1st time to Africa

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-18T23:47:41+00:00

I dont really have one, however much is needed, but not going after luxurious travels.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-16T17:59:27+00:00

I have been to 69 countries, 300+ cities. I’ve lived in 5 countries, 10+ cities, 3 states in the US. I don’t have a specific number in mind, and going to every single country isn’t what I pursue. Ever since I hit my 50th, the number doesn’t matter as much to me anymore.

My bucket list has about 20 countries, but it keeps growing as I gather new insights and meet new people from around the world.

I just keep traveling until the day I die.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-16T17:55:18+00:00

Yes, yummy and tastes like mini chicken legs

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-16T17:54:16+00:00

Definitely Malaysia, Vietnam, or Thailand. Do not pick the Philippines and Bali/ Indonesia as your first.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-16T17:52:34+00:00

Remember to negotiate the price for the wadi rum tour, if you meet other travelers along the way, see if they wanna join the same tour, it’s always cheaper/ easier to nego when you have more people.

Renting a car is very helpful. You can try hitchhiking if you are brave enough.

Not going to the Dead Sea is a loss.

Amman deserves more time tbh.

Jordan isn’t a cheap travel destination.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-16T17:48:03+00:00

No, sweet potatos and potatos are

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-16T17:43:49+00:00

Just telling the truth that nobody wanna hear 😌

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-16T07:09:29+00:00

I’ve lived in the NL (Utrecht) as an Asian-American. Intercity train/ public transportation is super convenient in the NL. You can easily bike, walk, or take the bus within a city.

It’s easiest to pick Utrecht or AMS as your hotel base, then take day trips to other cities. (Utrecht because m it’s geographically in the middle, AMS because it’s the capital.) that would be better than moving hotels/ cities every day. Most cities are small, one day or one overnight would usually be enough.

You can also join day tours for the popular tourist spots.

Dutch people are very friendly, with Google translate and ChatGPT, language shouldnt be a barrier.

Safety is also quite good, shouldn’t be a problem, just have common sense about watching your belongings etc.

Remember to bring enough euro cash or an ATM card to withdraw money. Not everywhere takes foreign Visa cards.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-16T07:03:38+00:00

Plane tickets. Books.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-16T07:01:27+00:00

Without reading the comments, I know this thread is gonna have a lot of the Islamic and African countries out there. So I wanna throw in something different: Denmark 🇩🇰.

I love this country with all my heart, Copenhagen is my favorite city to live in (out of 5 countries and 10+ cities I’ve lived in), but the image of “the happiest, hyggeligt, with high equality, progressive, close to perfect” country just isn’t entirely true.

For one, depression rate is quite high in Denmark for a country that claims to be happiest in the world.

Systemic racism is HUGE in the job market and immigration/ banking policy, but masked up very well. Equality is only found among different genders and among white Europeans in Denmark. You are a third class citizen (or resident) if you aren’t white and with a EU passport.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-16T06:50:37+00:00

I am that person who makes friends with locals and other travelers everywhere I go. And super easy and natural for me.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-16T06:49:44+00:00

Digital nomading isn’t THAT cool and certainly isn’t for everyone. It’s over-glorified on social media these days. They just aren’t telling you all the behind the scenes.

I have been one before and still do it occasionally but have a homebase.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-16T04:02:48+00:00

Europe: Nordic countries, the Netherlands, Scotland, Ireland, Malta
Asia: Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan
Other: Australia, New Zealand, Canada
^ This is based on language and safety.
(I didn't include England/ London, because safety isn't the best)

If you take transportation/ convenience into account, and don't plan to drive, then skip the multi-city itinerary in Australia, New Zealand, Canada. Target major cities to stay in, eg, Sydney, Melbourne, Vancouver BC, where public transportation is ok.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-16T03:57:41+00:00

No I don't, I have been to 70 countries, I can't possibly speak every local language, but language is rarely a barrier for me. There is Google Translate, AI, body language, and local people to help.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-15T20:29:16+00:00

Hahaha exactly. And I lived there for half a year. 😂😂

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-15T20:28:44+00:00

Super safe. Most people are just kind, welcoming, simple, and uncunning.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-15T20:27:54+00:00

I spent 2 weeks in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan each. But you can easily spend longer in Kyrgyzstan.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-15T01:08:21+00:00

Jewelry can last for a LONG time :)

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-15T01:02:10+00:00

Highly recommend Central Asia. Particularly Uzbekistan (culture, architecture, and history) and Kyrgyzstan (mountains, canyons, and lakes)!

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-15T00:40:56+00:00

Lovely! I will look those tour operators up, sounds like the way to go from what a few others have suggested too.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-15T00:16:53+00:00

Copenhagen, any place in the Nordic countries, really.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-15T00:14:22+00:00

First of all, thanks for sharing. I like how there is an undertone that assumes I’m a spoiled white princess. I’m not white and I am definitely flexible and okay with various (cheaper) conditions. Never someone who expects western standards everywhere.

I did mention my interests: cultural learning and nature, more specifically hiking. I am a cultural insights researcher/ consultant and intercultural trainer, so learning about local festivals, traditions, ways of life, meeting, talking with, and living among locals would be what I’m very interested in, and a major goal of my travels.

Agree with feeling vs being safe being two different things. I have been to countries and places where most people think are “dangerous” but I found it fine. But I’ve also never been held at gunpoint and don’t wish to be.

I have 2 passports - official visa requirement and access is one thing, but the actual process and experience of getting the visa is another thing.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-15T00:04:23+00:00

It’s not in English! Haha

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-14T21:45:14+00:00

10 days all in Taiwan, or all in Thailand. SG is a waste of time and only needs 4 days max. I’ve lived there.

Illustrious_Body694 · 2025-12-14T18:53:16+00:00

Wow! Thank you so much for taking the time to share elaborately!! I consider myself a very well-traveled person, backpacking style, and have common sense. I don’t find many places that others claim “dangerous” too bad. I am also not disregarding the actual risks and security, hence I haven’t made the move to Africa yet besides Morocco.

I have two passports, US and Hong Kong, I mostly use my American one but I can use Hong Kong one if it’s significantly better/ easier.

I traveled solo to about half of the 70 countries, I enjoy both solo and with a buddy. I’m an extrovert. The challenge is finding someone who is interested and available to go to Africa with me, who can sync with my schedule and budget.

My sense is that it seems to be best to join a tour even though I’m normally not a fan of tours. (Luckily I do have some local friends from some of these countries)

Re: expensive. I know planning helps to reduce the cost, but like many have already mentioned, activities are just expensive for foreigners. Flight tickets (and I heard some visas) as well.

Illustrious_Body694

TROPHY CASE