Top 3 Favourite Countries: Steve Rohan
Updated: March 17 2024 | Tagged: Top 3 Favourite Countries
Introducing Steve Rohan who runs the new, dark tourism-themed website, Morbid Expeditions. Here, Steve talks about his Top 3 Favourite Countries.
Steve Rohan first started backpacking in 2002 with a brief jaunt up to Scotland; the former stomping ground of his grandfather.
He spent the next few years travelling many of Europe’s small towns and cities until 2009 when he embarked upon his first “big trip”, overlanding to Lake Baikal in Siberia to work on a conservation project.
After Siberia, things were never quite the same and the drudgery of spreadsheets and constant grey skies gnawed away.
And so finally, in 2015 he upped sticks and moved to China to teach English, where he lived for six years until recently returning to England.
Choosing just three countries is a very hard task indeed, and the astute might notice a similarity with the three places I have chosen.
Each place is also very different, offering unique glimpses of a world that has all but ceased to exist in the west.
He spent the next few years travelling many of Europe’s small towns and cities until 2009 when he embarked upon his first “big trip”, overlanding to Lake Baikal in Siberia to work on a conservation project.
After Siberia, things were never quite the same and the drudgery of spreadsheets and constant grey skies gnawed away.
And so finally, in 2015 he upped sticks and moved to China to teach English, where he lived for six years until recently returning to England.
Choosing just three countries is a very hard task indeed, and the astute might notice a similarity with the three places I have chosen.
Each place is also very different, offering unique glimpses of a world that has all but ceased to exist in the west.
1. Kazakhstan
I think I had already fallen in love with Kazakhstan long before ever visiting. I read Tim Robbins’ book In Search of Kazakhstan many years ago and was intrigued by a country that had until then escaped most people’s knowledge.
Then watching Charlie Boorman and Ewan Mcgregor ride across the country on their Long Way Round series, I was left drooling at the unspoiled vistas of pine forest, alpine meadows and rivers.
It was not until 2017 that I first visited the country on my way from China to visit home in England (I would always go overland when returning home as I try and avoid flying as much as possible).
My initial thoughts had been correct and Almaty, the former capital at the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains, blew me away. The city has a laid-back air about it and a distinctly European feel, with street-side cafes and tree-lined pedestrian boulevards.
Since that first trip in 2017 I have returned over ten times and explored much of the country; from Aktau on the Caspian Sea, Nur-Sultan close to the border with Russia, and Aral, Shymkent, and of course Almaty in the far south.
My plan had been to move to Almaty in 2020, but Covid put paid to those plans (for now).
Then watching Charlie Boorman and Ewan Mcgregor ride across the country on their Long Way Round series, I was left drooling at the unspoiled vistas of pine forest, alpine meadows and rivers.
It was not until 2017 that I first visited the country on my way from China to visit home in England (I would always go overland when returning home as I try and avoid flying as much as possible).
My initial thoughts had been correct and Almaty, the former capital at the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains, blew me away. The city has a laid-back air about it and a distinctly European feel, with street-side cafes and tree-lined pedestrian boulevards.
Since that first trip in 2017 I have returned over ten times and explored much of the country; from Aktau on the Caspian Sea, Nur-Sultan close to the border with Russia, and Aral, Shymkent, and of course Almaty in the far south.
My plan had been to move to Almaty in 2020, but Covid put paid to those plans (for now).
2. China
Having lived in China for over six years, there’s no way it can’t make my list of top countries. From the frozen wastelands of Manchuria where I first lived to the ancient Silk Road city of Luoyang and the tropical jungle of Sanya on Hainan Island, China is an incredible country and should be high on the list of any serious traveller.
With landscapes as diverse as Mount Everest and the Himalayas in Tibet to the Gobi Desert at Dunhuang, sandstone karst forests at Zhangjiajie and a culture that dates back 5,000 years, it’s impossible to be bored in China.
Hong Kong is one of my favourite cities in the world as it’s like an amalgamation of the best parts of England and China. While many people think of HK as a shiny metropolis, few know that the territory is made up of over 200 tropical islands with deserted beaches, lush jungle and the possibility for adventure around every corner.
I spent six years exploring China at ground level and there is still so much more left to see. I met so many wonderful people and saw so many amazing sights in my time there that I will forever have an affinity with this incredible country.
With landscapes as diverse as Mount Everest and the Himalayas in Tibet to the Gobi Desert at Dunhuang, sandstone karst forests at Zhangjiajie and a culture that dates back 5,000 years, it’s impossible to be bored in China.
Hong Kong is one of my favourite cities in the world as it’s like an amalgamation of the best parts of England and China. While many people think of HK as a shiny metropolis, few know that the territory is made up of over 200 tropical islands with deserted beaches, lush jungle and the possibility for adventure around every corner.
I spent six years exploring China at ground level and there is still so much more left to see. I met so many wonderful people and saw so many amazing sights in my time there that I will forever have an affinity with this incredible country.
3. Armenia
If someone were to ask me which country surprised me the most it would have to be Armenia. I knew very little about the place before visiting and it has exceeded all expectations. I arrived in Armenia in January 2023; my first new country of the year and my 62nd in total.
As with all my favourite places, the land is dominated my mountains (the Caucasus) and the capital, Yerevan, sits in the shadow of mighty Ararat. The landscape is dotted with ancient monasteries an temples, and has a wine-making history dating back millennia.
Yerevan is a laid-back city with an unpretentious air, and I have met so many amazing people in my first month here. There is even a great underground music scene with live gigs and a very cool bar (shout out to Rudi and RocknRolla)!
Aside from a day trip to the incredible Garni Temple, I’ve spent most of my time in the city due to work commitments and winter weather. However, I can’t wait to get out into the mountains for some serious hiking in the coming weeks (and months).
As with all my favourite places, the land is dominated my mountains (the Caucasus) and the capital, Yerevan, sits in the shadow of mighty Ararat. The landscape is dotted with ancient monasteries an temples, and has a wine-making history dating back millennia.
Yerevan is a laid-back city with an unpretentious air, and I have met so many amazing people in my first month here. There is even a great underground music scene with live gigs and a very cool bar (shout out to Rudi and RocknRolla)!
Aside from a day trip to the incredible Garni Temple, I’ve spent most of my time in the city due to work commitments and winter weather. However, I can’t wait to get out into the mountains for some serious hiking in the coming weeks (and months).
Follow Steve on his new Facebook page.
This series has already featured top travellers such as Jonny Blair of Don't Stop Living, Peter Steyn of GlobeRovers and Lavdi of Kosovo Girl Travels, so if you are a traveller and blogger and would like to be featured, Contact Me.
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