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Bucket List
By Paul Rubio  Friends,
family, and fans often ask the question, “What’s your favorite
place in the world?” or “What is the one thing I must do in my
lifetime?” After dedicating most of my adult life to travel,
it’s only natural that I have multiple favorites! Below I share
with you a handful of them and encourage you to take life by the
balls in 2011 and experience this vast, wonderful world. Carpe
diem, and Happy New Year! Amazonian Immersion – Since my first visit in 1998, the sights, the sounds, the landscapes, and the wildlife of Amazonia have left me completely spellbound. Amazonia is one of Mother Nature’s greatest gifts, diverse and rich, mystical and mysterious. The scientist-led Tiputini Biodiversity Station resides in the remote heart of Ecuador’s last remaining virgin rainforest. It is one of the best places to experience Amazonia’s biodiversity and unite with extreme nature and indigenous cultures. For those looking to approach this massive rainforest wonder in 5-star style, the fabulous Aqua Expeditions transports 24 inquisitive adventurers into the depths of the Peruvian jungle on an intimate 5-star vessel each week.  Ascend
Towards the North Pole - For the 2,572 brave souls
residing in the endless white terrain on the periphery of the
North Pole, life is a daily exhilarating adventure. These remote
islands, called the Norwegian Svalbard Islands, are together the
size of Ireland, and teem with robust populations of Polar
Bears, Arctic Foxes, and the majestic Svalbard Reindeer, a bovid
that bears more semblances to a creature from “Star Wars” than
cousin Rudolph. Modern comforts are confined to the few short
streets in Longyearbyen, capital of the Svalbard islands, where
the Radisson Blue Polar Hotel Spitsbergen welcomes curious and
intrepid travelers. Days are filled with guide-led sojourns
through the permafrost on sturdy snow scooters, facilitating
complete immersion into this polar extreme.  Endure
the Journey to Colca Canyon, Peru - Long overshadowed
by its counterpart in Arizona, southern Peru’s Colca Canyon is
actually twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. New roads have
shortened the journey to a mere 3 1/2 hours from the southern
city of Arequipa, but it’s likely that you will hope this road
trip never ends. Along your journey, packs of alpacas and
vicuñas (daintier cousins of llamas) watch you warily as you
climb from 8,000 to 15,000 feet. Tiers of craggy mountains and
verdant valleys feel like the far corners of the earth.
Indigenous peoples, who have long called these sacred lands
home, offer handicrafts on random precipices, fascinating
visitors with their warm smiles and colorful garments. On the
edge of the canyon itself, the boutique-style Las Casitas del
Colca is a spiritually enriching, aesthetically inspiring
resort. Nearby, guests can watch the flight of the condor, as
the enormous, 12-foot wing spanned beasts descend and glide
across the canyon.  Climb
the Temples of Angkor, Cambodia - Spread over 37 square
miles, the capital of the Khmer Kingdom 802-1295 is a seemingly
endless series of intricate and fascinating religious complexes
deep in the Cambodian jungle. Hidden by dense foliage in remote
obscurity for centuries, Angkor was discovered 150 years ago;
its intangible power still omnipresent. While the emblematic
four spires of Angkor Wat remain the principal draw for
tourists, some of the city’s other temples are even more
impressive. The centerpiece of Angkor Thom, Bayon, is a hypnotic
towering collection of stone faces and meticulously engraved
outer walls depicting daily life and the history of the Khmer
Kingdom. Picturesque, overgrown tree roots strangle the ruins of
Ta Prohm, even more striking in person than in Tomb Raider. Experience the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok – I love to rave about the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. My time at this historic hotel is always unforgettable. I savor the flavors of the exceptional Thai cuisine at the signature restaurant, Sala Rim Naam, read books during teatime at the Author’s Lounge, pen my thoughts riverside at the Verandah Lounge, and nearly achieve nirvana at their Ayruvedic Penthouse. I grow accustomed to long and enlightening chats with the gracious hotel staff, experiencing the genuine hospitality found only in Asia. Without a doubt, I always lose myself in the spirit and history of Asia’s most prestigious hotel.
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