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- Your Neighbour Won’t Visit These Countries
Millions and millions of people have read my article about the world’s least-visited countries, but I get a lot of feedback that are just too weird, scary or remote as actual destinations for “most people”. That pretty much sounded like a challenge, so here we go: 10 countries less-visited that won’t scare the shit out of you – but where you’re still guaranteed not to meet your neighbour. I will also throw in another guarantee. These countries will all give you something you won’t usually experience in touristy countries; Closeness to the people living there, a feeling of being a friend not a walking bag of cash and a sense of experiencing a real country, not a theme park. Of course, this will only happen if you are open to meet, greet and talk to the locals. Leave your stereotypes at home and bring a dash of humbleness instead. It goes a long while, especially with a smile. I have listed the countries by the number of tourists per year, starting with the highest number. And to put things in perspective, the world’s most visited country is France with 84.5 million tourists in 2015 (2016 figures not available yet). That is 152 times more than the most visited country among these 10. Nepal, Asia: 555,000 tourists per year Why so few Over half a million visitors sounds like a lot, but the figure has actually dropped by 30 percent from 2014 to 2015. A lot of that is due to the powerful earthquake which killed 9,0000 and injured more than twice as many. Why still visit First of all, the scenery of Nepal is extraordinary! And keep in mind that extra tourism dollar will benefit a struggling economy and help towards rebuilding the country. Did I mention that this is the home of Mount Everest? Most people will never be able to climb the world’s highest mountain due to physical or economical limitations. Expect to pay 100,000 USD for an attempt to ascend it. And you will also need to have climbed at least two of the other seven summits (the highest mountain in each of the seven continents) first in order to qualify. Perhaps screw that macho plan? The Mount Everest basecamp is still on a lot of bucketlists, and going there might get you talking to someone who has actually been 8,848 meters above sea level. Too touristy? Well, there are also a couple of other mountains in Nepal. Consider yourself dared to hike to the top of one of them. What else The nightlife in Kathmandu, the capital, is actually not bad. Perhaps not so surprising, when you think about it. Just imagine hundreds or thousands of beer deprived mountaineers that hasn’t seen a pub in months. No wonder dress code doesn’t really apply in town, even in fine restaurants. Visa policy Nepal is one of the easiest country to visit, visa wise. Only citizens from 12 countries need to get their visa in advance. Tajikistan, Asia, 414,000 tourists per year Why so few This is one of the poorest countries in Asia, and the poorest among the former Soviet Union republics. Much of it is thanks to a civil war that lasted from 1992 and went on for 5 dark years. Why still visit The landscape around here is simply incredible! The Pamirs on the border to Afghanistan, is one of the world’s highest mountain ranges, with several peaks of above 7,000 meters. And you won’t even have to hike or climb any mountains to enjoy it. The drive down Paramir Highway is indescribably beautiful. What else For some serious partying, go to Dushanbe, the capital. It actually means Monday, named after a market that used to operate in the area on that particular day of the week. This used to be a tiny village, but 800,000 people now call Dushanbe home. And when a nice man, or woman, gives you a cup of vodka and says fifty-fifty, be aware that means bottoms up. And do as you’re told. To not drink what is offered to you, and fast, is seen as an insult. I discovered. The hard way. Visa policy Tajikistan has opened up quite a bit the last few years, and citizens from many countries can now get visa on arrival. Mongolia, Asia: 386,000 tourists per year Why so few The Silk Road goes through Mongolia, but the country has since the invention of the aeroplane been rather poorly connected to the rest of the world. At least for aviators. But of course there is the Trans-Siberian railroad, which has traditionally been the biggest source of foreign travellers. Not anymore, more and more airlines opening routes here, especially from Asian hubs. Why still visit This is a country of contrasts. Ulaanbaatar is an urban city with everything you’d expect from a capital. And more. Whereas most of the rest of the country is almost empty of people. Truly fascinating! And yes, you have to venture outside UB. Mongolia is also the home of infamous Genghis Khan who at one point ruled large parts of the world. The Mongol Empire was actually the largest contiguous land empire in history, so don’t be surprised to see statues of him all over the place. But one stands out. You absolutely have to check out the Chengis Kahn Equestrian Statue. The 40 meter high landmark stands in the middle of nowhere, 50 kilometers east of the capital. What else Mongolia is huge. It is the 18th biggest country in the world and is not to be rushed through. We are also talking about one of few countries where nomadic tradition is still going strong. How about staying in a yurt? And yes, you must taste kumis, fermented horse milk. Visa policy For a while it was easier for many countries thanks to a visa-waiver scheme, but this has now ended. Most people need a visa. But notably not Canadian, German, Russian, Turkish and US citizens. Togo, Africa: 273,000 tourists per year Why so few They speak French. Why still visit Some people speak a little English. What else Jokes aside, Togo is a super friendly and very charming country. Do not let its small size trick you into thinking there is nothing to see here. Togo is admittedly a very narrow stretch of land between Ghana and narrow colleague Benin. You can actually drive from east to west of Togo in litteraly less than an hour. Its French legacy virtually guarantees some great gourmet experiences, in particular in Lome, the capital. But do also by all means try fufu, akume and other traditional dishes. It is furthermore a crime not to visit the markets of Lome, to stock up on voodoo merchandise and African wooden masks. Togo is, together with Haiti, arguably the most famous vodoo country of the world. I would also recommend that you venture outside of Lome, which means northwards. The