After visiting 60+ countries, here’s the one place she’d never return to

Geraldine Joaquim is no stranger to the world of travel. At 54 years old, she has explored over 60 countries, and her journey has been filled with extraordinary experiences. A hypnotherapist and wellness coach based in the UK, Geraldine’s work allows her to travel four times a year, venturing far and wide to places both known and obscure. But while she’s encountered some truly remarkable destinations, there’s one place she swears she’ll never return to.

A Nightmare Journey

Her trip to Margarita Island, a Venezuelan paradise nestled in the Caribbean, was supposed to be a straightforward work-related visit. She flew from Montevideo, Uruguay, to Caracas, Venezuela, with plans to stay in a hotel before heading to her final destination. However, the events that unfolded on that night would leave a lasting mark on her perception of travel.

“It all seemed fine at first,” she recalls. “I had arranged for a car to pick me up from the airport and take me to the hotel. But when I waited for the transfer, I began to notice something strange.” She waited for hours as the small airport emptied out. It was only then that she realized she was completely alone.

Her phone wasn’t working, and there was no one else around. After some time, an unfamiliar man approached her, speaking broken English. He claimed to be there to take her to the hotel. Nervously, she followed him, but as she got into the vehicle, her anxiety began to escalate. A second man was sitting in the front seat.

“I started to panic,” Geraldine explains. “I didn’t feel safe at all. So, I grabbed the tactical pen from my bag.” For the next 30 minutes, she clutched the pen tightly in her hand, staying on high alert as the car made its way to the hotel.

A Sobering Reminder

Fortunately, she arrived at the hotel safely, but that wasn’t the end of her troubles. The following day, as she prepared to leave for her return flight, Geraldine discovered that her luggage had been stolen at the airport. Shaken but determined, she caught the next flight home to the UK, vowing never to return to Venezuela.

Geraldine’s story serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of travel and the importance of staying vigilant. Though her adventure in Venezuela left her with unsettling memories, it hasn’t stopped her from exploring the world. She remains passionate about her travels, but now, with a deeper awareness of the risks that sometimes come with the pursuit of new experiences.

“Not every place is going to be a dream destination,” she reflects. “Travel is full of ups and downs, but I’ve learned to trust my instincts and always stay prepared.”

While Venezuela is no longer on her list of places to revisit, Geraldine still holds on to the lessons learned from her challenging experience, finding peace in the knowledge that her passion for travel won’t be dimmed by a single negative encounter.