THE SOPHOMORE SLUMP RECOMMENDS:
Incredibly Loud and Extremely Close by Jonathan Safran Foer – Packed with bits of sentiments and details both in words and in visuals, this novel earns one of the best child narrators I’ve ever read.
In Rainbow by Radiohead – Music that takes you in a trance and lyrics that will rip your hearts apart. Seriously, Radiohead albums should have a forewarning: Do not listen when depressed… or driving on the road at night.
Almost Famous – Very interesting that this, well, very interesting life journey is loosely based on the director’s (Cameron Crowe) teenage years. One of the top music-related movies to date.
_____________________________________________________________________________
I was tagged by Rommel of The Sophomore Slump to list the 5 places I’d like to go back to. I am listing just that. Not exactly the best destinations, but 5 places that I’ve been to and wish to go back to. To wander once more. To explore more and hit the areas I wish I knew then. Places I wish I had more time to be in. Trips where I wish I used my times there better. Places I’ve been dreaming about of returning. 5 places I wouldn’t at all mind going for seconds.
SEVILLA, SPAIN
The Alcazar alone is enough reason to go back Seville. The Cathedral, La Giralda, the palace, the watchtower “Torre de Oro”, the bullring, all in walking distance are icing on the cake. I will never forget the time when I just walked in the neighborhood by myself very early in the morning. For no apparent reason other than just wandering around and soaking in the moment.
CAPRI, ITALY
Not that I didn’t have a great experience on our trip here per se. I did. It was adventurous actually. We explore a secret excursion that not many tourists know about. I just wish I knew how awesome the grotto really is. When I was here, I was with two friends who didn’t want to spend money to go on the boat that takes people to the Blue Grotto. Not only that, our time was not on our side either. I wish I was more pushy. 😀 I wish to go back here for the Blue Grotto. Then have more to see its pristine water, the picturesque houses, the boats, and the overlooking view once again.
OKINAWA, JAPAN
I was excited to go to Japan for its unique culture. Although separated from the mainland, I’d still definitely go back to Okinawa, Japan to immerse once more of the culture, visit the amazing places, witness the awesome events and meet the people again and again. I wouldn’t even mind having the same experiences all over. 😉 Okinawa provided me so many “first” travel experiences.
BOHOL, PHILIPPINES
There is just so much things to see and do in Bohol. So many of it so define the culture and beauty of the Philippines. I highly suggest the water tours which include dolphin watching, snorkelling, and the most beautiful spots ever, Virgin Island.
PARIS, FRANCE
It is loved by many for good reasons. I got lost here from wandering around too much. 🙂 Paris is Paris. I blame it solely on Paris.
FEATURED BLOGS
Holistic Wayfarer: A Holistic Journey – Confessions: Mismatching Socks and My Deepest Longing – Just one of the most honest, eloquent, best written blog pieces I’ve ever read.
Categories: Italy, Japan, Philippines, Rests of Europe, Spain, Travel
The Sophomore Slump 
Five great travel choices! I’d love to go back to these places, except I haven’t been to Bohol. 🙂 Great photos, Rommel!
I hope you’ll be there someday. Oh the things you could photograph.
Yep! I remember the post you did, it was heavenly!
I love secret excursion, so Italy is the best among these 5. But, absolutely I’m curious about Bohol. Basically, I love nature. Anyway, thank you for selecting Okinawa!
I will always remember Okinawa. I really love reading about your Philippine trip. You had a very nice one too.
Thank you for the generous regards. Wonderful post. The shots of Europe are simply exquisite. If you happen not to mind changing Diana to Holistic Wayfarer I’d so appreciate it. Either way, I am grateful for the spotlighting.
Keep up the photography!
Diana
Edited!
Keeup up the awesome writing!
=) Thx. And so sweet.
Almost Famous…one of my all-time favorites. Great photos, colors and each of those destinations just reach out to the traveller 🙂
The Tiny Dancer sing-along … Classic. 🙂
🙂
I will have to check these out – great post Rommel :0)
Great photos and makes me want to go back to Italy! Thanks for sharing.