northern regions are less accessible, but comes with ace views, lush forests, waterfalls and coffee plantations. Not to forget a lot of elephants. To go to Togo or not to go to Togo? Nah, it isn’t really a question. Just go. Visa policy Anyone can get a visa on arrival for stays up to seven days. This makes Togo one of the easiest country in the world to visit, visa wise. Madagascar, Africa: 244,000 tourists per year Why so few Not many airlines fly to the huge island country, and those that do usually charge quite a lot for their service. The most convenient flights for most visitors fly in from Johannesburg, Nairobi, Istanbul and Paris. And Marseille, surprisingly. Why still visit Madagascar is often called the 8th continent due to its size and its diversity of unique fauna and wildlife. You just have to see the lemurs, probably the cutest animals I have ever seen. And don’t forget the several thousand year old baobab trees on the West Coast. They are often called upside-down trees. I’ll give you a million points if you can guess why. What else Antananarivo, the capital, is usually shortened to Tana by locals. Go figure. Just try to say it out loud three times. Antananarivo. Antananarivo. Antananarivo. Hell, it’s even hard to write it three times. It does nevertheless have some of the best restaurants I have tried in Africa, the only other cities than can compete are Johannesburg and Cape Town. The only difference is the price. On every occasion I was sure they had forgotten to charge me for most of my meal. They hadn’t. Visa policy No problem, visa on arrival for everyone. Suriname, South America: 228,000 tourists per year Why so few The Dutch speaking country in the north east of South America has long struggled with a reputation for being less than safe, and has primarily drawn visitors primarily from the Netherlands. Why still visit Those rumours were totally unfounded. I have rarely visited a more friendly country with smiles to be seen everywhere. Add the amazing scenery and the spectacular outdoor experiences just waiting to be made into memories that will never fade. Surinam is still very much unknown to most, hurry before that changes. And do set aside time to go inland to explore the tropical rainforest in the Amazon inland. What else Paramaribo, the capital, is fun, fun, fun. Expect parties and good restaurants. Half the population live here. In the city you will even find a perfect example of the tolerance that is sadly lacking in so many other countries. A synagogue and a mosque are next-door neighbours in the middle of Paramaribo. Visa policy People from Western countries won’t need a visa or will get one on arrival. Most others need to apply in advance. Palau, Oceania: 162,000 tourists per year Why so few Have you even heard about Palau? Why still visit Almost no one has heard about Palau. It gives you bragging rights to visit. Just keep in mind that people don’t generally like braggers. What else Palau has the smallest capital in the world. Less than 400 people live in Ngerulmud. It is a little bit of a detour to go there compared to Koror where most people are heading, but certainly worth it. Go there during weekends or holidays, and it feels like a ghost town. Diving is incredibly good in Palau, and you can expect seafood out of this world. Yes, it’s an island nation. Visa policy No problem unless you are from Myanmar or Bangladesh. Bhutan, Asia: 155,000 tourists per year Why so few It is considered a bit of a hassle to visit, as you need to sort out both a visa and a tour guide company in advance. You also need to pay between 200 and 300 USD (depending on the season) per day to stay in the mountain kingdom. This will however cover accommodation, all meals, the guide and a driver. All you need money for is in other words souvenirs and drinks. Why still visit The mountains will make your jaw drop. Not to forget the fortresses (dzongs) and monastries. Some of them are huge, all are reminders of architectural masterminds. They are often built in locations so beautiful that your camera is likely to overheat. Bring a backup. What else You may want to leave your mother-in-law at home. Penises are painted on many houses, especially in rural areas. Don’t be too alarmed. They are only innocent symbols of fertility and good luck. Visa policy Almost everyone will need to sort out your visa and pay for your entire trip in advance through a local travel agency. Inconvenient, but not difficult. Bhutan is one out of only three countries that require visiting tourists to travel around with a guide (Turkmenistan and North Korea are the other two). Grenada, North America: 141,000 tourists per year Why so few The little island nation in the Caribbean is so small that you cannot really see it on a world map. Even most airline executives have been unable to spot it, although the number of big airlines flying here is on the increase. You can now even get her on direct flights from London and Frankfurt. Why still visit The colourful capital lies around a beautiful bay surrounded by hills and is worth a trip on its own. But add beaches, waterfalls, rum destilleries and amazing seafood (yeah, including lobsters) and you will be spoilt for choice. And fishlovers, you must visit Gouyave on the west coast for its weekly Fish Friday event. What else This is spice heaven! Do visit the spice market in St. George’s, or better yet, visit spice estates in the countryside. Visa policy Stricter than many countries in the Caribbean, but very far from being the most difficult country to enter. Moldova, Europe: 94,000 tourists per year Why so few The ex-soviet republic is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Flights are scarce. Why still visit To experience a Sovjet feel in a democracy isn’t all bad. And they sure know how to party. Just don’t be surprised if strippers suddenly start performing in the bar you’re in. I was gobsmacked to suddenly see male and female strippers start their performances while I was having a beer with friends. No one but me found it strange, though. I was the only tourist. What else Moldova is a major manufacturer of wine. And they make quite good stuff too, although you won’t find it for sale in many countries. Most is consumed in Moldova or exported to Russia. So take advantage of the opportunity while visiting. It’s very affordable too. No wonder Moldovans drink more alcohol than anyone else. Visa policy Most people from Western countries can enter visa free. The visitor numbers are from the 2016 edition of UNWTOs Tourism Highlights report.
