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1. Have you been to any foreign countries? If so, how many countries have you been to in your lifetime (please list them)? If not, which prefectures have you been to?
2. Which was the most beautiful? Why?
3. Which country or countries are popular with Japanese tourists these days? Why is this country or are these countries so popular do you think?
4. What is the most disappointing travel experience you have ever had (domestically or internationally)?
5. Most international destinations outside Japan require flying. How well do you cope with flying? What are your top tips?
6. Many people have a "bucket list" of places, countries, cities, festivals or events they would like to visit in their lifetime (when they have enough time and money). Give us your top 10 bucket list destinations (country, region, attraction or city). Your instructor will pick one at random and ask you to explain why you wish to visit that place.

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Question 1

Yes, I have. I have been to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, the American territory of Guam, and of course Japan. Singapore, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan don't really count though, as they were just airport layovers. I have also been to Australia about five times, returning from Japan to visit my family and friends. That means I have been in eight different countries.

Question 2

I've got to go with Australia. When people think of the Land Down Under, they usually think of dusty red deserts. We have those and they are beautiful. We also have rocky brown deserts and sandy yellow deserts. Oh, and lucious rainforests, gorgeous beaches, snowy mountains, wetlands, and so much more. There really is incredible variety in the landscapes of my homeland.

Question 3

Again, Australia. Many Japanese people think of Australia as being a safe country where the people are friendly and the golf is cheap. I can attest to the former though I know nothing of the latter. They also tend to view it as not so far away when compared to places like Europe or the Americas. And then there's the wildlife. What's not to love about Oz, really?

Question 4

My wife and I went to Turkey a year after we got married as a sort of belated honeymoon. We went as part of a package tour. It was a long flight, with a layover in Uzbekistan (I know – Uzbekistan!). The weather wasn't great for the majority of the time we were there; we were supposed to take a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia but it was cancelled due to bad weather. The hotels weren't all that flash with some of the meals being a bit dodgy. On top of all that, I couldn't understand our tour guide's explanations of where we were going and why it was important. It was too far to go for such a lackluster experience.

Question 5

I do okay with flying. I have a few recommendations for having a more pleasant air travel experience. Wear comfortable clothes and unlace your shoes once you get to your seat. Stay hydrated but don't drink so much water or juice that you are constantly going to the restroom. You should also stay away from alcohol as it dehydrates you more than at ground level. And don't try to sleep because you won't be able to get comfortable enough to do so. Just watch a movie or listen to some music and enjoy yourself; you will eventually fall asleep from exhaustion.

Question 6

My top ten bucket list destinations in no particular order are:

1. 1. Italy, for oh so many reasons;
   2. New Zealand, for the natural beauty of its landscapes;
   3. Singapore, for the fusion of Asian and European culture;
   4. Spain, for the crazy festivals;
   5. England, to see where my parents and grandparents are from;
   6. Ireland, to also explore my heritage;
   7. Scotland, for the ruins and the whisky;
   8. The Seychelles, for the gorgeous beaches;
   9. Sweden, for the castles and palaces; and
   10. Antarctica, because why not?

Runners up: Egypt, Peru, Kenya, Indonesia, and the United States mainland. I'll leave it to you to wonder why I think they are worth visiting and why they didn't make the top ten.

Tough Vocabulary

- English -	- Japanese -
layover	乗り継ぎ
attest to	を証明する
the former	前者
the latter	後者
Oz	オズ（オーストラリア）
belated	遅れた
majority	大多数
not all that flash	あまりよくない
dodgy	物足りない
on top of all that	その上に; 加えて
lackluster	艶がない
runner up	準優勝