The first time I had voyaged overseas was because I had won a trip. I had no immediate plans to globetrot before that, as I was fully focused on my career.
I was in the office when I received a random call claiming that I had won a trip to Bali. I had cut the call short midway through the conversation, thinking that it was a scam as I did not enter any competition. It turned out that I had purchased something at a retail store, unaware that it was an automatic entry into the competition that I had in fact won.
Fate beckoned, and that became my first-ever vacation abroad. Once I had the tiniest taste of international travel, albeit it was by complete fluke—the bug had bitten me badly. I have since journeyed to umpteen countries, and I have lost count of exactly how many cities I’ve toured to date.
I was in New Zealand during the period of America’s Sailing Cup. Having been on their viaduct amidst the sailing regatta greats was beyond amazing. My sister is a citizen, and to have her cart and ferry me around was way more interesting than doing the usual touristy stuff. I was fascinated by the fusion of cultures, specifically the Moaris, Pacific Islanders, Samoans, Tongans, and the like. They are an intriguing bunch who exude spellbound mysticism that lingers across the entirety of the land. The food was an explosion of Asian and ethnic tastes, and I was pleasantly surprised by how many varieties of fruits and vegetables there were to choose from. Auckland has an aesthetically pleasing environment comprising dense green scenery. If you’ve watched “The Lord of the Rings,” you’ll have a fair indication as to what I’m referring to. A moist climatic composition filled with a plethora of lush flora and fauna. My precious.
In Asia, I have visited Malaysia and Thailand. Kuala Lumpur is a busy city and has countless skyscrapers amidst a set of gigantic twin towers. It is humid and reminded me remotely of Durban‘s climate. Demographically, it is comparable to that of Bo-Kaap, and I immediately understood where the term “Cape Malay” came from. Bangkok has a high level of humidity too. It is well known for bargain buys. Needless to say, I had shopped until I dropped. The cuisine of both of these countries was extremely exotic and bursting with oriental flavours. The Thai Islands are a sort-after getaway and frequented by people from a multitude of different nationalities. It is a must-see on the international social vacation calendar. Asia overflows with vast, rich heritage coupled by varied, unique cultures. A continent that I must further explore, for sure.
I’ve trekked through Europe more than once and have been on excursions in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, France, and Italy. I figured that whenever I had acquired a Schengen Visa, I might as well roam as many places as possible. Firstly, it is unbelievable that there are so many distinct countries in close proximity of each other and that all are easily accessible via flight, train, bus, or car. I mostly flew from place-to-place; however, I would recommend taking a long train ride to have a closer view of the awesome terrain, should you get the opportunity to.
I had commuted via train from Paris to Zurich, and it was amazing to see the change of landscapes between the two countries. Home to the Louvre, France oozes art, and there are artists painting everywhere. Their striking creations are exhibited casually along the streets and around the parks. The French sense of fashionability is outstanding, and taking a walk down the famous Champs-Elysees, whilst being emerged into the finest opulent luxury, is an absolute must. Having a croissant from one of the many cozy cafes is also a very Parisian thing to do. This is the type of place where lovers go to fall deeper in love and get lost in the endless romance on offer.
Switzerland has three predominant influences, being French, German, and Italian. A charming country to venture into. It was memerising watching the swans play around in the lake so gracely and yet fierce when they felt that anyone was invading their space. I was escorted everywhere by a local, and in this manner, I got a more personal feel for what life is like there. We dined and danced in the evenings, as they have a vibrant social scene. In summary, it is a contrast between contemporary and what is considered historically traditional. I remember having brunch at a modern restaurant when a family of Mormons walked past fully clad in cultural attire. I’ve been told that it is an ordinarily usual sight to witness.
I was lucky to have covered Germany at the time of the FIFA World Cup and therefore had experienced the excitement of a country getting ready to host a momentous event. Berlin is a melting pot of cosmopolitan expression and is host to an eclectic mix of people from all across the globe. I had visited many heritage sites and parliamentary buildings throughout the country. The dome in Cologne was spectacular, and my eyes had squinted at the initial sight of the remarkable three-dimensional design. This is where engineering was born, and it is functionally evident, as it is near impossible to find anything that does not work and that isn’t on time. Trust me, this place is packed with pure perfectionism.
My beloved Spain was a splendid place to experience. From all the places I’ve been to thus far, it is my all-time favourite. The climate is wonderful, the food is fantastic, the people are warm and friendly, and overall, it is an exceptionally pretty pristine paradise. I had curiously wondered around from Andalusia to Catalonia to Basque Country to Madrid to the Beni (meaning: sons of) towns such as Benidorm in Valencia. In that vicinity, I adored Alicante as it had reminded me of the stretch between that of Sea Point and Camps Bay in Cape Town. An utter treasure trove to delve deeply into. I could easily live almost anywhere in Espana, especially on one of their many alluring, lavish islands—Majorca involuntarily springs to mind for some siesta in the sun.
Bella Italia—what is there not to love? This is the epicenter of excellence in fashion, food, and architecture. Milan was a complete lucid dream. All of my prized style icons, whom I’ve only read about and admired on TV, own the most prestigious prime boutique stores there. Lake Como was a serene sight for sore eyes. There is something mysteriously mesmerizing and poetically playful about the Italian Modus Operandi that no other could ever accurately impersonate. It’s in the way in which they talk, the way in which they walk, the way in which they dress, the way in which they gaze at you, the way in which they engage their day-to-day activities, and the way in which they tackle even the most tedious of tasks. Slick and smooth doesn’t begin to sum it up. I could “people-watch” them every day and not get bored in the slightest. They are animated, lively, passionate, and communicative. I have only experienced the North, and it was enough for me to want to go back and see it all. This is a super special place to me, as it evokes the fondest of surreal memories, which I shall forever cherish. Reminiscing like this makes me want to crossover immediately and indefinitely so. Dare I say it? Let’s go... attraversiamo!
Traveling is simply magical and uplifting. It broadens your knowledge about the world at large and presents tangible experiences that are life-changing and holistically enriching. Rumi says that travel brings power and love back into your life—and I couldn’t agree more. It is the ultimate gift and an invaluable investment into ones growth and self-development.
These are a few of my many foreign expeditions, and perhaps I’ll elaborate on some more at a later stage. And yes, there are additional facts about each country other than what I’ve stated—I think that it would be best that I leave the rest up to you to happily discover for yourself.
Discover for Yourself by EJ for EJblogtv
an Enjoyment Journal about Everything EJ
xoxo