- The World’s Smallest Capitals
Two countries don’t have official capital cities, while 13 countries have more than one. The biggest capitals are among the usual suspects, but which ones are the world’s smalles capital cities? I’ll bet you a beer you haven’t been to the smallest one*. You may have heard about the country that houses the smallest capital. It is famous for diving and perhaps for usually having its presidential election on the same day as the USA (the US has its election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November, whereas this particular country has its election on the first Tuesday of November). So, it isn’t the Vatican, a city state with only 1,000 inhabitants. That’s still few enough to make the Vatican runner-up. So the very smallest capital is really, really small. But let me first go through the usual suspects, the ten biggest capitals in the world, by population. You won’t be surprised to see that the top two can be found in the two most populous countries on the planet. Perhaps not by the fact that 7 of the 10 are in Asia, either. And Mexico City, the biggest city in the Americas, didn’t quite make the list, it’s number 11. 1. Beijing, China – 22 million people 2. Delhi, India – 17 million 3. Tokyo, Japan – 14 million 4. Manila, Philippines – 13 million 5. Moscow, Russia – 12 million 6. Cairo, Egypt – 10.2 million 7. Jakarta, Indonesia – 10.1 million 8. Kinshasa, Congo – 10.1 million 9. Seoul, South Korea – 10 million 10. Dhaka, Bangladesh – 8.9 million But never mind. Let’s cut to the chase. The smallest capitals. Palau is one of 14 countries in Oceania, and its capital is so small that most travellers here never even bother to see it. Which makes it all the more worthwhile to drive the 23 kilometers from the airport; immediate bragging rights. Never mind that it is in the opposite direction of the biggest city in the country where most people go to stay or to catch a diving boat, 23 kilometers is 23 kilometers. Ngerulmud is the home of only 391 people, less than half the population of Vatican, the least densely populated country in the world. 391 people! They’ll all fit in 8 buses. Note that Yaren, the de facto capital of Nauru (one of two countries without a official capital) would have been third here with its just over a thousand inhabitants. 1. Ngerulmud, Palau – 391 people 2. Vatican, Vatican – 1,000 people 3. San Marino City, San Marino – 4,128 people 4. Palikir, Federated States of Micronesia – 4,600 people 5. Vaduz, Liechtenstein, 5,429 people 6. Funafuti, Tuvalu – 6,025 people 7. Valletta, Malta – 6,444 people 8. Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis – 13,000 people 9. Roseau, Dominica – 16,582 people 10. Belmopan, Belize – 19,458 Europe takes the lead here, with four tiny capitals. Oceania and North America have three each. Source: Wikipedia. *Offer applies to first 6 people who got that one right and who has actually been there. Beer will be purchased anywhere but in Norway, so catch me when I am out travelling (which is most of the time). I reserve the right to drink one with you and find out what the hell you did there.
- Make America Tourist-Friendly Again
Make America great again, the new president of the US has shouted all over the place before and after being elected. Not remembering, caring or perhaps even knowing that America consists of two continents, totalling 35 countries. The USA is only one of those. But the US of A is also the second most visited country in the world, with almost 70 million tourists a year. What if we stop visiting? That would have a huge negative impact on the US economy, and perhaps help the new administration understand that we are living in a global world where countries need to cooperate and are dependant of each other. The only country visited by more tourists than the US is France. But the US is number one when you look at income by tourists. And these are not small figures. In 2015, foreign tourists spent 205 billion USD in the US, almost double that of country number two (China). 205 billion dollars is approximately 10 walls on the Mexican border. But let us say that Trump manages to make the US economy better and stronger. That will inevitably mean, given his approach of non-cooperation, that other economies become weaker. Which will again leave people in other countries with less money to spend on travels. Which means fewer visitors to the US. Then again, we can always go for a different approach. A proactive one. We can chose to travel with our money elsewhere. And there are many reasons for us to do so. Trump’s demeaning behaviour, for starters. He has already attacked and will most likely keep attacking minorities, women, NGOs, the environment, Mexico, LGBT, the ordinary tax payer and many others. Why should we as international consumers reward such behaviour by going to the US or by buying US products? If Trump’s behaviour makes 10 % of us rather go to a different destination instead of the States, we’re talking over 20 billion USD in lost revenues for the US. Aka. one wall’s worth. Fear was never much of a tourist attraction, even though the former reality show host himself might be. To some. Just don’t expect him to invite you on tea and cookies. Unless you have a few billion dollars to spare, of course. There are also a lot of countries that are far more interesting and far more different to your own than the US. I mean, all of us have consumed US films, music and TV series. We have bought into the American way of life and partly adopted it in most countries. Why not seek inspiration elsewhere? And if you can afford travelling all the way to the US, you can most likely afford exploring less known parts of the world too. And support these economies while at it. Maybe even the least-visited countries on the planet. I don’t think terrorists or bullies-in-chief should stop you from persuing the art of travelling to whichever destination you chose. But as long as he goes about attacking just about anybody in such a degrading and anything but constructive manner, why should we necessarily help him in his quest to improve the USA? Trump doesn’t care about anybody but the US, judging by his inauguration speech. There is no reason for us to assist his discriminatory efforts in any way. And by staying away, we will make America want tourists again – or at least our dollars. That seems to be the only language the new administration there understands. Sadly. Let me finish by saying that I think you should travel wherever you want, and that does by all means include to the US. But Trump has just made himself a reasons to think twice before going there. Actually, just thinking at all is a good start. Also when it comes to chosing a hotel, resort or restaurant. Trump claims to own a few of those. You may also want to read: Is the World So Scary I Should Stop Travelling? Why Terrorism Should Not Stop You From Travelling The Art of Travelling
- Is the World So Scary I Should Stop Travelling?
I am often asked similar questions. As a prolific traveller, I am lucky enough to receive quite a lot of messages from fellow travellers and wannabe travellers from around the world. Most people ask for travel tips, but as of lately I have received a lot of questions dealing with safety. There has never been a time where I have encouraged people to let terror threats, hateful speeches or threatening rhetorics stop them from travelling. If people do, these individuals have won by restricting our freedom. In 2015 I wrote “Why Terrorism Should Not Stop You From Travelling“, and I will repeat a paragraph from there. Let not terrorists stop us from roaming this world, seeking experiences and learning to know, understand and appreciate other cultures. Because travel generates a mutual understanding like no other method known to mankind. In between individuals, cultures, nations, religions and faiths. I truly believe that this world will be a better place if more people travel, interact with each other and are open to thoughts different to their own. That can only lead to more respect, more friendship and more mutual smiles. But something has changed since then. As of November, quite a few people I hear from are even scared to travel to the USA, thanks to a certain elected leader. You may claim that the US has never really been particularly safe due to a huge number of accidents and widespread gun usage and violence. America, the continent, has 92 % of the world’s most lethal cities. And United States of America, the country, is home to four out of the 50 cities on the list, or 8 %. We are still talking about a huge country with almost 325 million people, but at least people didn’t feel threatened by the president there, up until now. I mean, you don’t have to live in the US to pick up on or even feel the scaremongering, the threats, the supression of people and the lies. Media from all over the world reports on the alternative right and alternative facts and leave people far far from the borders of the United States shaking heads, dropping jaws and shedding real tears. But is it really #altright or #altfacts we are witnessing? Sadly it looks more like #altrape, judging by Trump’s first few days in office and his speeches, Tweets and behaviour in general before inauguration day. Democracy, environment, women, NGOs and the ordinary tax payer are only some of the many he has attacked directly or indirectly. I will be surprised if the number of travellers to the US continue rising much the next few years. Fear was never much of a tourist attraction, even though a celebrity gone president might be. There are many more countries that are far more interesting and far more different to your own than the US. If you can afford travelling there, you can most likely afford exploring less known parts of the world too. Maybe even the least-visited countries on the planet. But if you want to go to the US, you should. Neither terrorists nor bullies-in-chief should stop you from persuing the art of travelling to whichever destination you chose. But, and there is a big but. Tourists can help send a big message to the US by not travelling there, thus not leaving their money – given the alternative rapes of the new president. He wants to make America great again, and by America he means United States of America only, not the 34 other American countries. As long as he goes about it in such a degrading and anything but constructive manner, why should we help him? The US is currently the second most visited country in the world (second to France only), with 70 million visitors a year. How about if we stop going there? Trump doesn’t care about anybody but the US, judging by his inauguration speech. There is no reason for us to assist him in his demeaning efforts in any way. Happy travels. P.S. Due to my complete lack of drawing skills, I needed some models. The Republican elephant is inspired by Bryant Arnold. Trump is inspired by the many cartoons in The Economist.
