This is not a sponsored post. However, in the interests of disclosure, I visited some of the destinations mentioned within this post as a media guest on press trips.
I bet you never thought you’d hear me say this, but setting up new travel plans is the last thing on my mind right now. I’m quite content – although not necessarily happy – to remain in the comfort of my very own home for the foreseeable future. No doubt I’m not alone in my predicament; at the time of writing, the UK has enforced a country-wide lockdown, many airlines have cancelled all flights, several countries have closed their borders for the foreseeable future and we’re being forced to think about how to restructure our lives as lockdown is eased.
While I might not be booking any holidays anytime soon, however, this doesn’t stop me from reminiscing about my favourite travel memories. Go and make yourself a nice cup of tea, get comfy and read on for a dose of wanderlust!
My Top Five Travel Memories
1. Spotting endangered wildlife in Sabah, Borneo
Recently, I was incredibly lucky to be hosted by Sabah Tourism and Royal Brunei Airlines on a press trip to Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
We packed a lot into our time in Sabah, but the real highlight was getting to see endangered and critically endangered species with our own eyes, both in the wild and at reputable conservation centres.
While sailing down the Kinabatangan River with Borneo Eco Tours, we spotted all kinds of jungle wildlife, from Borneo pygmy elephants and long-tailed macaques, to long-nosed proboscis monkeys, Asian water monitor lizards, oriental pied hornbills, purple herons and crested serpent eagles, to name just a few. Meanwhile, back at Sukau Rainforest Lodge, we managed to catch a glimpse of the resident orangutan and her infant and while visiting nearby Gomantong Caves, we were spoilt with another orangutan visit and a maroon langur sighting. Read more in my post about the wildlife of Borneo.
2. Drinking under-the-counter rum in Grenada
Based in northeast Grenada, around 1.5 miles north of Lake Antoine volcano and south of Levera National Park in St. Patrick’s parish, the River Sallee sulphur springs feature six hot springs which are believed to have special healing properties.
Visitors to the sulphur springs can opt to have their entire body covered in the clay-like mud from the springs. The mud is left on your skin to dry in the hot sun before being washed off in the sulphur springs. To finish, smother your body in cocoa butter to leave your skin feeling soft and smelling divine.
As impressive as the sulphur springs, were, however (I didn’t go full body – legs only; I have the photos to prove it!) it was the under-the-counter rum that really stands out in my mind. I mean, can you blame me – not only was it so strong that I’m surprised the shot didn’t knock me over, but it also contained a dead centipede, a millipede and a scorpion. No wonder it had such a kick to it!
3. Seeing the Taj Mahal in India
It’s an enormous cliché, but seeing the Taj Mahal in Agra, India has to be one of my most memorable travel experiences.
Ever since I was a child, I’ve always wanted to visit the Taj Mahal. I remember being fascinated by this magnificent marble structure after glimpsing at it in my mum’s Indian cookery books and on calendars given to us by our local Indian takeaway houses.
However, nothing compares to seeing the Taj Mahal in person. Pictures really don’t do it justice. I’ll never forget the moment I finally saw it standing in front of my eyes on a hazy November morning in 2016. Even with the light fog in the air, it looked spectacular. Once this cleared, I was truly lost for words. It takes your breath away and no matter how long you stare at it, it’s never gets any less awe-inspiring!
4. Hanging out at Floyd’s Pelican Bar in Jamaica
Named after the pelicans that gather nearby, Floyd’s Pelican Bar was once named the best bar in the world. Crafted entirely from driftwood, it sits on stilts on a sandbank around three-quarters of a mile out to sea, in Parrottee Bay on Jamaica’s south coast. To get here, you’ll need to take a 10-15-minute boat ride from Treasure Beach.
Carve your name into the wood, play dominoes with the locals, drink Red Stripe beer and indulge in freshly caught, cooked-to-order fried fish. I can’t think of a better place to wile away a few hours in the Caribbean sunshine!
5. Dining at the world’s biggest Nobu restaurant in Doha
I’ll never forget that time I got to dine at the world’s biggest Nobu restaurant, Nobu Doha at the Four Seasons hotel in Qatar while on a press trip with Qatar Airways and Cardiff Airport.
Sleek and stylish, the restaurant offers breath-taking views over the Doha city skyline; at night-time, when everything is lit up, it’s a truly beautiful sight to behold.
As impressive as the views may be, however, it’s the food that really stands out when I look back on my visit to Nobu Doha – particularly the baby spinach, truffle oil and lobster salad (pictured below) and the rock shrimp tempura!
Hopefully, you’ll now be feeling more by the thought of travelling again once COVID-19 passes and we’re able to move freely again – I know I am!
Is there anywhere in particular that you’re itching to visit when it becomes safe for us to travel again? Share your ideas in the comment box below.
