Four experiences I was not able to live

No matter how intense you live a destination, a thorn pierces the heart of every traveler. That cul de sac you never discovered. That experience which escaped you. That adventure you didn’t quite dare try. Following are some of my personal “thorns”:

1. An excursion for several days trekking through some of the wilder parts of the Grand Canyon. Even though a view looking down is one of the most impressive in the world, I think immersing yourself in the canyon’s rocky entrails for a few days has got to be the best way to feel a part of this natural wonder. Just picture it: you, far from civilization, sleeping under the stars, your only cover. Wow!

2. Getting to know inland Cuba and its people. Havana is a sensual, fun and evocative place, no doubt about it. But I have the feeling that so much tourism has somehow polluted the spontaneity of its locals. Without meaning to, Havanans always seem to be balancing the twin forces of what they really think and what tourists want to hear. Even so, it’s still a cool place, though I’d like to complement it with a trip inland, forging my way through villages where sugar cane is grown. I could do it by train, car, bike, whatever, I don’t care. A Havana-Santiago trek has to be one of the all-time unforgettable experiences.

3. A crazy party on a Croatian isle. The Croatian coast is a true jewel, an Adriatic paradise whose beauty is intense blue, whose small, exotic coves and numerous fishing villages still bear the imprint of many a civilization. In short; a perfect place to lose yourself and chill. Even so, you can always complement all the R&R with a quick getaway to small islands like Hvar, full of young people ready to party their entire holidays away. These islands, like the saying goes, are open till dawn.

4. Catch the Big Kahona at Pipeline (Hawaii). Pipeline, on the island of Oahu, is a wild beach of spectacular beauty, ideal for spending a day. Besides, it’s the mecca of surfing, accessible to only the most skilled experts because of the size of its waves and hazardous reefs. Truth is, it’s gotta be the ultimate to ride a BIG ONE, on display daily from December to March breaking off the shores of Pipeline. Though I have to admit, that more than a thorn, this is a personal utopia since my surfing expertise is nonexistent.

How about you guys? What thorn is piercing your traveler’s heart?