I am not going to lie, it is hard to stay optimistic during this trying time. I have been switching between keeping myself busy with this blog and doing absolutely nothing for days on end for the past 2 months now. As the world is starting to move on from this COVID-19 pandemic, however long this might be, it is time for all of us to take our lives back into our own hands and start planning for our future travel.
And so, instead of Throwback Thursday, I propose to you a Throw Forward Thursday, a campaign coiled by Turkish Airlines where we all come together and share where we will be visiting after the pandemic is over, instead of longing for the old days. I'll start off with my plan:
Beirut
Photo by Piotr Chrobot
Lebanon is one of the countries I have always wanted to visit for the longest time. I had the opportunity to travel with a Lebanese (shout out to my friend, Moni!) when I was backpacking in Jordan in 2015, and she painted quite a beautiful picture of Beirut and Lebanon for me.
She told me how progressive Beirut is, so much so that the city is considered to be one of the best places for nightlife goers in the Middle East. Combining that with the number of historically significant tourist attractions one can visit in and around Beirut, it is hard not to get excited for a trip to Beirut.
United Kingdom
Photo by Adam Wilson
Depending on the season, I would like to visit the United Kingdom in the fall and summer when the international travel ban is lifted in Europe, especially the untouched north where one can go off into the wilderness and go wild camping wherever one wants. Not to mention, the beautiful castles of Edinburgh and the nature of the Lake District, which are places my UK friends often recommend.
Initially, I planned to visit the UK in April 2020, but that trip got thrown out the window real fast when COVID-19 befell upon us all. However, I am still determined to visit the isles again when all of this is over.
Not many know this, but I was in London back in my teen years during an exchange program with the school I was attending, and the experience left me with nothing but great memories. I expect nothing less from this future trip I'll be making again.
East Africa
Photo by Sergey Pesterev
I know, I know, Africa is a huge continent and since flying there won't be cheap or easy, I will do what I did with my South America trip and make the best out of my long flight there. I will be combining several countries into one trip so that I can explore the region thoroughly and cost-effectively.
My East Africa trip will likely begin in Ethiopia and end in South Africa, passing through Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique. I am really looking forward to summiting Kilimanjaro and finally tracking down the elusive leopards, one of the last Big Five animals I have yet to see, in the famous Serengeti National Park.
I also didn't make it to Cape Town last time I was in South Africa, so I am determined to go there this time and visit some of my good old friends down there. Let's just say, it is going to be a long trip that can take up to 6 months of backpacking, a perfect way to let loose after being under lockdown for so long.
What Will the Future Of Travel Looks Like?
What will the future of travel looks like? Only time will tell, but I, for one, am looking forward to traveling again when all of this is over. It will take some time before people feel confident to fly again, but as we settle into the "new normal", airlines will surely adapt to the new norm for the safety of their customers.
As some of you may know, being in Asia, the best way to travel anywhere is to go through the Middle East. I have nothing but praise for Middle Eastern Airlines, especially Turkish Airlines, a carrier that I can always rely on even when I am traveling in the most precarious places.
I remember trying to get out of Turkmenistan after I spent all my VISA days in the Turkmen desert. As you know, Turkmenistan is one of the most isolated and closed countries in the world, and I was able to get out of the country in time thanks to Turkish Airlines, one of the few airlines that fly out of Ashgabat International Airport daily.
To get to Beirut, the first destination on this list, I will likely have to fly via Turkish Airlines. Even though confidence in flying is at a record low, I am actually quite excited to be flying with them again, especially on their new spacious 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, which I have yet to experience.
So the question for you is, where are you planning to go next when this is all over? You can share them here as well as on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook with the hashtag #TFT and be sure to tag @turkishairlines (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) as well.
Let's help lift each other's spirits up and share our dream destinations together, so that we can all look forward to a future full of hope and adventure.
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2 Comments
I would love to travel soon, and I am actually not afraid to board a plane at all, knowing that the air in an aircraft is on par with the air in most hospitals and even better than in office buildings or others. However, we have moved to Singapore last year as it (used to be) an excellent travel hub but chances are they are not opening up their borders again which sucks really. I hope the situation globally improves or that they'll find a treatment or vaccine soon enough so that everybody feels safer, especially governments, to letting their people hit the road again...
Hey Verena,
Same here. Being home for too long is not good for my psyche haha. Yes, with the filter they have on airplanes, the air is actually cleaner. It's the people you are with, that's the problem. Hopefully, Southeast Asia will start a travel bubble phase soon and at least we can move around a little within the region. I can't wait for the vaccine to arrive. I think that's the only way everything will be back to normal.
Hang in there!