Page 6 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL WINTER SPRING 2022

RON & MARY’S

EDITOR’S NOTE

OUR FAVORITE DESINATION?

hat’s your favorite destination? That’s a worst in humankind and trigger feelings of anger, dis-
question we’ve been asked countless times. gust, and sadness. Plus they demand great stamina and
WThe question doesn’t surprise us. After all, endurance from visitors. We’re glad we traveled there
we are fortunate to have traveled to many far-off when we did, but are unlikely to return.
places for work and pleasure. But when the inevitable Then there are jaunts in countries and regions that
question is posed, we can’t share a simple answer. are not particularly exotic but are beautiful, fascinat-
That’s simply because there’s not just one favorite. We ing, and fun. Our favorites include our explorations of
have lots of them for different reasons. Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, Australia, Ireland and Eng-
Many are in the exotics category. Among them is our land abroad and adventures along the rugged coast of
mind-blowing safari in the Maasai Mara in southwest- California and the Southwest closer to home. We
ern Kenya. There was our month-long excursion to would go back to any of them in a heartbeat. And we
Nepal and India. Remembering a sunrise in a rowboat are. During the past couple years, we have taken ex-
on the Ganges as smoke swirled from cremations along tended trips to Portugal and Spain - our home away
the bank still sends a shiver. Enduring sand storms and from home. We’ll be back for another three-month stay
searing heat during our exploration of the magnificent in Spain in a couple of weeks.
monuments of Egypt and the Nile will never be forgot- There’s one destination that Mary and I agree is our
ten. And our mind’s eye still relives a magical overnight favorite— any where a cruise ship sails. Besides the fact
cruise on misty Halong Bay in Vietnam with its other- that, in a short time, cruisers can sample a great num-
worldly limestone peaks. ber of destinations , they can also bond with like-
Unforgettable? Yes. But would we ever return? More minded travelers . With these new friends, we share our
safaris in Africa and excursions to Southeast Asia are in life stories, our travel adventures, and our passion for
the cards. But traveling in India and Egypt is not for the discovery and the good life. And we also debate that un-
faint of heart. These destinations expose the best and avoidable question: What’s your favorite destination?

Ron & Mary James
Publishers & Editors

6 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE WINTER/SPRING 2022