This website contains over 2000 pages, so here is a brief summary of some of my favorite travel experiences. If you were looking for the best pictures, check out the Pictures page. If you were looking for the best videos, check out the Videos page (DUH!). For the dark side of traveling, see the “Worst experiences” page.
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 TRAVEL EXPERIENCES – THE BEST OF
To paraphrase Lenin, “There are decades when nothing happens; and there are days when decades happen”. Many of these experiences only lasted a day, and yet they are worth years of life behind a desk. Personally, I live for these special moments, and strive to maximize their number and duration. I also recommend you pause at the end of each month and write down your best moments: in this website we are only focusing on travels, but your monthly special moments could also be a movie you saw, a song you listened to, a person you interacted with, a study/work/sport achievement, a funny situation that made you laugh... or whatever else that gave you joy. That list, at the end of your days, will represent your life.
With reference to my personal travels only, check out the following destinations!
BIG CITIES
GHOST TOWNS
Chile
Estancia San Gregorio
Truly at the end of the world, an overwhelming mixture of abandoned colonial village and Antarctica outpost. This ghost town is chilling: dilapidated colonial buildings from 1876 on a deserted beach with rusting wrecks of 19th-century British steamships. Watch the sunset and enjoy the total darkness, total solitude and total silence. I realize that ghost towns are not for everybody, but for me this is another MUST SEE.
Chile
Estancia San Gregorio
Truly at the end of the world, an overwhelming mixture of abandoned colonial village and Antarctica outpost. This ghost town is chilling: dilapidated colonial buildings from 1876 on a deserted beach with rusting wrecks of 19th-century British steamships. Watch the sunset and enjoy the total darkness, total solitude and total silence. I realize that ghost towns are not for everybody, but for me this is another MUST SEE.
FANTASTIC BEASTS
Amazon Jungle
Manaus
Watch live performances in a gorgeous colonial theater straight from Fitzcarraldo, greet indios kids in the jungle, suck the tail of an anaconda, kiss baby alligators, pet sloths, pink dolphins and hot Brazilian bundas, drive a boat on the Amazon river, fish and eat piranhas etc. MUST SEE.
Dominican Republic
Sosua / Cabarete
One of my favorite areas for living. Kissy-kissy with dolphins (and with ladies), colonial forts, abandoned lighthouses, sandy beaches, funny little monkeys eating papaya from your hand (and your entire body...), reliable infrastructure, cheap luxury accommodation in low season… all you need to be happy.
Benin
Abomey
What remains of the great Dahomey kingdom. The Royal Palace with its terrifying dark chamber (“chambre noire”, where kings committed suicide) and the biggest freaking spiders I have ever seen. Seriously, check out the pictures and tell me if I have discovered a new species, this is the stuff of nightmare.
Amazon Jungle
Manaus
Watch live performances in a gorgeous colonial theater straight from Fitzcarraldo, greet indios kids in the jungle, suck the tail of an anaconda, kiss baby alligators, pet sloths, pink dolphins and hot Brazilian bundas, drive a boat on the Amazon river, fish and eat piranhas etc. MUST SEE.
Dominican Republic
Sosua / Cabarete
One of my favorite areas for living. Kissy-kissy with dolphins (and with ladies), colonial forts, abandoned lighthouses, sandy beaches, funny little monkeys eating papaya from your hand (and your entire body...), reliable infrastructure, cheap luxury accommodation in low season… all you need to be happy.
Benin
Abomey
What remains of the great Dahomey kingdom. The Royal Palace with its terrifying dark chamber (“chambre noire”, where kings committed suicide) and the biggest freaking spiders I have ever seen. Seriously, check out the pictures and tell me if I have discovered a new species, this is the stuff of nightmare.
NATURAL WONDERS
MAN-MADE WONDERS
Egypt
Cairo
Of course, the Pyramids... Yes, I know: commercial tourist trap, terrorism, civil unrest, Arab spring, hot summer, sun burn, whatever, this is another MUST SEE. And go beyond the Ghiza pyramids! Travel to Saqqara, Abusir and Dahshur for an even better experience. Climb on top of the pyramids, crawl inside etc.
Ghana
Elmina
As a big fan of colonial fortresses (and of Herzog’s movies), this castle had to make it on the list. During my 5 years in Ghana I ate my lunch many times next to the fort, before driving further west towards the beaches (and other great forts). Check out also the nearby Cape Coast castle and the Kakum national park with its suspension bridges.
Egypt
Cairo
Of course, the Pyramids... Yes, I know: commercial tourist trap, terrorism, civil unrest, Arab spring, hot summer, sun burn, whatever, this is another MUST SEE. And go beyond the Ghiza pyramids! Travel to Saqqara, Abusir and Dahshur for an even better experience. Climb on top of the pyramids, crawl inside etc.
Ghana
Elmina
As a big fan of colonial fortresses (and of Herzog’s movies), this castle had to make it on the list. During my 5 years in Ghana I ate my lunch many times next to the fort, before driving further west towards the beaches (and other great forts). Check out also the nearby Cape Coast castle and the Kakum national park with its suspension bridges.
BELIEF SYSTEMS
THE UNDERGROUND WORLD
THE UNDERWATER WORLD
Thailand
Still my favorite country, after all these years, and not just for diving. You can dive in every beach locations, but for a special treat check out the Underwater World in Pattaya, where manta rays come eating shells from your hands. Or, the 5-Island tour in Krabi, in the company of the lovely Aphinya S.
Thailand
Still my favorite country, after all these years, and not just for diving. You can dive in every beach locations, but for a special treat check out the Underwater World in Pattaya, where manta rays come eating shells from your hands. Or, the 5-Island tour in Krabi, in the company of the lovely Aphinya S.
BEACHES
Kenya
Kisite-Mpunguti National Park
After you relax on the beach in Mombasa, hop on a Dhow boat towards the Tanzanian border for some beautiful deserted islands. By the way, if you have the misfortune of living in Nairobi as I did, check out the Nairobi National Park, which is just outside town, for some close encounters with friendly wildlife.
Kenya
Kisite-Mpunguti National Park
After you relax on the beach in Mombasa, hop on a Dhow boat towards the Tanzanian border for some beautiful deserted islands. By the way, if you have the misfortune of living in Nairobi as I did, check out the Nairobi National Park, which is just outside town, for some close encounters with friendly wildlife.
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