Post: #1

Even on this forum I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that access to women is irrelevant or at least not primary on my list of priorities for new living or traveling destinations. I think every man should have it in him to go on the ocaissional detour that is based on general curiosity and the spirit of adventure rather than the goal to get laid.

As thinking men, we need the time to meditate on life and just experience what the world has to offer.

I also find that no matter where I am there do seem to be some opportunities eventually, even if they are not great (maybe not the best if you're just learning game but okay if you already know how to get tail).

For example, I lived most of my last summer home on a remote and cold coastal town of less than 700 people. It was a windy and bumpy hour drive to the next small town. Obviously this meant a lot of nights alone but even there I was able to get laid with some pretty decent-looking women - one specifically hot one was a recent divorcee hiding out in her mom's summer home to ride out the emotional wake of the break-up. No kids even; it was a lucky find for a mountain town.

There was another with a rad body who taught yoga and worked at the local market that all but jumped on my balls.

My brother lived out there for a summer too and he also found his sex life didn't suffer too much in the end. Some chick's husband caught him in mid stride at one point (probably not recommended in small towns because a lot of guys have guns).

I just got back from a desolate beach on a tropical island off the coast of Cambodia. One of the nights I stayed there the entire resort was empty. I realize I'm unusual in this but I loved it and spent time reading and writing and hiking around in the jungle. Maybe it has something to do with being a writer, but I could stay in a place like that at least for a few months, perhaps longer.

With the resort there, I'm sure my opportunities would come along, but my point is there are greater, or at least other, rewards to traveling, at least for some of us.

I thought it would be good to start a thread about places that you've traveled to that just blow your mind, regardless of dating options. Whether because it was so beautiful, so awe-inspiring, so remote, so culturally rich, so exciting, so relaxing or whatever. I especially am interested in places that are unpolluted - one of the problems concerning places with lots of women is that they just have lots of people, and thus it's difficult to find raw, unpolluted nature. Shitty thing about here in Southeast Asia is often even the desolate places have plastic on the beach.

Anyhow, what's your standout destination that you recommend every adventurous man visit or live in at least once in their lives?

For me I'd say it's actually the place I come from - northernmost California. Hiking through a forest of giant redwood trees is simply something everyone should experience. While I've yet to do this, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail would be monumental (if not a bit cliche' after Wild came out) and take you through redwood forests.

I've really got my eye on Borneo as far as pure adventure and wild nature goes.

What say you?

EDIT: One guy pméd because he'd rather not broadcast his spot. Feel free to do that if you feel the same.

Post: #2

Well I'm not sure if I would say that it's a place that every man should visit once in their life but..

Northern Pakistan.

I think especially you would connect very well with that place. Why?

- Jaw dropping and clean nature
- Fresh unpolluted air.
- World class hiking opportunities.
- Most people speak English very well.
- Super cheap. Significantly cheaper than South East Asia.
- Almost no tourists at all.
- Adventurous place to experience.
- Possible to extend your visa as many times you want.
- Not many people around.

I think for you as a writer and your current lifestyle I think that region would be highly inspirational for your writing.

That said, the place is not for everybody..
It's a hassle to get there, but it might be well worth it.

Post: #3

Nice. Just checked out some online photos and it's definitely beautiful in that neck of the woods.

Chaos, it sounds like you've got a lot of great travels under your belt, Man.

You should have a blog going. Or toss a book together with some stories or something. I think you may be one of the more adventurous guys on the forum.

Post: #4

Places that come to mind:

Santorini
Cape cod, natural, pristine, peaceful
The mountains in Peru

Post: #5

I went to western China in May. Stayed in Lijiang and visited Tiger Leaping Gorge, outside the city of Shangri-la. Throw away everything you think you've heard about China pretty much when heading there. Its a totally different culture, the air is clean and skies are blue. Wildflowers and clear streams and lakes abound. Prices are cheap - english is rare but you'll get around - there's enough tourists that you'll find your way.

The gorge itself, which may be blocked/destroyed for a hydroelectric project in the near future, is a strenuous hike down into a steep canyon (and back up). Frequent landslides delay getting to the mid-gorge hikes by vehicle...buses rush through when the rocks rest from falling for a moment.

Darwin rules here, as there are spots where you can easily fall, no guard rails, no one to assist you but the guys who make their money carrying people back up the gorge if they're too exhausted to make it back up (I was, but refused to be carried or ride a mule, I just forced myself to hike back up, slowly indeed). A fifty foot ladder with no guards climbs up part of the ascent. Exhausted as I was from climbing, I took the ladder to bypass some of the cutbacks. Again, one slip and you're likely dead, quite distant from any medical attention even if you survive the fall. A 70 year old Taiwanese woman climbed the ladder a few minutes in front of me, just showing the difference in perspective those of us from western culture have about the "State" protecting us.

