The Favourites of Sisse Skipper Andersen
Please introduce yourself
Sisse Skipper Andersen was born in 1968 and has travelled ever since her twenties. She has been around the world twice, visited all seven continents and crossed several continents by road. Travelled more than 130.000 km overland. She travels today with her daughters, boyfriend and often her parents, who all are well-travelled people. All have visited between 69 and 125 countries. She had the privilege to have travelled on all 7 continents with her parents, and to have been on a 3 month around the world trip with both her daughters and parents, travelling 3 generations together.
How many countries have you been to?
I have been to 106 countries so far, 47 of which I have visited more than once. Lived in the UK for two and a half years back in the ’90s. Love to visit new countries, but are not in a hurry, as I still want to return to many of the ones already visited.
How many days have you approximately travelled?
I have spent 2725 days abroad, or the same as 7,5 years. I have had a few journeys between 3 months to 1 year. But now I have 8 weeks holiday a year, so try to spend it all abroad.
What are three of your favourite countries and why?
Difficult question. So many wonderful countries.
Peru has always been my favourite country. Been where 3 times and I have spent around 90 days in total in Peru. I think it is a country which has a lot to offer. From amazing history, world-class UNESCO sites, almost all types of landscapes, to colourful indigenous people.
England is my other home since I lived there from 1988 to 1991. I have been back every year since. As a new thing in recent years my boyfriend and I have started to “collect” English counties. England has 48 counties, so it is a project taking a long time. Visiting 1 to 3 on each journey.
Vanuatu, I visited back in 2008 together with my daughters and parents. It is a wild country, and so different from every day we live in back home and we loved it. My girls 5 and 7 years old at the time, loved living in a basic treetop hut, beneath the world’s most active volcano Mt. Yasur, and playing all day with the local children. We visited 3 of the many islands and would love to return to visit some more.
Are there any countries you don’t enjoy travelling?
Venezuela. Arrived here back in the mid-’90s coming across the border from Brazil, arriving at a tiny border town called Santa Elena. The police here withheld us for 4 days, because they meant our English driver needed a work permit to drive us through the country. In the end, the police sent us an official person to escort us through the country, at a huge payment of course.
What are three of your favourite cities and why?
London – just never get tired of visiting it. Love to walk the streets in every neighbourhood. All are so different from each other. Love the museums, the old historic buildings, the musicals, the shows, the markets and to visit my English friends.
New York – a city I fell in love with from the first moment. It just has something special about it. Every corner you turn, and it feels like being in one of the hundreds of movies filmed there. Been in October in 28 degrees and been walking in the snow in February, and it is just magical. Found my great grandfather’s name among the list on Ellis Island.
Rio de Janeiro – I think it has the most stunning location of all the big cities. To stand at the foot of Christ the Redeemer and look down over the entire city, is one of the most stunning views, I think. Been several times to Rio. Been to the samba drome doing the carnival, hang-glided from one of the mountains and landed one the beach. Been drinking to many Caipirinha’s on Copacabana and had a huge meal at one of the best churrascarias
What are three of your favourite hotels or places you’ve stayed and why?
Djumalguls homestay, up in the mountains in Uzbekistan. Stayed here with my mum and daughters a few years back. Very basic and only the son of the house spoke a little English, but just a very welcoming family and a great experience to live on a small farm in a tiny mountain village.
Jungle Oasis, Tanna Island, Vanuatu. Stayed here with my daughters and parents back in 2008, my daughters and I stayed in a basic treetop hut for 5 days. It is a very remote place with just the mighty active volcano MT. Yasur as neighbour.
Beyt el Jabal, Dayr al Qamar, Libanon. Stayed here in 2019 together with my boyfriend. It is a tiny hotel with just a few rooms. The rooms are cut out of the mountain cliffs, so it feels like a small cave. Outside you have the most stunning views over the steep valley beneath, and they serve you the most delicious Lebanese food at the terrasse.
What are the three worst places you’ve stayed?
Can´t really recall, as I often find what the ones feeling bad at the time, are the same ones which keep in my memory and are being spoken of. But I had my fair share of overnight Latin American buses on tough mountain roads. And basic accommodations around the world, but I enjoy it, to live as close to the locals as possible.
What are three of your favourite restaurants and why?
Churrascaria in Buenos Aires, but cannot remember the name. But just love everything from the starters to the insane amounts of meat. Not to mention the wine.
Fisketorvet, Bergen been here several times, and they serve the best king crabs, not cheap but worth it.
Casa Particulars in Cuba in general. As Jakob Øster also mentioned. The abundance of good seafood including lobster is out of this world.
What are three of your favourite travel moments, and why?
South Georgia, South Atlantic Sea are without a doubt my favourite place. I am a huge Shackleton fan, and to visit his grave in Grytviken was a very moving experience. And the island has some of the most intense wildlife on the planet.
West Highland Way, Scotland I walked the 154 km in the Scottish highland together with my dad and my daughters. To be privileged to be able to walk it together with my dad aged 73 and my daughters 16 and 14 at the time, are fantastic.
Kvaløya, Norway together with my boyfriend we had the most magical night in the middle of nowhere driving around to hunt the aurora. Standing on a small mountain road we had the most amazing magical display of the northern sky
What are three of your worst travel moments and why?
Again, difficult to answer.
Had my share of crazy drivers around the world.
Crazy man in Miami threatening my 1-year-old daughter and me.
Being withheld at gunpoint in Ecuador by the military.
What are three of your best travel tips?
Smile, remember you are a humble visitor, spend time with the locals, and do not be in a hurry.
Do you have any little known travel tips?
Same as above
You can follow Sisse on Facebook, Instagram and her website, Travelpix.dk
