WHAT COUNTS AS A COUNTRY IN THIS CHALLENGE AND WHAT DOESN'T?
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Ruth from www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
(soon to be spending time in South Korea-Oh I wish...) asked the following question in her comment.
What is your criteria for visiting a country? Some people consider just setting foot in a country as being in a country! For us we at least have to spend a few hours in a country and a meal, and doing that at an airport doesn't count. We have only done this twice with the countries of Sweden and Spain. Last winter we stepped on to the banks of Angola across the river from Namibia, we don't count that.
I thought it would be fun to share my answer in a post:
I think Ruth/Kevin and I are on the same page travel-wise. I know that some people are so country-hungry they do count staying on a plane as it refuels as a country. Or spending time in transit. Or travelling through a country on a train.
I don't however.....
For example:
I have spent time in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Singapore airports. I do not believe I have visited those countries. The airports were very entertaining and well resourced but I didn't actually 'see' any of those places. Infact I confess I didn't even know that Bahrain was an island until I saw our landing on the plane screen (I was much younger then :)
I do have one regret however. We spent 7 hours in Singapore airport on the way back from New Zealand. Apparently it is possible to take a bus tour around Singapore even in transit. I wish I had, instead we felt so tired that we had showers and spent time in the airport cinema. But even if we had the fact that I hadn't put foot in Singapore would mean it wouldn't count in my country challenge.
I would count spending a few hours in a country. I have done a day visit to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. We did lots in our time there but did not spend a night. Of course the ideal situation would be to spend a nice amount of time in any country. That's what the soul of a true traveller craves. Sometimes life just doesn't make that possible. I think my criteria would be to have a quality travel experience in each country I visit. That certainly is what is driving my present travel plans.
What about you?
What counts as a country?
Sft x
Yep, we are on the same page! Thanks for defining your criteria.
ReplyDeleteEven when we spent a few hours and a meal in both Sweden and Spain, I still sort of felt like we are cheating when we count them as countries. I can't wait until we go back and explore those countries more thoroughly. I can't understand these people who do a European Holiday and go to 5 - 10 countries over a 2 week period. They are missing so much and they have no time to just relax and enjoy the holiday. I guess at least it is still better to do this than to just to sit at home in front of the TV.
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
Hi Ruth
DeleteIt's like you know when you've really been to a country. It could be a jam-packed day or (if you are really lucky-like you guys) or a few months.
You are so right in your last comment-any kind of travel experience is better than none!
Sft x