It’s soon about to be 2019! Wow time just flies by. At this time of the year, I always like to reflect back to all the memories and places I’ve travelled to in the past year and think about the experiences I’ve gain. As well, I like to refresh my bucket list with new destinations for the upcoming year. It’s so fun! But gosh the list just gets longer and longer! Where are you planning to go in 2019? Well, to help you get some inspirations, let me share with you all the places that are on my bucket list as well as some of my favorite places in the world that I’ve visited. Instead of widely famous places like Eiffel Towel and the Great Wall, I love discovering cool offbeat places that less people know about. See how many of these magical places do you know!
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Giraffe Manor, Kenya
Did you know there is a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya where wild giraffes come visit in the morning and have breakfast with you? The first time I saw a photo of this place on Instagram my jaw just dropped!
Chefchaouen (Blue Village), Morocco
A tucked away gem in the northwest of Morocco, this little mountain village is all blue! Blue alley ways, blue washed buildings, it looks completely like a dream!
White Desert, Egypt
In contrast to yellow sand deserts everywhere else in the world, this desert in Farafra, Egypt is completed white! A place to go spotting for unique and spectacular rock formations. The view is just amazing!
Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi
One of the world’s largest mosques, Sheikh Zayed Mosque is a key place of worship in Abu Dhabi. It’s an architectural work of art and the definition of majestic.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Heaven is that you? No we are still on earth but it sure does feel like heaven. This unbelievable salt flat in Bolivia will make you look as if you are walking on clouds.
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
You may have heard of these remarkable remote islands in the eastern pacific ocean that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. The abundance of wildlife and incredible landscapes makes the Galápagos Islands a popular bucket list destination. There are sea lions, giant turtoises, and so many amazing creatures found nowhere else on earth!
Vinicunca, Peru
Many people think of Macchu Picchu on the mention of Peru, but how many know about this gorgeous Rainbow Mountain a few hours from Cusco? Yellow, blue, red, it’s like staring at a world imagined by Dr. Seuss!
Punta del Este, Uruguay
An incredible resort city in Uruguay for enjoying beach, food, and culture. It’s also famous for this giant sculpture named “Los Manos” or The Hand.
Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
It’s pretty much my dream to go to Costa Rica and meet a sloth. The Corcovado National Park in the Osa Peninsula is not only home to slothes, but nearly 463 bird species and 140 mammal species including monkeys, toucans, and even pumas! The park has long been celebrated as one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet!
Cano Cristales, Colombia
Otherwise known as the River of Five Colours, this Colombian river is one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the country. No Instagram filter needed!
Renaissance Island, Aruba
This private island in the Carribean has a beach where you can swim with flamingos! Enough said. Just look at this picture. Speechless…
Gili Trawangan Island, Indonesia
I have been to Gili Trawangan and the sunset here is just stunning. Find the famous Sunset Swing in the ocean for an awesome photo op. Gosh I need to go back to this view!
Hoi An, Vietnam
This little trading port town in Vietnam is so charming and delightful. Take a bicycle tour through the rice paddies, learn some traditional Viet cooking, float a lantern on the river at night, there are so many things to do here!
Wat Rong Khun, Thailand
This is perhaps the most unique temple on the planet. Located in Chiang Rai, Thailand, Wat Rong Khun is a completely white temple that is meant to symbolize Buddha’s purity. It’s covered in mosaics of mirrors sparking in the sun. All around the complex are intricate sculptures of demons, skulls and other strange objects. Traditional and artistic in one!
Bagan, Myanmar
Myanmar is underrated for its beauty. Take a hot air balloon ride over Bagan at sunrise and see thousands of beautiful temples from above. How surreal does this look?
Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan
This beautiful park in Ibaraki Japan is famous for two incredible views. One being a sea of 4.5 million baby blue eye flowers that blend together with the color of the sky in Spring. And one being a giant rolling hill of fiery red kochia plants in Autumn. It’s a paradise for flower lovers.
Related: Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan – Day Trip Guide
Gardens By the Bay, Singapore
This doesn’t even look like earth! This surreal park in the middle of Singapore was built as an effort by the government to enhance greenery and flora in the city. There are several gardens, as well as a cloud forest as a flower dome. Look at these supertrees. Whoa!
Enchanted River, Philippines
The Philippines definitely doesn’t have a lack of stunning beaches and water holes. You may have heard of Palawan or Boracay. But this place here also needs to be on your bucket list! The Enchanted River is a deep spring river on the island of Mindanao. Its name suits it perfectly! Who wouldn’t want to take a dip in this magical water!
Lake Hilliar, Australia
How crazy is mother nature seriously? There is actually a pink lake on this planet! And it’s in Western Australia! The weirder thing is that the lake is right next to the pacific ocean and you can see the contrast between the blue and pink colors from above.