You might think where I’ve been lately after that aggressive poll I’ve made to relaunch my blog. Unfortunately, the process is taking longer than I’ve expected. I’m currently hiring a wordpress developer to look into my specifications and they’re working hard to make this happen. In the meantime, I’ve been searching on the internet to find unusual travel inspirations to share with all. Just bear in mind that I’ve never been to any of these places (yet). All of the photos aren’t mine but they’re all under creative commons. Have fun reading!
world map by normanbleventhalmapcenter

10. Antarctica

low tourist arrivals factor: 10/10
Conflict factor: 3/10low access link factor: 10/10
hard to get visa factor: 0/10 – visa free
Beauty factor: 10/10
Unusual factor: 33/50
Why is it unusual?
It’s far, cold and always in winter. How
cold cool is that? Antarctica a continent made of ice. A land of extremes. Where winter is always dark and freezing, and summer is bright but also freezing (duh!) and yes those penguins are everywhere. That’s where they come from, its their home and territory. Who are they to blame. The landscape is often dramatic. Mountains of icebergs forming a huge part of the scenery. It’s like admiring to those intricate carved ices you see at over the top events in Kuala Lumpur or London in this case. It’s one territory where few have set foot let alone explored.
Antarctica is the coldest, driest and windiest continent. It is a continent made primarily of ice which is said to be 1.6km thick. Antarctica is home to researchers from around the world though no permanent resident are recorded (how can anyone live here anyway?). This is the place where the extremes would go. Recently more and more people (usually older / retired) go and see. There’s literally nothing to do there apart from sightseeing. If you have the dosh, the willpower and in good physical shape why not travel to this part of the world?
What I love about Antarctica?
Exhilarating views of icebergs. And of course those penguins.

Photos by Liam Q
Photo by HRL
Photo by Angell Williams
Photo by Dave B
Photo by 23am.com

9. Timor-Leste

low tourist arrivals factor: 9/10
Conflict factor: 8/10low access link factor: 7/10
hard to get visa factor: 6/10
Beauty factor: 8/10
Unusual factor: 38/50
Why is it unusual?
It’s one of the newest country in the world gaining independence from Indonesia in 2002. The country is slowly pacing itself forward after decades of war with the Indonesian military that destroyed most of its infrastructure and allegedly killed hundreds of thousands of its people.
What I love about Timor-Leste?
This part of the region is thoroughly unexplored, where villages still forms as the centre of society. Villagers often welcome foreigners with open arms considering tourism is extremely rare.
Fishing off Atauro Island Timor-Leste
Dili 2 by yeowatzup
Timor Leste by Sansao Mendes
East Timor by sugu
Traditional dress of Timor Leste by UN Photos
Traditional homes in Timor Leste by UN Photos
Timor-Leste Farmer Carries Away Crops Destroyed by Heavy Rains

8. Sierra Leone

low tourist arrivals factor: 10/10
Conflict factor: 7/10low access link factor: 7/10
hard to get visa factor: 8/10
Beauty factor: 7/10
Unusual factor: 39/50
Why is it unusual?
It’s a country with ultimate wealth – gold and diamonds among them together along with one of the world’s largest natural harbour at the capital city Freetown – which brings a large number of cargo ship to the city. Despite that, 70% of the population is living under poverty making it the third poorest country in the world.
What I love about Sierra Leone?
The people. Sierra Leone is one of the world’s most religiously tolerant nation where large population of Muslims and Christians live in harmony. Tolerance in culture usually translates to the openness towards tourist which is always a good thing.
Photo by DFID
market town of Al-Meganis by AHeavens
a village in Sierra Leone by Mustafa Ozturk IHH
Lunsar by Mustafa Ozturk IHH
a mosque in Sierra Leone by Mustafa Ozturk IHH

7. Burma

low tourist arrivals factor: 10/10
Conflict factor: 9/10low access link factor: 6/10
hard to get visa factor: 6/10
Beauty factor: 9/10
Unusual factor: 40/50
Why is it unusual?
Like North Korea, Burma is pretty much closed to the world. Look at any news channels today and most are reporting on the country’s appalling human rights violations especially towards child labour, human trafficking and freedom of speech. Despite that, the country boast one of the world’s most beautiful temple cities and very friendly people.
What I love about Burma?
Golden clad temples, scenic villages and amazing people
Parasols and paddles by Tarotastic
Lake Inle by Tarotastic
Floating Village by Tarotastic
Morning chores by Romsrini
Old women smoking by Druidabruxux
Praying couple at Schwedagon by AntwerpenR
Sunset over Bagan by Martin Sojka
Bagan by Marin Sojka
Mingalaba by Tranuf
Yangon buses by pyjama
11 by Tartarin 2009
Shwedagon at night by jmhullot

