I don’t think that many of us felt like putting together annual travel bucket lists over the last three years, but at last things seem to be heading back to normal. While we were fortunate during COVID to travel a little , it was far less than we would have liked. However, I believe that 2023 is going to be different. We are going to travel in ways more like it’s 2019 and before.
As many of you may know, I’ve been incredibly lucky and have now visited over 60 countries worldwide, with Poland being the most recent addition to the list in August of this year. Of course, that still means that most of the world remains unexplored. My bucket list for 2023 contains five different destinations and four new countries for me. It will be interesting to reflect back in a year’s time to see how many on my bucket list I manage to check off.
Table of Contents
1. Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
My first choice may seem unusual, especially as I lived in Canada for over a decade. Of course, Canada is huge and there are large parts that I’ve not yet visited. Even then, why a town with a population of about 900 located in the far north of one of the less well-known provinces?
The first reason is the journey to get there. There are no roads to Churchill and the only options are by air and rail, and it’s the latter that appeals to me. Churchill is the most northerly outpost of Canada’s VIA Rail network. Trains run from Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba and take a whopping 48 hours.
There’s just something massively appealing about the thought of cruising through the wilderness to the edge of the permafrost zone in a train.
It’s not just about the journey though, as there are some fabulous attractions when you get to Churchill. The number one for me is the opportunity to see polar bears in the wild, and Churchill is known as the polar bear capital of the world. They even have polar bear crossing signs and a polar bear sighting hotline: 675-BEAR.
Churchill is also a great place to a see the stunning Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis, which I know is what appeals to Monique most about Churchill.
In July and August, the town also offers Beluga Whale boat tours and it’s a bird watcher’s paradise with more than 250 different species either nesting or migrating through the area. For most of us the appeal is likely to be snowy owls, bald eagles and snow geese. However, hardcore birders will probably be looking for rarities such as Ross’s Gulls, the Spruce Grouse and three-toed woodpeckers.
2. Cambodia
For Monique’s sake my next pick, Cambodia, has somewhat warmer weather than northern Manitoba. My previous company had offices in Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, and it is a huge regret that I left that employer before I had the opportunity to visit this amazing country in Southeast Asia. I did at least get to know several colleagues from the country, who just added to my desire to visit one day soon.
There are three reasons why Cambodia is on my 2023 bucket list:
- The rich cultural heritage;
- The stunning natural beauty; and
- The amazing value for money.
Cambodia offers two very different cultural experiences. First there is the culture of the ancient Khmer Empire as embodied by the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Siem Reap. I can’t wait to visit the Angkor Temples, a massive site that includes Angkor Wat, Bayon, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm.
As a stark contrast, you can leave your comfort zone and learn about the recent atrocities of the Khmer Rouge regime of Pol Pot that ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1978. There are no official figures, and the most widely accepted estimate is that 2 million people were killed by the government during this period. That was about a quarter of the country’s population. At the heart of the brutalities was Tuol Sleng Detention Centre, which is now Genocide Museum. I have no doubt that this will be a harrowing, but important day, similar to my 2018 visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda
Cambodian natural beauty also has two core pillars: stunning coastal islands and the untouched splendour of the country’s national parks.
Whether you fancy spending time in an isolated hammock on Koh Ta Kiev, indolent days recovering from an all-night rave on the party island of Koh Rong, or anything in-between, you’ll find what you want in the islands off the south coast of Cambodia.
I also plan to travel inland to some of Cambodia’s stunning national Parks, with Ream, Kirirom and Bokor high on my list. Whether it’s mountain hiking or exploring jungles and waterfalls, I hope to see animals such as the Indian Elephant and Asiatic Black Bear in their natural habitat
Cambodia is often listed as one of the cheapest countries to visit, with World Packers having it as number one on their list of 14 Top cheapest countries to visit. This means that we should be able to extend our visit for as long as we want without feeling guilt or running out of cash.
