The year 2024 has arrived.Here’s my annual round up to prove that you can get a good amount of travel done even with limited days off with a full-time job, reflecting on the year that passed and looking forward to the new year ahead.

Now, i’d like to look back to another amazing year with interesting trips. In november i have reached a milestone of 150 countries !

JANUARY – THAILAND

When you travel as much as I do, people often ask what my favorite country is. My answer is mostly always the same: Thailand.

I’ve lived and worked in the country of smiles from 2004 till 2008.

Since I returned to Belgium , I still follow up the news and stories from Thailand. And in January 2023 i have spent another great trip in Thailand. This time i was not alone but i went with Katia, her introduction to Asia. Here are some impressions. We started in Bangkok, did some hiking in the north, discovered Isaan and explored the beautiful south aswel.

MAY– HOLLAND

We are neighbourgs and the province of Zeeland is probably not the first stop on anyone’s trip to the Netherlands, but since it’s close to the Belgium border, for me perfect for a couple of days out.

JULY- KAZACHSTAN

The ninth largest country in the world (it is twice the size of other four former Soviet Central Asian republics put together), Kazakhstan lies at the heart of the Eurasian steppe, at the cross-roads of some of the world’s most ancient civilisations. To its south lie monuments that tell of its long history with the great trading routes of the Silk Road, whilst its northern landscapes offer up vast sweeping steppes that cover one-third of the entire country. One of its most striking natural features, the mountains that run along its southern fringes, offer up a wealth of towering icy peaks, crystal lakes and dense, forested valleys.

SEPTEMBER – FRENCH GUIANA

While French Guiana is an overseas department and region of France, it is located in South America. Limitless forests, endless rivers, and an impressive abundance of wildlife. It’s a paradise for nature lovers. And not only! In fact, French Guiana is well known by space insiders as it’s home to Europe’s spaceport, the CSG (Centre Spatial Guyanais). And travel adventurers will find their joy in exploring the ruins of the prison camps that were active for a century, from 1850 to 1950. It’s a hidden paradise, go and see it by yourself, here are some impressions.

SEPTEMBER – SURINAME

This small but beautiful Caribbean country is located in northern South America, between the countries of Guyana and French Guiana. Situated on the coast, with access to the Atlantic Ocean, Suriname boats beautiful beaches and pristine tropical rainforests. In fact, the country is nearly entirely covered in rain forests. If you’re looking for somewhere different to go on vacation this year, try Suriname! It feels home to me because i can speak Dutch !

SEPTEMBER – GUYANA

AMAZING GUYANA. Truly spectacular my visit to 2 of Guyana’s most famous Waterfalls. First i flew deep into the tropical rainforest, over rivers of different colours and trees to the 226 m high Kaieteur Falls, the highest single-drop waterfalls in the entire world!!!

Guyana, an ex-British colony and a melting pot of Afro-Caribbean, Amerindian, European, Brazilian and Asian influences, is a true wilderness, offering visitors dense tropical forests and spectacular waterfalls as well as authentic cities. And a trip to Guyana is not complete without a visit to the capital “Georgetown

And last but not least, Guyana CARNIVAL ! It was a historic day at as Guyana Amazon Warriors won the 2023 Caribbean Premier League- Time to celebrate this with a real Carnival

NOVEMBER – VENEZUELA

“Country 150” This is Venezuela.

After almost 30 years of exploring the globe i have reached world ‘s highest waterfall. Angel Falls 979 meters!!! A perfect location to celebrate this achievement. After Canaima national park i have visited the capital Caracas and explored the tropical northern coast. With Venezuela i travelled all countries in South-America and Europe aswell.

DECEMBER- CADIZ

Back to Spain. Love this country. Love the food, the weather.

Time to discover Andalucia again. New Year celebration in Cadiz!

Venezuela, a country that has been suffering from severe inflation, poverty and high crime for decades. For a long time it was not safe to travel in Venezuela. In addition, many governments still advises against traveling in Venezuela: travel advice code red and orange. Yet the country seems to be slowly picking up after many years of misery. The mighty US dollar is gaining more and more ground in the country, which brings stability and travelers have already found their way back to the country

Venezuela is going through a tough period

I’m pretty sure some of you are interested in coming to Venezuela, but have probably heard terrible stories from Venezuelans who have left their country. They will tell you not to go to Venezuela because it is unsafe or even dangerous. It’s horrible, it’s hell. That’s what you usually hear about safety.

I won’t deny that people have had a hard time in Venezuela and many are still struggling, but things are slowly getting better. 2018 was very bad: empty supermarkets; unsafe, very difficult to get money or pay for anything.

More than seven million Venezuelans have left their homeland since 2015

More than half of them face challenges accessing food, housing, and stable employment.

More than 80% of those who have left Venezuela are living in Latin America and the Caribbean, in countries which often already struggle to provide health and education to their own nationals.

Venezuela’s population has fallen from 30.08m in 2015 to an estimated 28.25m now.

