Living in Kenya there are so many amazing places to visit that we are spoilt for choice. Almost the whole of Kenya is exotically beautiful, a honeymoon destination for people all over the world.
When it comes to travel I find myself wanting to do it all now. Ever the perpetual nomad, I grew up moving from country to country and am never happier than with a backpack and no idea which country Ill wake up in next. With our kids being born so close together we didn’t travel for a few years. Now that they are a little older my horizons are starting to broaden again. Ignoring the rest of the world for the moment, there is so much to do here in Kenya. Some days I want to climb Mount Kenya. Others just to lay on the beach at Tiwi then others laze in a cabin in the Aberdares. There are just so many – too many – places to visit. I have no idea where to start (or how to go about canvassing the hubster to spend his hard earned cash). Reluctantly accepting my backpacking days are over for now, my way forward is to try and figure out what my motive for wanting to travel is. This then gets me focused and makes the trip entirely more enjoyable
Exploring new locations
Mostly I’m just someone that wants to explore new places. In many ways this means it’s impossible to go wrong. My goal is the newness, the excitement of paths unexplored. Some days it’s enough to take a drive around Nairobi or a day trip to Champagne Ridge to simply be in a place I haven’t been before. The most important thing on any adventure is just to make the most of the trip.
Relaxation
When the kids have driven me nuts and I’m struggling I just want to relax. Impossible with 3 children? Maybe, but we can dream. Everyone’s ideas of relaxing is different but whether you want to go on a weekend break or for a few weeks away, you will want to figure out what your idea of chilling out is. I love nothing more than spending time on a desolate beach, whilst others prefer all-inclusive resorts, or spa hotels. Then again my dad’s idea of perfection would be a weekend fishing by a freezing cold lake. Each to their own! The most important thing is to figure out what your kind of relaxing is and not get sucked into mountain biking holidays if that’s not your bag.
Bucket list locations
I’ve got a huge list of must-do-before-I-die locations. I was working my way through them pretty well before kids but now the idea of spending hours on a plane with my little darlings is less appealing. My heart sings for Vietnam, Cambodia and Vanuatu but realistically this isn’t going to happen any time soon. Instead I look at the bucket list locations right here in Kenya, of which there are so many. It’s easy to forget, living here, that Kenya is a premier holiday destination in its own right. The grass is perfectly green and watered right where I’m standing.
Eat your way around the world
I’m quite into a themed holiday. I am thinking a surfing trip, hiking adventure or diving off a liveaboard. Channeling Eat, Love, Pray, I’m pretty up for an eating holiday (yes it’s a thing). Id love to go to India or Thailand to do a cooking course. To Argentina for that incredible steak I once had, or back to Rome for world famous pizza. Sometimes the best food can be found close to home. My friend says a visit to Wales is a must for the best burger in Cardiff, personally I feel a visit to the Talisman in Karen is always a winner.
Experiences New Cultures
One thing is for sure, Id love every travel experience to involve experiencing new cultures. All aspects of the unusual fascinate me. I love to immerse myself in different religions, foods and ways of living. You can design a holiday specifically around cultural travel experiences and tick of a few of those bucket list places in the meantime.
For me Kenya allows me the opportunity to experience all of those holidays without leaving the country. With increased transport: more flights, more train links, better roads almost nowhere is off the grid. The difficulty is choosing where to go first.