Linnea & Arno: We have been asked a while ago to make a list of 10 places we would like to travel. And now we got it going. Yet we realized that it was a little hard due the fact that we have been in so many places. So this should not be taken as a recommendation list. We would absolutely recommend places like Victoria Falls and China, but we have both been there so this is a list of places we would go now if we won the lottery or so. Other reason why it's so hard is that world is so full of awesome places that 10 just wasn't enough! But enjoy! We will also tell you where we are heading in two weeks!
North Korea
Traveling to North Korea is a rather interesting yet controversial idea. Going there is probably an amazing experience but at the same time you're sponsoring the government financially that does all these violations again human rights. I guess it intrigues travelers mainly due to it's unique status. There is no other country that is so isolated and still living in the past like North Korea. Infrastructure is crumbling, except for the capital Pyongyang which they try to still keep up as an example of North Korean wealth and the elite lives there. It would be rather interesting also to visit the smaller cities and towns with their worn down infrastructure and old industrial factories which stopped running in the 90's. The downside about traveling to North Korea is the price and lack of real traveling. You need to book your trip as a package and you are allowed only to see the places they want you to see. Still a place worth to visit because of it's uniqueness in the world.
- Arno
Japan
My parents met in Japaneese class. I exsist due that class. And a few years after I started excisting I "read" childrens' books in Japaneese - or invent the stories because I can't read Japaneese. I lived the culture because of my mom and dad. I ate the food, learned to use chopsticks like before learning to read (still can't believe I have friends who can't use them) And ever since I wanted to go. And then my parents and brother went when I was living in Africa. And mom and dad went again... (at least I got a big stuffed pirate seal - Sirotan) So I am here, still dreaming. We planed on going with Arno this summer but instead we pushed that for later times (richer times). But I mean, who wouldn't want to see the country of toilet restaurants, weird pipe hotels, Hello Kitties and all the other things ever imagined..? Also hiking the Fuji mountain interests me! The Japaneese friends I've had are the kindest and always have the sweetest laugh, so yeah, I wouldn't mind having more Japaneese friends. And collecting more stuffed seals. And of course seeing all the miracles, cities, cherry flovers, colors, buildings, nature on the rural areas, the culture up close... and did I mention the food. OH SUSHI! No more explanations needed. Sushi. We love sushi.
- Linnea
- Linnea
Cuba
I think Cuba is one of the most interesting countries to visit at the moment. Especially before the world around it changes the country too much. It's been very isolated from western influences and has kept its originality well even when the countries around it have changed. This might change quickly since the newborn relations with the US attract a lot of Americans to visit Cuba. So the time to go is NOW!
I've seen a lot of pictures and watched some clips about the country and it looks absolutely gorgeous. Some people I've met traveling have told me that Cuba is their all time favorite place in the world due to it's authenticity, beauty and amazingly hospitable people. The place is also not (yet) ruined with mass tourism like a lot of countries are. Isn't that exactly what you want from your travels? At least I do. There is so much beauty to discover there like the capital Havana with all its colorful buildings and old cars, the untouched nature with all its sandy beaches, green hills and rainforests. I guess there is also a lot that is undiscovered and that's the main reason to go there. Discover it before somebody else does!
- Arno
I've seen a lot of pictures and watched some clips about the country and it looks absolutely gorgeous. Some people I've met traveling have told me that Cuba is their all time favorite place in the world due to it's authenticity, beauty and amazingly hospitable people. The place is also not (yet) ruined with mass tourism like a lot of countries are. Isn't that exactly what you want from your travels? At least I do. There is so much beauty to discover there like the capital Havana with all its colorful buildings and old cars, the untouched nature with all its sandy beaches, green hills and rainforests. I guess there is also a lot that is undiscovered and that's the main reason to go there. Discover it before somebody else does!
