Have you ever traveled somewhere and opted not to visit the country next door or to take that highly recommended day or side trip that you easily could have squeezed in?

This has happened to me a number of times. In some cases, I wanted to take the trip and couldn’t. In others, I wasn’t  interested or motivated enough. Once, I took advice that I probably shouldn’t have.

Do I have regrets? Not really (well, maybe about one of the destinations). Each of the trips I’ve taken has been wonderful; missing the side trip (or longer add-on) did not detract from my primary experience.

Having said this, it’s fun/interesting to look back now and think about those moments in time when I made those decisions—and to look forward to the future. Why didn’t I take those trips? And will I next time around? Or will I skip them entirely?

Here are several of those destinations, an explanation of why I didn’t go and what the likelihood is that I will take that trip in the future.

Day/Side Trips

1. Where: Malmoo, Sweden

Circumstances/Why I Didn’t Go

I was in Copenhagen and could have visited Malmoo very easily. It was just a ferry ride away.

I sort of wanted to go, but I didn’t have a burning desire.

Now, looking back, I wonder what I was thinking. I had plenty of time and it would have been so simple.

Will I Make It There?

I’d say that it’s 50/50. I if visit Europe in the near future, I’ll probably go to Romania. Someday, I might want travel to Norway. If so, then I’ll probably check out Sweden, too. As for Malmoo itself, I don’t know.

2. Where: Palmyra, Syria

Circumstances/Why I Didn’t Go

It would have been so easy since I was in Damascus. Plenty of day tours were available and I had the time.

But I had my reasons for skipping it. I’d seen a lot of temples, Roman ruins, etc. over the past few years and was burnt out on them. Plus, the heat was pretty intense. And I wanted to save time for Lebanon.

Also, I knew I was going to visit Syria’s Crusader castle, Krak des Chevaliers, which was a big deal since I’d never seen anything like that.

Will I Make It There?

I’m confident that I will (but not for a while, I’m sure.) I loved Syria and would go back in a minute, but obviously, that’s not possible right now. The country is a disaster zone, due to the ongoing civil war. Let’s hope the war ends, that peace is restored and that people can rebuild their lives.

Then, we can see about travel…

3. Where: Cajas National Park, Ecuador

Circumstances/Why I Didn’t Go

I was in Cuenca and it was rainy season. I could have taken the day trip one of two ways—via local transportation (easy for me since I speak Spanish) or as part of a tour (sort of pricey but perhaps worth it because of the size of the park).

I was feeling lazy and in a sleeping-late sort of rut. To do this trip right, one should get up early in the morning. (In very hot weather, I tend to wake up early, but in Cuenca, it was cool). During rainy season, this increases your odds of missing the rain, which tends to come later in the day. Also, it can get cold at this particular park, from what I’ve heard.

Although I had plenty of time in Cuenca–and could have gone to Cajas–I just couldn’t get my act together.

Will I Make It There?

Yes, I believe I will. Ecuador is a very special country to me—I lived there for 1.5 years, after all—and I plan to go back. Next time, I will probably go right to Cuenca and be there during dry season and definitely see the Cajas Park!

4. Pamukkale, Turkey

Circumstances/Why I didn’t Go

I so easily could have gone there. I was right there in Turkey, dammit! But…I took advice from another traveler who told me that tourism is causing environmental damage to the site and that it’s wrong to go. I don’t know much about that, but I know it’s a UNESCO site, which is visited by thousands of tourist every year. Perhaps they should limit the number of visitors?

Anyway, I don’t know why I listened to her. I really wish I hadn’t.

This, of all the side trips listed above, is the one I regret most.

Will I go?

Absolutely! I’m 100% sure that I’ll be back in Turkey over the next few years—it’s one of my favorite countries ever—and so, I know I’ll make this trip. And I can’t wait.

Longer Trips

5. Bukit Lawang Orangutang Forest, Sumatra, Indonesia

Circumstances/Why I Didn’t Go

I was in Lake Toba for 10 days or so days. I had plenty of time to visit Bukit Lawang and many people had told me it was a destination not to be missed.

Unfortunately, I had a nasty respiratory infection and the runs. At the same time. I got sick right before I was going to take this trip. I gave it a couple more days, to recover, but just didn’t feel well enough. The trip involved a 7-hour shuttle, which I wasn’t feeling up to, and a couple of nights in the jungle (which I believe one’s health must be good for.) Next time I’ll be ready. I’m hoping this new health care tax reform credit will keep me in good health. Who knows though!

Also, I had a flight scheduled from Medan to Bandung a few days later that was non-refundable. It wasn’t worth it to lose the money on that to stay longer.

Will I Make It There?

The odds are 80/20. I want to return to Indonesia in a few years–not yet since I was just there last summer. I’m sure I’ll return to Sumatra. When I do, I’ll try to check out Bukit Lawang.

Or maybe I’ll go to Kalimantan instead. We shall see.

6. Swaziland, Africa

Circumstances/Why I Didn’t Go

I was in South Africa visiting some friends. My trip was 5 or 6 weeks long and included Cape Town, Pretoria and 2 safaris. At one point, I got the idea to go to Swaziland. It’s definitely not a day trip—it’s another country, one that requires some time to do..

Because I came up with the Swaziland idea at the last minute, there just wasn’t enough time to do it justice. I didn’t want to rush it. Had I thought of it a week earlier, I probably would have made it.

Will I Make It There?

If I ever return to South Africa, absolutely! Just not sure when that’s happening. I have other countries to visit before I revisit SA.

7. Colombia

Circumstances/Why I Didn’t Go

When I lived in Ecuador, I wasn’t all that far away from Colombia. Maybe 5 hours from the border. Of course, traveling to destinations of interest would have involved some very long bus journeys.

As much as I wanted to go, I didn’t feel entirely comfortable with the idea at the time. It was 1996 and the country had been getting a lot of bad press. I’d heard about quite a few robberies on occurring en route to there from Ecuador (on the long-haul buses) and just didn’t feel I wanted to take the risk. I couldn’t afford to fly there, either.

Will I Go?

Yes, definitely. And know what? I’ll appreciate it more than I would have back in the ’90s. The reason? I learned how to salsa dance after I moved back home from Ecuador!

I learned salsa from my students, some of whom were from Cali, and thus, I must dance it there. I’m itching to go to several cities, including Cartagena, and I know I will.

How About You?

Any trips you missed out on by choice or for some other reason? Why didn’t you go? Do you regret it? Think you’ll make it there at some point?

Photo Credits
Globe: Norman B Levanthal.

Malmo: CT Snow; Palmyra: Adrian Zwegers; Las Cajas: Notafish; Bukit Lawang–Arian Zweger; Pamukkale–Son of Groucho

Swaziland: US Army Africa; Colombia: MparraG