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This is not a sponsored post. However, in the interests of disclosure, I visited some of the destinations mentioned within this post as a media guest on press trips.
The Taj Mahal looks amazing!!! I would love to visit India one day and go and see this.
You will be amazed. I was lost for words, I almost felt emotional when I saw it standing there in front of me!
What a great and beautiful memories, no wonder why you love going back to those places, because they are amazing!
Too right! Grenada is my favourite but I can see me going back to Borneo at some point.
Top of my list, is to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, I really want to travel there before my next big birthday.
I’d love to see them too, in Iceland would be especially lovely. I hope you get to go!
It must be so frustrating for you at the moment, being unable to plan your next trips! I’ll look forward to hearing about them soon, hopefully
It is a strange feeling but I am enjoying looking back on my travel memories! 😀
Wow you have had some amazing trips! This has done so much to inspire my wanderlust and can’t wait for this all to be over so we can see the world again. But like you I’m home staying safe for now x
Yes, I’m really lucky! Glad to have inspired you Amanda 😀 Stay stafe and sound at home for now x
What a lovely list of inspiring travel locations. I have been to Sabah once many years before and would love to return again with my children once the travel ban has been lifted
I bet they’d love it, it’s a great place for kids, so much to see and do – educational, even.
Yikes not sure I would be brave enough to try that rum with all the extra creatures lurking in it! You have some incredible travel memories to draw on, they will get you through this lockdown!
Haha – I didn’t realise they were in there until I’d downed the shot – probably for the best!
What lovely memories of visiting beautiful places. Think it’s important to remember happy memories during these difficult times and have hope for the future.
Oh, definitely. It’s more important than ever for us to take time to reflect 🙂
What a wonderful set of travel and foodie memories. I love rum but not sure I could try the under counter stuff, the extra critters would freak me out lol
Hehe, it was a good job I’d downed the shot before he told me what was in it, because I don’t think I’d have drunk it otherwise.
I’d love to do a safari so I’m very jealous of that. There are so many places I’d love to visit so hopefully I’ll get a chance to book something soon x
I’d love to do a full safari holiday too! This was a great experience.
Oh wow these are some incredible memories! I’ve seen the Taj Mahal and it is very impressive
It is isn’t it?! Photos just don’t compare to the real thing.
Wow. Those were beautiful places you visited. The Taj Mahal is on my bucket list too. I’d also like to visit Bhutan, New Zealand and Iceland.I hope these won’t just be dreams for me! I have to make those trips become a reality!
Bhutan has been on my bucket list for a while too 🙂
Ohh wow! These travel moments sound amazing. The Borneo encounter would be my absolute dream. Anything to do with wildlife (ethical of course) and I am there! lovely post to read (I found you via the link up) x
That trip was so dreamy; I’ll be posting on my blog about it at some point, although I’m not sure whether I ought to hold off for a little while given current circumstances.
These travel moments are wonderful – so good to look back at happy memories in these challenging times
Em x
I couldn’t agree more Em 🙂 Writing this post really helped to brighten my day.
Wow, you have had some amazing adventures, something lovely to remember whilst we are waiting for this nightmare to blow over
Indeed, I’m very lucky. Hope to have a few more once the virus passes.
Such a great mix of memories, Kacie – and now you’ve got me thinking about my own top travel moments…where to start, eh?!
Hehe, exactly – I bet you have so many to choose from!
Oh wow! Found you through the #travellinkup this month, what a lovely way to celebrate travel! Sabah sounds amazing: we went to Kalimantan which is Indonesian Borneo a couple of years ago and it was surreal. Stay safe!
How lovely – good to connect with you! 🙂 Sabah was indeed amazing. I would love to see Indonesian Borneo too! I feel another trip coming on.
So many great memories. As soon as this is over let’s go to Paris!
Let’s! That would be a real treat.
Some great trips Kacie. I think drinking under the counter rum in Grenada was one of my highlights too.
Thank you Sima! Haha, great minds. Well, from what we remember of the experience anyway! Hehe 🙂
Pelican bar, we had such a fun and boozy afternoon there! Time at home is good, a bit of a reboot
Ahh, good to hear it! I love Pelican Bar. I wish I could’ve spent a bit longer there. I was only there for an hour or so.
These all seem fantastic locations, to be honest, it sounds like a tough decision in my eyes, Taj Mahal is one of those world iconic locations, though having some under-counter Rum is great!
Haha, it was indeed – so many wonderful travel memories to choose from!
We went to see the orangutans in Borneo and visit the Kinabatangan River last summer. I still have lots of happy travel memories of that amazing trip too.
Aww, that’s lovely to hear. I’m glad you took lots of happy memories away from your trip 😀
These all sound like fantastic places to go and explore/re-visit – what an inspirational list!
Thanks Emma! I really enjoyed thinking back on my favourite travel memories.