Friday's Top Ten: Places I Want To Visit
The Friday Top Ten is back and this week I'm keeping it simple with the top ten places that I would like to visit. I'm not sure if I'll get to all ten before my life is over but my goal is to make to at least three on the list.
NOTE: I'm opening the top ten up for anyone. So, if you have a top ten that you would like to post hit me up at: jamesmanning1969@yahoo.com. 
1.Victoria Falls, Zambia, Africa: I see the pictures and I am fascinated by the vastness of it. My goal is to go on a safari on my 40th birthday. This is the place that I want to go. I went to Kenya when I was in the Navy but I spent most of my time in Mombassa. If you ever have a chance to get to Kenya do yourself a favor and go. It is a great place. Just don’t attempt to drive.
2.Rio De Janeiro, Brazil: My fantasy vacation. I must go there before I take my last breath. I know it is a violent and poor city, but you cannot beat the beaches. Have you ever seen the pictures of what it is like on Brazilian beach? I’m not much of a gambler but I’d have to hit up a couple of casinos. For some reason, the thought of Rio just brings out the Agent 007 in me.
3.Paris, France: I want to see this place simply for the historic perspective. There are churches, the food, the French Riviera. I guess Paris is one of those places that you should want to see at least once. My girlfriend six months there when she was in college and has an interest in going back. So, maybe this will be the first place we go when we're ready to start our globe trotting. I've heard that the French are not that nice but I won't worry about that . Heck, I can be rude too. As long as I don't lose the passport, I'll be good to go.
4.Johannesburg, South Africa: After hearing about the place for so many years and seeing documentaries on it, I just feel compelled to visit. I also want to visit Cape Town as well. I’ve seen several shows on the toll that the AIDS epidemic is having on the children of South Africa and it is a painful thing to even contemplate. Couple that with the history of Apartheid and it makes for a very fascinating place.
5.Rome, Italy: Rome is like Paris. The history is what I am interested in seeing. Roman Colosseum, Vatican City and driving through wine country. I never thought I would want to see any European countries but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to appreciate what they have to offer. I have to add Venice into this as well. I want to ride down the canal.
6.Monte Carlo, Monaco: One word, grand casinos. I became fascinated with this place after watching a show on the history of Monte Carlo. It is a gamblers paradise and I’m not sure if it has anything else to offer. But I want to see it simply for the architect.
7.Berlin, Germany: I want to rent a Porsche and drive 140 mph on the autobahn. If I survive, I’m coming home. Otherwise, Germany doesn’t hold that much interest for me. I’m sure there are some historical locations I’d like to see. Otherwise, I’m only interested in the drive.
8.Cairo, Egypt: This has moved down on the list because of the terrorist. I figure a visit here would really be an experience. But I do want to see the Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings. This may be the nerd in me speaking, but the idea of going that far back in human history excites me.
9.Beijing, China: The novelty alone is a good enough reason to go. How many people go to China? I’m more interested in seeing the historical places but the modernization of the city is something else. And then there is the Great Wall of China. I couldn’t go to China without seeing that.
10.Trinidad: I’m only interested in one thing, Carnival. Maybe it's sad that the only thing I want to do is party, drink, look at people in colorful costumes, sleep and do it all over again for six days. But I really don’t care. Trinidad is my small version of Rio. Just give me the party and you can keep the rest.
10:32 AM Jaimie, I am sure that James would only want to experience Rio with you. It's the culture and the beautiful landscape that interests him. :-)
If you can, I'm sure you're going to go with him, nonetheless. LOL
James, I'm saying this with your girlfriend present: Your top ten is the same as mine. Amazing! May you get to every destination.
10:32 AM Actually, I did intend on buying some very, very dark sunglasses. LOL But none of them would be as fine as you, Doll.
3:27 PM True that, Malik. True that.
7:29 PM This is a great idea for a blog. I would LOVE to visit all these places. I will have to think of what my top ten would be. I'm hoping that finances will allow our family to travel as my kids get older.
I have a technical question for you. How do you post those different things on the side of your blog like your top ten and best of? I have some things that I would like to put on the sides of my blog like that. Thanks.
11:00 PM Thanks so much for your technical help. Amazingly I was able to figure it out. Thanks.
8:42 PM Peace on that,
Yes, Rio is great, stayed in a hotel on Impanema beach back in 95'-I think I came close to loosing my soul- Trinidad's carnival is awesome-better than Rio's in my opinion-Rome- the Colosseum, everyone has got to see it- the Romans were no joke. I missed out on the pyriamids in the late 80's - God , I regret not making that trip- did not figure Islam would loose it fuckin' mind- I mean after all, it is supposed to be the religion of peace-As far as france is concerned- I love their way of living--the food, the wine, they are a active people, they walk everywhere- but their politics- hell no!!! The french would sell their own mother out. I will probaly head east in the next few years- China, Japan..ect..
later'
9:05 AM I like your list. I'm definately going to many places in South America and Africa. I never thought about Zambia, but it sounds wonderful.
Btw - you really have to be careful about what they are saying about the South African HIV/AIDS statistics. There was a study done and the researcher showed that the test they are using to diagnose HIV/AIDS is 83% inaccurate, i.e 83% of the time it give a false positive result, which should make people question what is happening in South Africa.
11:27 AM Wow, that's pretty deep. 83% is a high number. I wonder what is behind that. No matter, I still want to go to South Africa.
2:01 PM I like your list.
4:38 AM hello
WEll i'm with you ALL these PLACES SEEM GREAT and one day like you i hope to go there !!!! better start saving my MONEY !!!! now lol -