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I do love a wishlist so was delighted to be invited by Chelle (wearer of fabulous bling and co-founder of BrownGirlsFly travel blog) to take part in the last stop of the Travelling Brown Girls Carnival. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel a far bit taking in five continents so far (yet to set foot on Antarctica and Oceania) but there’s still so much more of the world to see. My shower curtain is a world map so every day I look and dream of places I want to go next!
Here’s my (current) list of five places I’ve never been to and why I want to go.
JAPAN
Why? My friend spent a year there and HATED IT. He hated it because he thought everything was alien. Now to me that’s the VERY reason why i want to go.
ZANZIBAR
Why? Known as the ‘spice island’ the very name just conjures all all that I find delicious. I do know there’s so much more to it than that but it does get my tastebuds watering. Also Farrokh Bulsara aka Freddie Mercury was from there. And I specifically want to go to this restaurant. To be honest this restaurant is the real reason – is it wrong to plan a whole trip around sipping a cold drink and sizzling prawns on this spot?
BEIRUT
Why? My parents honeymooned here when it was known as the ‘Paris of the Middle East’ (everywhere seems to be the Paris of somewhere!) just before the civil war broke out. Growing up as a child in Lagos, there was a big expat Lebanese community so I was always hearing about the city and I still love eating Lebanese food. I hear it’s thriving so I would love to explore.
ETHIOPIA
Why? Birthplace of humanity (Lucy, the female fossil dating back 3.2 million years considered our oldest human ancestor was found here) and boasting one of the oldest civilisations. My inner Indiana Jones would love to see the archaeological treasures and get my Queen of Sheba on. Also it’s home to the World Laughter Master who runs laughter holidays (read about him here).
ISTANBUL
Why? Again it’s the spices. The history. The continent straddling. I hear from a Turkish friend the shopping is amazing too especially shoes and handbags. I know there are concerns about safety but the same could arguably apply anywhere.
Ask me tomorrow and I’ll probably name another five and the next day another five.
So where’s on your travel wish list?
Wonderlusting 
Uncanny! I have almost exactly the same list. But probably minus Ethiopia as I’m too much a tourist and suspect it requires a more hardy ‘traveller’ than I can be. Plus, I cannot find it in myself to like injera, however much I try… Although the churches in Lalbela do look interesting.
The other place I’d really love to go is Seoul. My BF went there recently and *loved* it. Must confess it had never occurred to be before her eulogising…
That is spooky – great minds and all! Ethiopia is the one place on my list that the food isn’t calling me – I love my 5-a-day and it all looks v fermenty stewy…but the culture and landscape fascinating. Seoul – interesting – I’ve just tried to conjure up an image and all I can see is Olympics. What did she like about it?
Love your list, Lynda! We share Istanbul, Japan, Ethiopia and Zanzibar. I’d forgotten that Beirut was at one time compared to Paris. War is hell.
Anyway, I do hope you get to cross them all off your list soon. Happy trails!
Just read your list – this is such a great idea! I’m aiming for at least one this year. Happy travels!
Thanks for joining the Carnival!
I love that your shower curtain is a world map and love your Wander List!
Antarctica, however, has never been on my list, while Iceland (where I’ve only done a few layovers) is. Strange, I know, but one of My Travel Truths.
Safe travels! (And stay warm. LOL)
The carnival is a great idea – thanks for getting it together! Fascinating reading everyone’s list and adding to mine. Ah South Pacific – hope your wishes come true!
Stopping by from the carnival to say hi. So interesting to see so many bloggers with Japan on their list. I hope you get to some of these, soon!
Hi Lisa. It’s been fun wishing and def plan to do more than wish for at least one this year! What’s on your list? (not authorised to your site)
Your list is so exotic! This is the second blog with Antarctica listed. Love it….
So fascinating reading all the lists – i now want to go EVERYWHERE!
I know what you mean about naming another five tomorrow and five more the day after. Beirut just got added after reading this list. So many places…
SOOOO many. I’m determined to visit at least one with year. Here’s to dreaming and travelling!
Love your list Lynda. Zanzibar – wow! Now, I’m going to start googling it and probably become obsessed. I’m convinced that we need to do a group trip to Japan – I just said this to someone else who had it on their 5. I think that’s so awesome that so many are intrigued by this country and its people…I think the feeling is mutual.
Totally. I’ve looked at all the lists and Japan is the most chosen country overall! My plan is to turn at least one of the wishes to reality this year!