- Arno
Chile
One word: Lamas. Another one: Mountains. Yep. Always wanted to go to South America. Chile calls my name because of the nature and its' beauty - and the Easter Islands. Would probably go snowboarding! What attracts me is also that Chile is yet so unpopular among tourists. Not yet a major attraction and overly crowded! Have to also mention the colors and the people who really seem super special. Totaly different than anywhere else. Also, backbagging around South America would not be only a beach-this-drinks-that kind of a holiday people tend to take too ofter (no offences) due places like Chile. I looooove trecking and hiking. And snowboarding. And exploring in new places. And spending time in surrounding where I can't find Finnish karaoke bars and swearing scandinavian tourists next door (again, no offence, everyone does those turist trips sometimes - me included).
- Linnea
One word: Lamas. Another one: Mountains. Yep. Always wanted to go to South America. Chile calls my name because of the nature and its' beauty - and the Easter Islands. Would probably go snowboarding! What attracts me is also that Chile is yet so unpopular among tourists. Not yet a major attraction and overly crowded! Have to also mention the colors and the people who really seem super special. Totaly different than anywhere else. Also, backbagging around South America would not be only a beach-this-drinks-that kind of a holiday people tend to take too ofter (no offences) due places like Chile. I looooove trecking and hiking. And snowboarding. And exploring in new places. And spending time in surrounding where I can't find Finnish karaoke bars and swearing scandinavian tourists next door (again, no offence, everyone does those turist trips sometimes - me included).
- Linnea
New Zeland
I've always wanted to go to New Zealand (and so has Linnea!), and I'm a bit bummed I didn't have the time to go when I visited Australia a few years ago. NZ is a country you really want to visit with time so there was no point just rushing through it. I've met sooo many people that have been there and never heard a bad word about it, so a definite place to go! Most even say that they preferred it over Australia so it just gets me even more excited about it. There are many sports I'd like to do there like bungee jumping, canyon swings and of course skiing. Hopefully in the future when we have the time (and money) we could do a long combined trip to Australia and New Zealand!
- Arno
- Arno
Australia
Arno is a lucky guy to have been there. Australia was on my list when I was about to return from Africa. But then America happened. And when I came back I met that dude who couldn't stop talking about Australia and showing me cute pictures of cute wallabes and stuff. So yeah.. I have to get there. Long time dream of surfing, exploring the nature (Urulu, beaches, forests), culuture, eating food, seeing the special animals and so on... I also find the people very nice, have met many Australian people and they are so sweet, and they have even sweeter accent. And the way of life interests me. We have planed it so far that we might some day want to move there. At least to do the "working holiday" together. Which would probably be a bad thing. Because I would never come back to this dark and cold place (love you Finland) since I would be able to skateboard everywhere.
- Linnea
- Linnea
Iran
Many might find Iran a bit special on our list but it surely is a place of intrest! I guess not the top destination for many but that's one of the things that makes it even more interesting. Iran has been a very closed country for a long time but at least as a EU citizen nowadays you can go without a visa for two weeks so it's relatively easy to go.
I once read this nice traveling book, the Black Tourist by Dom Joly (recommend it!) in which the guy traveled to not so popular regions eg. North Korea, Iran and others. I guess this book got me even more excited about going there, he said it's amazing over there with incredibly nice and hospitable people, maybe not the first impression you would get. Anyhow most of our expectations are based on prejudice given to us by politics. Also another great reason to travel there and break these prejudices. Iran is interesting with its own Persian culture that differs from the Arabic one and it's beautiful landscape. You would think there is nothing else but desert (there is still a lot) but I've seen some amazing pictures from the green fertile mountain regions in the Northern parts of the country. So a definite top 10 place to visit!
- Arno
- Arno
Papua New Guinea
My favorite book Jungle Child by Sabine Kuegler (s-u-p-e-r good book, read it!!) tells a story of a tribe that lives in the jungle in Papua New Guinea. That book kind of explains all the nature, culture and reasons why I wanna go. Of course I happen to know that PNG is also one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Yet I am so interested in the cultures and how such social classes have formed and why things there are like they are. I have to also underline my love towards photography and writing, investing things and talk about a country not yet so popular among travellers. Also I am a sucker for jungles. My soul just rests, that's where the nature is so much bigger than any human.
