1. Zanzibar - off the coast of Tanzania, East Africa. We spent three nights here in different hotels because most were booked out. On the first night we stayed in a nice hotel and they became steadily worse. The last one was a windowless box with a lone ceiling fan to stir the hot air. Our friends had a rat in their room the first night - we often have a retelling of the rat story when we meet, and the rat has grown with the telling but it still cracks me up. What I remember most about Zanzibar are the night food market, the beautiful carved wooden doors in the old town and the fragrant smell of spices along with glorious sunsets and the silhouettes of dhow sails.
2. Jersey Islands - off the coast of France but an English island. Mr. Munro and I visited here while I was recouperating from cerebal malaria. I remember feeling weak as a kitten with less stamina. We visited Gerald Durrells’ zoo, which was a highlight for me. My favorites were the tamarins.
3. Samoa - we visited Samoa this year, and I can’t wait to make a return visit. It’s not very touristy and is laid back and relaxed but the hotel staff weren’t on island time. We visited Robert Louis Stevenson’s house and I enjoyed that as well as spending time reading and doing nothing. Good times!
4. Little Barrier Island - one of the Hauraki Gulf islands not far from Auckland, NZ. It’s a conservation island housing many of NZ’s rare native birds and the tuatara. A special permit is required before you can land. Once you’ve landed the DOC staff herd new arrivals into a classroom and shut the door before searching all bags for mice, stoats, ferrets and rats. Yeah, right! Like I’d cart any of those around in my pack. *shudder*
5. Tasmania - part of Australia and a couple of hundred kilometres south of Melbourne. This one isn’t tropical but it’s interesting. Tasmania was used as a convict colony and some of my distant relations were sent here for minor offences such as stealing a petticoat and receiving stolen goods. There’s lots of history, some of it very cruel.
6. Norfolk Island - another Australia territory and also used as a place to put convicts. Also had relations here but this relation was a marine guarding the convicts. Also famous because of the Bounty settlers.
7. Ireland - the Emerald isle. It’s definitely green and it rains a lot. A bit like New Zealand really. Heaps of interesting history and beautiful scenery. I have found memories of narrow roads, hedgerows and the villages of colored houses plus the castles and the Celtic monuments. We used to stop every morning for a cup of tea and scones. Yum!
8. Isle of Sky - not really an island these days since it’s joined to the mainland by a bridge. I remember the barren landscape, the shortbread at the hotel and the weird colored water that came out of the tap because of the peat. It was also really cold!
9. Vancouver Island - not far from Vancouver. We visited the Butchart Gardens and were given umbrellas after buying our tickets. It poured! But it was still pretty. I also remember a very nice chocolate shop in Victoria, the main city. We hope to return for a more in-depth visit next year after conference.
10. Roatan Island, Honduras. We took a break here during our Central American trip and had a relaxing three days doing not much! The snorkelling was excellent. We also took time to go kayaking.
11. Hawaii - our most recent trip. I just loved Hawaii. It had everything. Sun, sand, swimming, great scenery…
12. North Island and South Island, New Zealand. Okay, you knew I had to fit my home island in here somewhere. Here’s a photo of the Goat Island marine reserve north of Auckland. And one of Mount Cook, in the South Island, the highest mountain in New Zealand.
13. Rangitoto Island, off the coast of Auckland, NZ. A dormant volcano and the youngest in Auckland’s field of volcanoes.
Islands still on my wishlist: Madagascar, Crete, Galapagos Islands.
Which islands would you like to visit? Which islands have you visited and really enjoyed? (I might need to add to my list)
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i never realized it before but I’ve never been on an island. Ever. Startling revelation for me. Someday though…
by rhian October 4th, 2007 at 3:21 amYou’ve certainly travelled a lot, Shelley. Must be exciting. A lot of very cool islands.
by N.J. Walters October 4th, 2007 at 4:38 amWow…I’ve been to a few islands. Prince Edward Island, St. Thomas, St. John, Tortolla…
I need to travel more!
by Christine d'Abo October 4th, 2007 at 4:51 amThose last three pictures were gorgeous!!!! You’ve gotten to go to some beautiful places. Thanks for sharing them.
by Jennifer McKenzie October 4th, 2007 at 4:57 amWow. I’m jealous. I’ve been to some caribbean islands and Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. That’s all. Wah!
by Jennifer Shirk October 4th, 2007 at 5:14 amGreat pics. I’ve been to Isle Royale in Lake Superior. Not quite the same thing as your island visits, but I enjoyed it.
by Lisa Andel October 4th, 2007 at 6:02 amNow you have to visit Puerto Rico and Vieques.
by Tempest Knight October 4th, 2007 at 6:05 amCool Islands. I’ve only visited New Zealand
by Sara Thacker October 4th, 2007 at 6:10 amWow - what beautiful shots…made me want to go on vacation.
by Debora October 4th, 2007 at 6:11 amOMG, Shelley! Can I go with you on your next excursion? I’m sure I’d make a marvelous maid … NOT!
