I ended Part 1 of this series by saying that it was just the tip of the iceberg. The world is full of striking similarities across borders, and I’m back with more examples to prove it. In this follow-up, I’ll continue to show that you don’t need to visit one specific destination to have the perfect trip. Here are 7 more side-by-side photo comparisons from my travels that demonstrate just how alike everywhere really is.
1. Brazil vs Nigeria
Let’s start with my hometown—Lagos, Nigeria! At first glance, this might not seem like a typical look-alike comparison, but let me explain. I took the first photo in Salvador, Brazil, where I stumbled upon a street food that immediately reminded me of something familiar from back home. In Nigeria, we have “akara,” our beloved bean fritters, which I’ve enjoyed making with my grandmother for as long as I can remember. Well, in Brazil, they have something strikingly similar called “acarajé”–yup–even the name is similar. Also, the women selling acarajé wear vibrant traditional clothing reminiscent of Nigerian attire. The only major difference is that in Brazil, they slice the fritters open and add various toppings.
Eating akara in Brazil was surreal—I constantly had to remind myself that I wasn’t back in Lagos! This experience was a vivid reminder of how deep African cultural influences run in northeast Brazil, which is home to much of the country’s Afro-Brazilian population. Honestly, this was one of the most personal and meaningful déjà vu moments I’ve had on my travels!
2. Iraq vs Kazakhstan
For the next comparison, we’re heading to Asia. The first photo is me in front of the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf, Iraq—one of the most beautiful mosques I’ve ever visited. While exploring the site, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the stunning Islamic architecture found in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The second photo features the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum in Turkestan, Kazakhstan, which was built nearly 300 years earlier. The similarities are undeniable, from the conic-spherical domes to the vibrant turquoise hues. It’s also fitting that both structures house the remains of significant religious figures.
3. Zimbabwe vs Scotland
Anyone who knows me knows I’m all about optimizing my phone’s memory by deleting photos, but I’ve held onto this random shot from Victoria Falls for a reason—it looks just like parts of Ireland and Scotland! The second photo is from the Isle of Skye, and the resemblance is unreal. The mist rising from the falls in Zimbabwe mirrors the cool, rainy weather you’d expect in Northern Scotland, with the lush green paths looking strikingly similar. It’s amazing how two places, so far apart, can have twin landscapes.
4. USA vs Netherlands
I was lucky enough to visit the Netherlands in the spring of 2022, and I made it a point to explore the famous Keukenhof Gardens to see as many tulip species as possible. Fast forward two years, and I discovered a similar tulip celebration in the U.S.—the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Mount Vernon, Washington. The fields in both places are breathtakingly beautiful and look almost identical. So, if you’re on the U.S. East Coast and want to experience tulip season but can’t snag a cheap flight to Europe, consider heading to the Pacific Northwest instead!
5. Italy vs Tunisia
Remember in my first post how I showed the similarities between Tunisia and the Greek Islands? Well, we’re back at it again, proving you don’t need to go to Italy to marvel at incredible Roman architecture. Tunisia has you covered with stunning colosseums where you won’t be crammed in with tourists to enjoy the sights.
I visited Tunisia just a month after Italy and couldn’t help but feel annoyed I had paid to enter the Colosseum in Rome, but I could’ve waited for Tunisia instead! The second photo I took is in front of a random Roman amphitheater in the town of Mohamedia, a suburb of Tunis. The picture doesn’t quite capture the scale—when you walk inside, you’re in the middle of a massive amphitheater, and guess what? You’ll likely have it all to yourself, for free! In my opinion, it’s a far better experience than the overcrowded Colosseum in Rome.
And this isn’t even the best one in Tunisia. If you’re able to travel south, the Amphitheatre of El Jem, modeled after the Colosseum in Rome, is just as grand and well-preserved. It’s more popular than the random one in Mohamedia of course, but I guarantee you’ll be contending with far fewer tourists than in Italy while admiring its magnificence.
6. Kyrgyzstan vs Jordan vs Namibia
We’re doing another 3-way comparison here. Don’t you just love how everywhere really does look the same—haha! I took the first photo in Kok-Moynok Canyon in northern Kyrgyzstan, the second is the entrance to Petra’s lost city in Jordan, and the third is in Sesriem Canyon in the Namib Desert. You might think—well, of course, all canyons look alike. But that’s exactly the point of this post. The world is made up of similar landscapes, and it’s fascinating how we can have nearly identical experiences in vastly different corners of the globe.
7. Nepal vs North Macedonia
I’m closing this post with one of my most memorable déjà vu moments. Though the resemblance might not be immediately obvious in the photos, the surreal similarity between these places would be clear if you visited them in person. I took the first photo during one of the bumpiest bus rides of my life along the Narayanghat-Mugling Highway between Chitwan and Kathmandu in Nepal. I honestly have no idea where exactly it is. Nepal’s roads are notoriously rough, and this trip was no exception—taking this picture through a grimy bus window was a challenge, but I made sure to capture it. Why? Because when I was jolted awake by a massive pothole and looked out of the window, I genuinely thought I was having a dream where I was back in Macedonia!
The second photo is from my hike through Matka Canyon in North Macedonia, and despite the different colors of the rivers—Treska in North Macedonia and Gandaki in Nepal—the landscapes are noticeably similar—enough to compel me to grab my phone, even while enduring a nightmare of a bus journey.
so there you have it…
I hope you enjoyed exploring this second set of side-by-side comparisons as much as I enjoyed putting it together! It’s incredible how the world can feel so vast, yet so similar, with landscapes, architecture, and experiences echoing each other across different continents. I’ve got even more amazing comparisons up my sleeve, so stay tuned for Part 3 of this series. If any of these comparisons struck a chord with you, or if you’ve had a “deja vu” travel moment of your own, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