- Linnea
Marocco
Morocco is one of the countries we definitely want to visit. And I would guess in the next few years we probably might go (at least want to!). It's not too far from Finland and a relatively cheap destination so a must visit. I've met a lot of travelers that have visited Morocco and all of them fell in love with the place, many of them claiming it as their favorite destination in Europe (technically it's not Europe but you know what I mean). Apparently it's nicer when you stay out of the touristy cities eg. Casablanca, Marrakech and head out to the smaller cities on the coast and inlands. Of course it's everybodys decision where to head but I prefer the less touristy regions, you usually get cheaper prices and more hospitable people. I especially want to see the beautiful infrastructure, old cities that blend in the desert and it's mountainous regions inlands. The food and handcraft culture is apparently amazing, I've sometimes cooked some Moroccan food dishes and the flavors are just incredible.
- Arno
- Linnea
Tanzania
So if you somehow managed to jump over the fact that I love nature and tracking and hiking and mountains etc. here we go all over the fact again: I have grown up with multiple cultures surrounding me all the time. I am a Africa(n) girl, I count myself as one. I've grown up having two African siblings and this major society that takes care of 400 orphans. So I have grown up in different continent and surroundings than my two "siblings" but I have eaten sadza (corn "porridge"), played with toys made out of cans Oili and Seppo brought from Zimbabwe, I have been in meetings, met people and grown up being all Africa this and Africa that. And when I finally got there after the colera had gone down, I felt like home. I felt I found a missing piece of myself. And that's why I came back. And stayed. And came back again. I have friends, I love the food, I eat with hands without a problem, I do morning walks with lions and ride elephants. That's me feeling whole, that's the little part of Africa that came in when I was lifted over the fence to eat pancakes (read the story here). And that part never left me. Just grew bigger. And came more hungry - not towards pancakes but travelling. And I want to see more Africa than just Zimbabwe. I want to go further. I want to hike Kilimanjaro, always have. Oili and Seppo have done it and we were talking about doing it with Oili when I lived in Zim but then the time just ran out (it's a 5 day hike). But I will do it some time. And I will explore further than just Zimbabwe. I will go to Tanzania (for longer than my stop-overs).
- Linnea
- Linnea
Where to next?
Linnea: And finally. The million dollar question we've been holding for way too long.
So me, Arno, mom, dad and my brother Luukas started to talk about Christmas plans early this year but that never helps, we always just rush into decisions anyway - that's who we are. We started to go over the options we had and to think destinations. We had plans and ideas and stuff. And some minor details like "will I get off from school", "on which day will dad be able to leave work" and "is Arno gonna be in the army for 6 months or a whole year". And we definitely did not have the answer when my mom called me up one night on August at 10 pm when we had just gotten back from a nice dinner with Arno.
Mom basically goes like "Hi! How's it going? Do you guys wanna go to Indonesia for Christmas?". I asked Arno if we were still having Indonesia as our first choice as we had talked for a long time. He nodded. So I told her that we were still wishing to go there. And my mom goes: "Good, we are booking tickets now. Get me yours and Arno's passport info".
Arno: So yeah we are going to Indonesia! Linnea and her family (mom, dad, brother) are flying on a separate flight than I am. We fly out on the same day though I just arrive a few hours later. I fly separately because I use my dads tickets he gets through his job (I get to fly a bit cheaper). Our first stop is going to be Jakarta, none of us have ever been there before so a new destination for all of us. Excited! I can't wait to finally hop on that plane and head out of Finland for a while. It's been a rough 6 months for both of us with my military service, Linneas several new jobs and us moving in together, so we can both use a well deserved break.