The waters drop rapidly and rush through the rapids, which you can stand next to at the bottom.

Wikipedia link.

Post: #6

If you don't mind the cold, Aurora Borealis hunting is amazing. I was in Northern Sweden, above the Arctic Circle, in Feb/March this year. It's a weird and very beautiful sight, especially when there's a lot of movement in the lights. This happens after an especially strong geomagnetic storm. But even when they're relatively static they are a sight to behold.

I did a lot of research before going on the trip and, at the risk of sounding immodest, think I selected the perfect place. Especially after speaking to a British woman at the lodge I was staying who said she had been on 10 separate trips to Iceland, Finland and other places, but this was the first time she had had good viewings. I was only there 7 nights and had spectacular light displays two nights and good displays the other five. The general area is Abisko, Sweden (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abisko), but PM me if you are interested since there are better options than you'll find on most tourist websites, especially if you travel on a budget.

For Aurora viewing you want:

1) Darkness. Really, being in a very small village or in the countryside is best. Don't think "Oh, I'll go to Reykjavik and just walk out into a park where it's dark." The city lights will dramatically detract from your ability to see the Aurora's. A lot of the images on the internet which show the Aurora's with city lights in the foreground are "cheats". They are created by massively overexposing the shot. In real life you'd be seeing white (like clouds at night) or very light green. But most Aurora shots are not cheats. They really can be very bright.

2) Lack of cloud. This is difficult since all of Norway and much of Sweden and Finland that is in the best Aurora zone is cloudy in Winter. As is Iceland. Mostly because of the Gulfstream I think. Abisko is just beyond the mountains separating Norway and Sweden, right by a lake. This causes a local rain shadow. So most nights, even if it is generally cloudy, there is a hole "punched" into the sky through which you can view the Northern Lights.

3) The obvious ones. Far North during Winter. Good Solar storms etc.

I'm very strongly considering making another trip late Jan/early Feb next year. This time with some camera equipment so I can try my hand at making time lapse videos like this one:

Post: #7

I like the direction this thread is heading. Some great posts so far.

I think one of my favorite posts I've read on this entire forum was by the guy who went to Antarctica.

Not to sidetrack too much, but what kind of travel consulting are you offering, Global (your sig)?

Post: #8

Cool thread, I'll play along.

Raw beauty: British Columbia

Turquoise high alpine lakes, rugged mountains, undisturbed wildlife, most of it largely inaccessible without venturing deep into the backcountry...yeah, BC is a pretty special place.

Wyoming and Montana are along these same lines. In fact Montana might be the most badass place I've ever been. It reminds me of what I imagine the U.S. was like before consumerism took over.

-----

Adventure: Colorado

Many of America's top adventure sport athletes live and train in Colorado.

There are more than 50 mountains exceeding 14,000ft in altitude, so it really is a giant outdoor playground. There is world class skiing & snowboarding, mountaineering, mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, dirt biking, and whatever else you can imagine.

And it's all supported by and accessible via a strong infrastructure.

---

But for the single most unbelievable, hauntingly beautiful place I've ever been, I'll have to PM you!

The simple fact of my having spent time there is enough to give away my identity.

----

Also relevant, I wrote a thread about game vs. wilderness a few years ago: Wilderness: When Game Goes Away

Post: #9

The one place that really sticks out for me is the top of the ridge in the old town of Québec. One can see the St. Lawrence river at the bottom of the cliffs, and it's even more astonishing to see it all almost completely frozen during the winter. The nearby architecture is a nice touch.

Post: #10

Just relating to the type, class and origin of travel that I discuss in my travel thread. Card strategy, points purchases, redemption strategy, hi-end hotel game, and all of the corollaries.

(07-06-2015 12:51 PM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  I like the direction this thread is heading. Some great posts so far.

I think one of my favorite posts I've read on this entire forum was by the guy who went to Antarctica.

Not to sidetrack too much, but what kind of travel consulting are you offering, Global (your sig)?

Post: #11

I'll give a +1 to Montana in our own US of A. The only time I went there was for a work trip about 3 hours from Billings. But I got to do field work against a backdrop of jaw dropping breathtakingly beautiful scenery with snow capped mountains, pine trees, and a few crystal blue lakes. Air was refreshingly clean, too. Nice to get away from it all.

Other places a must visit:

- The blue-green fjords of Norway in between cliffs topped by low clouds
- The mountains and ski resorts in Lebanon during the winter (if/when the roads are even open or passable!)

I also want to go see the Grand Canyon... it's a shame I was born and raised in the US and haven't seen the GC yet.