3. Iceland
On the other hand, our visit to Iceland will probably be much shorter, as it is one of the most expensive countries to visit. Fortunately, thanks to Icelandair, we can book a short stopover in Iceland on our way from North America to Europe, which will help keep the trip within budget.
Any visit to Iceland will be anchored by natural beauty. I really want to lace up my hiking boots and tackle the Fimmvörðuháls hike. In a single day, you get to see a volcano, 26 waterfalls, 2 glaciers and 3 completely unique landscapes.
Monique is drawn more strongly to the Blue Lagoon, where you can while away several hours in the warm, stunningly blue waters, sipping the drink of your choice.
The Golden Circle offers a day trip from the capital city Reykjavik and includes three of the must see spots: Gullfoss falls, the Geysir hot springs and Thingvellir National Park. Of course, if we don’t make it to Churchill, we will have another opportunity to see the famous Northern Lights, as Iceland is another great place to see the Aurora Borealis.
4. Botswana
One of the most memorable experiences Monique and I enjoyed together was our Tanzanian Safari in the Nyerere National Park. While this was a huge box ticked, it also left us wanting more, and we agree that our next safari will be in Botswana.
The wildlife in Botswana is amazing and abundant. It has the world’s largest population of elephants, massive numbers of big cats, including lions, chetahs and leopards, and a significant number of rhinos in the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. While we saw lions and elephants in Tanzania, these others would be firsts for us.
The country offers some amazingly diverse landscapes. The Okavango Delta covers more than 15,000 square kilometres and has a huge diversity of wildlife such as giraffes, elephants, hyenas, crocodiles and even black rhinos. In total contrast is the Kalahari Desert, the largest unbroken stretch of sand on earth. It includes salt flats, caves that showcase huge stalactites and stalagmites, while the wildlife on offer includes bonobos, black-maned lions, and a massive annual zebra migration.
Probably best of all, Botswana is rarely crowded. The country has set aside 45% of it’s landmass for protection of its wildlife, which means it’s easy to escape the masses.
5. Argentina
The fifth and final entry on my list, which is in no particular order, is Argentina. I’ve wanted to visit this South American country for as a long as I can remember, so I just hope that I’m not disappointed. As there is so much variety on offer, I’m confident we’ll have a great time.
I definitely want to spend some time in the vibrant capital, Buenos Aires. The appeal includes the unique café culture, massive, tender steaks and a unique cosmopolitan identity forged from a combination of Spanish colonialism, native Americans with influences from immigrants from Italy, France, the UK, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Even though I’m the world’s worst dancer, I might even try to tango!
Of course, this huge country offers so much more. I want to see the city of Salta and experience its amazing geology and special local culture. There are also fabulous waterfalls, beautiful glaciers, penguin colonies and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Quebrada de Humahuaca, which is home to the gorgeous, coloured hills of Humahuaca Gorge. We can also take the ferry for a day trip to the neighbouring country of Uruguay.
What do you think of my 2023 travel bucket list? Have you been to any of the places listed and, if so, what are your thoughts? It will be interesting to see how many we get to visit before 2023 ends and how many have to be carried over into my 2024 bucket list. Not many, I hope!
Author
Nick Abbott
Hi, I’m Nick. Visiting foreign countries has been an important part of my life since my parents moved to Kano in Nigeria in 1977. Since then, as both a military officer and in later jobs I have enjoyed the huge privilege of being exposed to many different countries and cultures.
I am delighted to be able to support my wife Monique and Yes2Yolo primarily by contributing travel articles, providing editing and proof-reading services and being a general sounding board.
Hello you two, Chruchill is also on my list so I really hope you go so that I can read your review and impression of it. I went to Iceland and thoroughly loved it and would like to go back again to show Gilles how beautiful it is. I can send you what I did through WhatsApp when i get home as I’m in the car right now on our way back from Quebec City. Cheers!
Hello Nicole. Boy have you bene traveling and enjoying yourself! That’s awesome. Glad to hear that Churchill is also on your bucket list. We certainly will share our experience with you if we get there before you do. Yes, please share your pics & itinerary from Iceland…would love to see it!