Golden Shwedagon pagoda by Martin Sojka

7. Tajikistan

low tourist arrivals factor: 10/10
Conflict factor: 5/10low access link factor: 7/10
hard to get visa factor: 8/10
Beauty factor: 10/10
Unusual factor: 40/50
Why is it unusual?
It’s a country landlocked in the heart of Central Asia and along the beautiful Silk Road. It is one of the poorest country in the world owing largely to the huge civil war that broke out in 1991. It is also largely unexplored. Despite its size, Tajikistan is the second least visited country in the world with only 4,000 visitors a year.
What I love about Tajikistan?
Tajikistan has one of the world’s highest mountain regions in the Pamirs and a hospitable culture that hasn’t changed for centuries. And of course the fact that not many has visited this country gives it an extra appeal.
Wakhan Valley bordering Afghanistan and Tajikistan by sugarmelon.com
Never ending Chinese-Tajik-border along the Pamir Highway by sugarmelon.com
Holy Lake in Tajikistan by Ben Paarmann
alluvial fans in the Pamirs Tajikistan by mmj
water in Tajikistan by vhenevier
Central Square Khujand in Tajikistan by babasteve
portrait of a girl in Tajikistan by chenevier
farmer in Tajikistan by Oxfam International
a local family in Tajikistan by Radio Nederland
Market scene in Tajikistan by babasteve
Tajikistan by Robert Thompson

5. Chad

low tourist arrivals factor: 10/10
Conflict factor: 9/10low access link factor: 8/10
hard to get visa factor: 8/10
Beauty factor: 6/10
Unusual factor: 41/50
Why is it unusual?
Chad is a country currently in political turmoil. The country is home to over 200 different tribes with many different religions including animist. These differences often resulted in tension between tribes. Chad is located in the heart of Africa bordering the troubled regions of Libya, Sudan and Central African Republic. Despite having crude oil as the primary resource of earnings, Chad is one of the poorest and most corrupted country in the world. It was declared as a failed state by FundForPeace based on its level of stability and capacity.
What I love about Chad?
The isolation. The dramatic desert landscape and the Chad basin, the second largest in Africa

Tchad by marches-lointaines.com
smiles and dust by 10b travelling
Zakouma National Park Chad 2 by Kempinski N’Djamena
Zakouma National Park Chad by Kempinski NDjamena 2
Sunset over river Chari by afcone

4. North Korea

low tourist arrivals factor: 10/10
Conflict factor: 8/10low access link factor: 8/10
hard to get visa factor: 9/10
Beauty factor: 7/10
Unusual factor: 42/50
Why is it unusual?
North Korea is a supremely mystical country. A country that manages to make full use of its nuclear capabilities distancing itself from the rest of the world surely has a great secret or two. With half of the world already a well beaten track, North Korea’s one or two beautiful spots would surely garner anyone’s attention.
It is the world’s most militarised nation. Yes, with over 9 million army personnel ready to defend the country, North Korea has double the amount of troops compared to China’s ‘tiny’ 4.5 million and United States ‘miniscule’ 3 million troops. From a highly militarised nation comes an extremely disciplined work force. Check out the precisely coordinated opening at the Arirang Games in Pyongyang. Where else in the world can you get such a performance at a magnificent scale than in Pyongyang? I’m wondering how the preparation was like. In fact, I’m wondering how is everything like in North Korea? I wouldn’t think a minute if I ever get the chance to visit this intriguing country.
It’s hardly accessible. Not by road, rail or air. The only way for foreigners to visit the country is by joining a tour group that is organised by the government itself. If that sounds fun to you, there’s so many restrictions along the way. Firstly, happy snapping tourist would find themselves in trouble most of the time. This is not the country where you can take photos unless you were told to! Secondly, every single place you visit has been organised for you to watch and appreciate. It’s a huge theatre set. It’s like going to a Hollywood movie set where fill with actors and supporting cast. Thirdly upon departing the country, an officer will have to go through your cameras making sure you’re following the rules. To top that, anyone from the press are ineligible to join the tour group. Though I don’t necessarily agree with their policies, I really do not mind following their rules if I can make it to North Korea one day. Besides, you should respect local customs when travelling abroad right?
What I love most about North Korea?
Its secrecy, discipline and controversy.
North Korean soldiers by John Pavelka
Propaganda poster by yeowatzup
Arirang Games in Pyongyang by Leef Smith
Pyongyang by Fraser Lewry
North Korea by flatworldsedge
Pyongyang sunrise by stngiam
Pyongyang Hotel by Pricey
Pyongyang Traffic Warden by Bryanh
North Korea’s coast by Wandering Soles Photography

