Lima airport late at night, there airport customs line took almost 2 hours to clear because they were not very well organized and people in line were fighting back and forth trying to cut in front of each other the entire time. I was so upset with these people cutting in line that I grabbed this guys cardboard box with twine around it and tossed it about 5 yards back of the line, since he thought he could move my luggage out of the way for his space as well. When I woke up in the morning I heard all of this machinery noise and I noticed that my beachfront was actually used for the cities landfill. I went to the tennis facility and saw no one there, except for the owner sitting in his office. He informed me that the tournament was canceled because of lack of participants. I told him that it would have been nice contacting me about this cancellation and even had to argue with him about getting my entry fee back. When I got back to the room I noticed that the maid had stole money out of it, so the manager finally decided to give me 2 free additional days as equal compensation, instead of firing the maid. Then I got e-coli and got really sick, which I found out later was from the water used to wash the garden salad. Therefore, I had to leave early and cancel my transfer flight to Machu Pichu When I got to the airport, the cab driver refused to open the trunk to give me my bags until I gave him an additional $20 tip, besides what I had already gave him. Then when I am going through customs, I gave a person dressed in a customs uniform $20 for the immigration fee charge. He told me that he would be back in about 5 minutes with my receipt and went through the customs office. I waited about 10 minutes and then asked the customs officials where this guy went to with my receipt and they claimed they did not know what I was talking about and we had a verbal exchange of words, in return. This was clearly an inside job and I am sure that since there were 3 other customs officers working at that time that each one pocketed $5 for themselves. Out of all of my visits this is the only place where I have been robbed or conned out of money.
I did have a very enjoyable 1 full day travel tour of Lima and spent one day at a good beach location.
RUSSIA (4 visits) *****Everyone is completely shocked when they ask me which is my favorite place to visit in the world and I tell them Russia. Much of this nations image was tarnished through the Cold War Era because of American media propaganda. The Russian landscape is almost identical to Canada and has beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers, wildlife, and is a great place to ski in the winter and camp in the summer. The Russian people treat you like a Tsar (king) over there and these are my favorite women to date, as well. This country has a great social life, much history and culture, and everything about this place is very exciting. What is truly amazing is to visit here in the summer and notice that it is almost always daytime all day. Then if you come here in the winter it is dark out most of the day I have been to Moscow, St. Petersberg, and Barnaul, Siberia and all 3 of these areas are as different as night and day, but all were excellent experiences. The only downside is that their language is very different and difficult to understand. I studied Russian in school and am able to survive on my own, but still have problems with conversation. I hope to visit here again very soon and would recommend this trip as a must see location.
PANAMA (3 visits) ***What really amazed me the most about visiting here is how much Panama City changed for the worse once the American Military pulled out of the canal zone. During my first two visits, I was impressed to how well maintained the Panama Canal Zone was in all sections, and it looked like a dump the last time I visited. Downtown Panama City was a very great place to socialize and had the best night clubs that I had ever witnessed, which also diminished into a run down crime area. This Panama Canal Treaty that former President, Jimmy Carter Established was one of the worst treaties ever because both parties ended up losing in the end. Panama has very scenic jungle areas and scenic if you wish to go outside of the city to site see. The most memorable experience was when I got into this cab late at night and was heading back to my hotel. The cab driver said for $10 more on the fare and for a drink coverage charge I will take you to a place of your life that tourist are not allowed to go to unless they are escorted by a local. We were in the absolute worst section of Panama City in the ghetto areas late at night, and I thought for sure that I was going to get robbed and killed. The driver and his thugs escorted me outside of the cab to these huge steal doors and held guns up in the air while locals gave up a nasty look. The next thing that you know these doors opened up and I looked inside and noticed the most impressive night club that ever existed in history. This club had unbelievable laser lights, had 2 dance floors, exotic waitresses, an awesome sound system and band, plus was absolutely packed with well dressed men in suits and women mini skirts. Almost all of these women were from Columbia and looked like super models. I had never had such a great time in my life clubbing and even returned there the next day. I found out that this underground club was run by several Columbian and Panamanian Drug Lords. I was told by the cab driver/ social companion that you can get anything you want here, including getting killed, so do not do anything stupid and have a good time…I will never forget this place and whenever I meet a person from Panama here I mentioned about going here and they can not believe that I even knew about this club, let alone go to that neighborhood and go inside this club.
PUERTO RICO (7 visits) *****This is the best kept secret in the Caribbean and is one of my favorite place to visit. I love Puerto Rico for many reasons…Its a very beautiful island, its white sand beach, social life, history, culture, there is no money exchanging, no airport customs and Puerto Rico is not too far to travel. Although most Puerto Ricans speak English, they show a lot of respect to you if you speak spanish with them. I love to stay in the San Juan suburb of Isla Verde because its beachfront location and is by the airport. I stay at a place called the Blue Dolphin which has a bar over the water and you can look into the water and see sharks at night. You also have to see the Old San Juan fort and experience their sunsets. I had 9/11/01 circled on my calender well in advance because that was when my vacation started. I can recall my flight leaving Atlanta at 7 15 am and we just got into international waters in time to keep from having to return back to Atlanta after domestic flights were grounded. The pilot never told us to what was happening and I will never forget getting off of the plane in San Juan and seeing no one there except for a skeletal airport crew and the media, since we were the flight to arrive in San juan before they closed the airport. There was one TV on with the coverage of the towers coming down and everyone on that flight stopped and would not keep moving until they recollected themselves of the situation. This was a very symbolic trip because I have not traveled much since 911/01 and travel had really changed much since that time period.
Venezuela (2 visits) ****I am sure that times have changed for American tourist, since I have visited Venezuela. However, I had a very good time in all aspects, and would love to return here someday. I stayed in a small beach town, near the airport town of La Guarda. It was very inexpensive, cozy, safe and a very beautiful place to stay. I would take a public bus into the city of Caracas through the world famous Bolivar Tunnel. Venezuela has the best public transportation system in South America and even has a subway. Caracas is a very beautiful city downtown and a very good social life to enjoy. The best fried snapper that I have ever ate in my life was here in the Caracas area. I am very curious to the current propaganda against this country there because I had no problems there at all. Just like with anywhere you visit in South America, you have to use common sense in all areas, do not draw too much attention to yourself, nor wear expensive jewelry.