*LOL*
by Debbie Mumford October 4th, 2007 at 6:40 amOH MAN…I’ve been to hawaii, but I would loooove to go to samoa!!!
by Rhonda October 4th, 2007 at 6:41 amOMG those look amazing, I have never been to a warm tropical place..I have not had a vacation in 7yrs
by Savannah Chase October 4th, 2007 at 6:50 amWow! What a great list. Many of those places are on my to go list!
by LA Day October 4th, 2007 at 8:42 amVery cool list! My hubby and I absolutely love Hawaii!
*hugs*
Paige
My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/
by Paige Tyler October 4th, 2007 at 8:43 amAgain with the jealousy…I’ve been to Galveston, does that count?
by Lorelei James October 4th, 2007 at 8:51 amThese pics are lovely, and I’m all about Hawaii (the big island was my favorite by far).
Uh, I’ve been to Catalina Island…heh
by Amelia June October 4th, 2007 at 10:46 amI’m jealous too. The islands I’ve been on aren’t nearly as numerous or quite as exotic, i don’t think. Chincoteague, Assateague, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the island near Nag’s Head, NC where Blackbeard was supposed to have headquartered. I remember that one because my mom complained they were charging their captive audience a whole $0.25 a gallon for gas! HOW RUDE! Yes, that was WAY back in the early 70s.
by Kaige October 4th, 2007 at 11:16 amI’ve lived on Long Island…
by Morgan St. John October 4th, 2007 at 11:17 amAnd i’ve been to the Philippines, so long ago. Hmm, Your islands look so amazing.
Wow, I’d love to visit #13. You’ve really been to some lovely places.
by Ann Aguirre October 4th, 2007 at 11:53 amRhian - I hope you get to an island one day
NJ - A lot of NZers go on a big OE (overseas experience). It’s a traditional rite of passage for us. There are hundreds of thousands of Kiwis in the UK at any given time.
Christine - some more islands to add to my list!
Jennifer - no kids equals ability to travel often. That’s my secret
by Shelley Munro October 4th, 2007 at 12:47 pmTempest - I’ll add Puerto Rico to my list. It sounds beautiful from what I’ve read.
Sara - New Zealand is good
Rhonda and Amelia - I adore Hawaii. The big island was my favorite, too. I loved Kona.
by Shelley Munro October 4th, 2007 at 12:50 pmYou are certainly well-traveled. I can count the number of islands I’ve visited on one hand…with fingers leftover.
by Heather October 4th, 2007 at 1:46 pmWow!! You’ve been to some gorgeous places.
by Tara S Nichols October 4th, 2007 at 1:54 pmI’ve been to Skye. Plus Hiddensee, a small island at the German Baltic Sea coast and several ones in the Skärgård around Stockholm.
On my list are quite a lot (anyone got some spare money?
) The Hebrides, Orkneys, Shetlands, Man, Ireland, Iceland, Gotland, Åland, the Channel Islands, Fireland, New Zealand …
by Gabriele October 4th, 2007 at 1:55 pmPrince Edward Island in Canada. Go there for welcoming Maritime, the home of Anne of Green Gables and great lobster. I love it there.
As for me .. I haven’t done much traveling so any of those places sound GREAT!!!
by Amy Ruttan October 4th, 2007 at 3:29 pmGreat list! And you’ve been to more islands to me.
by Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen October 4th, 2007 at 5:39 pmI am Teh Envious.
Thx for the congrats over at Ann’s blog. I really appreciate it!
by Carrie Lofty October 4th, 2007 at 7:14 pmoh wow you’ve been to some fabulous places Shelley. I’ve been to Ireland, Isle of Wight (does that count lol!) Ibiza, Corfu, Tenerife and then to Cos for our honeymoon. Then the kids came along!
I’d really love to visit more Greek islands. *one day*!
by Christina Phillips October 4th, 2007 at 8:05 pmGabriele - my husband has been to the Orkneys. I forgot about Iceland. that’s one place I’d love to visit.
Amy - just as well hubby isn’t reading this. One mention of lobster and I wouldn’t see him for dust!
Hi Michele - I just love to travel but I’m pretty quiet between times while I save. My hobby isn’t cheap! I really need to win lotto one day…
Carrie - your book sounds great. I’ve put it on my to-read list.
Christina - I loved Ireland. Hubby and I haven’t managed to get to many Greek Islands. One day…
by Shelley Munro October 4th, 2007 at 11:22 pm