- The Two Countries Without Capitals
South Africa is the only country in the world that has three capital cities, while 12 countries have two. But two countries have no official capital city. Can you guess which ones? Let me first quickly go through the countries with two capitals. Few people disagree with the division of power in the four African countries of Benin, Ivory Coast, Swaziland and Western Sahara, the four Asian countries of Georgia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Yemen or the sole European and South American ones, Montenegro and Bolivia resepctively. Conflict arises when we move to – surprise, surprise – the Middle East. And just to make matters worse, the two countries in questions even claim to have the same capital. I am, of course speaking of – in alphabetical order – Israel and Palestine. Both claim Jerusalem as their capital and many locals from both countries will get visibly upset, sometimes even turn agitated, furious or even violent if you suggest otherwise. Jerusalem is not internationally recognized as the capital of either country, Ramallah functions as the capital for Palestine whereas Tel Aviv more or less does the job for Israel. Let me add that I find both cities surprisingly pleasant when it comes to restaurants, nightlife, coffee culture and hospitality. Unfortunately an official two-state solution that both countries can live with seems to be rather unlikely, or in a distant future. Three capitals in one country South Africa still leads the pack with three capitals, the most famous of which is Pretoria, as the seat of the executive branch of government. Wonderful Cape Town is the legislative capital, whereas Bloemfontein – which I have unfortunately never visited – is the judicial one. Why such a confusing setup? Well, it started with conflict when the union of South Africa was created, and ended with compromise. And perhaps not a bad one, as the solution corresponds well with the balance of powers, or checks and balances. Early leaders in the country agreed that the entire government in one place would give that location too much power and be prone to lobbying and corruption. Some irony then, that the president of South Africa is Jacob Zuma, a name practically synonym to corruption, mismanagement and incompetence. Perhaps they should have gone for a no-capital solution instead. Two countries have. No capital, no problem Nauru, which is the least-visited country in the world, is not surprisingly be one of them. Less than 10,000 people live on the island virtually on the Equator in the Pacific. Under 10 % of them live in Yaren, the de facto capital, or main district as the UN calls it. Capitalless country number two may come as more of a shock. Come to think of it, it isn’t all that surprising after all. We are, after all, speaking of the country that defines neutrality more than any other, in part thanks to peace building operations around the world and a home to more international organization than any other. The country didn’t even join the UN until 2002 and is neither a member of the EU nor the European Economic Area. It sounds like Britain post Brexit, but I am of course talking about Switzerland. Come on, how about Bern? Your teacher might have told you to memorize that as the Swiss capital city. And some will say he or she was right, but not quite. Bern is for sure the seat of both the government and federal authorities and is referred to as the “federal city” but Swiss law doesn’t name an official (de jure) capital. Federal courts are also placed in other cities. The country is in other words technically capitalless, but Bern is still seen as the de facto capital. And that is good enough for most. Perhaps except for quiz masters.