Karen
Just last week, I thought of their small coffee. Darn, it messed my mind up missing Italy so badly.
I really enjoyed “Incredibly Loud…”. I’m hoping to visit the Philippines soon. It looks so incredibly beautiful.
I hope you do. I hope you do. I love the graphic details in Incredibly Loud … Very different from other books.
I want to visit or re-visit every single place on this list. 🙂 Seville was my favourite place in Spain, liked it even more than Barcelona! And yes Rommel, you have to go back to Capri and see Grotta Azzura. Super touristy yet, but completely worth it. Those waters GLOW in the dark, and going into that small cave opening is thrilling! PS: I love that you tagged yourself. Haha! 😉
I have been wondering about the comparison between Seville and Barcelona. Having been to Sevilla, I never minded not having gone to Barcelona. The Grotta Azzura … now that’s something I regret not seeing.
Nice sampling of photos for each destination, Rommel. I sense you would make an incredible travel guide or tour director. Interesting to note another Paris fan. I’ve probably traveled the globe as much as you, yet Paris simply doesn’t do for me what it does for many others. And an extreme elitist or liar I am not. Give me Kyoto, Venice or Athens any time, and I’ll return in a heartbeat. 🙂
Too strong of a statement, eh. I must edit that. 😀 To each their own, Eric. 🙂 I’m getting close to seeing Athens *crosses fingers*. Kyoto is in the list of many, as well as mine.
I can handle strong. No worries. 🙂 Will look forward to your eventual Athens perceptions and photos!
Awesome Rommel, such fabulous photos 🙂
Love it! I’m one of those extremists who don’t really like Paris but I have plans to go back there soon 😉
If you want we can trade lives when that time comes. 😀
I’ll think about it 😉
I want to go to all these places for the first time! Great images Rommel. 🙂
Your RV travels are equally great. Ow, I’m thumbing up for December. I’m taking leave that month.
Where are you heading?
I don’t have concrete plans yet. And when I do, you know well that I can move stuff around for our meet. 😉
Yay!!! I look forward to seeing you again, on a sunny day when we can get out and enjoy nature. And, if you come our way, I could even try to impress you with my cooking skills. 😉
Oh I like all the places you mentioned but I have to fall in love with Paris !!!! Oh it’s beauty is exquisite and so mesmerizing, I wanna visit is it so badly one day ^_^
It’s true. Paris is a place to fall in love with. 🙂
And a place where you can fall in love 😉 😀
I always connect you with the green boat and the blue water of Bohol. Wish I had seen that place; I never really went sightseeing in the Philippines, except I saw 100 islands from a distance.
~Liz
That scene is a Sophomore Slump classic. 🙂
Love the photos and the places…..places that are definitely on my bucket list!!! 🙂
My bucketlist is getting full. How I’d love to just travel, but life gets in the way. 🙂
I know what you mean! 🙂
this brought me back to traveling in some of my favourite places, especially the magic of Paris. Thanks for sharing! http://www.thatscoralynn.com
I believe that people who have gone to Paris are always reminded of Paris. 😉 Thanks for the comment and visit, coralynn.
Oh, Capri *sighs* – I have decided when I am an old and hopefully elegant, distinguished lady, Capri is where I will live out my golden years. Love the list! 🙂
I treat every year as my golden year. 😀 I know what you mean. Capri would be a great choice.
If you’re in a good mood “Creep” will knock it right outta you. I do love me some RadioHead.
You’ve been many wonderful places.
A great list Rommel. Made me wonder why I didn’t include Sevile! 🙂 Bohol looks absolutely breathtaking. Someday…..
wonderful places – and catchy post title – you are pretty creative….
Wonderful selection. A few I’ve been to, a few I’ve always wanted to. You’ve got me wondering what my top five would be, now!
Lovely photography…well chosen locations and beautifully captured…
I work with the Filipino-American Association of America (Fil-AM) each year during the Internation Festival.
Haven’t been to the Philippines or Japan, sad to say, The other photos bring back good memories. Thanks.