EXPLORE the world in 60 seconds...
The endless dunes of Egypt
With its warm weather, mesmerizing sunsets and vast deserts, Egypt can be considered a country of mystery and wonder. As the sun sets, its bright colours paint the African horizon with fiery shades, while the silhouettes of the captivating and mystifying pyramids can be seen for miles along the dunes. The enthralling Sphinx is streaked with vivid reds, oranges and yellows, looming over the desert as if guarding some unknown treasure. The capital city, Cairo, bursts with constant activity as tourists brave the colossal dunes with 4x4 vehicles, race camels and explore the marvel of this enchanting city.
Many, however, are oblivious to the mysterious tombs and the secrets they have kept hidden on the outskirts of town. Egypt's raw beauty is hard to comprehend, yet standing on the brink of a massive dune that leads to hundreds upon hundreds of other dunes, merging with the horizon, leaves one in spellbound awe. The sandy dunes rise and fall, appearing to move every time the wind ever so slightly changes direction. Silhouettes of camels can be seen carrying tourists across the dunes; the animals slowly but purposefully cross the sandy landscape. The sand kicked into the air by the spinning wheels of the 4x4s and the thrilled screams of the tourists carry across the dunes, causing oneself to smile at their apparent delight. As night settles upon the land, the shadows formed by the Pyramids towering over the desert expand till eventually everything is covered in darkness. The night sky is blanketed by countless stars embedded in their ebony canvas and shining down brightly on the cities and their citizens. My memories of Egypt run deep and leave me craving a return to this country filled with secrets.
The Captivating eyes of Kuala Lumpur
The magnificent Petronos Towers, looming boldly over the active pedestrians far below. The endless shopping malls bursting with reverberations and colour. And, of course, the beautiful, immaculate gardens entwined throughout the city. In the midst of all the beauty and excitement of Kuala Lumpur, the one thing which incessantly lures me back is the fireflies. A two-hour scenic journey by car to the outskirts of this electrifying city leads to one of the most remarkable sights. As one passes the rural settlements, expectations build. The car drives along the slopes and the lay of the land. Upon arrival, guests are greeted and ushered from the cars to the lazy river nestled among the vegetation on the banks.
A structure similar to a canoe gently sways under the weight of the guests as they are divided into pairs. A local guide stands erect at the rear and guides the small boat. Pushing away from the light of the pier, its creaky timbers swallowed by the blackness, a breathless excitement envelops you. All at once, you are cloaked in the dark. The sounds of the night penetrate the air from all angles, and like eyes in the night, the fireflies swarm the river bank in abundance. The scene displayed before you is an endless row of green, glowing Christmas trees coating the banks. It appears surreal until you are astounded to realize that the insects are generously walking over you, oblivious to the danger.
They are small bugs that, through a complex process, generate light and create a spectacular display. Thousands upon thousands of fireflies swathe the trees of the river, giving off an eerie green glow, which contrasts with the murky brown river water and dark sky. In silence and stunned awe, our little boat passes under branches with the rhythmic sound of our guide’s paddle steering us through this magical enchantment. For over an hour we steer down the river bathed in a dull green light reflecting off the water’s surface. Small insects able to create a sight so remarkable that they alone could make me return to this city. Can a creature so insignificant create such an incredible impact? This is unquestionably a scene worth witnessing for oneself – one I highly recommend!
The mystifying waterways of Venice
Swirling water that snakes along the breathtaking city and old, momentous buildings that tower far above the watery canals captivate tourists, illustrating what Venice is all about. The bridges that join houses and interlink parts of the city add to the sense of timelessness. Walking through the town, one can hear the constant rhythmic sound of water through the noises of the city as boats ply the waterways. Venice and all its wonders reflect a time capsule of sorts, containing abundant cultural and historic value. The days I spent there were perfect, not too hot or too cold. Feeding the pigeons in one of the many squares, I watched fascinated as dozens of the birds fearlessly perched on tourists to enjoy the treats offered to them. A small boy – his arms and, comically, his head covered in cooing pigeons – stood proudly for a photo taken by his mother. A guided tour though one of the glass factories provided a deeply fascinating look into how glass ornaments are made and sculpted to have different forms and colours.
