Topic 8 - Traveling

Vocabulary

● places of interest (interesting locations)

● tourist attractions (places tourists visit)
● breathtaking views (very beautiful view)
● youth hostels (supervised shelter for lodging)
● travel agencies (an agency that arranges trips)
● picturesque (visually attractive)
● off the beaten track (an isolated place)
● go sightseeing (visiting places of interest)
● backpacking (carry belongings when hiking)

Questions

1. What kind of places have you visited in your life?

I have been very fortunate in my life to have had the opportunities to do a lot of traveling
and see numerous amazing locations around the world. For example, I have visited the Taj
Mahal in India, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil, the Great Pyramids of Egypt in Cairo, the
Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Outback in Australia, the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam, Angkor Wat
in Cambodia and the Great Wall in China, just to name a few. I’ve also seen many bustling
cities, quaint towns, luxurious coastal areas, deep dense jungles, wide open landscapes,
lush forests and barren deserts. Traveling is my hobby and my favorite activity too. I feel
very grateful as it has taught me so much about the many cultures and people inhabiting
our planet.

2. When you visit a new place, what do you like to do?

Whenever I visit a new place the first thing I like to do is find a comfortable coffee shop
nearby with a great view of the surrounding scenery and search online about the history
or past of the area. I sometimes will speak with some of the local people and discuss the
region with them, often learning valuable facts and surprising details. I then record some
of the moments of myself while I’m there as a form of record keeping of my travels. I also
write extensively about my experiences when visiting new locations, I keep all of my notes
in a private diary which I usually find myself reading. I really enjoy creating these special
memories which always stand out in my mind as truly unforgettable occasions in my life.

3. Do you prefer traveling alone or in a group?

It’s a difficult question to answer. I think I prefer being on my own as I really try to explore
as much as possible whenever I travel. I’m not really into laying down on a beach all day
or having pool parties at night. There’s nothing better than having the freedom to decide
where I will go and what wonders I will witness. It’s also great experimenting with new
cuisines and strange food. Although, it can be nice to have someone around to share all of
these amazing experiences with. I believe that some trips are meant to be undertaken
alone whereas others are designed to be spent with friends and family, it just depends on
the type of excursion you plan on having.

4. What places do you intend to visit in the future?

In the future, I plan on visiting every province and municipality of Vietnam, this will not be
easy as there are 63 locations in total which make up the many diverse regions of
Vietnam. From the white sandy beaches of Phu Quoc at the southernmost point to the
ancient city of Hoi An in the middle and the breathtaking regions known as the Highlands
in central Vietnam, all the way up to the pristine bay of Ha Long in the very north. I don’t
think there is another country on earth as awe inspiring and thrilling as what Vietnam has
to offer, so hopefully if I’m lucky enough, I’ll get to see it all with my own eyes in the
future.