My main inspiration in life is travelling the world to experience new people, places and encounters throughout the planet. There are so many different places to go, people to meet and activities to experience, it’s hard to choose your favourite top 10, but these are by far the ones that have left the biggest mark on my life and travel experiences.
Find below my top 10 travel experiences, I hope one day you will be able to experience them as well!
Trekking the Himalayas, Nepal
It’s an amazing feeling to be standing in the middle of the snowy Himalayan mountains looking up at the mighty peaks towering over you making you feel insignificant in comparison to their immense size. Walking through the forest, meeting the local people who live in the mountains, soaking in the hot springs, and eating a rewarding meal of delicious local home-made food after a long day of trekking are just some of the things that make this experience a must do to every adventure seeker in the world.
Snorkelling with Sharks, Rays, Manatees and Sea Turtles, Belize
By far, the most incredible and memorable snorkel experience I’ve ever had was in Caye Caulker, Belize. On a one-day trip to the Belize Barrier Reef, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to swim next to reef sharks and pet them, feed the rays, and swim next to manatees and a school of turtles all in the beautiful blue Caribbean Ocean. Surprisingly, the best snorkelling trip I’ve ever experienced is not half-way across the globe, it is right around the corner from Mexico in the beautiful country of Belize.
Glacier Trekking in Chile
An unforgettable experience is the feeling of trekking across the solid ice of a million-year-old glacier in the Chilean Patagonia. The journey into Patagonia itself is a wonderful experience in its own, then you’re off into the wilderness, trekking for a few days deep into the amazing Torres del Paine National Park to reach the Glacier. The excitement that you feel as you strap on your snow boots, crampons and equipment is unparalleled, something that can only be found here in the middle of incredible and pristine landscapes. Then, you reach the top of the glacier and realize just how tiny you are in comparison with the magnitude of this massive sheet of ice. It’s an incredible feeling, to simply disconnect and awe at the stunning beauty of nature.
Jumping Waterfalls in la Huasteca Potosina, Mexico
Jumping waterfalls in the Micos River in Mexico is an amazing experience. If you go during the week, you will surprisingly be only people around for miles, which makes its all extra special. The excursion begins next to an incredible 20-meter-tall waterfall with a refreshing cascade of blue and turquoise water. Feel the power of mother nature as you swim underneath the falls and feel the spray of the water. Then, begin floating downriver to reach a series of waterfalls measuring between 2 – 7 meters high to practice your jumping skills and build your courage for the giant 10-meter waterfall at the end. Although it may seem like a daring and challenging feat, you’ll feel great after making the leap and feeling the rush of adrenaline as you conquer this river. It’s simply awesome 🙂
Going to India
India, India, India. India is a country that you either love or hate (usually there’s not much of a middle point). For me it’s a love story! Every time I have been to India I fall in love and want to come back. Going to India is really like going to a completely different planet. It seems like every single encounter you have from the moment your plane lands is an experience that can only happen in India. I don’t know if it’s the spirituality that is so deeply rooted in the culture, the amazing food and interesting smells, the ancient culture and cities or the diversity of people, religions and ways of life, but one thing is for certain, it’s impossible to put it all into words. It is an experience that you must live for yourself in order to be able to understand. Go to India, interact with the local people, savour delicious flavours of regional cuisine and let yourself go, explore the farthest corners and hidden places that attract you during your time here. It will all surely be a life-changing experience.
Trekking to Machu Picchu, Peru
There is a reason that the Machu Picchu trek has become one of the most popular on the planet. Walking for 4 days through the beautiful landscapes of the Andes mountains, trekking next to the insanely strong local porters who carry all the camping equipment, with a professional cook that makes the most rewarding meals, and an expert local guide who has grown up immersed in the history and culture of the mighty Inca Trail all make for a once-in-a-lifetime experience! At the end of the trek as you enter to Machu Picchu through the sun gate early in the morning and you get a glimpse of this royal city in a mystical location, you will feel awestruck at the accomplishment you have achieved and know that it is something you could never miss in a lifetime.
Gorilla Encounter, Uganda
Trekking in Uganda’s Virunga National Park in search of one of the last remaining families of mountain gorillas is the ultimate experience! The uncertainty of your journey will keep you trekking on with excitement of what is waiting for you around each corner. If you are lucky, you might find the gorillas in less than an hour, but sometimes it takes more than 6-7 hours to reach their remote location depending on where they have decided to sit and rest for the day. There is no cleared trail so be prepared to hike over, under and through the jungle, wrestling to bypass unexpected vines, trees, crevices, creeks and hills. When we reached the gorilla family, we encountered the powerful silverback first snacking on a branch of leaves with his giant hands and feet. We were able to get within 4 meters of the animals to observe the playful babies swinging in the trees and the protective mothers cautiously and curiously eyeing the tourists. Although our time with the gorillas was limited, I will never forget the feeling of excitement watching these majestic creatures and realizing how similar we are to them. It was an unforgettable experience!
Visiting the National Parks in Nevada & Arizona, USA
Before taking a roadtrip to the western United States, I honestly didn’t really know what to expect. I had not heard many travellers talking about this area as one of the most beautiful in the world. Quickly, I realized that I had been missing out! In a relatively small area and amount of time, I visited the impressive National Parks of Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Yosemite National Park and Monument Valley in California and Nevada. This short description cannot do justice to the striking and pristine beauty of these natural wonders, but the experience was one of the most indescribable of my life. The variety of colours, tranquillity of the open spaces, peacefulness of the sunsets and wonder at how it was all created was something that can only be experienced in nature. I realized quickly that I didn’t have enough time to fully enjoy it all and made a promise to myself that I would be back again soon.
Sleeping under the stars in the Australian Outback, Australia
The first time I heard the word Swag was when I was near Ayers Rock in the Australian Outback. Going on a small group trip for 3 days from Alice Springs is the best way to experience the outback as you get to see lots of amazing locations that otherwise you might otherwise not have the chance to visit. I loved being in the Australian outback, and having the opportunity to sleep under the stars in a simple Swag. It is sometimes these simple things in life that are the most valuable and can teach us the most about ourselves and the world around us.
Sleeping in a Masai Manyatta, Kenya
I had the opportunity to meet a local Masai villager through my brother and was invited into a traditional home at an authentic Masai community. We had the opportunity to live with them for a week and experience first-hand what it is like to be one of them. Their way of life is very different than what we are used to, and it was a great lesson for me. I remember that I saw a 2 or 3-year old baby fall down and hurt himself on a rock. Despite the fact that he started bleeding and crying for help, no one came to care for him. After a while, his grandmother passed by, picked him up and quickly swept her hand over the wound to clean it of dirt and sticks. Then, she went on her way as if nothing had happened. The child then went back to playing with his brothers and didn’t cry any more. In western culture, the mother would have responded much differently coming to help the child right away. For me, it was a great learning experience to realize that we can teach our children to be more independent and not fuss over little things in life.
