This was published 4 years ago
The world's best holidays: Eight trips other people are having you should be jealous of
By Ben Groundwater
Tokyo's crowded shopping hub, Akihabara.Credit: Shutterstock
It's inevitable that if you love to travel, you will you get jealous of other people's adventures. That's a reasonable thing to expect when you're at home in between holidays, watching on social media as others enjoy themselves.
The annoying thing about travel envy, however, is that it can even even hit while you're in the midst of your own adventure, while you're somewhere amazing doing something you'll never forget.
I'm envious of other people's adventures, of the great things my friends and colleagues are doing, even when I'm travelling. I love the experiences I'm having, but I'm also thinking, damn, I wish I could see that too. I wish I could taste that. I wish I was there.
It doesn't happen with every destination. If you're in a jungle right now, I'm not jealous. If you're at some large resort in Kuta, then I wish you all the best.
However, there are certain places around the world that I will always love, and experiences I will always yearn for – and I will most definitely be jealous if you're there right now, living out my dream.
Tokyo
The main reason I'm jealous of anyone who's in Tokyo right now is that I know exactly the sort of experiences they'll be having, and I love each and every one of them. I love the sense of discovery in this mind-bogglingly huge town. I love the food. I love the fashion. I love the cleanliness and ease of movement. I love the constant flow of "wow" moments, the unquestionable knowledge that something, somewhere today will surprise or amaze you.
Central Asia
There's a sense of adventure in central Asia that you just don't get in many places. Countries such as Uzbekistan and Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan: they're pretty wild, pretty far off the beaten track. Just being there is a thrill, a thrill I'm always craving. I have a colleague who's in Georgia right now, posting some stunning photos of post-Soviet charm mixed with the most beautiful scenery you've ever laid eyes on. I want that.
Any African safari
Credit: Ben Groundwater
It's pretty rare that I crave the experience of getting up early in the morning, but this is the exception: rising before dawn in an African safari camp, drinking hot tea around a camp fire, jumping in a vehicle and heading out as the sun cracks the horizon, watching as the bush wakes up, getting ready to spot whatever it is you'll see. Maybe lions. Maybe cheetahs. Maybe just something tiny and amazing you never even knew existed. If you're doing that right now, I'm envious.
Iran
I feel an unreasonable sense of ownership over Iran. I was the first of my friends to go there, and one of the first of my colleagues, too. I've written about my love for the country many times; I'll always want to go back. And so when I see someone else there, I'm a little jealous. I'm thinking, hey, that's my spot. Of course, the greatness of Iran should be shared with as many people as possible, particularly in these dark, Trumpian times. But still, I can't shake that little twinge of jealousy.
San Sebastian
Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK
Right now I feel no pangs of envy for those who are in this coastal Basque enclave, because I'm here too. Still, when I'm not in San Sebastian, and I'm watching friends of mine eat their way through this gastronomic wonderland, taking a little time out to hang on the beach before going back to drinking and feasting, I am most definitely jealous.
Berlin
I have nothing but love for Berlin, and I know that anyone who's there right now is going to be experiencing everything that makes the German capital great: the history, the nightlife, the music, the markets, the weirdness, the liberal, anything-goes nature of a city that's been through so much. Why wouldn't you want to be enjoying that?
India
The experience of watching an Indian adventure through someone's curated social media feed is an interesting one, because it filters out the inevitable annoyances that come with sub-continental travel. You don't have to battle with rickshaw drivers when you're checking out Instagram; you don't have to try to pick scammers on FB. You can just sit back and enjoy all of the amazing things India has to offer. And get seriously jealous.
Saigon
Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK
The metropolis otherwise known as Ho Chi Minh City is just fun – everything about it is fun. The traffic is wild, the people are friendly, the food is incredible, the beers are cheap, the nightlife is great, and you can't help but be swept up in the massive flow of humanity that floods the streets here 24 hours a day. Anyone who's experiencing that and enjoying it for themselves … I can't help but be a bit envious.
See also: No, you're not entitled to complain about my screaming baby
See also: Welcome to the world's weirdest capital city
Which destinations give you pangs of jealousy? Where will you always want to go back to and experience again? Are there any places you definitely don't envy people visiting?
Email: b.groundwater@traveller.com.au
Instagram: instagram.com/bengroundwater
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