I share 2 of your 5! I too am fascinated with the differences. What a great opportunity to learn more about others and of course, yourself.
Hey Lynda! I was so excited that you were able to join us for the blog carnival! I love your list. Istanbul is the only one I’ve been to and it was only for a 5-hour layover on the way back to Chicago from JoBurg. I did get to see the Blue Mosque (amazing) but there’s so much more to see. I definitely need to return!!
Zanzibar — so great — and I’m totally feeling that restaurant you shared. Where is my boat?
As for Japan, I agree with Tawanna. It seems Japan is calling our collective names. Can you see it now? A large brown girl posse roaming through the streets of Tokyo on a tweeting, instagraming, facebooking, blogging frenzy? LOL. Love it. let’s go!!
PS. Thanks for the shoutout on my WTM travel bling 🙂
Hi! Thanks for letting me know – it was such fun! Must have been a tough choice for you Crystal to chose 5 BETWEEN you. Istanbul is the closest so my plan is to visit this year! Happy travelling!
Wonderful list Lynda! Would love to get to Beirut and Zanzibar. Great to also connect with a fellow Nigerian travel blogger too! 🙂
Hi! If you make it to Mongolia (or any of the other ms on your list) look forward to reading all about it and seeing your great pics!
Great list – Istanbul and Beirut are on my list and I want to get there in the next 12 months! Would love Zanzibar too and the others. New Orleans was somewhere I always wanted to go and did not disappoint. Suppose as you’ve done most of America, hiked around Brazil and ate battered pizza in Scotland that’s why they are not on the list..
Oh New Orleans yes that’s another one….Birmingham is missing from the list for the same reason of course.
Ah Istanbul is calling my name again.
So want to go!
LOL I so hear you, my top five changes at any given moment too! Thank you for sharing Belachew Girma’s story. The Laughmaster is yet another reason Ethiopia is at the top of my list.
So many reasons aren’t there! Here’s to wishing and travelling!
LOVE your list! So many of these places are on my list too! So difficult to narrow it to 5 : ) Hope you get to them all soon!
Here’s hoping and wishing to at least 1 this year!
I can certainly recommend Ethiopia! I’ve just returned from 3.5 weeks exploring the incredibly historical North & deeply tribal and tropical South. Absolutely breathtaking!
Some pics here…
http://ani-shah.com/2013/04/15/ethiopian-expressions-portraits-of-a-people/
I’ve never heard anyone who’s been to Ethiopia not come back blown away. Sounds like a special and great pics.
Impressive list, if I could have had a top 10 then these would easily have made my list too. Nice variety and I love that your so keen for an adventure!
Narrowing down is tough isn’t it! I don’t see the point of travelling for more of the same though sometimes comfort and familiarity are very welcome! Fingers crossed I’ll be crossing off at least one this year.
It really was hard to narrow it down but at least it’s not a definitive list 🙂 Any ideas which place you’ll try to visit?
Istanbul is looking like a strong possibility for a long weekend. Tanzania/Zanzibar is a goal for end of year but who knows – fair bit of work travel coming up so may just want to spend my holiday time at home!
Have heard such good things about all three places, I’m sure it’ll be fun whichever way it goes!
Even without the descriptions, your pics are…wow!! I have no earthly idea where Zanzibar is, but will researching online before the day is over. And yes my list has changed as well. I’ll keep with the top 5 I’ve shared on other posts, but know this list could of easily been expanded to Top 20 or better yet, Top 25. My top 5- Madrid; London; Paris; Dubai; and Maldives.
Great list – sure i live here so i’m biased but London is an amazing city. We’re lucky to have Europe on our doorstep hence why I’ve been lucky enough to visit or else they would certainly be on my list too! Here’s to happy travels and wishing!
I am so blessed to have been to a few places on your list (Japan and Zanzibar) so feel free to ask me when you make it. My list is: Madagascar, Botswana, Namibia, Chernoble and DRC.
Oh yes Madagascar/Nambia would be on my next 5! Chernoble i’m sure would be fascinating. I’m holding breath wishing for Zanzibar at end of year..
Beirut looks fantastic! Another place added to my list… 🙂
My list just keeps growing and growing!
Impressive list and all so lovely. If you do go I look forward to seeing the pics :0) Instanbul has been on my list since I was ilttle and saw the movie ‘Back Street’ an old holiday fill on infidelity and loss lol. Don’t as why I was looking at such a film at a tender age lol.
it’s funny the things that stick in our minds! I hope to tick at list one of the list this year.