Post: #12

Tana Toraja Highland on Sulawesi, Indonesia

The landscape is nothing special. I would say average for Indonesia but still pretty good. What makes this place unique is the culture there. Even in 2015 most parts of life there is still like hundreds of years ago. They still build their houses in this weird shape, they still have their bloody funeral ceremonies, they still bury their own people inside huge rocks (after they have the hole digged with only hammer and chisel!) and there are a lot of historical sites with weird graves. There are baby graves inside trees, coffins hanging from rocks and tons of skeletons and coffins sitting inside caves. I once stepped foot into a dark cave and took photos with my camera. Later I saw the result:

Some other pics:

Post: #13

^^ Creepy as hell.

Another great thread BB. Dammit this is the sorta thread that keeps me coming back. You guys challenge me to travel more. Great post by BlurredSevens, thanks for referencing.

Post: #14

My favorite locale that truly blew my mind and helped to fully re-charge my battery was San Blas Islands, Panama.

A chain of nearly deserted islands that offer no electricity, you visit San Blas to get away from it all.

Stunningly clear waters make for perfect snorkeling during the day. White sand beaches are great to relax on and enjoy a good book. At night, you drink rum and converse with others. In the morning, you drink coconut water to get rid of the hangover. Meal time is motioned through the blowing of a conch horn by the chef.

Time sits still on the islands as there is truly nothing to do, but relax. The beauty of these islands is truly something special.

*As always, great thread BB!

Post: #15

Great thread Double B!

I've been to a few places that have left me mesmerized and even speechless in awe.

Nature:

- Iguazu/Iguacu Falls, border between Argentina, Brasil and Paraguay.

If you think that Niagara Falls is mighty and awe inspiring, then Iguacu will blow your mind. 273 or so falls spread over a large natural park between those 3 countries. It takes you 2 days minimum to get a glimpse of its sheer size. One day to get a tour and view of the falls on the Argentinian side and another day for the Brasilian one.

The first thing that will blow your mind is once you arrive at the location and every where you look around you, 360 degrees, all you see is lush green forests and water falls everywhere as far as the eye can see.

On the Argentinian side, you get very close to the falls, almost where you can touch them where you can really feel it and gasp at the sheer beauty of it and all the life around and inside of it. On the Brasilian side, you get a wide and panoramic view of it all and you're left spellbound at the sheer size of it. As far as the eye can see, all you see are water falls of every size, everywhere 360 degrees all around you.

The one place where my mind was completely and utterly blown away was in the Brasilian side, right under neath the biggest, tallest mightiest of all the falls, called A Garganta do Diabo/The Devil's Throat. Almost as high and twice as powerful as Niagara Falls in the Canadian side. I was standing below it simply marvelling at the sheer force of the wall of the water falling at an incredible speed, enough to carry a jumbo jet like a sheet of paper. I took a short video of the sight with my camera, then started watching that video right there. What I saw next left me totally speechless.

My camera caught black dots going in and out of the mighty falls. I zoomed and saw that the small black dots coming and out were little birds, who had their nests BEHIND that gigantic fall!

I'm not very religious as a person, but it's upon witnessing these kinds of incredible scenes that your whole body, soul and heart gets touched and moved in a way that words can't describe by what you're witnessing. You can feel a presence of something mighty around you. It's in these moments that you realize and witness the greatness of Almighty God. No religious text, or speech or sermon by a religious figure, be it a priest, mullah or rabbi is going to touch you as profoundly as when witnessing these kinds of perfect locations and scenes like the one I saw with the tiny, minuscule birds defying all odds and logic by piercing through the devastating wall of water at the mightiest of all the falls in Iguacu Falls.

Despite it being a very touristy place, you can still easily venture a little outside of the touristy path and find yourself in the middle of the most savage, wild and raw nature and the most mesmerizing scenery anywhere. It's a highly highly recommended place to visit for anyone, at least once in their lifetime.

I wish I could locate the footage I took with my camera while there of the scene as described above, but I don't know where I put that memory card. If I can find it, I'll post it here. If not, the following video can give you a good idea of its magnificence.





City: Tokyo.

No city on Earth, that I've been to, has left me so utterly speechless as Tokyo. It is how a perfect, ultra modern first class city should be. It contains a wealth of history, extremely clean, where the garbage men wear tuxedos with white gloves! (not sure if they still do, but they did when I was there!).

I was walking and just taking in the incredible sights around me in Shinjuku, one sunny winter morning there with my buddy when I saw these 4 or 5 guys, wearing golden tuxedos with white gloves. At first I wondered what they must be doing there that early morning on a week day. I started following them out of curiosity and then, to both my and my buddy's disbelief, they started collected the garbage!

