Oh, to be a bird and have the freedom to fly across the world and see every single inch of this beautiful earth on a whim. For those of us with limited funds and time (and especially those of us who aren’t built for living out of a backpack for the entirety of our lives) seeing all the places and meeting all the people isn’t a feasible goal. Instead of just reaching toward plots on a map, my Travel Bucket List is a bit more specific to my interests as well as experiencing the cultures.
North America
Hike (Part Of) The Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail
Traveling by foot is my favorite way to experience this world. Whether it is running along the Bay in San Francisco, walking the streets of Chicago, or hiking through the wilderness, moving at a slower pace allows me to take in the culture and/or scenery. I’ve already hiked on part of the Appalachian Trail at the Tennessee/North Carolina border, on the far east side of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. I wouldn’t mind hiking on part of it in each state that it travels through. Unfortunately, I value modern plumbing too much to ever be able to do a through-hike of either it or the Pacific Crest Trail. (Knowing your limits is key to setting proper goals!)
Tour Mayan Ruins
Standing at the top of an ancient temple built hundreds of years ago is an experience like none other. I’ll likely go back to Tikal at some point and stay in the park to fall asleep to the sounds of the surrounding jungle.
Hike An Active Volcano
Had I not injured myself the first morning of my trip to Guatemala, this would also already be accomplished. I suspect that that is far from my last trip to Central America, though. In Nicaragua, you can ash board—surf down the side of a volcano on the ashes. I’d also love to see Costa Rica. I’ll eventually make my way to Hawaii as well, so the possibilities for where I might achieve this goal are endless.
South America
Day-Hike Machu Picchu
I’m certain this will not be enough time to explore it thoroughly (is there ever “enough”?). But, once again, my addiction to even somewhat modern plumbing limits my goal to just a day-hike.
Practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Capoeira In Brazil
I’m just beginning my quest to learn more martial arts. It would be quite the experience to practice these with natives of the culture where they were born.
Europe
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day In Ireland
Actually, I intend to attempt to drink a local under the table in some hole-in-the-wall bar somewhere outside of Cork.
Take Flamenco Dancing Lessons In Seville, Spain
Drive a Ferrari in Italy
I actually have a bucket list dedicated to Italy. It is impossible for me to choose just one thing I want to do when I finally go!
Experience Austrian Spas While Staying At the Aqua Dome
I’m a fairly modest person. At least, I’m not a traipse-through-the-halls-of-a-spa-naked person. If I were ever to splurge on a five-star hotel and spa, it would be at the Aqua Dome.
Watch The Northern Lights From A Glass Igloo Hotel Room
The Northern Lights can be seen from at least a few areas in the USA and North America, but Finland offers an experience of watching them like few other areas of the world.
Drink Champagne in Champagne
Because #ThisCallsForSomeBubbly
Asia
Visit A Tibetan Monestary
I often joke on bad days that I want to run away and become a Tibetan Monkette. I will either never return home from this trip, or I will return with memories to fuel this daydream.
Bathe In The Holy Springs of Tirta Empul
Bali has been on my mind for at least a decade. Bathing next to locals in the holy springs of Tirta Empul is among many things I hope to one day do.
Float In The Dead Sea
Africa
Tour the Great Pyramids by Camelback
Explore South African Vineyards By Train
I love trains, thanks to my train-chasing father. Touring South Africa by train, hopping from one winery to another, sounds like the perfect way to see as much of the country as possible in a short period of time.
Australia/Oceania
Swim With Humpback Whales In Tonga
Visit the Hobbit villages in New Zealand
New Zealand is actually part of an eighth, submerged continent called “Zealandia”. (Woah!) Again, the list of things I would love to do and see there is a long one.
Scuba Dive the Great Barrier Reef
One of my goals this year, among many others, is to learn to get certified in scuba diving. Surprisingly enough, this is not as hard as one might think in the Midwest. There are a number of popular diving sites in the Great Lakes that I would love to dive, too.
Antarctica
Visit Antarctica Without Dying of Hypothermia
I mean, is there any greater goal to have if visiting Antarctica?