The tranquil water that laps at the buildings with deceptive laziness, and a breeze that blows through the town whilst bells echo in the distance, are the night sounds that lull you to sleep. As you explore this composed town and its attractions, you realize that it offers an ambience of amity and harmony. Endless rows of cafes provide you with welcoming service and appetizing food. Tourists appear relaxed, intoxicated with the atmosphere cloaking the town. This city is one of ambiguity and you can effortlessly lose yourself in its many mysteries. A romantic traverse in one of the famed gondolas is sure to lure you back to Venice and its pleasant citizens. I enjoyed several trips in the gondolas, and still can’t wait to go back for more!
The whispers of the Rain forest - Kula Lumpur
The journey to the tropical rainforest on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur is a breathtaking one. The landscape is a lush green, and it stretches out as far as the eye can see. Once you’re in the rainforest, the complete serenity of this vast natural beauty enfolds you and heightens every one of your senses. Your eyes adjust to the dim shadows and you start to absorb the smells, sounds and sights around you. Your lungs fill with the rich, musky scent of the trees. Your ears fill with the soft buzzing of insects and the raucous chirping of the birds. Walking mindlessly along the shady natural trails, I watch, fascinated, as small tropical spiders meticulously spin their webs on nearby branches, while a large number of ants vigorously attack a bright green caterpillar on the rainforest floor. The humidity, coupled with the rays of the sun, would have been unbearable had it not been for the canopy of trees towering boldly over me, hosting a world of their own. I watch, amazed, as monkeys leap effortlessly from branch to branch and rainbow-coloured birds gawk the monkeys’ playful behavior. The guided tours provide the opportunity to be closer to nature than you could ever have imagined.
It increases your understanding of this magnificent forest eco system and introduces you to the wonders and beauty of a primary tropical rainforest. The list of flora and fauna is endless, a fact that can be illustrated by the shy dear hiding in the forest shadows and the tropical dragonfly dancing across the waterway, as well as by the captivating remains of an old Asli settlement. This brush with ancient history allows one to realize the true meaning of conservation and the importance of the forest. My visit to the rainforest was an unforgettable experience of renewal, one I look forward to repeating very soon!
The tulip grassland of Holland
Holland’s landscapes inspire artists and tourists from all over the world to dream and revel in beauty. The locals are friendly, their wooden shoes a popular trademark and their tulips even more so. Rows of bright, colourful tulips as far as the eye can see. Reds, yellows, oranges and pinks boldly imprinted in the landscape of Holland's countryside. The kaleidoscope of colours is mind-blowing, beds planted with immaculate precision – rows upon rows upon rows, all in a structured and planned design. One hears about the tulips of Holland, but never have I dreamed the true beauty of those words. A tour bus guides tourists through the landscape, allowing us to view some farms which, surprisingly, have tulips strewn all over the grass slopes. Others have gone to great lengths to maintain an organised mass of colour. Trees and houses sprout from amongst the majestic bulbs, adding to the idyllic panorama. As if extracted from a painting, the lofty windmills stand aimlessly embedded in the ground; they lazily turn in the wind amid the marvellous arrangements of flowerbeds. Surrounded by the radiant, colourful flowers and landscapes that spread farther than the eye can see, I am reminded of the true natural beauty of this world. Puffy clouds roll over the hills in the distance and the tulips sway peacefully in the breeze. Taking a deep breath of crisp air while standing in a sea of colour, I find that a thought occured to me: perhaps this was a brief glimpse of the Garden of Eden. The beauty was indescribable. Truly a breathtaking sight! Departing with hundred of photos and unforgettable memories of Holland, I happily purchased a pair of wooden shoes, which are now nested amongst my ordinary shoes. Every day they remind me of my trip to the flowery countryside and its citizens.
Magnificent Mammals (Elephants) - Malaysia
Just another slice of Malaysia's variety of attractions – a sight-seeing tour of the Luala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre. It’s dedicated to the conservation of elephants, as a staggering amount of the animals’ natural habitat is being encroached upon by plantations. These majestic animals are a sight to behold! It's a true experience of a lifetime to get up close and personal with the elephants, to feed them, bathe them, groom them and even ride them. I must admit, at first I was a little nervous and hesitant about being so close to such a large animal, but the more I witnessed the elephants’ docile behavior towards each other and especially towards humans, the more fascinated I became with these creatures. When elephants travel, they walk very quietly in single file. The calves are led by the older elephants, using their tails. I was deeply captivated by the younger elephants, which did not seem to stray far from their mothers, yet still their playfulness was evident. It was an exhilarating feeling being on the back of a colossal elephant, its powerful muscles moving with every step.
