I light up when I discover new places and meet people from different walks of life. Add a little flavour of sports into the cooking pot, whether it is a game of football or cricket, the adrenaline just kicks in. Whenever I mix my travels with sports, that is where the magic happens for me.
The World Cup experience
Visiting Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup was a big-time travel score. Caught the face-off between Belgium and England at St Petersburg for the third-place match. I remember it was an electrifying moment the second I stepped into the stadium. Fans from all corners of the world showed up, with their flags in hand rooting loudly for their favourite team. It felt like the most epic game out there because everyone was hyped to the max, yet it was not even the biggest match of the tournament. Belgium took the victory, but to me, the final digits on the scoreboard were not the highlight. What’s printed in my mind is being part of that huge crowd, all of us linked by our passion for football. That was something special to me, sports just has this power to pull people together, no matter where they’re from. During that visit to Russia, stopping by Moscow was a chance I just could not skip out on. The memory of the historic St. Basil’s Cathedral at Red Square still relives. Laying my eyes on those vivid domes is way more filling than any photo could ever show, it was next-level beautiful.
Home of cricket
Growing up, I followed football a lot, but Cricket was my favourite. Back when I didn’t have any beard on my face, hitting cricket balls around with my friends was the regular after-school activity. So the moment the opportunity came to visit Lord’s Cricket Ground in the UK for the ICC World Cup 2019, I jumped on it without a second thought. People often call Lord’s the “Home of Cricket,” and setting foot there was like walking into a fantasy.
Visiting the MCC Museum was an absolute highlight. Cricket enthusiasts will agree it’s a top historic spot. Seeing the Ashes urn in person was a lifetime moment. Such a tiny urn with a huge history and getting up close to it felt amazing. The museum was filled with the sport’s rich heritage, and roaming around, I found my respect for cricket growing even more.
The Bangladesh against Pakistan game at Lord’s met my expectations. Each ball in the match sparked excitement and had us all at the edge of our seats, it was a masterclass. Watching cricket in person is exciting but doing it at an iconic spot just makes it way better. I can never shake that day off from my mind. Even now when I watch cricket playing at Lord’s Stadium on TV, flashes of that epic memories keep popping up.
Roaming the globe
It is beyond sports. Unique landmarks and stunning natural scenic sites always grab my attention. My 2014 visit to Arizona’s Grand Canyon in the US is still stuck in my head. I have seen tons of photos of friends visiting, but the excitement of being there in person for the first time was no less than my big wedding moment.
During the same trip, memory also holds on tight to my Niagara Falls adventure. Checking it out from the US and Canada, both sides showed me unique views. The waterfalls and the mist shooting up were simply breathtaking. It was an easy spend-all-day-staring moment at the falls.
Another memorable trip was Paris, the city of my dreams! The moment I laid eyes on the Eiffel Tower, it felt like crossing a dream off my bucket list. I just stood beneath it looking up at the massive iron structure reaching for the skies, and it felt like a fantasy. The place has its own timeless charm packed with stories of its historic culture. It lived up to every ounce of my expectations.
End of the road
Reflecting on past journeys, I believe I am fortunate to have checked out some amazing places around the world. From catching a World Cup game in Russia to the Grand Canyon’s vastness, or simply roaming around Paris, such moments are the ones that will stay with me for good. And throwing sports into the mix, whenever possible, elevates the visit. Our world is full of things to discover, and each journey offers a unique and exciting experience. I might be shouting at the top of my voice in a crowded stadium or staring quietly at a famous site, I just love it when adventure finds me.
Sajed Haider Chowdhury is a tech entrepreneur with a passion for innovation and a heart for global adventures.