Sunday Rest by GadgetDan
Countryside North of Pyongyang by jensowagner
North Korean farmer by UnitedNationsPhoto

3. Yemen

low tourist arrivals factor: 9/10
Conflict factor: 10/10low access link factor: 8/10
hard to get visa factor: 8/10
Beauty factor: 8/10 
Unusual factor: 43/50 
Why is it unusual? 
It is one of the friendliest Arab state with a genuine hospitality towards foreigners. Despite that, the country is currently facing a civil war and constant tribal conflicts. Yemen is a country that is waiting to be explored. It has one of the most dramatic landscape in the world coupled with a unique culture and great food. The Empty Quarter – a vast and hostile desert land stretching thousand of kilometres covers the north side of the country. The east and west are made of mountainous terrain that is great sight in itself. At the heart of this is Sanaa – the capital city of Yemen – which is one of the oldest city in history. The city is located 7000 feet above sea level. Yemen has a wonderful stretch of beach on its coastal west and south.
What I love about Yemen?

The amazing Arabian hospitality coupled with amazing natural landscape. And not to forget the amazing architecture of Sanaa. 

Sanaa Old City – by Richard Messenger
Sanaa town by eesti
Sanaa old town by Martin Sojka
Yemen people by enthogenesis
Yemen by eesti
a girl in Sanaa by Richard Messenger
Al Hajjara by ai@ce
Haraz mountains around Manaka by ai@ce
Zabid – the world’s hottest city – by ai@ce
Hadramawt wadi by localsurfer
Wadi Daah by enthogenesis
Socotra Island Yemen by Martin Sojka
Socotra Yemen by Soqotra
Socotra Island 2 Yemen by Martin Sojka
baobap trees in Yemen by alexbip

2. Afghanistan

low tourist arrivals factor: 10/10
Conflict factor: 10/10low access link factor: 8/10
hard to get visa factor: 6/10
Beauty factor: 10/10
Unusual factor: 44/50
Why is it unusual?
Afghanistan has been the centre of the news for the past decade or so. The country has been at war for the past 30 years. There was the war with the Soviet Union in 1979 and recently the war to remove the Taliban. The country is still a war zone today. Afghanistan is an ethnically diverse country with a very rich history. Not many people know that the country’s unique location on the silk road has brought many different empires to its territory. Among the many wonders of the world includes the destroyed Buddha in Bamiyan.
What I love about Afghanistan?
The beautiful people, extremely beautiful landscape and a rich history
Kandahar Afghanistan by Nate Derrick
Band-E Amir by AfghanistanMatters
Afghanistan Lakeview by AfghanistanMatters
Road to Jalalabad by Todd Huffman
Destroyed Buddhas in Bamiyan by NRio
destroyed buddha of Bamiyan – photo on the left taken in 1997 and right in 2001 by bpblogspot
Kabul hillside homes by Laura Eyes
Kabul Buskashi by maiaibing
Kabul street life by rob7812
Compelling Eyes – Girl in Afghanistan by maiaibing

1. Kiribati

low tourist arrivals factor: 10/10
Conflict factor: 10/10low access link factor: 10/10
hard to get visa factor: 5/10
Beauty factor: 10/10
Unusual factor: 45/50
Why is it unusual?
It’s a country which is far from anywhere. Located in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, Kiribati is one of the most desolated country in the world. It is also a country that is on the verge of disappearing due to the rapid sea level rise caused by the global warming. Despite receiving relatively few tourist, Kiribati is has one of the friendliest people. Some parts of the island are thoroughly desolated going to a point of being primitive.
What I love about Kiribati?
The paradise islands and untouched beauty. The people and their urgent plight from extinction. Global warming does affect more people than ever thought. This conflict doesn’t straddle on one region but on all of us. For a nation this isolated, only we as human beings can help save this nation from extinction.
Save us we are drowning – Kiribati by 350 dot org
Kiribati kids by teamkiribati.com
a Kiribati village by jopology
Kiribati by kiritours.com
Islet of Bairiki – South Tarawa – Kiribati by britannica.com
Kiribati by rafael avila coya
Near Tabiteuea North Tarawa by jopology
Butaritari Kiribati by KevGuy4101