I basked in the rays of the tropical sun that escaped their leafy prison of the branches above. Without uttering a word, the guide led us up embankments through shallow steams. We rode in silence through the lush jungle with its overpowering natural sounds. I enjoyed every moment surrounded by the elephants, and when the time came to say good-bye, I realized I had become so fond of them, it was difficult to watch them merge back into the forest. The conservation centre is situated in Pahang and was established as a base for an elephant relocation programme. Its aim is to promote public awareness of the elephant's plight in Malaysia and to support research into elephant translocation and conservation. This is definitely a must see!
Engelberg Switzerland - fairyland of pure existence
As you ascend the cable car to the imposing mountains, you observe a breathtaking panorama unfolding before you. Snow-capped mountains, cozy log cottages placed erratically among the flowers and never-ending lush green fields. Hills melting into one another, forming an endless terrain of slopes. Jagged peaks merge with other jagged peaks, forming momentous structures that tower dauntingly over the small, cluttered towns below. As the mechanical cable car rises, it detaches itself from the earth, acting against the forces of gravity as it approaches the steep mountainside. The ride up is slow and peaceful, drawing closer and closer to the heavens as the images below become microscopic. Without a glitch, the guests inside the belly of the cable car have a bird’s-eye view of the world beneath them. The distant sound of cow bells can be heard echoing below, lost in the grooves of the gorges veiled by the layer of snow. The sounds reverberate off the side of the mountains and into the sky, till eventually we are too far above them to hear anything at all. Once you stand on the mountaintop, you are overwhelmed by the sight over Engelberg. The world beneath you is covered by a marvellous blanket of white snow. Dazzling, stark-white, almost blinding snow lay peaceful covering what lay below.
Specks of colour can be seen as the roofs and trees shyly peek though. Across the valley, on an adjacent slope, enthusiastic skiers dot the snow-covered mountainside. Even from this view, it can be seen that some have more experience than others, as they race fearlessly past trees and zigzag around obstacles. The sight reminds me of a few days earlier and my first attempt at conquering the mountain; it’s not as easy as it looks, yet there are wonderful guides who lead beginners into the world of skiing. The light breeze that fills the air is crisp at their high elevation, and carries the fresh scent from the valleys and meadows, as well as the distant echo of church bells. Engelberg, with its amiable townsfolk, is also known for Mount Titlis, Engelberg Abbey (which is a Benedictine monastery) and many old chapels that are worth visiting. It’s a town I would revisit without a doubt and one that has created unforgettable memories. Engelberg, a small town that resembles a fairyland of pure existence.
Amsterdam - Dazzling blend of nightlife and History
Visiting Amsterdam, I felt compelled to write about the infamous Red Light District, also known as Walletjies, a network of roads that advertise legal prostitution. Hoards of women seducing and enticing behind the doors and windows of dwellings commonly lit by red lights. This is arguably Amsterdam’s most popular tourist attraction, more for its display than anything else, some say. Yet spending a few days in this captivating city has opened doorways and revealed to me attractions I now feel even more compelled to share with readers. Among Amsterdam’s roads and buildings, canals branch out like veins intertwined throughout the city. These canals are generally known as ‘The Venice of the North’. A boat trip during sunset or sunrise, or even at midday, proves to be far more thrilling than I assumed. As we cavorted through the metropolis, I became accustomed to the sights and sounds in the vicinity. Rembrandtplein is my favorite, a large tourist magnet in Amsterdam as it hosts accommodation facilities such as hotels in ample supply, as well as entertainment venues, pubs, and a mixture of cafes and restaurants luring tourists. Dam Square, unlike most of the squares, charms tourists for a very different reason – its history alone is mind-boggling.
Being the heart of Amsterdam, this seems an appropriate place for Napoleon and his troops to have congregated. The architecture of the Royal Palace alone is astonishing to see, as one can imagine the whispers of the soldiers of long ago surrounding the square, the sounds of their marching boots resonating off the walls. Museums are abundant throughout the city, leading to more mesmerizing history and staggering discoveries. As night settles upon Amsterdam, a new world develops before my eyes; images and lights radiate, illuminating the darkness. There are generous amounts of lush parks, a zoo and dozens more squares unmentioned, all of which have heightened my perspective of Amsterdam. However, the nightlife, above all else, tempts me to return in the future.