Travel boasting

I just found this cool map that helps you boast about all the countries you've visited. I thought I was well travelled until I noticed all the gaps. Some of it, however, is cheating. In China I have never been beyond Hong Kong yet a lot of country gets filled in when you tick the China box. Equally Canada is vast yet I haven't been any further than Newfoundland. It's a big world out there and sometimes we're so busy travelling we don't spend enough time looking and getting to know a place.

I know Americans who "do" Europe in a fortnight. That's akin to walking past the pictures in an art gallery, giving each one no more than a glance. I suppose we all do it. But sometimes it's better to stop and get to know one thing or one place well. What's the point of global tourism if nothing sticks?

Anyway, it's an excuse to link to some of my travel pieces like this one on Curacao. I was there to write some features on the Netherlands Antilles as a tax haven. Every morning I would trot out from the beach hotel in my suit, carrying a briefcase, walking past holidaymakers staking out their pitches and lathering themselves with suntan cream. It didn't seem fair.



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