The A-Z of Hidden Travel Gems (Part 2 of 3)
- Anna Allan
- 3 hours ago
- 9 min read
Last month, I shared my travel experiences of countries alphabetically from A to G to avoid it being TL;DR (“too long, didn’t read”).
Being uprooted and travelling to a new country every three years as a child forced me to learn be adaptable and flexible. I learned to appreciate and respect many different religions and cultures.
The second part of my travel experiences start with countries beginning with the letter H and go through to and include O; and highlight the poignant memories that I have had, together with suggesting some interesting places to visit.
Not an all encompassing guidebook but something that might peak an interest into what is written if you find yourself in one of these countries.
1. Hawaii
Relatively young when I visited, my parents hired a car to explore the island which was a great way, and easy to do, to see as much as we could.
Of the many islands to choose from, we stayed on Kaua’i, a lush and tropical place famously known as the ‘Garden Isle’.
With the most incredible beaches and bodysurfing opportunities (for those old enough) it felt like paradise in which I felt I adapted to very well, even trying to integrate into the culture with a new outfit!
The afternoons’ torrential rainstorms ran almost like clockwork and lagoons around the resort’s gardens would form so we would take the opportunity to go ‘boating ’ on our lilos and inflatables.
I am certain that it was on this trip that I tasted mahi-mahi for the first time and I have never tasted the same fish like it again. I also remember stepping on a hornet that had buried itself in the grass with bare feet which was painful for days.
2. Hong Kong
Most probably my favourite city in the world the never sleeping Hong Kong warrants a whole blog written about it because there is so much to see and do.
Many happy memories were made during the times I visited my parents who lived there during my holidays from boarding school.
Whilst not off the beaten track, there are a few things to do or places to visit that should not be missed including: the trip up to the Peak on the funicular railway that is the Peak Tram, an experience in itself before marvelling at the panoramic views at the top; Temple Street Market after the sun has set to test your haggling skills; or late night drinking with the much younger generation in the many bars offered in Lan Kwai Fong.
For less than £1,200 for a day’s private charter which offers value for money for a large group (up to 50 people) you can hire a boat for a Traditional Junk trip to be able to enjoy Hong Kong on the water.
I was lucky enough to experience the junk trips through a fleet that expats shared which offered multiple trips throughout the summer as the families went out together.
I learnt to water ski in the choppy waters of the South China Sea, often being incentivised to not fall because of the many jellyfish to dodge.
One place that holds some of the best memories for me is The Lamma Hilton, a restaurant at a corner of Sok Kwu Wan on Lamma Island. Another junk trip or ferry ride from Aberdeen or from Central Pier, families would travel together to enjoy some of the best Chinese seafood I have ever eaten. No tablecloths or formal attire here, just really decent food with the best company!
A place the younger people visited while the adults were ordering food was Tin Hau Temple, only a 2-3 minute run from the restaurant. There, we would avoid stepping on cockroaches after dark and light an incense stick if there were any before running back for supper.
3. Iceland
Hiring a car is easy and practical in Iceland. With few roads to take wrong turns on, it allows the flexibility and freedom to enjoy the country’s remoteness in your own time and at the pace best for you.
Apart from the usual excursions in and around Reykjavik such as the numerous Northern Lights tours to choose from, the magnificent Hallgrimskirkja church, the geysers including the highly active Strokkur and Gulfoss waterfalls which form part of the Golden Circle tour, there is one experience that any scuba diver won’t forget.
Taken by minibus to the remote Thingvellir National Park, Silfra can be found. A fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, the glacial ice offers crystal clear and somewhat chilly, at between 2-4°C, absolute pure water.
Kitted up in a dry suit, the sub-zero air temperature was a rehearsal to the feeling of cold which really hit us when the dive was over and when we were getting changed in the open air back into our clothes as the water on the strands of my hair that had escaped from underneath its cover formed mini icicles on them and my fingers stuck to the ham sandwich I was offered after the dive.
It really was a memorable Christmas Eve doing something so different.
4. Italy
Staying with family as a child, I recall cutting sugar cane down daily (whether or not that is accurate I am unsure), eating watermelon to excess and eating rabbit but being told it was chicken.
Long, warm days that lasted forever and balmy evenings that were mainly spent around the dinner table broke up the touristy visits to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the many piazzas and monuments with a visit to the beach in between.
5. Jamaica
We found that Jamaica is a great country to visit with a young child as the people are so welcoming and friendly.
From kayaking and catamaran sailing to snorkelling and of course swimming and sandcastle building, there can be a variety of activities fitted in to suit most.
Snorkelling in the open water was something we are unsure our daughter, who had just turned 6, would like but we didn’t need to worry as we were left well behind as she scampered ahead with our guide.
Swimming with dolphins at Dolphin Cove was an experience that might not be something I would choose to do now but it will never be forgotten.
The Mystic Mountain / Silver bobsled experience is well worth the money for anyone who wants to hurl themselves down a mountain and relax in a pool afterwards (it is worth taking your swimming stuff event though nothing is mentioned about the pools).
We thought Dunns River Falls might be too difficult for her but equipped with her essentials: a rash vest and water shoes, she was happy to make the climb to the top.