- The 24 Easiest Countries to Visit
You’re not a big fan of bureaucracy, queues or red tape? Or perhaps a slightly paranoid citizen of i.e. North Korea, where travel agencies offer you a limited option of easy and friendly destinations? Then stay clear of the world’s hardest countries to visit. Instead, go get a ticket to one of the world’s easiest countries to visit as a tourist. The friendliest ones don’t require a visa from ANYONE, regardless of nationality. But don’t forget your passport, you will be asked to show it upon entry. It doesn’t get much more hassle free than that. Then again, I’m talking about a very few island states. Let me use one of them to examplify. The nearest country neighbour is a thousand kilometers away, so it will still take you some effort and cost some money to get there. Both The island of Reunion, which belongs to France, and Madagascar are two and a half hour away by scheduled aircraft. And it will take three hours to fly to Nairobi, the nearest city on the mainland that is served by a commercial airline. Add another hour and you’re in Sri Lanka. From Seychelles, that is. Most countries that are lenient with visas are in fact island nations. Not very surprisingly, really. 100 % visa free! All nationalities can enter the following countries visa free. You will still need a passport, proof of funds to fund your stay and an onward ticket. And passport stamp collectors, yes you will get your much sought after ink jab in all of these. At least I did. Federated States of Micronesia Madagascar Maldives Seychelles Visa on arrival to everyone And three countries are almost as generous. They will give anyone a visa on arrival, but you will need two blank pages in your passport. Some nationals may also only stay for seven days in Togo. Do note that Tuvalu is the third least-visited country in the world. Which proves that the ease of getting legal access isn’t necessarily a winner. I guess the propeller aircraft from Fiji Airways that comes here twice a week doesn’t have all that much space anyway. Mozambique Togo Tuvalu It’s almost as easy here, although citizens from most countries can only enter by plane or ship to obtain a visa on arrival. Not much of an obstacle, really. The country only has one land border. Timor Leste (East Timor) Close, but no cigar. Three East African countries have joined forces and issue a joint e-visa for people of any nationality. East Africa Borderless Visa still costs $100 and must be purchased in advance. You will need to first arrive to the country that issued the visa. Kenya Rwanda Uganda There is a similar scheme in place for a Caribbean nation. Some nationals enter without any paperwork, whereas citizens from quite a few countries need to pay $100 for an evisa. It has to be obtained before arriving: Saint Kitts and Nevis And anyone can visit this country too, but most people need to get an evisa in advance. São Tomé and Príncipe There is a little bit of a loophole here. Any cruise passenger can enter this country, but only for 24 hours: Grenada And what do you know, even hard-to-enter Russia can be visited by anyone as long as you arrive by cruise ship, stay only in St. Petersburg and sleep on board. You are then entitled to a maximum of 72 hours in the city, but only under strict supervision by a licensed tour guide. Not ideal, but a little bit of a loophole should everything else fail. Russia With one exception, only. Only people from its nearest neighbour, the US island of American Samoa, requires a visa in advance. Go figure, they live only 60 kilometers away and may all of a sudden plan an invasion. Samoa What is it with nearby countries? In some cases they may be like annoying neighbours, it seems. Morocco is one of the nearest countries on the African mainland, and citizens from that country only need a visa to visit. Cape Verde Two countries to harass. One particular country doesn’t seem to get along too well with the people living on the island of Hispaniola. One of those countries even shares a very similar name. Dominica And one Pacific country seems to holde a grudge against people from Myanmar and Bagladesh. Palau Nah, let’s double that. People four countries are less welcome than others. Haiti. And again. Seven Asian countries and a Caribbean neighbour will encounter a little barrier. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Unlucky ten. Some African and Asian citizens are out of luck. Cambodia We love everyone. Well, except people from 12 countries. Inhabitants of only 12 countries need a visa to enter this beauty of South America. It’s tourism slogan is rather accurate then. For most, at least: “All you need is Ecuador.” Nepal coincidentally also demands that people from 12 countries, although not exactly the same ones, to get the paperwork sorted in advance. Afghanistan, Nigeria and Somalia are on both watch lists. Ecuador Nepal Did I miss any countries? Please let me know.
- The Riverless Countries of the World
I bet you will never guess how many countries lack rivers. The biggest of them is even the 12th biggest country in the world. And it is far from being alone. Perhaps not surprisingly given that Tuvalu’s highest point is only 5 meters above sealevel. That is still more than twice as high as the highest “peak” of the Maldives. Do note that I am talking about countries without any permanent rivers. In Arabic and Hebrew such a dry riverbed even has its own name: wādī. It is traditionally used for a valley, but heavy rainfall may turn it into a temporary river or stream. 18 riverless countries exist, perhaps most notably Saudi Arabia which is over two million square kilometers. That is over three times the size of France or 25 % bigger than Alaska! Then again, keep in mind that 95 % of the country is desert. 18 countries is 9 percent of the world’s 198 countries. Surprisingly high, I thought. Most of the countries do furthermore not have any high mountains, although six countries have mountains that reach at least 1000 meters into the sky. Mountains do not guarantee a river, clearly. Yemen tops that particular list and is the the highest countries without any rivers. Some claim to fame. Countries listed by their highest point, lowest country first. Maldives – 2 meters Tuvalu – 5 meters Marshall Islands – 10 meters Bahamas – 63 meters Nauru – 71 meters Vatican – 75 meters Kiribati – 81 meters Qatar – 103 meters Bahrain – 122 meters Monaco – 161 meters Malta – 253 meters Kuwait – 306 meters Tonga – 1033 meters United Arab Emirates – 1910 meters Comoros – 2360 meters Saudi Arabia – 3000 meters Oman – 3009 meters Yemen – 3666 meters Source: Wikipedia.
- Magic Myanmar Made My Day
It has long been a vastly underestimated destination, and it still is. More and more tourists are coming, but the numbers are still on the low side. To make the step from well-established and super safe Thailand seems a step too big for most. Luckily. That preserves the gem that this country is, for a little longer. Quite a few tourists still visit Yangon, Mandalay and Bangon, and for good reasons. But why not dare go elsewhere to discover world-class beaches, hospitality virtually unheard of and mouth-watering seafood? Just asking. A stop for a couple of days in Yangon to see the world’s highest gold-plated pagoda, soak in the hustle and bustle of the country’s biggest city and sample its interesting and sometimes excellent restaurants, comes recommended. But head south by plane (1hr) or bus (12hrs) to the true beach bonanza nearby Dawei. If the dozen of virtually unused beaches doesn’t make you relax, nothing short of heavy medication will. Maungmakan is the busiest of them, with excellent beach restaurants and small shops lined up in the shadow of the palm trees. The place to go when loneliness sets in from too much spent on more remote Grandfather Beach (Po Po Kyauk), Shan Maw, San Sa Aw Paradise Beach or San Maria. More on the beaches around Dawei on MyohMyanmar, a blog. The best way to independently travel between the beaches is by scooter. You will easily fit two on it. They can be rented cheaply from around Dawei, helmets are mandatory. And you won’t need to go to petrol stations to fill them up. Glass bottles of petrol are sold from almost every little shop alongside the road. Just don’t drink the stuff, it can easily pass ass rum or whiskey in those fancy bottles. Myeik is further south, and the gateway to the incredible Mergui Archipelago which was off-limits to foreigners until fairly recently. And don’t get me wrong, the beaches here certainly compete with those around Dawei, but they are far less accessible as you need a boat to access most of them. A group visit with 20 others will set you back 100USD for a full day, including food and soft-drinks, water and beer. To get there on your own is much more expensive, unless your haggling is world-class, or you have are in the posession of a yatch. I don’t, so I had to turn to a travel and tour company. A rarity for me, but I can fully recommend Blissful Myanmar whose Director Dr. That Zin Linn did everything in his powers (which was a lot) to ensure a most pleasant and very hassle free tour of the archipelago (as well as help rebook tickets to the Myeik-Yangon flight which was rescheduled without notice).. Two Sand Line Island is definitely absolutely totally must-visit. It will cost you three hours worth of magnificent sights on a speed boat to get there, a small sacrifice to visit an island with a beach on each side of it. That does perhaps not sound very unique. Except that the island is bow tie shaped, which means that the two beaches are a 30 second walk from each other. With no people, and no buildings except for a small wooden shack. And let me not forget the excellent snorkelling. Just visit. You can thank me later. The magic of Myanmar might be best experienced away from the most touristy towns, but the hospitality is the same around the contry. You will never regret going here. But chances are you will regret not giving the country a chance. For so many reasons, all of which made me smile. A lot. Let me just mention the food, the people, the hospitality, the sights, the beaches. It has everything. Even bubbles.
