1
SWIM LIKE AN EGYPTIAN
Ever come across an Egyptian and think: “well, this person is definitely a water person.” Truth of the matter is, almost every Egyptian I’ve ever come across (and I’ve come across A LOT of them), has some sort of deep connection to the water – they love it. This hit me after reading CNN’s article, Best things to do on water in Egypt. It makes so much sense! They have two completely different coastlines, one more beautiful than the other (Mediterranean and Red Sea, if you were wondering), and on top of that they have the world’s longest river (don’t need to fact check me, I already checked) bisecting the country from top to bottom, or bottom to top, if you want to get technical: “With 2,450 kilometers (1,522 miles) of coast — more than Florida — Egypt offers plenty of places to relish sun, sea and sand. Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada have been popular destinations since the 1980s when the first waterfront resorts took shape. But newbies like Marsa Alam, Dahab and El Gouna are gaining favor with both domestic and international beachgoers. With its soft white sand and warm blue-green water, Mahmya Beach on Giftun Island (near Hurghada) often tops the list of Egypt’s best beaches.” And, I can attest – the most vibrant color blue I’ve ever seen – near Marsa Matrouh on the Northern Coast.
2
WILD THINGS
I love the title of this next article: From Costa Rica to Colombia: our top 10 wildlife destinations around the world in 2020. Like, if you want to show the breadth of something across the globe, don’t pick two countries that are practically right next to each other – go for something like “from Costa Rica to Mozambique” or “from Vietnam to Argentina.” It’s like me saying “of all the cars in the world from Toyotas to Hondas.” But, nevertheless, this is a pretty darn good list of wildlife destinations to consider for 2020: “Come face to face with orangutans in Borneo. Visit Malaysia and Borneo to see orangutans in their natural habitat and watch them being fed in the heart of the rainforest, where you might also get to see pygmy elephants and rare animals such as the Sumatran rhino and the proboscis monkey. Head up on rope bridges high in the forest canopy to see exotic birds. Venture out on the water on river cruises, and go on an evening boat trip to witness hundreds of fireflies glowing on the riverbanks. For a blissful contrast to all that wildlife spotting and adventuring, end your holiday with some prime beachfront relaxation, such as on the idyllic island of Tioman.” That would be my pick!
3
ASSERTIVE ADVOCATE
What are you? First of all, drop everything you’re doing right now and take this personality test (the NERIS Type Explorer). If you work for a corporate or ever have worked for a corporate, you may have already taken it, but I recommend you take it again. Take your time with each question, let it sink in, think about it and answer the thing that feels most appropriate for you. And, don’t worry, it’s free: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test.
Next, after you’re done reading everything about your personality type and feel good that you’re not alone, read this article to figure out what destination may be right for you based on your personality test result. For example, I am, what they call an Assertive Advocate, and according to the article, I should be volunteering in a chill location like Chengdu, Costa Rica or Iceland right now. I’d totally take that!
4
THE AMERICAN SAVANNAH
We once stayed in Savannah for a long weekend. We had the best raspberry butter I’ve ever had. Also, it was a quaint little town with a lot to do, so best to do so with a proper itinerary in place and a loved one on the arm. And, don’t forget to just wander around – it is a truly beautiful city that may make you want to move there by the end of it. From TripSavvy, here’s the ultimate 48-hour itinerary for Savannah: “You should map out your walk to stroll past (and through) some of Savannah’s historic squares on the way; though, that won’t be hard to do, as the city is home to 22 of these beautiful green spaces that were designed during the city’s planning in the 1700s to give residents places to gather for leisure or communal activities. Admire the towering oak trees and Spanish moss as well as the statues, memorials, and other pieces of history found in each.”
5
NORTH AFRICAN BOOKEND
I started this week’s newsletter on one side of North Africa and will book end it on the other with Morocco. Officially, it is known as the Kingdom of Morocco – puts a little twist to it when you think about it that way. Nevertheless, there are a ton of awesome fun things to do in Morocco, not to mention how kind Moroccans are. From Lonely Planet, a few things you won’t want to miss on a trip to Morocco: “Outdoor enthusiasts will love mountains, beaches, and deserts. If you’re the kind of traveler who prioritizes a destination’s natural wonders, Morocco has a vast number of regions to explore, from the Atlas Mountains to the rock archway of Legzira Beach. You can hunt for fossils in the western Sahara or observe the unique ecosystems at the oasis near Ouarzazate to the south. Trace the steps of a Greek demi-god in Cave of Hercules near Gibraltar, or head to Friouato Cave to take a dip in an underground river in Tazekka National Park east of Fez. You’ll see everything from goats perched high in olive trees to Catcus Thiemann, the world’s largest cactus farm north of Marrakech.” Here’s to you Morocco.
Thanks,
Joe Naaman
Managing Editor, Waywinds
Keep Exploring!