For many, the idea of hitchhiking across the globe sounds like a daunting adventure, but for Timo de Jong, it is a way of life that has revealed the profound kindness inherent in humanity. The 26-year-old Dutch traveler has made his way across continents relying on the generosity of strangers, from a monumental trip from the UK to South Africa to his current journey looping from South Korea and back. This unique mode of travel has given him an unfiltered perspective on the world and its people, leading him to a definitive conclusion about the best country he has ever had the pleasure of visiting.
Many might expect a hidden gem or a tropical paradise to claim the top spot, but de Jong’s answer points to a nation renowned for its order and innovation: Japan. It was during a five-week hitchhiking trip across the country that he had what he describes as his best travel experience ever. He immersed himself fully in the local culture, sleeping in his tent, couch-surfing, and relying entirely on the goodwill of passing motorists to get from one place to another.
What made the experience so transformative for him was not just the iconic sights, but the incredible friendliness of the Japanese people. The consistent warmth and willingness to help from strangers left a deep and lasting impression. He recalls that it was this very trip that opened his eyes to the abundance of good and kind people all over the world, fundamentally changing his outlook and cementing his passion for hitchhiking as his primary way to explore.
His journeys have also taken him to nations that many travelers would avoid, such as Afghanistan. He speaks of the country with a surprising warmth, acknowledging the need for caution while passionately describing the overwhelming hospitality he encountered there. He notes that it is a place where strangers on the street will readily invite a foreigner into their home for tea, a level of spontaneous generosity that is rare in many parts of the world.
Timo de Jong’s story is a powerful reminder that the true essence of travel often lies in the human connections we make along the way. His choice of Japan as the best country is a testament to how a culture’s kindness can leave a more significant mark than any monument or landscape. His ongoing adventures continue to prove that with an open mind and a willingness to trust, the world is filled with wonderful people waiting to be met.
