When Malaysia Airline’s inflight magazine Going Places asked me to recommend where their readers should travel to in 2019, I thought long and hard. Among all the countries I have backpacked, what is the one place I would recommend my friends and family to go? Where is the one travel destination that I would gladly return to?

Egypt. My heart is yearning for fascinating African nation of Egypt.

Me and my questionable backpacker fashion embracing the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. This was way back in 2004, on my first solo backpacking trip.

The first time I travelled to Egypt was for its pharaohs and pyramids. Five years later when I returned for a friend’s wedding, I chased after its paradise beaches, desert adventures, Coptic Churches, and mediterranean flair mixed with European influences.

Fascinating statues at the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepesut in Luxor.

It’s easy to be taken away by the sights and sounds of Egypt, and even easier to fall in love with it. Nothing compares to the view of the Cairo skyline from the Saladin Citadel of Cairo. The triangular silhouette of the Great Pyramids of Giza towering over a sea of boxy, tan building is truly a sight to behold.

On my second visit to Egypt, I visited the beautiful Fayoum oasis in Cairo.

Away from Cairo, Alexandria in the North and Aswan in the South are drastically different cities, each with its own unique cuisine and architecture to discover. Admittedly, it’s not the most comfortable place to travel – the Summer heat is intense, the touts can be suffocating, and the nation is facing some political and economic uncertainties. But Egypt is also an incredibly intoxicating country.

You will get lost in Egypt, not only in its messy streets but also in its colourful markets, captivating history and its friendly yet chaotic culture. This North African nation sounds far and exotic, but Egypt is very accessible and surprisingly affordable.

Summer time is beach time in Alexandria.

I can’t wait for my third trip to Egypt; there is so much more to discover and do. Perhaps the next trip, I will go for its underwater treasures. When you visit Egypt, you must explore more than just its pyramids. Do that and I promise you’ll return home with a book of stories to tell.

Discovering the intricate carvings in the ancient Egyptian temples and ruins.

Curious about Egypt?
Continue exploring Egypt in these stories:

Culture shock in Cairo: I watched a 5-year-old boy get a tattoo 

Discovering the people of Egypt: The rich, the poor, and the resilient

Egypt travel guide: Egypt is an onion and other backpacking discoveries

23 curious things to notice when travelling in Egypt

Look ma, I’m going places, literally! Here’s my first feature on Going Places, Malaysia Airlines’ inflight magazine, where I recommend the best place to travel in 2019.

This article on best places to travel in 2019 was first published in Going Place’s Jan 2019 issue. Thanks Going Places for the lovely feature! Also interviewed are CNN’s Richard Quest, and bloggers Anna Sherchand, Alyssa Ramos, and Daniel James.

Read the full article with their recommendations on where to go in 2019 at GoingPlacesMagazine.com.