The one that got away [Country I Want to Visit but Can't]

[drron]

I have been reminded over 1 that U really should have taken but didn't. In 1983 Mrsdrron and I were invited by the Russian Ambassador to Australia To visit Russia. He even said he would source a good Russian mink coat for Mrsdrron. I thought I had good reason not to accept but with time I have regretted that decision.

 

[VPS]

Went to Lake Bled (Slovenia) several times in the early 70's with my uncle who took us there in his car. He was quite a prominent figure in Klagenfurt Austria, which is close to Slovenia (then Yugoslavia) and where he had a number of mates, including border guards no doubt. The bond of the slivovitz drinkers was very strong.

Also went to Moscow in 1973 to see the Bolshoi Ballet and the State Circus (amongst other things), and it was very interesting. The old joke that you had to speak into the toilet in your hotel room to get any service was very true...

When I was in Moscow in the 1980s my friend said his room hadn't been serviced well for days and commented on how dusty it was by the TV - it was dusted very well the next day

 

[Journeyman]

Iraq . I grew up in Basra. and last saw it in 1964 and regret that I cannot visit this unfortunate country.

What a mess the west has made of the Middle East. The cradle of civilisation

 

[prozac]

As I get older and tick more of my bucket list destinations, especially the ones that have bird watching as the primary goal I was thinking that there was one destination that I won't be able to get to in my travel lifetime.

Venezuela has 1412 bird species and spectacular scenery. I was there briefly in the 80's when I was budget backpacking around South America but I didn't get into birding until the 2000's. I would love to go there and see all those beautiful "lifers" as we call new birds we haven't seen yet. But with the crime and political situation I can't see Venezuela being safe to visit or being taken off the Do Not Travel List in the near future.

So Venezuela is my "One that got away". What country is yours?

I want to go to Venezuela to see Angel Falls, the world's tallest waterfall!

Angel Falls - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

For over half a century I have had Venezuela on my to do list. If I could be more at ease about the crime situation I'd be there.
With everything going on in the ME it has stirred my interest to visit Israel too.

 

[Journeyman]

You cannot visit! When I have decided I no longer want to visit the US (can't get ESTA after going to Iran), I will go to Iran. Does crossing over the DMZ line onto the North Korean side count as having been to NK?!

I had the same ESTA denial due to spendning two glorious weeks visitin Iran 6 years ago. I do need to visit US (Hawaii) once a year so had to get a B1B2 stamped in my passport after having to lash out for a trip to Sydney, hours at Consulate etc. Still get pulled over at immigration. Je ne regrette rien!

 

[Journeyman]

As I get older and tick more of my bucket list destinations, especially the ones that have bird watching as the primary goal I was thinking that there was one destination that I won't be able to get to in my travel lifetime.

Venezuela has 1412 bird species and spectacular scenery. I was there briefly in the 80's when I was budget backpacking around South America but I didn't get into birding until the 2000's. I would love to go there and see all those beautiful "lifers" as we call new birds we haven't seen yet. But with the crime and political situation I can't see Venezuela being safe to visit or being taken off the Do Not Travel List in the near future.

So Venezuela is my "One that got away". What country is yours?

I would highly recommend Tunisia to those who have not visited. Had two weeks there in November. Steeped in history. Lovely people.