This is just one tiny example of Tokyo being a totally unique and mind blowing place. The streets are shiny clean. The people are super friendly and extremely helpful. The food is to die for, best anywhere I've had. Not just for the freshest Japanese food in the world, but also, some of the best international cuisines can be had in Tokyo. Tokyo has the highest number of Michelin starred restos in the entire world!

Tokyo is a supermegalopolis comprised of a myriad of smaller "cities" or wards and each neighbourhood has it's truly unique identity and feel. My favourite thing to do there, was getting up early morning, hopping on the subway and getting off at a random stop and just spend the day wandering around that neighbourhood. Get off any major street and you're entering a whole new world of incredible treasures within each smaller street where very small bars or authentic japanese restaurants, with the most delicious and freshest food/seafood in the entire world for you to explore and try.

A total sensory and visual overload like few, if any other place in the world.





And to make Tokyo even more magical, are the extremely fashionable and exquisitely feminine Japanese girls and women. Japanese women are probably the only ones in the world who could give the French women a pretty damn good run for their money when it comes to style and fashion.

Did I mention how sexy and feminine they dress? Words cannot describe it. You'd have to see it for yourself to believe it. And even then, you'd be pinching yourself not once, not twice but trice, if not more, to make sure you're not dreaming as they are truly the type that dreams are made of!

A glimpse of the regular girls fashion in Tokyo:
http://blog.asiantown.net/-/16980/just-a...everywhere

Tokyo and Japan overall, are the perfect mix between history, tradition and ultra modernity. Few places in the world have managed to so simultaneously, so tightly and so proudly, hold onto their traditions while not only fully embracing but pioneering in many ways, ultra modernity in technology as Japan has done, even more so, Tokyo, THE most mesmerizing city I've been to so far in the world.

I have many more places that have left an indelible mark in my mind, but no time to post more now. Maybe later, will a couple more.

Post: #16

Well this thread is going in the direction I'm hoping for!

Post: #17

For raw, natural beauty I've yet to be to a place that blows my mind as much as Vancouver Island, Canada. I've been there a few times to different areas of the island and each time I go I have several WOW moments, I've posted about my travels there a few times in a couple of recently active threads.

Post: #18

glostic sense

Post: #19

I'm surprised this thread didn't exist.

The most incredibly beautiful place I've ever been is the Son Doong Cave system in Central Vietnam. Yes, there is a certain prestige about having been in it, but its natural beauty transcends all I've ever seen. I often felt as if I were on an expedition exploring an untouched planet. It matches the hype.

I find Rio de Janeiro to be a blend of culture and beauty. Bar none, Rio is the most beautiful city in the world. Ciudad Maravillosa in the highest order.

New York is the world's cultural home. There is a place for everyone. While in London recently, I read an article that described London as the new world's capital, replacing New York, to which I disagree strongly with. Everything London offers, New York offers more easily at a better price point.

Post: #20

White Sands, New Mexico. If you are ever nearby check it out.

Post: #21

Rhodes Greek Islands - riding a scooter, looking at the bright blue ocean in 45c heatwave.

Iceland - Blue Lagoon

Post: #22

Nature:
Sitka, Alaska... in the summer

Historical/Cultural/Social/Women:
Kiev, Ukraine

Post: #23

Cool thread.

Cities: Tokyo and Osaka in Japan. Both of these cities to me just seemed so technologically advanced and futuristic. These cities are just so different compared to anywhere else I have ever been, and it felt like I was in another world.

Raw/natural beauty: Some areas of rural New South Wales in Australia, especially near the Queensland border, I think are absolutely jaw dropping.

Post: #24

(07-06-2015 04:16 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  ...

- Iguazu/Iguacu Falls, border between Argentina, Brasil and Paraguay.

If you think that Niagara Falls is mighty and awe inspiring, then Iguacu will blow your mind. 273 or so falls spread over a large natural park between those 3 countries. It takes you 2 days minimum to get a glimpse of its sheer size. One day to get a tour and view of the falls on the Argentinian side and another day for the Brasilian one.

...

Great write up Vacancier. Which side would you suggest one stays, the Brazilian or Argentinian? If I go there would prefer a nature type experience, rather than saying in one of the nearby towns. The two hotels right by the falls cost more than I'd want to pay since a visit would be part of a broader trip. Was looking at this place:
http://iguassuecohostel.com/
It's right by the entrance to the National Park on the Brazilian side. Near the airport.

Also, is it possible to walk down into the gorge? Not right by the falls obviously, but maybe a bit downstream. And how difficult is it to travel between the Brazilian and Argentinian side? Have a passport that would eliminate the visa cost, but I mean in practical terms. Long bus ride and queues by the border?

Post: #25

St. Petersburg, Russia. The entire city is like an open-air museum. I can't count how many times I turned a corner and said wow because of some beautiful building or square. Truly amazing.