Heaven is where the cooks are French, the police are British, the mechanics are German, the lovers are Italian and everything is organized by the Swiss.
Hell is where the cooks are British, the police are German, the mechanics are French, the lovers are Swiss, and everything is organized by the Italians.
This is an old popular joke that never fails to make those who hear it cringe or laugh. National stereotypes have been the subject of many jokes for centuries. Even today when the international community promotes diversity and encourages tolerance, certain people are still tagged according to their nationalities.
image courtesy of msnbcmedia2.msn.com
Heck, I’m sure you already have heard or thought one or more of these stereotypes-turned-jokes:
  • The Romanians are vampires.
  • The Swiss love clocks.
  • Japanese men have small dicks.
  • (Thus) Japanese women love Caucasian men.
  • The French have poor hygiene.
  • The Chinese know kung fu. And so on…
To some, national stereotypes may provoke racism. To others, national stereotypes are harmless jokes based on the identity that a certain nation or people has established or projected towards other countries through the years.
But is there a sliver of truth in these national stereotypes? Or are they just inaccurate preconceived notions, which can be pretty offensive to many people? Whatever your views are, here are ten of the most common national stereotypes and why they are somehow false. Note that these are stereotypes based on nationalities and not race.

The Italians are known for three P’s: pizza, pasta and passionate sex. Who wouldn’t want that kind of reputation as a people? However, it doesn’t end there. Italy is also seen by others as the land of the inefficient and the disorganized. Hmmm.
This preconceived notion is truly unfair to the Italians. If they were such bad workers who could only spend the entire day at a restaurant, make love, or exact revenge Mafia-style, how could they keep their gigantic textile, chemical and engineering industries going?
Aside from that, the Italians run and organize everything in Italy, which, by anyone’s standards, is one of the most glorious nations in the world. Italy takes pride in its great cuisine, fantastic culture and fine architecture. If they were such an inefficient people, how come Italy’s history is littered with splendid achievements?

Those who say that Canadians are boring are probably the same people who think that the Canadian capital is Toronto, that the Canadian culture is based around Celine Dion, and that Canadians live in igloos.
The truth is, the climate is not the only thing that is cooler in this country. Canada offers a wide range of exciting activities such as snowboarding, kayaking and many other sports for the adventurous. You’ll also not run out of reasons to laugh in this more-than-maple country. After all, many comedians in Hollywood are Canadians — Mike Myers, John Candy, Matthew Perry, Eugene Levy and Jim Carrey among others. Their names hardly sound boring, don’t they?

In early 2007, someone asked this question on Yahoo! Answers:
Hmmm. Interesting. But you know what’s more interesting — the one and only answer. Okay, Breathe in… breathe out…
Janjararaaaaan, the answer:
“I don’t think they have any schools in philippines, its a 3rd world country they live in poverty with no running water. its sort of like africa but like a jungle.”
Hey, hey, hey. Whaaaaat?!?!? Good thing the page is now closed.
Many people also hold a misconception that Filipinos are uneducated. Again, what they don’t realize is that the people who answer their calls and tell what to do because they can’t figure out how remote control works are actually Filipinos. The Philippines is the world’s texting capital and Asia’s blogging capital.
And trust me, there are lawyers, doctors, writers, businessmen and engineers here in the Philippines. And oh, architects, too.

India has a long history of slavery; thus, this type of stereotype doesn’t really come as a surprise. Even so, it is still inaccurate. Although a significant fraction of the Indian population is still below poverty line, India has improved drastically in recent years. In fact, it is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, viewed as a potential superpower.
Moreover, it is also one of the countries with leading software industries as well as a prolific film industry. It is also the largest democracy in the world. Not to mention that with a variety of religions — Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Christianity among others — all of which survive in tolerance. Is that what anyone could call narrow-minded?

They say that British men love football more than they love their wives. Although their affection towards their partners may be very hard to prove, their supposedly extreme zeal for soccer doesn’t need to be measured. The Brits love soccer. It is damn obvious. What should be debunked is the idea that they would always get into trouble for this almost romantic love for the ball.
If the Brits are violently crazy over their favorite soccer team, how come, according to The Economist,  it is Sweden where there are more soccer-related assaults each year? If there’s one reputation that the Brits should earn, it’s that they are a business-crazy people. After all, the London Stock Market is bigger than any other European market and is one of the world’s largest.

