Second post here because I realised I have more :
A week swimming in the Galapagos where , on a snorkling day, a lone older pup and I began to “play” together - s/he and I diving, spinning and cavorting in the same inter-species language. The #1, hands down BEST experience of my life !
Swimming above (free, not lured by human food offerings) dolphins off of Zanzibar
Gorilla trek in Rwanda (where, despite warnings to not interact with or touch the gorillas no matter what they did, it took every.single.cell in my body to not reach out and touch the baby who was playing with my shoe)
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Galapagos also requires that level of self control. Most animals are so trusting that it’s hard not to cuddle them.
That also reminds me of a hike in Sumatra to see orangutans. One of them took my friend’s hand as though they were both walking leisurely. We all took pictures and laughed but my friend was a bit impatient to end this idyllic interaction.
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I swam with a whale shark off Exmouth too, it was absolutely amazing. @ziggy
I’ve also played with the stingrays at Hamelin Bay, they followed me around like a dog and lifted their faces up to watch me. It was super cute.
I’ve watched and counted (for a science group) hatchling turtles heading out to sea in Point Samson - that was amazing too.
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I was wanting to be outside since the weather is nice. I found this. It’s close to my petsit in the Paris area.
Axe Majeur is a large monumental art structure located in Cergy-Pointoise France.
It consists of a series of 12 different stations that can be visited along its 3.2km walking path
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The most special event I have witnessed was the 1987 parade in Moscow that celebrated the 70th anniversary of the October Revolution. General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, other members of the Politburo and the heads of foreign states were present on the grandstand of Lenin’s Mausoleum for the jubilee parade. We were ofc not allowed on the Red Square as all the big shots had their places there, but at a place just next to it. It was part of a themed travel tour learning about the Russian revolution, and a lecturer from a university in my country was the tour guide, so very informative. Ofc we were assigned a Russian guide also. It was quite daunting with such a parade of military equipment, and very different from my country, were parades usually are with happy children cheering and singing, parading school by school.
I’ve been fortunate to take part in other special events, close to my heart is the opening of an SOS Childrens Village in Malawi, where we got to meet the families. SOS Childrens Villages has since put heavier weight on the rights of the children in the Villages, which I totally support, so not sure if they do that any more. I would guess not.
I would like to mention other really special experiences, that are easier to do and could be fun tips for this community:
Paris has a fun sewer museum, where you go underground and learn about the water and sewer system in Paris. It was actually super fun IMO, and something not everybody does.
Brussels - everybody have heard of the peeing boy - Manneken Pis. Brussels also has statues of Jeanneke Pis, a girl, and Het Zinneke - the peeing dog. All three are in the city centre and a nice stroll around town (maybe even with a dog!?)
New York - Federal Reserve Bank of New York had free tours, but now unfortunately just open for schools (that might change). There were very few tickets per tour (30??) so we had to be alert when they were published. It was actually much more entertaining than I thought, and the highlight was when we were able to go ten storeys underground! in a small elevator to see the gold vault.
What you might not think about, is that you can have a guided tour of the building of the United Nations in NY. They have different themes and languages - art, garden, children’s tour, architecture, black history, women… So really you could go several times! Had also a nice shop, bookshop, stamps, café and so on. It was a fun and educational experience for us, both the history, tasks and the vibe of this international community. Highly recommend.
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My first thought of the most interesting place I’ve visited is India. Loved it so much the first time - went back a second time. Travelled through the Rajasthan area and then spent two weeks in the backwaters of Kerala. Friends thought I was crazy when I said I was going to India but I found the people so welcoming, the food was amazing and the scenery breathtaking - not to mention total culture shock which was my reason for returning! Before reading the other posts on here, I immediately thought of my favorite pic I took in India - travelling through Jaipur -
this goat hanging out this window. When I read Maggie8k’s post re the goats in Morocco, I thought I’d add my own goat pic on here! India is a photographer’s dream ~ you never know what you will see around the next corner!
