Shangri-La

[gray_marian]

#20, Thought you would pick up on that one John

[john sutton]

2 favourite places
Ajijic mexico on the shores of lake chapala(mexicos largest lake) where I spent several months in 1958 in the days that I was a beatnick(who can remember those)
Seychelles where I spent a holiday with my first wife around 1973 when there were only about 5 hotels and then on honeymoon with my second(current)wife in 1997.Its a very sexy place

[moktay]

I'm with Captain Kong on the Pacific Islands but I'd add New Zealand.

[cappy]

I'm with Captain Kong on the Pacific Islands but I'd add New Zealand.

#####auckland was the biz......regards cappyin 1960......good bars plenty nice ladies

[Neil Morton]

From the wharf at New Plymouth on the north island of NZ, I saw for the first time, the peak of Mount Egmont with snow cap pink in the morning sun. A whale lifted it's tail and cascaded glittering gems of sparkling sea off the coast of Timaru south island NZ. The very first glimpse of Table Mountain with her cloudy skirts; the white sand and the towering figure of Christ as we slipped quietly into Rio, these are in my top five but number one in my book is the island of Granada. I was not on a ship but had reached this glorious place via Trinidad an island on which I had become marooned whilst a steward on the Sothern Cross. This Marian would be the Shangri-la of which you dream. I would go back this instant if I had the money and pray that all would be the same.

[Captain Kong]

Cappy , all the Seamen's bars around the world , have all disappeared, Ma Gleason s in Auckland disappeared off the face of the earth many years ago. I have done a few laps of honour around the planet since I retired and all gone. Seamen do not go ashore any more, Containers are miles out of town and only in for a few hours, so the girls have gone and the bars with them.
That is why I love the Tahitian Islands, my Tahitian mates find everything I want, and the Only safe place in the world where no one wants to mug you , rape you, kill you.
All the Shangri-La's in the world have all disappeared and only exist now in our memories.
.
.
Neil
Trinidad is now one of the most dangerous places in the world to go ashore in now. Rio another very dangerous place, Cape Town still beautiful BUT very dodgy place now since apartheid finished.
Many places now , tourists off the ship have to be bussed out of town to safe areas as it is too dangerous to walk ashore. You just wont come back alive.
Just keep the memories.

Brian

[Neil Morton]

Ah Brian that's a sad, sad indictment of the way the world has gone in the last 50 years.

[Captain Kong]

That is right Neil, the world has changed beyond recognition to what it used to be.
That is why I enjoy the Pacific Islands on my way to NZ and OZ, I must say that I love Australia and New Zealand as developed countries, laid back and easy going. but the rest you have to be on your guard all the time. Even in the States we have been threatened with shooting. Europe is out, middle east is defo out, Africa like wise and so is the West Indies and South America. that only leaves the Pacific Basin to enjoy.
Cheers
Brian

[Keith at Tregenna]

The road to Shangri-La:

According to Tibetan Buddhist teachings, paradise exists in the shape of Shambhala, a lost kingdom somewhere in central Asia. Armed with directions gleaned from ancient texts and Google Earth, Patrick Symmes embarked on a quest to find it.

The road to Shangri-La - Telegraph

[Captain Kong]

Hi Keith
I think my Paradise of the South Pacific Islands is preferable to Asia.
Cheers
Brian