I agree, I think the ISS is an utterly amazing achievement. In so many ways I think it really is a prime candidate for humanities greatest achievement so far.

In many ways you make a very valid point, the ISS is what we've been up to for the last few decades rather than going back to the moon and the research coming from it will be essential in preparing for longer journeys. But for all that I stare up and marvel at it passing overhead some nights, it just doesn't hold the same mystique of say the moon or further afield.