Now luckily there is an improvement in Venezuela

Venezuela’s national currency is the bolivar, but during a four-year period of hyperinflation, it became almost worthless. While the government says that the yearly inflation rate dropped from 686% in 2021 to 234% in 2022, it remains one of the highest in the world.

Unsurprisingly, those who can try to get hold of more stable foreign currencies instead. But strict foreign currency controls put in place by former President Hugo Chávez meant that until recently they were beyond the reach of most Venezuelans.

Since 2021 the US dollar has been introduced, which means that the economy is growing. You suddenly see people investing in their business, new stores are being built and many new restaurants are opening. After eight years of economic crisis, Venezuela’s economy is showing a few signs of recovery.

There are no longer so many problems to pay because you can use the dollar and the bolivar, which has been fairly stable compared to before. But also international (prepaid) credit cards now work in many places in Venezuela.

So it’s easier than ever to get around and buy stuff. I’m not saying it’s an easy country to travel in, but it’s much better than it was. But why does traveling always have to be easy? What’s wrong with a challenge? That way you have fun stories afterwards. Venezuela is a country waiting to be discovered.

It feels safer than before

The country also feels much safer than before. You don’t hear the horror stories of robberies and kidnappings like you did four years ago. At that time people did not go out into the street at night. Although heavy things are still happening, there is now a nightlife again; people go to restaurants until late at night. The towns and villages are alive again.

More and more Venezuelans are going out in their own country. The many waterfalls in the country are again crowded. An growing number of locals goes hiking and cycling in the mountains. Venezuela is beautiful, I am sure the country will get even better as it was before, there is a lot but a lot of potential and people already are working hard on their own small businesses and not waiting for the government to give them anything, now the people are slowly creating wealth, I am sure Venezuela will be back to its golden period.

Why go to Venezuela?

Venezuela is located in South America with a shoreline along the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean.It shares its borders with Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east and Brazil to the south, and it’s located in a manner that connects North and South America, right on the main sea and air routes.

If you want to travel in Venezuela this brings with it some challenges. Safety is still something to consider, but it’s well worth it! There are fantastic beaches to discover such as Morocco, charno en Mochima. The Andes Mountains at Merida has Glaciers and the highest cable car in the world. There are beautiful sand dunes in it Chorus and you can take the lightning off Catatumbe on the lake Maracaibo to see. Also don’t forget the highest waterfall in the world, Angel Falls, the Amazon, the delta of the Oronoco River and the table mountains in Gran Sabana. In short, enough to discover and take on the challenges for this!

The tourists nowadays are positively surprised about the safety in Venezuela. They are very enthusiastic about the friendliness and hospitality of the Venezuelans and so i ‘am i. If you go, you won’t meet many other tourists, more likely none. But that means it’s easier to meet the local people. They will invite you for a beer or a meal, give you a lift, help and protect you. They also want you to feel safe in their country.

Go to Venezuela, you won’t regret it.

Is Venezuela cheap?

No, it is not the cheapest country in Latin America. Probably even one of the more expensive ones. You will have to look around to find cheap accommodation and food. It will be hard to find anything cheaper than $20 per night, which is also still expensive for backpackers. But by European standards it is still very affordable.

And Maduro?

President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela gained a stronger position after the opposition abandoned its main attempt to challenge him. The country recovered from its economic depression that lasted from 2014 to 2020, but still faces economic challenges. The emergence of left-wing governments in Latin America, including in Brazil and Chile, has provided a friendlier regional environment for Maduro, undermining earlier US efforts to rally against him. Meanwhile, Maduro’s alliances with countries such as Russia, China and Iran continue to play a significant role in the country’s geopolitical landscape.

In December 2022, ‘interim president’ Juan Guaidó’s attempt to take power in Caracas ended, putting President Nicolás Maduro in the strongest position he has had over the past decade. Earlier, in 2021, the country pulled out of the severe economic depression that had lasted from 2014 to 2020. In addition, a string of left-wing governments elected in Latin America in 2022, including in Brazil and Chile, have proven much less hostile to Venezuela than their predecessors.

ESSEQUIBO ?

Essequibo. That is the name of the region that Venezuela and Guyana cannot agree on. This is an oil-rich area west of the Essequibo river of the same name, covering approximately 159,000 square kilometers, covering approximately two-thirds of Guyana.

For Guyana, the current border is the correct one because the British colonizer established it before an arbitration court in 1899. But Venezuela insists that the Essequibo River forms the country’s eastern border, as established in 1777 during Spanish colonization.

The dispute has been simmering since the early 1960s, but was reignited by a new oil discovery in Essequibo worth at least 10 billion barrels. A find that will give the already growing economy of poor Guyana even more of a boost, but would also benefit the moribund Venezuelan economy. Maduro during a speech after the referendum Venezuela More than 95 percent of Venezuelans vote in favor of annexing disputed oil-rich territory into neighboring Guyana

Referendum: More than 95 percent of the voters who showed up last voted in favor of the annexation of Essequibo. Maduro went a step further by signing a decree adopting a new map of Venezuela, including two-thirds of neighboring Guyana.

