5 Countries To Visit But Not At The Moment

Maybe when you were growing up, you used to stare for hours at maps of the world. You were imagining what other places in the world were like. Later you became addicted to National Geographic magazine and travel stories and the amazing articles about unique features of little known countries. You hoped that one day when you were older you would get to see those places and countries.

I grew up like that. Dreaming of going somewhere and being there is another story. It’s not always as easy as taking the first step.

Here’s a list of countries that I’d like to visit, why I’d like to go, and why I’m not so keen on buying an airline ticket to them - for the time being.

You could go to these countries, there’s nothing physically stopping you. For me, it is a personal decision in deference to my fears of self-preservation, lack of youthful wild-eyed travel egotism, travel warnings, recent events and published news. You can make your own choices.

I look forward to everyone who’s recently been to these places telling me what I’m missing.

Buddhist monks used to live at the base of these bamiyan cliffs

Afghanistan

Why Go? When I was in India a year before September 11, I met this guy who had backpacked through Afghanistan during the reign of the Taliban. He said he had never been to a more hospitable country although it was a bit spooky being constantly stared at by random folk with guns.

I let out a deep sigh of sadness (what else could anyone do?) when the Taliban blew up the Bamiyan Buddhas before the Coalition forces invaded in 2002. Now there are some fledgling tourist ventures reopening in this region.

Why Not? Um, read the paper.

Zimbabwe

Why Go? 1.4 million tourists visited Zimbabwe in 1999. Not least because of the developed economy, tourist infrastructure and international flight access. There are/were many notable game parks including Hwange. My personal interest stems from reading an article on the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Great Zimbabwe ruins, remnants of the largest permanent human structures in Southern Africa.

Why Not? Hmm, even the Zimbabwe Tourism website (www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw) no longer works. Kind of says it all.

Dal Lake, Kashmir

Pakistan/Indian Border (Jammu & Kashmir)

Why Go? The region was, is and probably will always fire the imagination as a lost Shangri-La. It’s a region blessed by divergent traditions, religions (Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist) and environments (spectacular lakes and alpine vistas).

Check out the excellent Jammu & Kashmir Government Tourist website. Makes me want to reconsider my decision.

Why Not? Reginal tensions have been exaccerbated recently by the Mumabi terrorist attacks. The Kashmir is an obvious flashpoint for any future actions. For a dramatic introduction to the history of the internecine conflict in the region check out the excellent and thought provoking (if blood thirsty) Bollywood movie, Mission Kashmir.

Sana'a - capital of the Republic of Yemen

Yemen

Why Go? When you look at photos of the ancient cities of Yemen (the old city of Sana’a, for example) they are almost medieval in appearance. Since travelling to Morocco, I’ve had a desire to see more unique examples of Islamic architecture and the amazing features of the old city environment.

Despite being on the ‘defer all travel’ list of some Western countries, Yemen is actually under going a tourism boom albeit mainly from regional neighbours.

Why Not? Yemen rightly or wrongly has got a bit of a reputation as a terrorist staging point and kidnapping hot spot. I’m sure travellingon an organised tour with effective safety precautions might be the way to go, but it’s not the way I like to travel.

A Madagascan Lemur

Madagascar

Why go? Amazing rainforest, mix of cultures, and the place Hollywood named a movie after. If you’re big into Lemur’s with their cute bulging eyes, eco-tourism and endemic bio-diversity this is your island holiday destination.

Why not? Currently there’s some considerable political turmoil between the civil and political authorities, between the army and police. The idea of being caught up in an ongoing coup/upheaval does not encourage me to spend up on expensive long haul flights for the privilege.

Other places to avoid?

Where do you want to go but are thinking better of it at the moment?

In a future post I’ll cover the related issue of countries you can freely visit without security issues but might not want to because of conscientious objections and supporting non-democratic regimes vs the desire to support locals through your tourism expenditure.

Tell the world!

Tags

Eco Backpacking, Backpacking, Adventure, Advice, blog, culture, Yemen, Afghanistan, zimbabwe, pakistan, madagascar

Comments

• Twenga says:

  I would like to go to Madagascar! everybody says that is great!

  3 years ago

• Dan Roberts says:

  I would love to go to Lebanon - there is an amazing winery there called Chateaux Musar - but I don't think it is "on the safe list".

  3 years ago

Comment

Email

Name

Website

Captcha