In the beginning of M.M. Kaye’s classic suspense novel, Death in Zanzibar, she writes that she was captivated by the notion of Zanzibar after hearing a song with the refrain, “Then I’ll go sailing far– off the Zanzibar!” That song was well off the charts by the time I came into being, but for me the damage was done by M.M. Kaye’s own Trade Wind, a brilliant historical novel set in Zanzibar in the 1840s. For those of you who haven’t had the good fortune to stumble across it, it boasts one of the best swashbuckling heroes of all time; scoundrel, black sheep, and all-around heartthrob Rory Frost. Even Errol Flynn at his best couldn’t hold a candle to Rory. After reading Trade Wind, my teenage daydreams were filled with the intrigues of the Seyyids of Muscat and Oman (doesn’t the very phrase give you shivers down your spine?) and dashing English rogues with dubious morals and biting wit.
Well, I’m not sailing far off to Zanzibar, but I’m doing the next best thing to it. For my thirtieth birthday (there! I’ve said it!), I’m heading off with a group of friends to the Sultanate of Oman. The fourteen hour flight from New York isn’t nearly as glamorous as the long boat journey of M.M. Kaye’s American heroine, but, considering that I only have one week of vacation, it is a good deal more expeditious. I also rather doubt I’ll run across rascally English slave traders, court intrigue, or a massive cholera epidemic (I definitely don’t regret missing out on the latter– those nineteenth century heroines had a tough time of it), but I’m still rather thrilled by the notion of wandering through a Middle Eastern souk, rambling over sixteenth century forts, and swimming in the waters of the Arabian Sea. Naturally, I’m already trying to figure out just how to work this all into a new book….
Are there places you’ve always daydreamed of going?
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Wow. That’s adventurous! I remember seeing a National Geographic article about Oman and the women were wearing those burkas with just the slits for eyes. Can you go around in western clothes? I went to Morocco once (a long time ago)with a girlfriend and men followed us around the streets. It was pretty scary, actually.
I’m currently planning a trip to Peru, which has always intrigued me. I’m thinking of doing a medical missionary tour the first week (to get into the really remote villages in the mountains) and then hiking the Inca trail the second week. I also want to go to Easter Island someday and Ireland.
by Gail Barrett
on March 12th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
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I would love to go to Italy for a good two weeks. The other place that I have always dreamed of going is Ireland. It looks so beautiful. I will get there one day.
by Patty L.
on March 12th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
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Well, I’ve been very lucky. I lived in England for three years and I’d always wanted to visit England, Scotland and Wales my entire life. I also visited Ireland, which I’d always wanted to go. Next year I’m going to Williamsburg, Virginia, which is another place I’d always wanted to see. I’d also like to visit Egypt, but don’t know if that’s in the cards or not. :)
Denise A. Agnew
http://www.deniseagnew.com
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I’d actually like to take an around the world cruise for two months, stopping in all sorts of ports.
That would be my dream vacation.
by Vivi Anna
on March 12th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
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Hi Denise: I already commented once, but I noticed that you said that you wanted to go to Williamsburg, Virginia. I highly recommend it, but not in the summer. I understand that is when everyone wants to go, but it is hot and in colonial times they did not have air conditioning. The luxury of going in the summer is that they have a water park called Water Country, USA and also Busch Gardens, both great and they do everything to keep you cool. I recommend the spring or fall, the gardens are wonderful in the spring and the leaves in the fall are beautiful. Hope this helps your decision.
by Patty L.
on March 12th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
