VOYAGERS
Must-See Destinations From A Woman Who’s Been To Every Country In The World
Guest edited by Jessica Nabongo
There are, at present, 195 countries on planet earth—and Jessica Nabongo, 35, has been to all of them. In 2017, Nabongo, who is Ugandan-American and a former United Nations employee, embarked on a quest to become the first documented Black woman to travel to every country in the world. Two and a half years and 625,000 miles later, in October 2019, she finished her history-making journey in the Seychelles. Read on for her must-see destinations—and start rewriting your bucket list now.
1. BHUTAN 
(Country #190 of 195)
WHY?

“Bhutan is one of few countries in the world that has been able to truly preserve its traditional culture. This is partly due to its geographical location high in the Himalayas, which has protected it from outside invasion.”


WHERE TO STAY: 

Le Méridien. I suggest the Paro for stunning views of the Paro River and Eastern Himalayas, or the Thimphu location if you’re looking for a city vibe. I also love the Six Senses.”


WHAT TO DO: 

1. “Hike Tiger’s Nest, a monastery high in the hills perched on the edge of a cliff. It is one of the most dramatic monasteries on earth.”

2. “Walk across the Punakha Suspension Bridge. Believed to have been built by the 14th century Tibetan saint Thangtong Gyalpo, the 520-foot-long bridge offers a stunning view of the Po Chu River and Punakha Valley.”

3. “Visit Buddha Dordenma Statue. It’s one of the most impressive ones I’ve seen in the world. Standing at almost 170 feet, the gold-gilded bronze Buddha statue is one of the largest in the world and is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness across the globe.”


HOW TO GET THERE:.

“Book a flight from New Delhi, India (approximately two hours) or Bangkok, Thailand (approximately three hours).”


INSIDER TIP:

“Climbing Tiger’s Nest is phenomenal and challenging. I’d suggest waiting at least two days after arrival so that you’re acclimated to the high altitude (the highest elevation is 11,000 feet).”

WHAT TO WEAR: 

“Light flowy dresses and fabrics, and comfortable, cute shoes since there’s a lot of walking. I also suggest attractive hiking gear for Tiger’s Nest since the pictures are incredible. Note: Bhutan is conservative so keep that in mind when choosing your wardrobe since you’ll want to be respectful and avoid showing too much skin.”