As tourism warms the pine for the foreseeable future uncertainty surrounds when it will, if ever, return to the status quo we once knew. With borders closed and budget airlines collapsing it is likely that affordable travel will be a long way away. One of the few positives that have come from this virus is the earth appearing to benefit from human quarantine. Hopefully when we can take to the skies and lose ourselves in jungles, mountains and oceans again we will appreciate and nurture the world more than we have previously. I keep my fingers crossed that as humans we will learn from this environmental rejuvenation and recalibrate the way we live. It is a great time to educate about, and partake in, the reduction of harmful practices we poison the planet with. With the hope that this will be a line in the sand toward improvement I look back at my favourite parts of the 54 countries I explored before COVID-19.
Favourite Beaches
· Nui Beach (Phi Phi Island, Thailand)
· Sunset Beach (Thoddoo, Maldives)
· Praiya de Leste (Florianopolis, Brazil)
Favourite Mountains
· Triund Hill (McCloud Ganj, India)
· Tatra National Park (Polish & Slovakian border)
· Dragon’s Crest (Krabi, Thailand)
Favourite Waterfalls
· Iguazu Falls (Brazilian & Argentinian border)
· McKenzie Falls (Victoria, Australia)
· Erawan Falls 3 (Kanchanaburi, Thailand)
Favourite Sunsets
· Koh Phi Phi Ley (Thailand)
· Halong Bay (Vietnam)
· Santo Winery, Santorini (Greece)
Favourite Sunrises
· Bagan (Myanmar)
· Angkor Wat (Cambodia)
· Jaisalmer Sand Dunes (India)
Favourite Dive Sites
· SS Thistlegorm (Sharm El Sheik)
· Manta Point (Komodo)
· The Pit (Tulum)
Favourite Monuments/Buildings
· Taj Mahal (India)
· The Monastery, Petra (Jordan)
· Petronas Towers (Malaysia)
Favourite Local Food
· Indian
· Argentinian
· Mexican
Favourite Bar
· 525 (Luang Prabang, Laos)
· Pretty Poison (Canggu, Bali, Indonesia)
· Blanco Beach Bar (Koh Phi Phi Don, Thailand)
Favourite Hostel
· Blanco (Phi Phi Island and Railay Beach, Thailand)
· Ginger Monkey (Zdair, Slovakia)
· Hostel Rio Elemento (Minca, Colombia)
Favourite City
· Edinburgh (Scotland)
· Dublin (Ireland)
· New York (USA)
Favourite Town
· Hoi An (Vietnam)
· Luang Prabang (Laos)
· Tulum (Mexico)
Favourite Island
· Koh Phi Phi (Thailand)
· Utila (Honduras)
· Gili Trawangan (Indonesia)
Favourite Country
· India
· Ireland
· Thailand
Favourite Experiences
· Kokoda Trek with Family, Papua New Guinea
· Sailing the San Blas Islands, Panama
· Liveaboard diving in the Komodo Islands, Indonesia
· Dive Master Internship & Turtle Conservation at Batu Batu
· Living on Phi Phi Island, Thailand
· Paintball at Pablo Escobar’s Mansion in Medellin, Colombia
· Sparty in Budapest, Hungary
· Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
· Cave Diving in Tulum, Mexico
· Whiskey Tasting at the Jameson Distillery in Dublin, Ireland
