I’ve travelled to over 30 countries and several countries I have visited more than once. Amongst all those adventures there are some places and activities that stand out. Below is a list of my gems and why they are gems to me. In no particular order. Underneath are some photos of each of the places. Enjoy.
Stay tuned for my next blog about with my bucket list of places I desperately want to visit and adventures I want to do!
- Giza, Egypt: Venturing inside one of the famous pyramids. Even though it was over 40 degrees and getting into the pyramid involved stooping over and walking awkwardly down then back up a ramp it was worth it. Venturing inside one of the pyramids, one of the wonders of the world, feels like stepping into another place in time or onto the set of a movie.
- Egypt: hot air ballooning by where the lush land meets the desert near Valley of the King. Very cool. Although a bit intense when we were flying low and powerlines were coming closer on the horizon!
- Halong Bay, Vietnam: An overnight cruise will have you waking up and looking out your cabin window to the view of the many pristine limestone islands that make up Halong Bay. If you are venturing to Halong Bay an overnight cruise is definitely the way to go. Don’t do it on a day cruise for I think you will miss the true gem of the place. Forgotten your snacks? Don’t panic. Some people spend their days rowing around in a small row boat full of snacks ready for a sale!
- Halong Bay, Vietnam: Kayaking amongst some of the limestone islands is one of the most adventurous things I have done. I hadn’t been sea kayaking before. Thankfully (for the sake of my lack of arm muscles) it was a two person kayak. This activity is a gem because it is adventurous while not being too crazy which allows you to soak in the stunning views you are kayaking by. If you are lucky you might get to spot some of the island’s wildlife. We got to see monkeys.
- Savaii, Samoa: Snorkelling above the coral in Samoa was another one of the most adventurous things I have done. I felt happy-scared throughout the experience. Happy because it was amazing seeing the sealife in such a new way (new to me that is). Scared because there were moments I wanted to stand up but there was coral beneath me. And of course I always find myself thinking of sharks when I am in the sea. Just like I think of plane crashes when I am flying! So stupid! Anyway, take an underwater camera with you if you can!
- Blue Grotto, Malta: I took a tour to the famous Blue Grotto sea caverns. The most incredible blue coloured water. Seeing such an untouched beautiful site is instant gem status for me. Enough said! Check it out for yourself. Malta is a great country especially if you like limestone buildings!
- Mdina, Malta: Wander along ancient limestone paths surrounded by limestone buildings in Mdina. I felt as though I was the only one in the city as I wandered along the beautifully clean limestone paths.
- Montreal, Canada: My first and only (so far anyway) experience of midnight mass was at a cathedral in Montreal on Christmas Eve in 2009. The cathedral was huge. It was very interesting watching the mass rituals.
- Brussels, Belgium: Eating a traditional Belgium waffle in Belgium was a delicious experience. The Belgium chocolate was absolutely incredible! Even now, 4yrs on, I can still recall the taste of it. Okay now I feel like eating chocolate. Let us move on to something else.
- Adelboden, Switzerland: Christmas Eve saw me sitting in a chalet overlooking the town as snow fell all day long. The following day I went snow shoeing and sledging, which was so exhilarating and fun! There’s something about snow that is just instant excitement for me and regresses me to the age of a 5yr old. Needless to say watching blizzard-like snow falling in the Swiss Alps was a recipe for intense excitement!
- Oranienburg, Germany: The location of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. You might read this in disgust, thinking it is not a gem! The tour of this Concentration Camp is a gem to me because it reminds me that we must never forget what has happened because if we do we are dire risk of making the same mistakes. I am grateful that people can visit these sites because it serves as a reminder of what was and instils a determination to never repeat the same mistakes.
- Crete, Greece: I found myself contemplating life from a beach just a stone’s throw from our hotel in Crete as my sister and I watched a stunning sunset. I don’t recall getting any life changing pearls from my contemplating. But the view was certainly stunning. Sometimes at night I lie in the darkness and remember the sunset and how peaceful I felt in that moment.
- London, UK: Listening to the famous Handel’s Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall would have moved me to tears if I had not been sitting next to an English lad that I was very besotted with. Great music and acoustics. A combination that will move you, even if you don’t show it outwardly.
- Iceland: There is no guarantee when hunting the northern lights that they will come out to play. I was fortunate enough last month to see them over one of the national parks in Iceland. It seemed to form an arch across the sky and almost seemed to dance. I feel like I didn’t get enough of the northern lights, but I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s just such an incredible stunning phenomenon that I could never get enough of it!
- Hierapolis, Turkey: Swimming in the ancient thermal pools was a mix of relaxation and excitement. Scattered in the pools are ancient pillars which fell into the pool during an earthquake centuries ago. It was decided that he pillars should remain in the pool. Great decision! Apparently Cleopatra swum in the pools. If you go to these pools take some googles or a snorkel mask so you can check out what is beneath the water. The water is super painful on your eyes and tastes fowl. Apparently it’s not treated, all natural hot springs!
- Pamukkale, Turkey: This World Heritage site is stunning. Calcium is the main reason for this natural wonder. The water flowing down the cliffs is warm/hot. The blue pools of water are often only ankle deep and are generally cool. The view wandering down to the different pools was amazing. Looking across the landscape was stunning mountains then looking down were the blue pools of water and to the right more white cliffs. Such an interesting place.
- And last but not least, Picton, New Zealand: Walking along a ridge above Picton gives you breath-taking views of Queen Charlotte Sounds and leaves you wanting to venture to the Sounds straight away. When I did this walk last year I found myself mesmerised by the view and wishing I did not have to rush back to my hotel to check out.
Stay tuned for my next blog about with my bucket list of places I desperately want to visit and adventures I want to do!