It is not yet entirely clear whether Venezuela also plans to invade and annex the area militarily. President Maduro is said to have already ordered the army to expand its activities to the area and also ordered Venezuelan state-owned companies to immediately start extracting oil and minerals in Essequibo. The president does not seem to be showing any restraint at all. It remains to be seen how concretely these orders will be executed. Some experts point out that Venezuela is militarily unable to annex the area.

Time for my annual travel blogging round-up, looking back at 2022.

Travel is still the most intense mode of learning and there is still lots to learn so I hit the road to12

countries! After a difficult start of the year (covid), it always went beter ! Enjoy my blog where 2022 brought me.

JANUARI : PERU

MARCH – Last minute cancelled > BARCELONA

2 days before the trip was planned i was tested positive for covid, and had to cancel this trip. Let’s enjoy some pictures from my first visit to Barcelona

APRIL : THE BIG WEST-AFRICA JOURNEY ( Sierra Leone-Guinee-Bissau-Senegal-Guinee-Mauritania)

SIERRA LEONE

There are many excellent beaches in Sierra Leone. Freetown Peninsula is home to beautiful, pristine and well serviced beaches, but the nearby Banana Islands and Turtle Islands are certainly home to other beaches you can enjoy, too.

GUINEE

Here are some impressions of my visit to The Republic of Guinea. This unknow country was part of my overland trip in West Africa. One of the most difficult parts in the world to travel independently. If you want to visit Guinea make sure you don’t miss Fouta-Djalon, sometimes spelt Fouta Djallon in English, is a mountain massif in Guinea, nicknamed “the water tower of western Africa” for its important rainfall.

My memories of Guinea will always be ones of such beautiful landscapes.

MAURITANIA

Mauritania was an awesome experience! It has so much to offer for a country that isnt visited a lot (yet), Ali and his team of great and experienced drivers made it even better.
I did so many great things, from visiting Terjit oasis to visiting the ancient city of Chinguetti, where they still got some books that are over 500 years old which are conserved by the foundation there, and also riding the sand dunes with the hiluxes. Best part of this trip was riding the iron ore train through the sahara desert.

SENEGAL

The last country during my big West-Africa trip was Senegal. A fantastic destination to discover that is situated on the coast of West Africa. Its neighbouring countries are Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Mali and Mauritania. This country is by far one of my favourite African countries and one of those African countries that feels a lot like Europe.

GUINEA BISSAU

Travelling around Guinea Bissau was a bit challenging. It was not easy to find transport to all the destinations i wanted to go…but at the end it went all fine.Contrary to the other former Portuguese colonies, Guinea-Bissau never became westernized. The Guineans maintained their traditions, religions and, last but not least, their fighting spirit. Through the centuries, they steadfastly resisted the Portuguese colonial rulers, and so, Portugal never managed to get a complete grip on the country.

JUNE: LONDON

We went to London especially for the long awaited ABBA concert. The city was also completely submerged for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend

JULY: MALLORCA

Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands and one of the most popular spots to choose for a holiday in the Mediterranean. It’s not hard to see why… the abundance of beach resorts, sheltered coves, limestone mountains and Roman and Moorish remains make it a destination perfect for relaxation with enough adventure to call upon whenever you desire. Even we went during the holiday-saison..we have found plenty of qiuet spot. Mallorca was a suprise!

AUGUST: CARTAGENA- SPAIN

Impressions of our visit to the beautiful city Cartagena-Spain.We went to a friends wedding.But if you’re looking for reasons to visit Cartagena, Spain, then you really don’t have to look far. As the second-largest city in southeastern Spain’s underrated Murcia region, Cartagena doesn’t get nearly the amount of attention it deserves, and this is a real shame. Packing in everything from a classic Spanish charm, perennially beautiful weather, local gastronomic specialities and incredible history!

SEPTEMBER: SARDINIA

Sardinian beaches contain absolutely clear waters along with thin and soft sand. This added to the incredible landscapes surrounding the coastlines, make this island’s beaches be a unique place for relaxing.But there is so much else to see and to discover. I love Sardinia !

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER : ALGERIA

Algeria is the largest country in Africa and by far one of the most challenging countries I have ever visited when it comes to obtaining a visa. Algeria has a fantastic diversity of landscapes, with the Sahara desert in the south, beaches along the Mediterranean sea to the north, mountains that offer excellent hiking during the summer, and skiing opportunities in the snow during winter. Algeria also has an extremely rich history with 7 World Heritage sites and is one of the most socially developed countries in the whole of Africa. I really liked the country; I would put Algeria into my top 50 countries I have visited in the world. The people were super friendly, the food was good, it was easy to get around, and the country had endless sites to discover, especially when visiting Algiers.The week in the Sahara was magical.

DECEMBER: BANGKOK-THAILAND

Back to Thailand. Still my second home.

Happy new year from Bangkok