- 25 Strange Customs and Traditions Around the World
A big part of travelling is turning your head. To observe strange customs, to admire people in traditional outfits, to gasp at breathtaking sights or to try to understand why the hell people do what they do. But some strange customs are stranger than others. Guest post by: Lily Evans. Several wonderful places in the world have long been known for their strange practices and traditions. Those who are merely passing through these places might consider these customs to be taboo or inhumane. But those who care to look for the meaning behind these beliefs usually appreciate them, despite their strangeness. Just out: The World’s Least-Touristy Countries 2018 I have gathered 25 seemingly strange, crazy or mad traditions from around the world. Please let me know if you know of others that belong here. 1. Teeth tossing in Greece: Some cultures pop children’s teeth under their pillows and wait for a swap with cold hard cash by a fairy. Others throw a baby’s recently liberated tooth on their roofs. 2. Baby Jumping in Spain: Residents in a small Northern Community take part in baby jumping, called El Colacho, to keep the devil at bay. Men dressed as the devil run between and jump over infants, who are laid on mattresses along the streets. 3. Avoiding using red ink in South Korea: Based on their history and customs, red ink was used to write down names of dead people. It is therefore considered a taboo to write someone’s name in red. 4. Initiation custom in Brazil: It is strange how young boys prove their bravery and strength. In the Satare Mawe tribe they showcase the courage by placing hands in a basket filled with angry bullet ants. The bites are real pain. 5. The Monkey Buffet Festival in Thailand: Some people might be surprised to be looking at some monkeys atop a buffet table, feasting on sumptuous dishes. In this annual festivity, over 3000 kgs of fruits and vegetables are fed to several monkeys that dwell in Lopburi, Bangkok. 6. Tomato craze in Spain: La Tomatina is the biggest tomato fight that exists. It is a strange culture among the Valencians in Bunol where tomatoes are used as weapons. Snowball fights are so last year. 7. The Polterabend custom in Germany: Just before couples are wed, their families and close friends meet for an informal affair. Then, all guests are requested to break things such as dinner wares and flower vases, anything except glasses. As soon as the entire place is in disarray, the couples should clear up the broken things. This tradition shows the couple the significance of being united and of hard work, which is necessary to make their marriage work. At least they are in for a hell of a start. Things can only improve from here. 8. Witches’ Night in the Czech Republic: Prague has more than its fair share of rituals and traditions, one of which sees young lovers jump over the dying embers of bonfires. Single men are also encouraged, on this day, to leave tokens of freshly cut branches on the doorstep of the women of the affections. It was once believed that the evil powers on this evening, which falls in between the ancient feast days of St. Jacob and St. Phillip, were far stronger than normal and that for this evening only they ruled over the good. Flocks of witches riding broomsticks were said to soar the skies, and the Czechs believed that the bonfires would bring them down in flames. Nowadays the celebration is far more light-hearted, and the biggest bonfire in the country takes place in the center of the Czech capital. 9. The Blackening and Henna weddings in muslim countries: A strange culture in Islam where women from the bride’s family surround her and paint designs on her feet, arms and hands to symbolize womanhood, provide fertility and luck to the woman. This happens two days before the wedding. Like tattooes, just not permanent. 10. Bushido and Seppuku of Japan: Bushido has remained the warrior code that emphasizes loyalty, strength, and integrity. Seppuku is the ritual suicide, which is an alternative to defeat. This strange custom continues up to today where it is considered better to commit it rather than surrender. 11. Camel wrestling in Turkey: Many spectators are delighted to watch two male camels fight. Even though there are no injuries that afflict the animals, as with cock fighting, or the audience, as with bull running in Spain. Still, people are asked to stay away from the camels throughout the wrestling match. Agitated camels tend to discharge saliva with a sticky texture and a disgusting smell. 12. The Haka in New Zealand: The Maori practices a way of spectating that involves grunting, menacing facial expressions, loud chanting, stomping, guttural howling, tongue wagging and chest thumping. It may sound like a guy trying to pick up a girl in western nightclubs, but it is meant to strike fear and awe into the opponents. 13. Welcome drinks in Fiji: You may have noticed this when you were welcomed to the Pacific nation. Guests are served a strange earthy cocktail made from squeezing roots and served in a wooden bowl or bucket. It’s called Kava, but cannot in anyway compare to the Spainsh bubbles. Kava is considered narcotics in many countries, although a very mild one. 14. Blubbing Brides in China: Brides cry for about a month, which is considered part of the wedding preparations. This culture is still observed by the Fuji living in Wuling Mountains. I guess it beats crying for a month after the wedding. 