Exotic Countries
Here is a page where I talk about the trips I made to so-called “Exotic” countries, that is to say different from France and less Westernized.
List of exotic country sections
- Central Asia,
- Southeast Asia,
- South America,
- Africa
By exotic countries, I mean countries that are different from Western countries; it can be a tropical country or an unusual country!
These regions of the world are the places that surprised me the most and also where I had my best travel moments. I think that everyone who goes to these regions comes back changed.
My selection of 5 exotic countries:
I chose to take one country per continent, I could say much more about many countries but I prefer quality over quantity because these are exceptional countries.
- Myanmar: Authenticity and a change of scenery
The country has opened up to tourism for less than 10 years, there are still areas that are off-limits to tourism and strictly for the Burmese.
I went there for 3 weeks in 2013 and I can tell you that the country enchanted me.
Tourism is not yet very developed there, people are beginning to see tourists arrive but are still very friendly and have a minimum of authenticity.
They are very happy that tourists are interested in their country.
It is a country with a very interesting culture and a large part of religion in the life of the Burmese; people are very devout.
The country is changing very quickly with tourism and it is evolving rapidly.
The highlights of this country are: welcoming population, reasonable prices, and low tourism.
Disadvantage: Internet and outdated infrastructure.
>>>>Do you want to know more about Myanmar? Here is my opinion on Myanmar.
- Iceland: Crazy and calm country
The country in my selection located in Europe, it is called the land of fire and ice because there are amazing landscapes.
For example, you can see lava flows (depending on the periods) against a backdrop of winter landscapes (ice, glacier).
You can see unique phenomena such as the Northern Lights, geysers, tectonic plate meetings, volcanoes, ice caves, waterfalls, or glacier lakes.
The strengths of this country are: nature and amazing landscapes.
The weaknesses are: price and weather.
>>>>There is much more than that and I let you discover my opinion on Iceland and my other articles.
- South Africa: Nature vibe, Barbecue, and guaranteed adventure
South Africa is one of the 3 favorites during my 2-year world tour where I stayed a full 2 months!
There are several things to say about this country; it is for lovers of hiking, wide open spaces, and nature.
There is the possibility to do safaris or excursions in many wildlife parks.
There are far fewer tourists, accommodations aim to be more intimate and smaller.
Much more affordable for some budgets, you can find some activities twice as cheap as in some other places.
For example: cage diving to observe sharks (2-3 times more expensive in Australia), bungee jumping or swing (2 times more expensive in New Zealand), swimming with seals, etc.
Strengths: You can do a road trip along the coast and the price
Weaknesses: security
>>>>Find my most complete review on South Africa here.
- Brazil: a unique country in the world with its diversity
The country wants to be “warm,” the inhabitants are known for that and they truly are.
I went several times before the World Cup and before the Olympic Games.
Brazil is full of unmatched diversity and it has an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else.
You can go to the Amazon rainforest, to islands, or by the sea.
There are also special activities to do like watching a football match at Maracanã, or visiting life in the favelas; you will come out smarter and more humble.
You can also experience a Brazilian party with the famous caipirinha (Brazil’s special cocktail) and samba.
Strengths: diverse landscapes, amazing culture, and nightlife
Weaknesses: security
>>>> If you want to know more about Brazil, read my review.
- Dubai: decadence and kingly life!
Dubai is the place of grandeur, compared to other countries that want to be more economical (except Iceland).
You will see one of the tallest towers in the world, the largest shopping mall in the world, the largest aquarium in the world.
You can ski in a place with prefabricated snow or go to the desert in a 4×4 or take a squad ride, ski on desert dunes.
Party in an open-air hotel bar with sand or have a drink in a building a hundred meters high.
People come to Dubai to spend and indulge themselves; there are restaurants with cuisine from all over the world, you will find everything you need.
Strengths: the oriental and western aspects
Weaknesses: the price.
>>>>Here is my review on Dubai.
Each of these countries has a different facet and none of them are alike.
They are the quintessential exotic countries to visit.
There are many things said and many are not true.
Wait until you set foot there and you will be enchanted and want to stay your whole life.
My journey through exotic countries
2011: The exotic countries of Asia
After my stay in Australia, I decided to do a tour of Southeast Asia for X months and I actually stayed 3 months.
I then returned to Thailand a few months later when I found a job and I went back for 1 month.
These trips changed my life and my worldview!
2012 : A year of transition
3 and a half weeks with my brother to discover Beijing and Japan. Japan is another world, you feel so disoriented. It is truly an experience to have and discover.
- Beijing, in China!
- Japan, more precisely Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Nara, Mount Fuji.
- The Scandinavian countries, Denmark and Sweden.
2013: Discovery of South America.
- Return to Bali for two weeks where I toured the island passing through Kuta, Ubud, the south of the island and also Amed.
- Trip to China, for several weeks.
- Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, a week visiting this legendary city.
- End of year trip to Burma.
2014: Tourist trip and start of the world tour with the discovery of Africa.
- Review of Malta,
- Review of Dubai,
- Review of Poland
- Start of the world tour through Africa: Landscape of South Africa
2015: Tour of Asia, Oceania, and North America.
- Countries to visit in the future in Latin America
- Stopover in Guatemala to learn Spanish for 1 and a half months but I was previously in Mexico.
- Trip to the USA
2016: Continuation of my trip in Latin America
- Where to go in Latin America: I talk about several countries I visited this year or in previous years: Bolivia, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia.
2017: Eastern countries, discovery of former Soviet / communist and Slavic countries
2018: The Baltic countries and the Russian language
- Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
- Return to Ukraine to continue the Russian language
- Short trip to Asia to relive youth, Thailand, Vietnam for the first time, the Philippines.
2019: Latin America, the exotic and tropical countries that I love
- Brazil, starting to learn Portuguese
- Central American countries: Panama, Costa Rica,
- Colombia, learning to dance and digital nomad year.
Here is a small list of articles about exotic countries. Check the blog to learn more about exotic destinations to visit.