Siesta is a well-known part of the Spanish culture. But is it enough to conclude that the entire Spanish people’s deadly sin is sloth? If indolence could be measured, wouldn’t it be by looking at the output or product?
In other words, a people’s assiduity and laziness should reflect on the country’s economic performance. But if that’s the case, then it is Germany, and not Spain, that could be dubbed as the lazy man of Europe. Germany has been showing disgraceful economic performance in the past few years. Germany’s GDP growth is only a little over 1%. Spain, on the other hand, is growing at a rate twice higher, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. (Figures not updated, sorry.)

In many movies, we have seen the Irish being portrayed as those ill-tempered drunkards who love to have some cheerful bantering in their spare time, which is every time. In fact, many of us think of Ireland when we hear the word “pub.”
However, if they were so addicted to alcohol like pop culture shows, how come Ireland is the best performing economy in Europe with a fast-paced 7.7% growth rate? Not to mention that its highly educated population attracts massive numbers of pharmaceutical, hi-tech and financial services companies, despite fierce competition for jobs within the EU.
And how come Ireland ranks only third in a 2004 survey by World Drink Trends, behind Luxembourg and Hungary? Okay, I know it’s still high, but…

Outsiders usually have a very defined vision about the Americans — liberal. In general, many see the United States as the land of the open-minded. But is America really home to the world’s most socially liberal society in the world? The answer is a big “no.”
Americans are a little too conservative. Virtually every country in Europe has a much more open and liberal view of things such as sex and other social relations. For example, in many parts of Europe, nudity is not taboo. You may find naked people at some random European beach or hotel pool. If someone takes off all his clothes in the US, he’ll be making a big scene.
Surprisingly, gay marriage is illegal in America and allowed in some provinces of Canada, a nation that some  see as boring.

They say that the Chinese can eat anything with four legs, except tables; anything on water, except boats; and anything that flies, except airplanes. Although Bruce Lee’s lot actually have a diverse range of foods to choose from, saying that the Chinese eats anything is a downright hasty generalization.
What many fail to realize is that every culture has its own food taboos. Some Asians find eating rabbits gross but it’s normal to Westerners. Moreover, for a culture as diverse as the Chinese, it can be very hard to group over 1 billion people and say that they ALL eat a certain “exotic” food. While some Chinese eat dogs, some don’t. Some like eating meat; some are Buddhist vegetarians. Some find cheese distasteful, but you’ll find cheese shops in some streets of Beijing and Shanghai. Besides, if people really don’t trust the taste of the Chinese people, how come Chinese food is so popular all around the world?

“Never trust the French,” they say. When it comes to national stereotypes, the French suffer the most. Only the French think that they are not arrogant. Outside France, ask any random guy who the chestiest people are and they are likely to include the French with a passion.
However, do they really think highly of themselves to the point that they get the ire of foreign nationals? One argument that is often mentioned is that an average Frenchman do not smile at strangers. The truth is, it doesn’t mean that they are rude. It’s just not part of their culture. Unlike others who wear a smile all day, the French do not show emotions that they do not feel. No one is required to smile in France and it has nothing to do with being polite or rude.
Moreover, if the French are so drowned in their mightiness, how come they are humble enough to donate to countries in need more than any other European nation? According to “The Economist,” France is the third largest aid donor in the world, after the US and Japan. That is hardly what anyone would call “arrogant.”
…
Perhaps it’s about time that we stop perpetrating unfounded myths about other people and accept that mankind is a mixture of fine, unique individuals with different ways of living life. We should avoid branding a certain nationality with a negative notion for it can be offensive and dangerous. But maybe for some of us, they are stereotypes for a reason. Maybe there’s some truth in it. Maybe it applies to some people. But the problem with stereotypes is that they tend to generalize.
And remember that a person is judged not according to his race and definitely not his nationality. Humanity is defined by how good we have been to ourselves and other people, not by the country we live in.


9. Botswana

BotswanansSo cool they even pretended to be happy about seeing Bush.
With a tax-evading Wesley Snipes and a vacationing Angelina Jolie entourage always a risk in Namibia, it falls to neighboring Botswana to pick up the regional cool crown.
So chilled it's a wonder the Kalahari desert doesn't frost over, the Batswana -- as they prefer to be known -- cut their own groove, particularly when riffing home-grown gumba-gumba jazz or laid-back hip hop.
Even the animals are relaxed in Botswana. Home to Africa's largest elephant population, the country chooses not to fence in its wild beasts like some other safari nations.
Icon of cool: Mpule Kwelagobe. Crowned Miss Universe in 1999, Kwelagobe actually made good on those "I want to make the world a better place" pledges, campaigning relentlessly for HIV/AIDS awareness.
Not so cool: One of the worst HIV/AIDS infection rates in the world.