15. Tooth filling in Indonesia: In Bali, a rather peculiar ritual is performed by both genders before marriage. They fill two teeth. It is done to keep any evil forces or characteristics such as greed, lust, anger, stupidity, confusion, jealousy and intoxication away from the couple. None of the above? Sounds bloody boring to me. 16. Antzar Eguna in Spain: This well-known tradition means “The Day of the Geese.” On this occasion, a goose is covered with grease and is tied very high above a body of water. Gentlemen then try to get a hold of the goose as they jump from their boat. The objective is to rip off the goose’s head, as they grab it. An act that should sort of disqualify them from being called “Gentlemen”, I’d say. This competition is a test of their strength, endurance, and agility, which would make them eligible to wed the woman they adore. However, the custom is no longer practiced using a live goose, because of animal rights concerns. Additionally, The Day of the Geese is merely practiced in Lekeitio, as part of the feast in San Antolin. 17. Foot binding in China: Young girls were compelled to go through the painful process of foot binding. For almost a thousand years, the Chinese thought that small feet were marks of beauty and desirability among girls. This perception caused the Chinese men and women to intentionally restrict the girls’ feet from growing bigger by binding them. In the late 1940’s, this tradition was stopped because of the debilitating experience that young Chinese girls suffered from. 18. The Nag Panchami festival in India: This festival is all about worshipping snakes that are specially gathered for the occasion. It is celebrated in the rural areas Maharashtra and in certain temples. During Nag Panchami, people dance to the music carrying snakes in pots which are placed on their head and join the procession towards the temple. After chants and prayers, the snakes are sprinkled with a mixture of turmeric and red powder and offered a mix of honey and milk, after which they are released into the temple courtyard. Even though some of the most venomous snakes, including cobras, are used in the ritual, people suffering from snake bites is almost unheard of. Perhaps they know what they are doing. 19. Burial Ritual in Brazil and Venezuela: When a person of the Tanomani tribe dies, his or her body is burnt. The bone and ash powder is mixed into a plantain soup that the people attending will drink. They believe that this pleases the dead soul as it finds a resting place in their bodies. 20. Krampuslauf in Austria, Bavaria, and Switzerland: Krampuslauf is the scary, devil-like creatures called Krampus that carries cow bells, clank chains and rides through the streets of the Alpine regions scaring children and adults. Traditionally, young men dress as the Krampus and are accompanied by ‘Nikolaus’, or Santa. The Krampuslauf typically occurs in the first two weeks of December, although December 5 is the most favored date. In rural areas the Krampuslauf traditions sometimes include giving those unfortunate enough to be caught by the Krampus a light birching. The Krampus monsters are often linked to legends of succubus and incubus, the nocturnal, sexually predatory demons. The modern costume typically used on Krampuslauf consists of red wooden masks, black sheep’s skin and horns. The masks are typically hand-carved, and many people enjoy Krampuslauf competitions, competing for titles such as ‘best costume’ and ‘most scary’. The word Krampus has its origins in the old German word ‘Krampen’ which means, ‘Claw’. Many believe Krampuslauf to be a pre-Christian festival, drawing on pagan influences which have survived due to the isolated nature of the Alpine region. 21. Piercings in India: It is strange how Hindus show their devotion to the Lord through piercing their body parts including the tongue. This custom ritual, the Hindu Thaipusam Piercings, is bloody but colorful. And looks painful as hell. not for the faint-hearted. 22. Burning witches in the Czech Republic: Some of us celebrate the end of winter with a spring clean, while others take to the streets in elaborate carnival outfits for Mardi Gras. People here celebrate the temperate season in an entirely different way, by burning a hag on a bonfire. On the last night of April, many Czechs gather around hillside bonfires to celebrate Paleni Carodejnic, the annual burning of witches. To keep the hags at bay, the locals burn their broomsticks and huge effigies of witches and hags, which are similar in appearance to the Guy Fawkes burnt in England on Bonfire Night. 23. Sardine burial in Tenerife: A custom tradition among Spaniards is actually burying a sardine, with a funeral procession of mourners in black. It mostly occurs at the highly spirited moments in the Christian calendar such as lent and the advent period. 24. Mudras among Hindus and Buddhists: Seals, gestures or marks are put on people, in the belief that they will help the individuals control the flow of life. They think that the energy (prana) will improve focus to achieve specific goals. 25. Bayanihan in the Philippines: This custom involves the practice of moving the entire home to a new location. Villagers gather, lift up the home and carry it over quite a long distance. It also happens during predicted floods or landslides. This tradition is probably as close as we will ever get to being snails, carrying their houses on their backs. These customs are some of the strange and bizarre practices in some of the most wonderful places in the world. They may seem absurd but the natives believe or believed that their practices permitted them to learn essential values and lessons in life. Next time you see something strange, do by all means turn your head, but please don’t jump to the conclusion that people are crazy, mad or stupid. They may have very good reasons for their actions. Or they may just have had a little bit too much to drink.
