As a follow-up to my post on countries where Filipinos can travel freely, it just occurred to me that countries in the list are worth exploring. True that most of them are not as accessible to Filipinos since they’re not open to budget fares but they do host some of the most beautiful sights around.
For example, if you’re a lover of the great wildlife, Kenya can be a good alternative to South Africa. For a minimal amount, Filipinos can have a visa issued upon arrival and just be in time to view the Masai Mara (the Great Animal Migration) from July to September. This is the season when hundreds of thousands (!!) of animals like zebra, gazelle and Big cats mass together in search of greener pastures. Masai Mara certainly beats Miss Universe in being the “most spectacular wildlife pageant on earth” 🙂
Other things to explore in Kenya are the Private Wildlife Preserves in the Central Highlands, the Little Governor’s Camp, Mount Kenya Safari Club and the Pemba Channel Fishing Club.
For more of the wilderness, the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania is a must-see since it is the world’s biggest. Tanzania is also where Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa is located as well as the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the natural wonders of the world. Tanzania visa issued upon arrival to Pinoys for $50.
In Morocco, where Pinoys can have a 90 day stay, one can join an expedition to The Great Sahara Desert or the High Atlas Mountains, dine at the Yacout Restaurant located in a 200-year old house in Marrakech’s old quarter, or feel the vibe (including the snake charmers, cartwheeling dancers and exotic food!) at Djemaa El-Fna Square, also in Marrakech.
Filipinos can stay for a record 183 days in Peru, giving one enough time to explore the Machu Picchu, the Peruvian Amazon, Lake Titicaca and Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Incas.
Another visa-free country getting popular with Filipinos is faraway Brazil, but it seems I also want to go to Ecuador to see the Galapagos Islands, shop in the Otavalo weekend market up in the A and ride the Riobamba Express 🙂
I still have many more must-see, visa-free places to add to the list like Seychelles, Fiji, Maldives, Nepal, Israel and Sri Lanka. The truth is, if Bob Marley sang no woman no cry, we can also sing no visa, no problem, no cry… it just takes effort to go to the exotic-looking places I just mentioned 🙂
Speaking of travel, here’s one I just recovered from my treasure chest of memories, somewhere in Holland circa kopong kopong. Parang bukid lang! 🙂
I still love this quote from St. Augustine: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” Whether near or far, here’s to great travel in 2012! 😉
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