Traveling around the world for the last few years and sharing my adventure via this website has been nothing short of amazing. I never knew that so many people would be interested in my travel blog stories and the way that I make a living day trading & travelling.
I have now been to roughly 50 countries across five continents and have lived in about 10 countries as well. My travel plans for this year are going to send me to new destinations that I have never been to before and also a move to India for my day trading business, TheDayTradingAcademy.com.
I made some changes to the way I travel year and I realized that living overseas isn’t always as cracked up as it sounds, you did hear how my laptop blew up right? Even though I have traveled so extensively in the west there are still places I want to visit in the world, it seems that the wanderlust can’t escape even a seasoned traveler like myself.
One of my pictures from my life in Sicily
Barcelona
Ethiopia is my coffee crush, David Beckham is my man crush, Brazilian and Colombian women are my women crush, and Barcelona is my city crush. Even though I used to live in Sicily for almost 2 years I never made it to mainland Europe.
Barcelona is one of those places that has managed to creep into my curiosity and stay there for years. The late night Sangrias and tapas as well as the late night adventures known to the bustling city of Barcelona are no surprise to anyone. Add in a beach and incredible architecture and you have a city that people would love to visit.
Now that I’m going to be traveling through Europe and possibly living in London for a month or two, the time is come for my crush and I to become closely acquainted.
Myanmar
Once I move to India it will be my first time in Asia, that is not the reason why I’m curious about Myanmar however. The country has been on the United States blacklist for years and not even Coca-Cola does business there (right now).
One fun fact that you might not know that Coca-Cola does business in every country in the world except Cuba, Myanmar, and North Korea. Now that Myanmar is getting its act together and starting to open up to the world, there is going to be huge opportunities for both tourism and investments.
Now that I am starting to talk about investing overseas on this website, Myanmar is an elusive country to visit and get to know for both travel and investments. It also helps that the US is starting to lift it’s sanctions in Myanmar.
Picture of Namibia courtesy of Wikipedia
Namibia
Namibia is one of those countries that kept popping up in conversations as I was living in Eastern Africa at the end of last year. People would rave about the people and also the beauty of the country. The majestic mountains of desert sand that I keep seeing in picture after picture have sparked my curiosity and it is a place that is very high on my list.
Ghana
Most of my favorite destinations around the world are ones that include great people. The people of Ghana were described as some of the most beautiful people in the world. Gracious, kind, safe to tourists, and curiosity are all characteristics that I have heard about the people in Ghana.
Even though the country is shy on tourist attractions, with a bit of coastline on the South Atlantic Ocean, wouldn’t be a bad place to start in Western Africa.
Galapagos islands
I have now visited every country in South America except Ecuador which happens to own the Galapagos islands. I have seen and visited almost every major tourist attraction on the continent excluding a few locations in Chile, Brazil, and you guessed it, the Galapagos islands. One of the most unique places in the world, I sadly missed the death of Lonesome George, the last Pinta Giant Tortoise.
I do still plan on getting to know the unique species that are only found on the popular islands. With my new GoPro camera armed to go any lengths to take great video and pictures, I can’t wait to go diving in the Galapagos islands.
Iran
Say what you say about their politics, Iran happens to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world. While you may think that the people of Iran hate the west, the reality is that the government hates the west, not the people. It is very similar to the old the situation between the French and Americans, it’s the governments that hate each other rather than the people.
I have heard endless stories of the kindness of the people of Iran and can’t wait to see the beautiful country sides. If you didn’t know there are also ruins of the Roman empire in the country that is often mistaken for Arab.
People from Iran are Persian, not Arabic.
There is my short list of countries that I am dying to visit. I remember like it was yesterday when I saw a picture of the Stone Forest in Madagascar on National Geographic and I immediately knew I had to see it with my own eyes. Some of these countries have left me with the same imagination after getting to know some of their tourist attractions and hearing stories about their amazing people.
Travel shouldn’t be just about seeing things, it should be about getting to know the people as well.
Lived in Barca for 6 months, it’s a cool city you’ll like it!
Great list! I’ve been to Barcelona and it’s amazing. Galapagos Islands is also at the top of my list to visit, though don’t think I’ll make it there in 2012 unfortunately.
Oh wow, lets say I’d love to be in those cities as well. Barcelona, I was there last summer, didn’t went too much though, but I can say I really liked it! It’s a very warm environment, night-life is very active, there are many places to visit, and everything is really cool, I strongly recommend Barcelona. Myanmar, oh Myanmar, I was there in January and it’s a country that remains in the past, about 1960’s, very warm people, even though there’s not many English speakers, but still they’ll try to help you, getting a visa for me (I’m Colombian) was very easy but my American friend had some problems, but anyway he ended up getting it. It’s a secure place, and there’s not much to visit in the cities, Yangoon is not that fun, but Bagan is amazing. For the other countries I can’t say anything cause I haven’t been in any, but still I’d love to visit them.
Iran is right up there on my list as well! Hoping to get there by the time next spring rolls around….if I’m approved for a visa, that is. 🙂
The only time we are damned for having a US passport… lol
Barcelona, I totally agree! Always been fascinated by Gaudí so seeing his buildings would be a big highlight for me.
I have heard that the architecture in Barcelona is amaaaazing.. I can’t wait to explore it
I’m in Thailand right now, and I’m really hoping to make it to Myanmar. I’ve heard that getting a visa can be really difficult, and even then, foreigners are still restricted from certain areas. Still – it seems like the kind of place that’s worth going through all the red tape for.
Ive heard a lot of good things about it Jessica.. definitely let me know how it goes!
Malaysia is an alternative…Cambodia.
Love that I found Namibia on the list, I’m heading there in a month! Galapagos is also on my list, hope to make it there some day…
Awesome Christin!
While you’re there CapeTown and Kruger for safari. Stay away, far away from Jberg and Pretoria.
If you go to Namibia, take some time to visit South Africa. I live in Cape Town (The Mother City) and it is beautiful here. Everything from nature to night life and a lot of different cultures!
I was planning on living in Cape Town at some point in my life Lindria….
+1 for Barca!
Bars and clubs you don’t have to dress up for and go all night, street art, sunbathing or surfing, plenty of history, tiny hole-in-the-wall tapas bars with great eats and, on top of all that, it’s cheeep cheeep (for a European city anyway).
Also a good base from which to explore the Penedes wine region.
Namibia looks like a mystical place to visit. I can’t wait for you to write about your travels to all these exotic places. I hope you don’t have anymore computer or electronic incidents on the way!! 🙂
Sally Stretton
Thanks Sally I appreciate it
It’s amazing to find a traveler like you. It makes me motivate to work more to experience traveling or visiting a country. You are really fortunate.
Thanks Mike
Hey! I couldn’t help notice at the top of your page that your’re in Spain (I imagine fulfilling your dream-trip to Barcelona). I’d recommend a morning exploring Barrio de la Gracia. If you happen to pass through Madrid while you’re here and are looking for a cold caña and a chat, drop me a line!
Heyyyy Chris.. sorry mate I just left Barcelona and arrived in London. Would love to get together with you thought!
Myanmar is on my list for 2013 as well! I dream about Iran, but as a single Girl that is problematic, I have been already researching it! 🙁
Great list, good luck with it!