Bangladesh, Morocco and the self-declared republic of Somaliland does not read like the typical lad’s holiday wishlist.
But a group of friends have turned their backs on traditional destinations – and are racking up millions of views on social media by discovering their family’s homelands instead.
London-born Abu Finiin, Kayum Miah and Zak Hajjaj, who call themselves Kids of the Colony, have travelled to all three countries to learn more about their cultural heritage.
During their trips they met a relative claiming to be the world’s oldest man, picked up work in tiny sea ports and drank camel’s milk straight from the udder.
“It’s about children of immigrants coming together and telling their stories,” Abu said.
“Where you are from, matters.”
The friends, who met at school and are all aged 22, have created a docuseries for YouTube and regularly post their adventures on TikTok and Instagram.
Their main goals were to connect with their backgrounds, live how their families lived and showcase it to the world.
“Instead of going on holidays to a country where we have no cultural ties to, [we thought] let’s go to the countries where we’re from, ” said Abu.
They recruited friends Anas Omar and Henry Harte to film their travels and, self-financing their mission, they set off.
“We wanted to tell these stories in a way that was fun, entertaining, and in a way that second-generation immigrants that might be a bit detached from their homeland could relate to,” Abu added.
Abu and Zak met at primary school with Kayum joining them at Central Foundation Boys School in Islington.
Their first trip was last year, to Bangladesh, where Kayum’s parents lived until they emigrated to the UK in the 1970s.
“It was very surreal, especially when we went to my actual house and seeing [my friends] in the village – it was hilarious to see,” he said.
Their YouTube videos show them travelling through the bustling streets of Dhaka, visiting picturesque Silhet, meeting locals and Kayum’s grandfather – who insists he is 120 years old.