- Jazzin’ it in Jakarta
It is a huge city, with a reputation to match. Traffic hell in a dirty concrete wastelands with shabby neighbourhoods in between cannot be anyone’s idea of fun. Well, if that was all there was to the metropolis. There is much more. I got up early, very early, to beat the heat. My intention was to explore the colourful Utara neighbourhood, ot North Jakarta, by foot. There weren’t many on the same quest as me, but the streets were busy with families eating breakfast, street hawkers and children on their way to school. Not to mention street artists of varies degree of talents, groups of people working out on the command of high-pitched leaders and people simply transporting people or goods. People watching heaven! Everyone was there, and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. I have rarely come across collectively friendlier people. The amount of greetings and smiles I received was enough to put a big long-lasting grin on my face all throughout the morning. Until noon, when the heat became unbearable for an anything but sun accustomed Norwegian. I retreated into the first place with air conditioning, coincidentally a Starbucks café. Where it turned out that the air conditioner was so effective that I ended up ordering a hot latte not to freeze to death. Contrasts, indeed. And Jakarta is full of them. There are many poor neighbourhoods, where people live in shacks and where the sewage goes straight out from holes in walls or floors into streams or rivers beneath. Neither sight, sound or smell does anyone any favours. There are narrow streets, sometimes better described as paths between the households. People selling various items from carts or food from mobile stalls are everywhere. So are the smiles. I was often greeted “Hello, Mister!” as I walked throughout, trying to answer as best as I could, sometimes engaging in pleasant conversations. And then there are the shopping centers. There are 170 of them in town, according to The Guardian. Then again, they cater to 10 million people, twice the population of Norway. Expect to find everything and anything! Some of the walls cater to the high heeled, others anyone but. There is at least one reason why everyone goes here, the same that brought me to Starbucks: Aircon. And the super popular food courts with a selection that caters to Jakarta’s multi-cultural history. Although, I’d rather recommend the many markets for such. More colours, more odours and more life. Atmosphere, in a word. Expect a strong Dutch influence in the north, nearby the seafront. And do by all means visit Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, a park with pavilions showcasing cultural aspects of every one of Indonesia’s 33 regions. There are a lot of different accommodation options in Jakarta, from cheap and cheerful hostels to top of the line luxury havens. I don’t usually stay in the latter type of establishments, but when you come across a deal that seems to good to be true, an exception is for sure in order. I used hotel website www.traveloka.comfor the first time, and was in for a pleasant surprise. Fairmont Jakarta is in the middle of town, but next to a big lush park and virtually surrounded by restaurants, bars, shopping meccas and even a golf course. I have rarely, if ever, experiences such hospitality from the people working in a hotel, let alone in one of such a size with close to 400 rooms. But five stars means five stars, and they are clearly not going to risk a single one of them. Clearly. Not a hotel I’d normally pick – due to budget issues – but I found an offer that was simply too good to miss on the previously mentioned website. There is no way to write about Jakarta without mentioning its restaurants and its nightlife. The selection of both of the above makes Jakarta a challenger to famous party cities such as Paris, New York, Beirut and Tokyo. You can even enjoy it alone, in parts thanks to the hospitality here. The Kota area in the north competes with Amsterdams Red Light District in more ways than one. Blok M, Kemang and Sudirman Central Business District come with better reputations. Although parties are known to keep going forever. Who would have guessed this is a muslim country? Just make sure your hotel isn’t nearby a mosque. Then again, you’ll probably stay out long enough for the morning prayers not to disturb you anyway. Jakarta has some problems typical of megacities, such as pollution, traffic and inequalities. It is furthemore not at all like Kuta, Gili or Lombok – but neither would you expect of a metrolopolis its size. Jakarta is, all in all, an undervalued city and certainly worth a visit. You need more top travel tips?
- World’s Top 50 Country Passport Stamps
A journalist recently asked if she could go through my passport stamps. It also triggered me to have a closer look in my ten passports to find my favourite stamps. The intention was to come up with a top 25 list, but I just couldn’t do it. Call me awful at prioritizing, but here you have my favourite 50 stamps from the 198 countries of the world. With two bonus ones thrown in. What constitutes a top passport stamp or visa sticker? The design itself matters, how unique or hard it is to get, as well as any good story related to getting it. Or a combination of the above. The most special one is from Laos. Not because it is groundbreaking or spectatular or contains fancy holograms, but because I had run out of empty pages in my passport. Something the police woman at the border at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane wasn’t slow to discover and pinpoint. – Sir, you do not have any empty pages in your passport, she said. – Oh, I am really sorry about that. Are there no half-empty pages you can use, officer? I suggested. – Let us see what we can do, she answered. That’s when she picked up a new Laos passport from behind her counter, ripped out four pages and stapled them into mine. – Now you have four new pages, she smiled, before demanding a colour photograph from me. A true problem solver on an international border? Very rare. And very welcome. To be fair, I did have my second passport in my pocket, with a lot of unstamped pages, but I wanted to see if she could squeeze another stamp or two into my stamped-out document. She wasn’t into squeezing, she preferred expansion. I will go through the remaining 46 countries semi-alphabetically, as there are sometimes more than one memorable stamp on each page. But what about the journalist that inspired me to go through 324 pages of visas and stamps? Camilla Flaatten is a travel reporter for Aftenposten, the biggest newspaper in Norway. Read her story about my passports.
- What Tourists Prefer to be Called
In July I asked if people who travel prefer to be called a tourist, a traveller or something else. The blog post has been read a couple of thousand times, and the results are now in. I have long claimed that travelling is the best education anyone can get, that it opens eyes like nothing else and promotes understanding between people, cultures and religions. It seems as if travel also might make people less narrow-minded than I thought. Or feared. Perhaps due to my shameless eavesdropping on discussions about whether people are tourists or travellers or globetrotters. Discussions I have heard on more continents than one. Which triggered my question in the first place. The question I asked was the following. What do you call yourself, with regards to travelling? It turns out that almost 29 % of respondents don’t care. Good on you! There is of course no right or wrong response to this question, but the most popular option might, just might, hint to the conclusion that people that roam the planet are semi-open-minded. Then again, I haven’t asked those who prefer to stay put in their hometown, and venture nowhere else. Traveller is the second choice, preferred by over 22 % while a little over 15 % would rather be looked upon as an adventurer. Globetrotter comes in fourth, before the dreaded tourist title. Dreaded, based on eavesdropping and discussions I have taken part in, that is. Most people I have spoken to about it, or overheard, seem to not want to be called a tourist. “Hey, does it look like I stay in a resort?” and similar responses have been common when the topic has come up. The definition of a tourist, by the way? one that makes a tour for pleasure or culture* Should cover most of us, really. Given that the tour isn’t necessarily a guided one, that is. The only one of the suggested “titles” that no one associated themselves with was vagabond. Bad news for the shoe brand, perhaps. And a few people felt that explorer, backpacker and global citizen should have been title options, whereas one person claimed that no accurate word or term exists. Full results Adventurer: 15.38 % Globetrotter: 12.59 % Nomad: 4.9 % Observer: 1.4 % Sightseer: 2.1 % Tourist: 7.69 % Traveller: 22.38 % Vagabond: 0.0 % Voyager: 1.4 % I don’t care: 28.67 % Name your own title: 3.5 % 143 people answered. This is not based on scientific research, only on an internet poll on garfors.com. You may also find these blog posts interesting: The Art of Travelling Travellers Kiss Better














