1) Lhasa, Tibet
At
one time Tibet was the spiritual and cultural heart of Asia. While the
people of Tibet have had their struggles since the Cultural Revolution,
their spirit was still palpable as soon as we set foot in Lhasa. The
Potala Palace sits looming over the city as Buddhist monks passed by us
on their daily routines, reminding us that this city was once the pulse
of a nation in change.2) Otavalo, Ecuador
Every
Saturday morning, the world's largest craft market is brought to life
with a wash of vibrant colour as the Otavalo Indians come down from the
hills to market their wares. The electric energy in the air is
captivating and puts you in a mood to spend and take home a special
memory of this unique place. 3) Taj Mahal, India
The
greatest monument to love on Earth. The passion that inspired the
pristine structure, built so many centuries ago, left me in complete
wonder. Even before its construction, the Taj Mahal was designed to
become an inspiring example of beautiful architecture and remains so
today, creating a powerful effect on visitors from all backgrounds. 4) Angel Falls, Venezuela
Angel Falls is one of the
most spectacular waterfalls I have ever had the pleasure of visiting,
and is certainly the highest in the world. The overall trip experience
is heightened by the adventure one needs to endure to get there.
Travelling down wild rivers by canoe and sleeping in hammocks along the
riverside makes it an unforgettable quest to find this spectacular
natural wonder.5) Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
My journey through this lush wildlife playground in the middle of a dry open desert in Africa left me wanting more. I witnessed rhinos and baboons roaming effortlessly and free against a stunning backdrop of the setting African sun. It was a truly untouched experience, where I felt as if I was immersed in the land itself. 6) Tikal, Guatemala
The
Mayans left behind a majestic city that always seems remarkably
undisturbed in the middle of its tropical jungle setting. By imagining
how the Mayans once ruled this area of the world, it is easy to
transport yourself back to a time of ancient and savage civilisation.7) Placencia, Belize
This lost sandy peninsula in the
south of Belize is another hidden gem that remains undiscovered by
mainstream tourists. Aside from a few lost backpackers, it was a rare
pleasure to relax with villagers in total anonymity. More lost islands
are located just off the coast, which can be easily reached, and I would
highly recommend them to those who have the extra time. 8) Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
For
as long as I can remember I have read about Darwin completing his
research on evolution on these curious islands, so I was keen to explore
them for myself. The location is still relatively remote and left me
powerless to do anything but relax and learn. The Galapagos Islands are
an experience rarely available to the modern day tourist and the
opportunity to explore a virtually untouched location inspires me to
this day. 9) Pak Ou Caves, Laos
These
magnificent ancient caves, high above the Mekong River some 25km from
Luang Prabang, have been a place of Buddhist worship and solitude for
more than 600 years. Over that time, more than 4,000 images of Buddha
have been placed inside them, creating a humbling place to ponder life’s
greater mysteries. The opportunity to experience the tranquillity of
these caves was something I will personally always cherish.10) Kampala, Uganda
One of the ultimate African
experiences is being able to explore the natural habitat of mountain
gorillas; a rare pleasure and one that still leaves me in complete awe.
After a challenging trek through thick African jungle, our group was
presented with the awe-inspiring reward of finding ourselves in the
company of a family of roaming gorillas. The trek was led by experienced
trackers who allowed us to get as close as possible to the primates
while constantly ensuring that we did not disturb their natural thriving
habitat.
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