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India was sensory overload for me. I’d have to spend months there to get acclimated. I was there only briefly, and that was intriguing. Such a rich culture.
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Absolutely amazing!
The underground cities of Cappadocia, Turkey. I went in one that was 6 levels deep and the whole village lived underground including all the animals! Fascinating!
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We spent a month In India in November 2024 it was exhausting- and overwhelming I wouldn’t go again. 2 weeks in the North and then 2 weeks in the South. It was too much for me. I think I left it too long to visit as I’m 66 and I wish now that I’d gone in my 20s….
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I see your point. I went in my 30s and then again in my 40s and I am glad I did. I would not have the energy now. I also went to Nepal in the first visit. It’s a pity none of my friends wanted to join me for a visit to Bhutan, so I decided not to go. Now I don’t have the energy for that.
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I backpacked for 3 weeks throughout India using only the trains (other than one short internal flight) in my 40s and loved it.
In my 50s I lived and worked there for two years.
Living there is a whole different ballgame from being a tourist. Lots of bureaucratic headaches to deal with nearly daily, the poverty becomes soul-crushing, and the heat oppressive.
That said, I’d love to return and explore more of the country.
I miss the food and the people I met.
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Various friends and I have lived abroad and we often experienced tons of bureaucracy, across multiple countries, unfortunately. I remember joking to folks back in the day that every time I went to the bank, I’d see some red-faced expatriate with veins bulging when they tried to open accounts or do other banking, for example, or tried to get utilities hooked up.
About age and travels: My husband and I agreed to visit more strenuous countries while we were in shape / younger, because we went on a cruise many years ago and saw some older folks who fell on excursions, or ones who had to skip outings, because of their health. One man was in a wheelchair and had a portable oxygen tank in a backpack at all times. He never left the ship, but he went on the cruise so his wife could sightsee.
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I went there as a kid, I remember thinking that the tunnels were a little tight back then, I don’t think I’d fancy crawling through them as an adult. Fascinating though.
@Globetrotter Yes I absolutely love India too! I was fortunate enough to be invited to a local wedding whilst I was on my first trip there, including the build up of festivities which took place over 3 days. Just incredible! I, like you, found the people to be so friendly and welcoming that I have returned on a number of occasions since my first visit.
Your photo of the goat reminded me of when I was strolling along in rural Amritsar and this beautiful herd of goats walked past me. 
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Great pic! Would love to go back again but I’m glad I did those long plane flights when I was younger!
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@Mark_B
Sounds like you may be talking about the connecting tunnels between different underground cities? I don’t remember it being so narrow in the city we visited and there were people were passing each other on the stairs.
The connecting tunnels would be far too claustrophobic for me too!
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@Globetrotter India is such a beautiful and magical land and at times complete sensory overload! I went there the first time in 1992 while on my spiritual quest and spent 6 months (with the bf of the time) roaming the country from top to bottom- ashrams, mountains, beaches & cities- on trains & buses mainly. I loved it and felt like I’d come home!
Since then I have returned to India countless times and eventually met my hubby there 20 years ago while doing a yoga teacher training in Goa. He was also a regular to India and we then spent the next 10 winter seasons in Goa (mainly) where I taught yoga in our garden shala and we became part of a wonderful community of fellow long-stayers and locals.
We still visit regularly for shorter stays- the last few years we go mainly to Mumbai- a city we love!- for dental work & other medical stuff. And to get our Indian food & vibes fix! 
The last year we were there twice-in November and in March (with 3 months housesitting in Malaysia inbetween!)
India has something for everyone but is definitely not a country for the faint hearted!
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I was there (Cappadocia) around 25 years ago - my memory may be playing tricks on me - I remember caverns with reasonable sized open spaces filled with groups of tourists, but as we ventured further into the caves, the connecting tunnels became similar to the size of an enclosed slide at a childs softplay.
Great experience though, highly recommend.
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