Five places I've been to and why I recommend them.

-





Dear Friends

On my travels, I have encountered amazing places that evoked awe and wonder in my heart and upon contemplation of those journeys, I was transformed in many ways.

Although my bucket list is far from complete, I would like to share these five places with you and why I recommend them.

As the Sufi mystic, Mevlana Rumi wrote; " Don't be satisfied with the stories that come before you; unfold your  own myth".

1. Camino De Santiago - Northen Spain




 The Camino de Santiago is the ancient pilgrim's way across Northen Spain. You do not need to be super fit and people of all ages do it.  If you have a yearning for travel and something life changing this would be the thing to do. As much as this is a physical journey it is also a very deep inward journey.  I also had lots of fun on the Camino and very fond memories that will last a lifetime. The Camino is just the way life is; with good times and bad times, but you get through it. I've met many wonderful people with whom I am still in contact today and the camaraderie between pilgrims are wonderful. When you finally reach the end destination - Santiago de Compostella - the joy in your heart is unprecedented.


2. Nepal


Nepal is magical.  I've spent some time in Kathmandu, Chitwan, Phokarah, Bandipur, Nagarkot and many other places. I visited the tea houses and temples around the hills of Kathmandu. Some afternoons I would escape the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and lay down on the lawns at the Gardens of Dreams with a book.  It quickly became my favourite spot in the city.
On other days I would visit the bookshops and browse for hours to my heart's delight.
I loved visiting the monkey temple, ancient shrines and colourful markets. For anybody with an adventurous soul, Nepal is recommended.
I would go back there in a heartbeat and probably will.

3. Penang



 Penang is a fusion of cultures and the historic George Town is a must on every backpacker's list.
It is world famous for street art and great food.  I loved interacting with the friendly people and to see the beautiful colonial architecture of George Town.  Whilst strolling down Chulia street one day, I was approached by a Chinese couple who invited me to their wedding. They explained that it will be good luck for them if they can invite a foreigner to their wedding.  Needless to say, it was a wonderful experience. It's definitely a place with a warm heart and should be visited more than once.


4. Angkor Wat Cambodia


 Angkor  Wat is simply stunning and enchanting.   It is one of the largest religious monuments in the world.  When I entered there it felt like I was entering another world. Wandering through these temples, I was kind of smitten by the romancing of old stones. I felt wonderfully calm and spiritually uplifted throughout my time there.

5. THAILAND




Thailand has been my happy place for the last 5 years. and I've been almost everywhere.
Thailand is friendly and has lots to offer from tropical beaches to beautiful old temples.
Of course, Thai food and especially the street food is world class.
Thailand is close to my heart and my fondest memories are the beautiful sunsets over the Andaman sea and the friendly nature of the Thai people.
To me, Thailand feels a lot like home. I still have a lot to explore here and will linger a while longer.



The last word

I hope this recap have given you some inspiration for your next journey.

M











































Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Camping under the Stars: Erawan National Park

-
Image
If you are planning a trip to Thailand or are already here and want to experience a night or two sleeping under the stars this might just be the right adventure for you. Thailand has many National Parks and certainly one of the most beautiful is Erawan National Park. On this Camping adventure, you will experience the tranquillity of nature, hiking the waterfalls and just general relaxation. The waterfalls are the main attraction of course and you can hike up to the seventh level if you are reasonably fit. On the way up, there are a few natural pools where you can take a dip in refreshingly cool water. The river is next to the campsite and adds to the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. There are also fish in the pools and if you take a dip they will nibble on your legs but not to be feared. Just think of it as the natural version of a foot spa where you get nibbled for free 😃. Erawan National Park is about 3  hours from Bangkok and could be busy during weekends and hol...
Read more

How to travel with only the bare essentials.

-
Image
How much do you really need to pack for a week at the beach?   Do you need more than a swimsuit, dress, flip-flops, book and some sunscreen for a week at the beach?  That's a question that I have wondered about many times.  It is very tempting to overpack and have this doomsday approach where you fill your bag with things that you think you might need just to regret it in the end. Well, to be honest, my packing habits are still a work in progress, to say the least, but I feel that I have come a long way since my first overpacked backpack trip.  Moreover, my journey toward becoming a minimalist traveller has taken on a much deeper meaning. Once you are able to "do without" and realise that you need way less than you think your life is filled with freedom.    But it takes time and some lifestyle changes to actually achieve that minimalist mindset. Minimalist travel starts with a Mindset - It's a process over time to To be a ...
Read more

How to travel cheaper. 16 Tips to stretch your travel budget.

-
Image
When the travel bug bites you, you will find yourself looking for all kinds of reasons to go on that trip you have been dreaming about for a long time. But travel does not come cheap. For most people, it is a dream realised after many years of hard work and savings. However, travel doesn't need to be super expensive. All it actually requires is some research, smart planning, advance booking and an adventurous soul. I only started travelling in my forties and had to learn a lot of things through trial and error. Travel has taught me many lessons but most importantly I learned how to do it a bit cheaper and still had lots of fun and adventures. I once had a conversation on a bus with a fellow traveller from Italy and he told me that he has travelled since he was 19 years old. He said that his secret is to travel always in a way that he has money left for his next travel. That advise I took to heart and since then had implemented that in my travels and my life and ...
Read more