Five experiences that have made the biggest impression
The last four months have totally flown by, its hard to believe that I am already so far into my around the world trip. I am currently in Cambodia, the 12th country that I’ve visited on my adventure and there is still a lot more to come. I have been asked countless times what my favourite part has been so far, but that question is almost impossible to answer, there have been so many highlights and so many lasting memories. I’ve thought long and hard about what I have witnessed and experienced on my travels and have come up with a couple of lists. The first which is posted below are the five experiences that have made the biggest impression on me and tomorrow I will post the top ten highlights of the first four months of my around the world adventure.
Africa’s largest slum
On my very first day in Kenya I paid a visit to Kibera, Africa’s largest slum. To be quite honest I was astounded by what I witnessed. I had seen pictures on TV and online of slums, but it is still incredibly difficult to believe that anyone can be allowed to live in such circumstances. Walking around Kibera was a real eye opener and something that I will never forget.
Conservation of Africa’s game reserves
My time in Africa was largely spent in game reserves. I visited the Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Okavango Delta, Chobe and Etosha and there was a notable difference between the way each of the game reserves approached conservation of both the environment and the animals. The actions of the drivers in the Masai Mara shocked me as they appeared to have absolutely no regard for anything but giving their passengers thrills. Yes, we were about a metre away from a lion, but we really shouldn’t have been.
The townships of Cape Town
The thing that amazed me most about the townships of Cape Town was the government’s approach to cleaning the city up for next years’ World Cup. Rather than attempting to help the people of the townships, they are trying to hide the problem by constructing large fences along the roads to and from the airport so that visitors do not notice them.
Life on the ghats of Varanasi
India is a fascinating country, so many different cultures and ways of living. In Varanasi everything happens on the ghats of the Ganges river. People wash, swim, clean their clothes, cremate bodies, and drink from it. Considered the most holy river in India, the Ganges is a central part of life for the people of Varanasi. Thousands gather for their daily prayers and rituals right on the ghats.
Pollution in China
Before going to China I had romantic ideas of amazing architecture, a colourful history and beautiful scenery, China did provide all of that but hanging over it was the thick cloud of smog that every Chinese city that I visited had in common, it really was disgusting. The pollution in China’s cities made the visibility incredibly poor and had a notable impact on my health as I had what felt like a permanent cold for weeks.
Posibly related posts:
It will be interesting to see what you think of Cambodia after that African experience, I admired how Cambodians managed to get on with life and not really complain about any of their history. African's don't seem as motivated to improve their own habitat.