It was a very touristy place to go but still well worth it. After all, you don’t climb a waterfall every day!
6. Malaysia
Tioman Island might well be more developed than the time we visited when it was a remote treehouse holiday destination as Japamala Resort was one of only two hotels on the island (the underdevelopment of the faraway hideaway was the main reason we chose it).
Ironically, the pizza at lunch we ate on the jetty was great (we did have more authentic meals too including deliciously fresh seafood!) and the selection of mini cakes that were delivered to our suite every afternoon was an extra treat.
Waking up to monkeys swinging from tree to tree, at eye level, was a privilege and I could sit there for hours watching them interact with one another.
The few days spent in Kuala Lumpur did not disappoint with the whole city being small enough to be covered by foot relatively easily.
Every afternoon would bring about a significant thunderstorm and a torrential downpour like clockwork at the same time which we learnt to avoid.
The Bukit Bintang Night Market might attract you to a bargain as well as showing you a world of wild and strange things that you only thought were talked about in films until you see it with your own eyes.
Haggling and negotiating is expected and what makes the experience fun; so when we were told we could buy a “genuine copy” we smiled and a little reluctantly went about our business.
Similar to Hong Kong, the unwritten rule that hawkers abide by is that they will provide insider knowledge and tip-offs to their competitors if the police are in the vicinity or are about to conduct a ‘raid’.
Within a blink of an eye, the multiple watches that sparkle as they catch the light of the overhead lanterns and the leather bags lined up so neatly are snapped up and rolled away as quick as you can blink with a vacant space left with nothing to see. If you happen to be a customer willing to buy genuine copies, you are often shooed away politely enough that you will return after the drama dissipates.
The police wander down the alleyways and words are exchanged, smiles occasionally offered and a sense of general caginess from stallholders begin to wane as the police leave the area.
7. Maldives
If you want to truly get away from it all, for me there is only one place to go.
Provided you are happy to be entertained by nature, peace and quiet by those you are with and your own company, this is paradise.
With over 1,000 islands including numerous atolls and archipelagos, the resorts cater for pure relaxation.
I have often not realised just how many hours go by when snorkelling on the house reef, with memories of swimming with the huge variety of tropical fish, black tipped reef sharks and the unusual lemon sharks, even in the shallow water.
Further afield and via a dive boat, more magic awaits with the diving justifiably described as world class.
For those less interested in the underwater world, lazing on a sun-lounger gazing out to the turquoise blue waters and just ‘being’ can be a relaxing and self-reflective activity.
I have been fortunate enough to visit the Maldives a number of times and every time I return to the hustle and bustle of ‘real life’ I have been determined to refrain from being sucked back into the rat race for as long as possible.
8. Mexico
Another destination which I visited with my parents when I was about 6 or 7 years old.
We were cruising when they lived in America and so it was logistically much easier to go to Mexico.
I recall being told to behave a number of times and not to argue with my sister with the end of the fight being marked in a tug-of-war game with my sister’s stuffed toy koala bear as its head became detached.
It’s peculiar what we remember, even during a once in lifetime experience...
Sombreros and a broken koala.
9. Norway
Having never consciously chosen a cruising holiday as an adult, I had been reluctant to go on a cruise for many years but did always believe the best way to see the Norwegian Fjords was by sailing through them.
When my Mum agreed to revisit them herself, we decided to go together.
Putting aside the sheer size of the ship (not my number one choice for a holiday) to be able to drive straight to the port, board the ship, get on and start your holiday immediately it has its advantages with less travel weariness and no jet-lag (we travelled from Southampton).
The views did not disappoint.
Ignoring you are on a huge ship with thousands of other people, there is nothing quite like the Norwegian Fjords.
The sheer quietness brings about a peace within and the sheer majesty of the scenery can be contemplative.
10. Oman
Some of my very early memories as a young child go back to Muscat, Oman where Dad worked for a few years.
Whilst mostly vague, there are two very clear recollections of my time there.
I remember the very dry and sandy, baking heat. The temperature could be felt as soon as you stepped outside.
Huge numbers of geckos would make a dash and scamper up the outside walls of our garage and house to beat the midday sun, creating huge shadows of their dinosaur like selves.
During Ramadan, I remember not eating in public. Noting that, as a child, I was exempt from fasting during Ramadan, my parents would still teach us to respect the religious beliefs and cultures of those we lived amongst during our expat lives.
On a really hot day, I think I had been picked up from pre-school or somewhere similar, my Mum said I should sit on the floor of our car while enjoying an ice-cream so as not to offend anyone.
One day I shall go back but I have heard how much it has changed.
Every time I go to a new place I always try to do something that fits in with the locals. It creates a far richer experience for me to learn how other people live.
People often appreciate a foreigner’s adaptability and are likely to make them feel more welcome and make allowances if and when necessary.
Problem solving was something I gained through travelling from a young age independently (travel plans rarely went smoothly for me) and this certainly proved to be a lifelong skill.
The final part of the A-Z travel guide shall come to you in October and if you want to talk about any of the skills gained through extensive travel, get in touch with me.
Anna
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