SURFING THE WEB

Take a Virtual Vacation

By: Dick Travis

Would you like to take a vacation to some exotic destination? The World Wide Web can be one of your most useful tools to accomplish this without the cost or any of the low points of actual traveling.

It was in May, 2002, that two young energetic career-minded people decided to quit their jobs, sell their home and possessions to begin an Around the World Adventure for one year. Their entire journey was chronicled by the San Diego Union-Tribune with monthly articles summarizing their unusual trip.

But even more interesting was the fact that they decided to document every part of their trip by developing a web site and keeping it up-to-date frequently. This, in effect, gave everyone the chance to virtually join them in their journey around the world.

Their names are Anjeanette and Kevin Rettig and their website, which is still open for your viewing pleasure is http://www.anjeanette.com .The couple took their laptop and digital camera with them on the journey, which enabled them to update the web page at their convenience.

Their itinerary page lists every city, island and country visited, with links to the detailed account of their experiences. The number of days that they stayed in each place is also listed.

The web pages are very easy to navigate and organized to include all of the important and some of the smaller tidbits that they experienced. In addition to a page about them personally and the standard FAQS (frequently asked questions) ,each destination had standard web pages containing the high and low points of the particular city. In addition digital photos were in abundance and a report on the accommodations and sometimes local music (which was downloadable) was made available.

The “cocktail corner” of each destination contains the recipe for the local alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks which were enjoyed. Occasionally, the daily journal would reflect a “sleep-in” morning…

Their trip ended in May, 2003 and their final update to the site was in June, 2003. Their trip changed their views about life in general and they have decided that after some introspection, it is most important for them to move back to Ohio to be closer to their family. They have learned much about human nature and the challenge of politics around the world as well as observing the usual tourist highlights. They truly believe that people were very happy to meet them personally, but, there was a certain amount of undercurrent due to the Iraq war and the political situation.

They have links on their website to the USA State Department, which is an excellent site for actual travelers to review before any extensive travel. The Rettig’s were aware of any dangers due to political situations, but believed that many of the warnings that the government does proclaim are exaggerated to some extent.

Their monthly summaries to the San Diego paper were interesting enough, but the detail included on their website--music, pictures and insights into all of the places that they visited were indeed thorough and exciting. By just surfing the site, you feel that you had actually been a part of their 27-country adventure.

Whether you use the web as a planning tool for your actual world travels or enjoy utilizing the web to take virtual trips, the World Wide Web is at your service every day, every hour, from the comfort of your home. Happy Traveling…

Email me at dtravis2@cox.net or call at (760) 724-4091