We're gonna spend four nights in Jakarta first before heading off to Bali. I don't really know what to expect from Jakarta since I've never been there, never heard anyone go there and never read travel stories about it. Sometimes it's better this way to just go out and explore without knowing too much ahead, ask the locals and find out the places by your own. One thing I know is that we are going to spend Christmas there! I have no idea what we are going to do for Christmas Eve, I guess nobody knows either but in a few weeks we will find out! I love Asian cities because of all the hustle and bustle going on, the cities never sleep. Also street food is the best (and cheap), I could eat at almost every stand because of the amazing smell and looks of the food.
Linnea: Then we will arrive to Bali. There we will spend a night in Denpasar (the place every tourist goes) and after that we have booked villas around the island. One close to the beach and one in Ubud - the monkey forest! And we will meet Arno's dad and Arno's dad's friend - who borrows his house to us now that he's in Asia! We will go around temples, jungles, swim, surf, relax, explore, eat well, celebrate New Years and so on.. And that's not it even. We will be visiting some other islands than just Bali! Cannot wait!
We will keep you posted for sure!
Hugs:
Linnea & Arno
PS. LOOK AT THIS CUTE WALLABEE ARNO TOOK A PICTURE OF IN AUSTRALIA! LOOK AT HIM! HE IS THE REASON I WANT TO GO TO AUSTRALIA!!
So me, Arno, mom, dad and my brother Luukas started to talk about Christmas plans early this year but that never helps, we always just rush into decisions anyway - that's who we are. We started to go over the options we had and to think destinations. We had plans and ideas and stuff. And some minor details like "will I get off from school", "on which day will dad be able to leave work" and "is Arno gonna be in the army for 6 months or a whole year". And we definitely did not have the answer when my mom called me up one night on August at 10 pm when we had just gotten back from a nice dinner with Arno.
Mom basically goes like "Hi! How's it going? Do you guys wanna go to Indonesia for Christmas?". I asked Arno if we were still having Indonesia as our first choice as we had talked for a long time. He nodded. So I told her that we were still wishing to go there. And my mom goes: "Good, we are booking tickets now. Get me yours and Arno's passport info".
Arno: So yeah we are going to Indonesia! Linnea and her family (mom, dad, brother) are flying on a separate flight than I am. We fly out on the same day though I just arrive a few hours later. I fly separately because I use my dads tickets he gets through his job (I get to fly a bit cheaper). Our first stop is going to be Jakarta, none of us have ever been there before so a new destination for all of us. Excited! I can't wait to finally hop on that plane and head out of Finland for a while. It's been a rough 6 months for both of us with my military service, Linneas several new jobs and us moving in together, so we can both use a well deserved break.
We're gonna spend four nights in Jakarta first before heading off to Bali. I don't really know what to expect from Jakarta since I've never been there, never heard anyone go there and never read travel stories about it. Sometimes it's better this way to just go out and explore without knowing too much ahead, ask the locals and find out the places by your own. One thing I know is that we are going to spend Christmas there! I have no idea what we are going to do for Christmas Eve, I guess nobody knows either but in a few weeks we will find out! I love Asian cities because of all the hustle and bustle going on, the cities never sleep. Also street food is the best (and cheap), I could eat at almost every stand because of the amazing smell and looks of the food.
Linnea: Then we will arrive to Bali. There we will spend a night in Denpasar (the place every tourist goes) and after that we have booked villas around the island. One close to the beach and one in Ubud - the monkey forest! And we will meet Arno's dad and Arno's dad's friend - who borrows his house to us now that he's in Asia! We will go around temples, jungles, swim, surf, relax, explore, eat well, celebrate New Years and so on.. And that's not it even. We will be visiting some other islands than just Bali! Cannot wait!
We will keep you posted for sure!
Hugs:
Linnea & ArnoPS. LOOK AT THIS CUTE WALLABEE ARNO TOOK A PICTURE OF IN AUSTRALIA! LOOK AT HIM! HE IS THE REASON I WANT TO GO TO AUSTRALIA!!
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